Summer adventures included the annual family group camping trip, a vacation house on the Sandy River with good friends, learning to rock climb, Josef spending two weeks in Utah with Grammannette and cousins and also a week at Camp Westwind, paddle boarding the entire Willamette River from Dexter Lake to Wilsonville, group camping with the 5th Grade, taking the train to LA to go to Universal Studios, driving up to BC to visit pals. Dang…that was a lot!
It was painful learning how to navigate some of these annual fun events without Rachael, but we all did our best. After the back to back group camp and Sandy River vacation, I was pretty maxed out on social time, so I took advantage of Josef being in Utah and spent 3 nights slowly paddling down the Willamette. I saw bald eagles, osprey, and herons in great numbers, and also deer, otters, baby raccoons, and even a coyote. It was so incredibly peaceful; I feel like I hardly had a thought or trouble in my mind.
When not on vacation, Josef was perfectly happy being left alone at home while I was at work. He is growing so mature–getting his chores done without being asked, being responsible for his own feeding and amusement, calling up friends to arrange for playtime. At the same time, his ability to argue with me and advocate for his positions has also matured! Unfortunately not to the point where I’m dealing with a completely rational individual, but it’s certainly a welcome change. Even though we butted heads this summer more than anytime I can remember, it was encouraging to see him trying to use logic to plead his case (or undermine mine 😂). I feel like I am getting my first little taste of what it will be like to live with a teenager–it’s both exciting and daunting.
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- 8th Grade Buddy
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- Santiam Pinnacle
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- Mt Washington
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- Composer