A Pure Michigan Summer

Summer is over and Fall is finally here. Although it was in the 90s this weekend, so it really still feels like the dog days of summer. But I’m trying not to complain, as it will be cold and gloomy soon enough.

The new school year has started, and the kids are enjoying their new schools. My daughter is a 5th grader this year and happy to be back with her peers after a year of homeschooling. A very, very long year. My oldest son is now a preschooler and loving every minute of it. The fact that he had no separation issues and really doesn’t mind when I leave him has been a big relief. Of course, it’s always hard to send your child off into the world without you. But a part of me really enjoys seeing his newfound independence.

I haven’t been inclined to blog much over the Summer. It’s been busy and we’ve been on the go most weekends. But now that everything has calmed down, I feel like I can now look back over our first summer here in Michigan. It had it’s highs and lows, but overall, it was filled with awesome day trips, exploration, and really experiencing the beauty of “The Mitten” as they call it. It was definitely a Pure Michigan Summer.

We went to some really scenic parks throughout the area. So much water and greenery. I forgot how much I missed that after living in the desert for a spell.

We spent a day at the lake. So much beauty not far from our home.

We went to festivals almost weekly. My youngest son danced himself silly as he enjoyed a taste of live music.

Almost every weekend was spent going on day trips. I was exhausted by the end, but it was worth it. I didn’t realize how many fun things there were to do in Michigan with kids. And by sheer coincidence, we kind of went around the world while staying in the state. We started off at Dutch Village.

And then we went to Frankenmuth for the German experience. By far, my most favorite trip of the summer. We had a 3 day visit and really enjoyed ourselves. Of course we tried the “world famous chicken dinner” to mixed results, but we all thought it was a cool dinner experience. And I wanted to stay at Bronner’s, the world’s largest Christmas store, forever. It was gloriously awesome. I plan on making another visit in the winter to get the Christmas experience at Frankenmuth.

Next up was Scottish weekend at the Michigan Renaissance festival. We are Renfest geeks, so we always have a good time at these things.

Our last day trip of the summer was at Greenfield Village. The kids got a kick out of going back in time.

We had so much fun this Summer, I hated to see it end. The one negative was the humidity. I forgot how humid this area can be, but it was a lot more tolerable than 120 degrees of “dry heat.” I was born a Midwest girl, and I could never adjust to having an Arizona “Summer” being the time of winter-like hibernation.

I’m now looking forward to a happy, colorful Fall. This area is absolutely beautiful with the leaves changing colors on the trees and the nearby farms filled with hay and pumpkins. I still look around like a tourist when I’m just driving the kids to school or going to the store. The rural, country roads make for a scenic drive and it’s pretty much the country life I’ve always wanted (without having to live in the boonies to get it). It feels good to be home.