This post may include affiliate links.

photos by Meagan LeDoux

It’s hard to believe the summer is coming to an end. Although I know it’s not officially over, the start of the new school year always seems to mark the end of summer more than the actual seasonal calendar date. While I certainly welcomed back the routine the new school year always brings, I had such a great summer this year and wanted to share and document a bit of it here. I had fun thinking back on the past few months to pull together this list of the 10 Things I Loved About Our Summer!

10 Things I Loved About Our Summer

Beach Trips

I look forward to our summer beach trips every year! This year we were fortunate enough to have two on the books! We’ve been visiting the Destin, Florida area with my family since I was little. It’s so special to be able to bring Weldon to the same spot with my mom, dad, sister and her family. We also had a second-annual beach trip with three of my very best friends from law school. We had the best time catching up and seeing our littles play together!

Adult Only Trips

I feel like I’m finally getting back to my pre-pandemic travel ways! Michael and I were able to sneak away for two weekend trips this summer. We visited Nashville, a first for me, and Birmingham. Michael and I met in Birmingham so it’s always fun to go back and visit all of our favorite spots.

I also got away for two girls’ trips! They were a great reminder to book. the. trip. Time spent with longtime girlfriends is so limited these days, it’s always so special and cup filling when it happens.

Mornings with Weldon

Although exhausting at some points, I cherished Weldon and I’s mornings together over the summer! Whether we had fun activities planned like visiting the zoo or mundane errands to run, having my little buddy with me made me slow down and enjoy our summer mornings together.

Weekends at the Pool

We joined a community pool this summer, and it was so much fun! With the relentless heat in New Orleans during the summer months, it was so nice to have the pool and splash pad to go on the weekends! Weldon is a little fish and loves the water.

Zoo Visits

Last fall, we invested in an Audubon Institute membership, which gets us unlimited access to Audubon Zoo and Aquarium. The Zoo is so easy to visit. Weldon loves to run around the property, check on all the animals, and ride the Swamp Train! It’s so fun to see him learning all the animals names!

Lack of Routine

I’m a type A, routine-loving person. At the beginning of the summer, I made it a point to embrace the craziness of summer and let go a little. I know Weldon will only be little for a short period of time. Summers where we get to spend them mostly all together are fleeting. It was so nice to wing it this summer, eat late breakfast, visit my parents for extended periods of time, and let go of work for a bit. Knowing this is a short season of life.

Slow Saturdays in Our Backyard

I haven’t had a backyard of my own in a LONG time. Michael and I have never lived somewhere with a yard … DC, Houston, and even our first place in New Orleans didn’t have a backyard. I caught myself on several Saturdays this summer just relishing in our Saturday afternoons in our backyard. Michael and I hanging on our patio while Weldon played at his water table or with his tee-ball set. So simple, but I loved it so much.

Lots of Family Time

Whether we were traveling together or at home in New Orleans, I loved our little family bubble this summer. A lot of people leave New Orleans during the hot summer months. At times it seemed like we were the only people in our friend group in town. We had lots of family time together, which again, I know will become less and less as Weldon gets older, so I’m thankful for that this summer!

House Projects

Woof. Homeownership is no joke (breaking news!). As of June, we’ve officially been in our house a full year. Michael and I tried to tackle one home project each week this summer. Some projects were minor while others took a bit more muscle (and money). It’s fun to see our vision for the house slowly but surely coming together!

Sweating from Sun Up to Sun Down

Ok, I didn’t LOVE every minute of this sweltering hot summer, but there’s something really satisfying about being outside almost all day (thanks to Weldon!) during the hot summer months, no makeup, workout clothes on and just sweating it out! The shower at the end of the day is *chef’s kiss*!

I hope you all had a wonderful summer as well! Cheers to entering a new season.