As August comes to an end, I’m looking back at our summer holiday with so much joy. We have had so, so much fun.

We had our annual cottage getaway with my family. Watching Ellie, my siblings and their children in the water, out behind the boat, playing with each other made me so proud. They value family as I do and are patient and kind. They work hard at learning new skills, like waterskiing. They goof off, make up games, have fun and are so joyful. It is such a special experience to share together.

The cottage was a big highlight, but we’ve had simpler fun as well. Weekly lunches with Matt’s Dad, swimming in his pool with Matt’s aunt, his brother and nephew. Harvesting the garden. A beach day with my friend and her kids. Hosting Ellie’s friends at the farm for a day.

We’ve tried new things like a visit to the African Lion Safari (amazing) and kept up with annual traditions, like our end of summer fancy waffles (so much ice cream). We repeated some favourites, like a week of art camp and a performance of Cirque du Soleil.

This summer has been a wonderful blend of big, small, new, old, away, home adventures and special moments.

I don’t have links to share this month. I have one quote from the book I read at the cottage.

Life is so much more than we expect. It is magic.