Heya Reader.

As our kids get older and we've settled in to life in Ireland, we've had fun building in lots of little weekly rituals that all of us - kids and adults! - look forward to.

On Saturdays we walk to the shop to get pastries in the morning (how can we not when we live in Europe?) and in the evening we go to our favorite burger place each week.

On Sundays we make breakfast burritos and fresh orange juice. We have a little virtues meeting after breakfast using this book. The virtues meeting is a new addition but its feeling meaningful so far.

On Tuesdays we have a favorite homeschool meet up, 3-4 hours of a gaggle of kids running amuck outside, climbing trees and such. After dinner it's family game night.

Fridays are family movie nights. Saturdays the kids watch a movie together while Travis and I have an at home date.

All these little things make our time at home so sweet.

Field Notes

We've had a lot of time at home this month (after our last trip to Switzerland) and it's been an important nervous system reset. We've been enjoying a surprisingly dry Irish summer with day trips to the woods and the beach with friends - I always get comments about this chair when I take it out with me.

I started a moms-only hiking group with a friend, too. I always get scared to invite ladies to get together but as always, I got multiple messages saying 'I need this.' We had our second hike this weekend, including a dip in the river. I've learned things about my friends on these hikes that are delightful surprises!

If you don't get together with friends regularly, this is your sign to send out that text.

Homeschool

​This is my favorite collection of stories from our homeschool lately. Maybe we just read a lot, or maybe beautiful things happen when you're homeschooling in a way that feels really aligned. Regardless, the homeschool magic is pretty epic!

In between our first ever little summer camps and time with friends, I've been pulling in lessons from our Montessori homeschool curriculum, our hands-on country studies, and other bits and bobs I've thrifted or that have been handed down to us over the last couple years. We sewed woodland creatures while reading lessons about mammals, put cheese in our hot chocolate and, as always, reading a ton.

Our current audiobook (which we listen to in the car) is Julie of the Wolves. So far we all quite like it.

Can you believe it's already August!?

I hope you enjoy the last bits of summer, whatever your season looks like. What are your book recommendations for our next audiobook or chapter book read aloud?

May your adventures be epic, your home time peaceful, and your second hand + library discoveries be just what you need.

Thanks friends.

Hugs and high fives,

Bailey