Nate & I have had a lot of talks about how to help me & in return, our entire family, especially on the weekends.   Setting up a routine, getting out, not leaving me alone with Harrison, & getting in some ol’ fashioned endorphin-inducing exercise top the list.  In the past, Nate takes Harrison on Saturday mornings for a quick ride & some breakfast to “trick” Harrison into his weekday routine & to also give me a little space to clean or sleep in.  This morning, I saddled up with my boys & we took a trip to our new local Dunkin’ Donuts.

Harrison slept through the entire breakfast, but Nate & I each enjoyed a very tasty donut.  When I was little, we used to go to Dunkin’ Donuts in the mall & two older my brothers & I always had “our” donuts – maple for the oldest, blueberry for the middle, & strawberry for me.  You know those stores, places, or smells that hold so many memories?  Mine are strawberry donuts.  & every time I eat one, I have to call/text my brothers just to tell them that I love them.  & to rub it in their faces that I’m eating a donut & they’re not (sibling rivalry NEVER dies).

After some pretty standard Sunday stuff, like paying bills, laundry, & letting Harrison nap, I decided to take the advice of my good pal Nish over at The Outdoor Wife & get outside.  (Nish & I are high school buddies & I may grace y’all with pictures of us in Vegas or prom…eventually.  If you haven’t read Nish, get your hiney over there for some incredible pictures of the great Northwest, plus some fantastic tips on being outside with young ones)  Sunshine, exercise, time with my family.  Just what the doctor ordered:

& yes, I’m totally wearing a Guinness hat.  I adore dark beer.

They built this incredible park just a mile or so up the road from our house when the town purchased an old farm.  It has MILES of walking paths, an outdoor amphitheater, & some really cool old barns.  This summer they’ll be hosting a free outdoor concert series, so we’re hoping to attend a few.

It seemed like a great place to have a fall wedding, or maybe even a fall birthday party  The barns, the fire-pits, the picnic tables!  Unfortunately, it was a wee bit more windy & chilly than we first thought, so we ended up calling it a day after an hour when Harrison started fussing.  But it felt SO GOOD to be outside & for the first time in a long time, I felt at peace with my family & self.  I think those meds are finally starting to kick in!

Did you do anything cool this weekend?   Any suggestions for things to do on weekends to get us out of the house?  The park was fun, but it can’t be every weekend & it really is necessary for me to get out of the house with either Nate, The Momma, or friends.