We officially kicked off summer with a Back to the 90’s week followed by a 20-hour road trip from Las Vegas to Spokane. Yes—20 hours. Yes—we drove straight through (being real, Mike did all the driving). And yes—there were snacks, stretches, and a whole lot of Pokémon.
Road Trip Leg 1 – Spokane: Cousins, Tacos & All the Summer Vibes
Our first stretch of summer was spent in Spokane with my mom, soaking up cousin time, back deck chats, and party moments that reminded me how special the little things can be.
Father’s Day followed the day after the epic 20-hour drive. So naturally I brought ALL the supplies! We celebrated with brunch, sweet cards, and a quiet thank you to Mike—the guy who drove us 20 hours, only to fly home the next day. That’s dad-level love.
Henry and cousin Orwell were inseparable—slip-n-slides, water balloons, water guns, Pokémon Go, and non-stop running and laughing. And I got much needed mom talk with my cousin Tania. Pokémon became the theme of our stay, from backyard games to late-night trading and battles. It was messy, loud, joyful chaos.
We got a brief moment of cousin time with Emily (not nearly long enough!) and visited Mike’s Aunt Carla, Uncle Kurt, and their grown kids James and Rachel. One of the highlights was Wonderland, a Spokane throwback with arcade games, mini golf, and classic pizza prizes. Henry was in heaven.
And of course… the mini parties:
🌮 Taco Day (at Henry’s enthusiastic request): breakfast burritos, lunchtime tacos, and tacos again for dinner.
🍕 Pizza Party: we made mini hand pizza pies and hosted dinner for Grandma and sweet neighbor Susan.
🎬 Detective Pikachu Movie Night: Henry was so excited he fell asleep before the snacks were even served.
☀️ Summer Solstice: we welcomed the longest day of the year with Zips Burgers and backyard laughs.
Road Trip Leg 2 – Idaho Falls: Popsicles, Pokéstops & a Day Just for Mom
Almost two weeks after we arrived to Spokane, I braved a 10-hour drive with the two kids to Idaho Falls, where Mike’s parents and youngest sister live. The kids loved cousin time, pool swims, staying up way too late, and sleeping in even later.
Highlights? So many:
Pool days with cousins and rainbow popsicles by the dozen. A fun-filled visit to Bear World, where they drove through wildlife, explored the petting zoo, and marveled at bear cubs. Pokémon walks along the Greenbelt and Friendship Park, spinning Pokéstops and catching ‘mons like it’s our job. A few Happy Meal runs, where we fully embraced the nostalgia of the new Lil’ McDonald’s mini toys. (They’re adorable and yes—we are still on the hunt to collect all 21!)
One of my personal favorite moments? A solo mama date. I took myself out to lunch at Smokin’ Fins—HIGHLY recommend the mango tacos. Absolutely delicious. I took Cici for a stroll through town. We explored small businesses and boutiques, grabbed a perfect handcrafted espresso from ZZ Coffee Shop, admired plants at The Plant Box, and discovered a local Where’s Waldo scavenger hunt (find a bookstore near you to participate!)
That led me to Winnie and Mo’s Bookstore, where I joined the hunt, chatted with the kindest shopkeeper, and picked up a few bee books for the kids, to include choose your own adventure book for Henry. Who remembers those?! My absolute favorite as a kid. I also had the sweetest conversation with Lyn at Lyn’s Ladies and Babies Boutique about her journey as a business owner and brought home a new pink Jellycat bunny for Cici (a stuffy I’ve been on the hunt for!), then snagged some treasures at Elsie’s Closet, an upscale resale shop. It was a calm, joyful day with my baby girl, soaking in sunshine, small businesses, and slow summer moments.
Shifting Plans & Letting Go
We originally planned to road trip to Oregon, but our dog Rocket had other plans. A nasty spider bite left him with crater-like wounds that ruled out doggy daycare. So, I pivoted. With holiday travel looming and Rocket needing TLC, Cici and I packed up and headed home to Vegas, just in time for the neighborhood firework shows.
Henry gets to stay behind for a week of epic cousin time, grandparent spoiling, and camping fun with Mike. Not gonna lie—I’m nervous to leave him. He’s my sidekick, my snuggle buddy, my constant “I love you.” But I know he’s going to have the best time. And before we know it, he’ll be back home, ready to help me plan Cici’s first birthday (!!) and get ready to start second grade.
This summer so far has been one big mix of letting go, leaning in, staying up late, and finding magic in the everyday. Just the way we like it.
A Parenting Moment, Wrapped in Popsicles and Goodbyes
This summer reminded me that parenting isn’t just about planning the fun or packing the snacks—it’s about growing right alongside our kids. Sometimes that growth looks like saying yes to another popsicle, and sometimes it looks like waving goodbye to your son as he stays behind for a week of cousin adventures without you.
It’s not always easy. Letting go—just a little—is one of the hardest things I’ve done as a mom. But it’s also one of the most important. Because watching Henry become his own person, seeing his confidence soar with each new experience, reminds me why we do all of this in the first place.
We fill their world with magic, connection, and comfort… so that one day, when they’re ready, they can carry a little of that with them into the world on their own.
And we’re still here—always—with popsicles in the freezer and bedtime snuggles waiting when they come home.
