Summer 2025 was definitely one for our family memory books. Even my 13-year-old remarked that it was the best summer ever (yes! teenage mom win!). We are in a different season of life, as I am not currently pregnant or nursing, which meant we were able to fully embrace all the summer fun. That’s not to say I regret past summers—they each had their own joys—but this one felt like a sweet spot for our family.
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Family Summer Travel Adventures
The summer started out slow (read that update here), but then our family travel began! In just a few weeks, we packed in:
- A 4th of July homeschool camping trip
- A karate competition in Orlando
- A family visit to Seattle
- And finally, a road trip to Ohio to see friends and family
It may sound exhausting, but truthfully—I love running this kind of travel marathon!
Camping in Ohio: Punderson State Park
This year we reunited with dear friends—our daughter Samantha’s godparents—for our second annual family camping trip. We chose Punderson State Park in Ohio, a beautiful state park with full hookups (glamping win for this big family!).
But… the bugs. Oh, the bugs. We could barely sit outside! Even my natural-minded self had to use strong DEET bug spray. Thankfully, I had packed Plant Therapy’s Itch Away essential oil roller and Boiron Apis Mellifica, which I like to keep in our natural remedy kit for those inevitable summer bug bites. And even with the swarms, nothing was going to stop us from enjoying time together with our friends..
Family Fun at the Park
The park offered some surprisingly great activities:
- Archery lessons for kids on Saturday
- Nature crafts on Sunday
Both were big hits and a welcome distraction from the bugs.
A Not-So-Great Beach but Creative Fun
I’ll be honest: the beach at Punderson wasn’t our favorite. Living in Florida has made me a little spoiled, and I’ve also seen gorgeous lakes like the Adirondacks and Lake Huron. Compared to those, this man-made beach with mucky water just didn’t cut it.
Instead, the dads scored Walmart clearance finds: water guns, kiddie pools, and sidewalk chalk. Instant entertainment! I also grabbed a bubble flower toy for Joshua. In my head, I pictured a dreamy toddler squeal moment with bubbles floating in the breeze. Reality? He turned it into a bubble gun. He also loved riding his scooter with the bubbles. Toddler life: always amusing, never as you imagine—but the joy was still there.
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Quarry Creek Road & Chagrin Falls: A Hidden Gem
A highlight of the trip was discovering a local water hole along Quarry Creek Road. The drive itself was stunning, winding through Ohio’s countryside and passing through Chagrin Falls—a dreamy little town I immediately added to my travel bucket list to go back and explore.
The water hole was not only fun for the kids but also soothing for all those bug bites. If you’re ever traveling with kids in Ohio, this hidden gem is worth the stop!
Samantha’s 12th Birthday Celebration
To make the weekend even more special, we celebrated Samantha’s 12th birthday. I can hardly believe I now have a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old!
She was gifted a scooter (needed an upgrade!), alcohol-based markers, and a sketchbook—things she had been asking for months. Her grandmother also gave her birthday money, which she happily spent when we later visited my sister in Cleveland.
Exploring Family-Friendly Cleveland
Every time I visit Cleveland, I’m more impressed by how family-friendly the city is. In just a couple of days, we:
- Played at Impett Park
- Took Samantha and Adelaide to Pagoda Piercing in the mall to get their ears pierced. (Birthday money well spent!) The staff was wonderful—patient, kind, and smart enough to pierce both ears at once. Highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for kid-friendly ear piercing in Cleveland. These lovely ladies did not even mind we had a passel of kids with us. What a win a family-friendly win!
Sadly, our plan to spend time at Lake Erie didn’t pan out. The beach was closed due to a missing persons search (sobering reminder about water safety), and then rain rolled in. We salvaged the afternoon with a quick hunt at Bradstreet Landing for sea glass, a trip to Mitchell’s Ice Cream, and a cozy evening with hamburgers. Short but sweet.
Road Trip Home
We headed home Tuesday night. If you’ve been following along, you know we’re night drivers. But with such a quick turnaround between Seattle and Ohio, the exhaustion caught up. We had to pull over and rest for an hour before continuing home.
Lesson learned? Maybe not to stack so many trips so close together. But knowing us, when adventure calls, we’ll do it again anyway.
Back-to-School Transition
Now it’s time to wind down, because back-to-school season is here! The kids start Monday, and this year we joined a hybrid homeschool co-op. The sweetest part? They’re actually excited. Newly 7-year-old Adelaide even asked if she could start math early.
I know the first week of school will still be a tough adjustment, but I feel grateful. We’re heading into this school year with fresh energy after such a memorable summer. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this excited for a new homeschool season—more updates coming soon!
What About You?
We had such a fun, adventure-filled summer—from camping in Ohio to family road trips and Cleveland kid-friendly activities. Now we’re rolling into the school year with full hearts and great memories.
👉 What about you? Drop a comment and share a memorable moment from your summer—I’d love to hear!
I also share real-life moments on my socials, and I’d love for you to come hang out with me there!
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