Lagoon:Ushering in June and the Beginning and End of an Era

Our annual Stro family trip to Lagoon happened at the beginning of June. The whole family, at least those that are able, are treated to a day at Lagoon by Brandon's parents. This was the 6th year in a row that I have been apart of this lovely tradition. Well, mostly lovely. Each year, Brandon and I have been isolated by the fact that we were the only ones with little kids. (Marc and Eliza have little ones a bit younger than ours, but have opted not to attend or have left their kids with other family in order to attend.) 

2007

2008

2009

 For five years we have spent much of our time just the two of us in the kiddieland with the littles while the rest of the family was off going on "the big rides." Two of the six years I have been pregnant and unable to ride much of anything and, voluntarily, allowed Brandon to spend a little time with his care-free siblings. I'm nice like that.

2010

 Another year I didn't even go, staying home with our 4-week old Anne instead. What a wonderful day to stay home and cuddle my sweet girl while Brandon bonded with our newly ignored older children.

2011

2011

2011

 My intent is not to put a damper on the whole tradition. We really look forward to it each year. I adore seeing our kids ride all the little rides and watching as they grow and are able to go on more rides and understand them better, especially the bumper cars. Understanding the bumper cars at Lagoon is seriously a coming of age moment.

2012

2012

2012

 Brandon and I would often reassure ourselves that one day our kids would be old enough to join the majority of the family on the other rides. In the meantime, we would enjoy every moment of this tradition and make wonderful memories together.

 

This year was a big one for us. In our anticipation of the event we measured each of the kids and found out that William is officially tall enough to ride every single ride at Lagoon, Marie is tall enough to ride all but three, Anne is tall enough to ride the family rides, and Samuel is just barely old enough that we could put him on the rides and not worry he was going to try to climb out. Barely.

It was such a fun day full of laughing and cheering and enocouragement and smiles. I watched as our kids bonded over the memories they have made together at this quaint little amusement park. They ensured that we went on their favorite rides and were eager to try those they'd never been on before.

However, when I realized another height restriction we hadn't thought about I suddenly got sentimental. Next year, William will be too tall for kiddieland.

This was William's last year to be able to ride these cars that he has always loved so much (and most of the other kiddie rides at the park). This would be the one and only year that we could sit and watch all four of our children enjoy all the same little rides together.

We ate it up and made the most of the day. William and Marie went on several of the big rides and loved them. Then they were content to be together with Anne and Samuel. I just love being together with my own wonderful family. An entire day together with no worries besides having fun is so rare lately. 

And I perhaps cried a tear or two as I looked at my sweet little ones and realized how precious and how fleeting each year and each stage is. 

I couldn't love those four kids more.

The Lusty Month of May (Name that musical!)

A favorite activity from Joy School was revisited when I taught Anne's mommy school group.

We read "Caps for Sale" and then acted it out. They can do this over and over and over again.

I couldn't help but reflect on my other preschool group. These little ones will always hold a special place in my heart. Love them. (circa February 2011)

Marie is so grown up now and was my perfect little helper that day.

This activity was a hit so I wanted to remember it. The kiddos stacked their "hats" on the "trees". Blobs of play dough, small sticks (I cut of the sharp end of wooden skewers), and Cheerios.

Uncle Jeff stopped by for a visit before he went off to save North Carolina from its pest problems for the summer.

These kids. I'm glad their uncles put up with their wild antics.

My grandparents were in town from California and paid us a visit. My kids sure do love their great-grandparents. It was a very pleasant visit. Other than the fact that grandma was completely obsessing over my "black hair". She wouldn't believe me when I told her it is my natural color. 

A wonderful Mother's Day and birthday surprise came in the form of a day long Power of Moms retreat at the home of Richard and Linda Eyre.

It was uplifting and motivating and refreshing and just what I needed as I have worked through the challenges of the stage of motherhood I am in.

April Perry is down to earth and real and so motivational. I have grown to love her through her articles and podcasts. (She wrote this article which went viral, and rightly so.) So what did I do? I cried like a baby when I met her and tried to tell her so. She put up with me quite gracefully. {sigh} Sometimes I with I weren't such a ninny. 

A celebrity in my book, I was happy to have a quick exchange with Linda and thank her for sharing her wisdom. She helped my mom raise me (through her writings) and is helping me raise my kids. Truly inspired woman.

William started his first season of baseball and did very well. Baseball suits the way his mind works very well. We were proud of him and the success he had.

I tried my hand at somenew hairstyles. This one was especially fun.

My children and husband loved and spoiled me appropriately on Mother's Day. 

Miss Sassy Pants had her last day of preschool.

She had to show me her newly acquired skill that she had worked so hard on at recess. 

Such a fun and silly group of girls she went to school with. Unfortunately the area is very divided in the schools it goes to. These girls are divided between 3-4 schools.

For my birthday, I had Brandon and the kids "give to me" a rug that I had picked up a yard sale. My real gift was the retreat, but we wanted the kids to be able to give me something. It is such an important part of birthdays, in their mind.

It was quite dramatic and so funny to act out. 

Did I mention our kids love giving gifts? It is fantastic.

And the rug ties our room together so well. The creases have worked themselves our and I just LOVE our room now. It is definitely a haven for me.

Chicken mango salsa soup was on the menu for dinner. So good.

Brandon made the cake. I decorated it.

Happy birthday to me!

Towards the end of the month my friend Kim was in the area tending her sister's kids. I drove down to visit her at her sister's house and we were able to visit for a while. It was great to see each other again. We went to school together at USU. Such fun memories!

Marie and Aubrielle hit it off right away and had a blast together.

Love ya, Kim!

Marie's first piano recital.

We finished off May with a visit to The Farm in Idaho. 

Dinner was roasted hot dogs and, naturally, we had s'mores for dessert.

I couldn't help but take some pictures of some of my favorite little parts of grandma's house. This cookies jar was always full when we came to visit growing up. 

It was lovely to see Grandma. 

She is a rock in my life and one of the strongest and most faithful women I know.

A stop at the cemetery as the last item on our agenda before heading back home. Love you, Grandpa!

And the grand finale of the month was Marie losing her first tooth! 

Who told her she could go and grow up on me?