Start of Summer - June

As the kids are now in school, I have decided my favorite season is summer!  After this school year (which it was very good) but a lot of work, I am so happy for summer!  Summer is our fun chill time.  There are no sports activities and our schedule is relaxed.  No more 8pm bedtime!  It's great!

My mom had a total hip replacement once we got back from Disney.  She has not been able to walk well for a while now.  She's been using a walker.  I was at the hospital for her surgery.  I worked on my continuing education credits that I have put off doing for the past 5 years.  It's been a busy 5 years!  But now, I must get them done.  My mom's surgery went well.  After a few days at the hospital, she went to rehab then back home.  

The Cavs were in the Finals and we enjoyed this run as we know it could be our last time.  Brian took Austin to the first home Cavs game.  They had a great time!  Then Brian and I went the second game.  Unfortunately they did not win.  It was sad and especially watching Lebron walk off the court, for the last time.  Sydney did not want to attend the game so that's why we didn't go as a family.  Plus the games don't start until 9pm which is late for them.  Austin does love the playoffs though!  

We went to our local carnival.  The kids had fun riding the rides and Sydney getting her face painted.  She loves her face painted.  Austin does not.  We stayed for the fireworks too.  We watched fireworks in the rain.  It was a cool experience.  

Sydney also had her first dance recital.  She was very excited about it.  She loves dance but sometimes does not like going to the dance class.  In fact, she said that she won't do it again next year.  Her outfit was so cute.  She enjoyed dancing with her friends.  And she did a great job.  We were there for rehearsal on Thursday night.  On Friday, was the recital and Brian and Austin met us there to watch Sydney's one dance.  Then on Saturday Brian took Sydney to the recital since I had to work.  Sydney did a great job and we were proud of her!

On Father's day, it was very hot. I suggested to Brian to take the kids to store to get something water fun for them to play.  They had small blow up pool for cheap so we got that.  When we got home, we realized our yard was not level.  Brian said he would build a deck for it to go on.  The wood for the deck was not so cheap.  Then we worked the rest of Father's day building this deck so the kids could swim.  It was so much work, he didn't even get it done on Sunday.  He had to finish on Monday.  Finally when it was done it cooled down and it was too chilly for the kids to swim.  A few days later, it warmed up and the kids loved their pool.  It's was lots of entertainment for them.  

We went on our first camping trip of the season with some of the kids friends and parents.  It was a lot of fun.  Austin and his friend have been best friends since kindergarten.  They also have a girl the same age as Sydney.  They play together great and we had a lot of fun.  We went cherry and strawberry picking.  It was supposed to rain all weekend but there were only a few scatter thunderstorms.  The kids loved playing in the field next to our campsite.  They played gaga ball and basketball.  They went swimming in the pool as well.  It was a great weekend!

We have went to Cedar Point several times this year as well.  Austin loves the roller coasters.  Sydney is fine either waiting for Austin or riding little kid rides if their are other kids to ride with.  We have also enjoyed their water park a bit.  

Disney

This year, we decided to go to Disney the day the kids got out of school.  When we booked the trip, we didn’t think the Cavs would make the finals.  And if they did they surely wouldn’t have home court.  So we made our trip, plans to ensure we would be back in time for the first home game.  Our plan worked out great. 

Sydney graduated Kindergarten on Wednesday.  It was crazy to think we no longer have a kindergartner.  My favorite quote it, “the days are long but the years are short”.  And that is so true.  Sydney did fabulous in kindergarten.  She excelled in academics and always got a good report on behavior.  Sometimes we wonder about Sydney’s behavior but she did really well in school.  After the graduation ceremony, Sydney and I went home and got ready of our Disney trip. 

Austin got out of school at 11am on Thursday. I picked him up and went home and loaded the car.  Then we were off to the airport to Disney.  This year we stayed at Pop Century.  We got one of their new rooms.  It was great.  The kids were so excited to be there.  And honestly Brian and I love Disney too! 

We didn’t get to our hotel until around 7pm.  We let the kids go swimming and then got ready for bed.  This trip was only 4 days in the parks so we had to make the most of it. 

On Friday, we started at the Magic Kingdom.  We rode some rides including goofy roller coaster several times.  Then we rode the Thunder Mountain railroad.  That is one of our favorites.  Then we went to Sydney’s mermaid make over experience at Pirate Adventure.  Austin didn’t want to do it.  Brian and Austin went to Tom Sawyer island instead.  Sydney loved her mermaid make over.  After the make over, we met Brian and Austin at the island.  We played over there for a bit.  One thing I forgot this trip was their autograph books.  Luckily they didn’t mind.  They made their own books with white blank paper.  The characters actually enjoyed the homemade autograph books.  They did a great job with that. 

We went back to the hotel and swam and then the kids took a nap.  They learned this trip about the greatness of naps.  Naps are not punishment.  They really do allow you to stay up later.  Then we went back to the Magic Kingdom for fireworks.  We also rode the 7 dwarfs mine train.  Other favorite family ride.  We were not in the best spot but we didn’t want to hold them in the heat. 

On Saturday we started our day at Hollywood. I was unable to get a fast pass for toy story so we got there early to try and ride it.  We had to wait about 40 minutes but the kids did enjoy the ride.  We watched the first order Star War march.  Sydney is still scared of Star Wars characters.  Austin and Brian went to ride the rocken roller coaster.  Sydney and I went to see Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid.  Austin and Brian also saw Indian Jones.  We split up a lot.  

Then we met for lunch. After lunch, we stop at a store and the kids learned all about pin trading.  Austin really wanted to get started.  Then of coarse Sydney did too.  We brought them each a starter pack.  They were so happy. That night after our nap and swim we went to Animal Kingdom for their night show. It was our first time seeing it.  We all really enjoyed it. 

On Sunday we went to Epcot. We got their before it opened so we could go start to Soarin.  That is another one of our favorite rides.  Then we rode living off the land, figment ride, and saw Mickey and Pals.  Kids also did some pin trading. 

We had reservations for our princess character breakfast.  Sydney was so excited.  She had a great time.  Honestly it’s way over priced for the food but Sydney loved it so that’s all that matters.  Austin was a bit cranky about the princess breakfast however he was aware of all the rides he got to ride.  Sydney isn’t into rides as much as him it all worked out. 

After the character breakfast, we rode Fast Track.  Brian also saw his electric car there too.  So he checked that out.  He wants an electric car just not sure if Tesla or Chevy yet. The kids did some pin trading as well.  They really love it!  At the hotel, they played ping pong and swam at the hotel.  It was hotter than our liking but kids didn’t mind with all the swimming they could do. 

 On Monday, we went to Animal Kingdom.  We started by pin trading.  It was a bit of a disaster because Austin traded one of his favorites.  It was an important lesson for him.  We did some of the wilderness explorer program.   It was so hot we could not do it all.  We went on the safari.  Austin rode Expedition Everest.  It amazes me how he’s not scared on this ride!  I was scared.  Then we all rode the Avatar ride.  I was nervous on how Sydney was going to do.  We prepared her and she loved it.  It is really the best ride! 

That night we ended at Magic Kingdom.  Austin rode space mountain.  That is his favorite ride.  We did the jungle cruise.  And we got a perfect spot for fireworks. Our Disney trip was short this year but we had a great time!  We can’t wait to go back!