Our spring weather this year was perfect. Warm, sunny days that weren’t too hot, cool evenings, no afternoon thunderstorms to interrupt outdoor fun. We took advantage of this and enjoyed some of our favorite local activities, as well as some new ones.
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| Playing in the dirt. Always a classic. |
Instead of going to the Florida State Fair, we decided to meet up with our friends, the Paul family, at the
Strawberry Festival this year. It’s much smaller, but the kids still managed to have a great time on the rides and as long as they have “fair food”, I’m good!
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| The kids are on there somewhere… |
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| James and Reese are on the right side, mid-scream. |
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| I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to look cool while eating a corn dog. |
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| Swings are always fun. Always. |
James had a great time at the Renaissance Festival last year and since we are studying the Middle Ages in History this year, it seemed appropriate to attend again this year. Given how much we all enjoy it, it appears it’s going to be an annual tradition for us.
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James got to try on chain mail and experience how heavy it is.
Much better than just reading about it! |
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| He took part in a “sword” fight with some other hoodlum children. |
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| Can’t pass up an opportunity to jump really high on a trampoline! |
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| He even charmed this woman into letting him play the hammer dulcimer. The kid has skills. At charming. Not at this thing. |
Chris enjoyed a weekend away at
Sebring with his brother, Corey, to take in the 24 Hours of Sebring race. While they were gone, I had the pleasure (?) of taking our niece, Taylor, to the Shawn Mendes concert at Universal Studios. It is a testament to my love of Taylor that I did this. Thousands of screaming, weeping (yes. weeping.) girls who feel the need to simultaneously sing along and video the entire thing on their phones, is not my idea of an awesome Saturday night. But I was going for “Aunt of the Year 2016” and I’m pretty sure I nailed it. So, when my trophy arrives (still waiting…) I’ll post a selfie with it.
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| Before the madness began. When it was just waiting. Three long hours of waiting for a one-hour concert. So much love. |
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| Do they know they are there in real life? SO MANY PHONES! |
We scored some free tickets to
Gatorland, so, of course, we had to check it out. They have a lot of gators. Hundreds. The kids had a good time. I don’t know that I feel the need to go back again anytime soon, it’s not much of a repeat-visit kind of place, but it’s good to see if you’re in the area.
