Five.Four Years

 5.4 Years

• We were all set for summer. Our first day, we had a ton of the neighbor friends over to play baseball and kayak on the lake. Well, that night, Maggie started getting a stuffy nose and she ended up with COVID. NO!!! Dad and I had to cancel our plans to get away that weekend. We were so bummed. It slowly made its way through the kids. You were probably the worst, but really it was just like a cold for a day. Thankfully,  Dad and I never got it. It did put a hamper on that first weekend. So instead, we went hiking down in the Whitebird Battle field and the John Creek Hike. 
• The circus came to town. We had bought tickets before you guys were sick. The other three were already better, but you started feeling sick that day. Don't judge me on this decision, but I really wanted to still go with you kids, as none of us had been to a circus before. I kept you in the middle of our front row, so you weren't near too many people. You really enjoyed it, though by the end, you were just tired. 
• We are having a little back and forth right now with the big kids as they are doing swim team and baseball. You love going to the high school for their games because you get to run around with Lane and Lucas. 
• The pond is up and running. We have had a colder month, but that hasn't stopped you guys from going kayaking with your friends. At the beginning, you were nervous to go on the kayak by yourself. It took some coaxing, but you finally got on. Now you love going on. When Sam Stone came over, both of you were out there be yourselves, just enjoying the water. 
• Silverwood!!!! We made it to Silverwood. We decided to go on a Saturday, a little nervous about the crowds, but we timed everything just right. We left super early and got there earlier enough to be able to go into the park and wait right by the rides until they open the park. Dad and Sam rushed to the blue roller coaster, while I took you girls to the wooden one. There was no line, so we were able to get all the roller coasters finished within the first hour. I first took you while Maggie stood on the side to get on the ride with JoJo. When we finished, I carried JoJo across the ride over to the exit, where you watched her so Maggie and I could go on the ride. While the boys were going on the bigger rides that you don't like to do, we made it on the Ferris wheel. That always has a long line, so it was fun to get on quickly. You shared a seat with me and JoJo. We next hit up all the kiddie rides. It was fun to have JoJo join you this year on half of them. For the second half of the day, we went to Boulder Beach. That was awesome! You had enough courage to do the bigger tube slide with Sam and Maggie. You loved it so much, you guys went down that thing 4-5 times. We spent so much time at Boulder beach, we missed the Magic show. Overall, we loved it there. 
• Your swim goal for the summer was to jump in the deep in from the edge without a puddle jumper and swim back to the edge. With the help of Lainey and Gus (we have been doing our own swim lessons with them), you accomplish that within two weeks. That means MAMMOTH ICE CREAM CONE!!! That thing was bigger than your face. You weren't able to finish it, so you were nice and let Sam have the rest.
• WE are filling our days with trips to the pool, trips to the river, we did our bike ride to Creme Cafe, and more friends playing in the pond. 
• Fourth of July was always a hit. Dad had to work a lot, but we were able to tag along with friends. On Saturday, we watched the parade and walked through all the stand in the park. Monday was our big day. We got there bright and early for the foot races (You got third place and won $1) and egg toss. You were partners with our friends cousins (Amelia) who was visiting from out of town and you two became fast friends. We bough lunch at the food vendors, decorated bikes for the kids bike parade, ran wild around town on your bikes until the parade, got even more candy, came home to rest, and ended the night watching fireworks at the high school.