Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The Salt Life

Not sure how you and your family take a break from reality, but here in the Shroyer household, we head to the beach.  The beach that we love so much is Lido Beach in Sarasota, FL and our utmost favorite place to be while there is Suntide Island Beach Club.  My husband, has grown up there and has many memories.  I experienced the condo for the 1st time back when I was 15 years old when we were dating and fell in love with it then, as well.  Now that we have 2 boys, they too love it, so we have made it our home away from home for a week in June each year and have loved every minute we are there.  It's comfortable, it's relaxing, it's fun, and the beach is just a few footsteps away, so how can you go wrong!  LOL!!  Like previous years, we LOVE our road trips & couldn't wait to get on the road!


The boys love this rest area
Our little travelers doing what they do

This year, we decided to continue our tradition with adding a little bit of fun before the relaxation and since we're not a big Disney family, the search began on what we could do.  After a few weeks of collaborating ideas, I found Busch Gardens in Tampa and our little group loved that idea.  So, the trip was planned, tickets were bought, and we were excited to get there.  As with any trip, you can never plan the weather and unfortunately, this part of our trip didn't work out too well.  As we were pulling into the parking lot, the rain began.  We were pumped though and continued our trek to the entrance.  Well, after walking around and enjoying the animals, sights, ice cream...the rain continued and it was HOT!  Our whole goal was getting the kids to the kiddie area and enjoying the water fun for the day, but that couldn't happen w/ the rain & everything closed.  We tried our best to utilize the place, so we could get our moneys worth, but it just wasn't working.  Now, don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it and it was fun; however, we weren't able to ride 1 single ride.  So, for those of you that know my husband and brother-in-law that just wasn't going to fly and off they went.  Where you might ask.....to the park gods, LOL!  I have to say though that little walk they took ended up with us getting 4 free passes, 16 upgraded rides, and free parking for our next visit. YAY!!! That was exciting and gave us enough gumption to give up for the day.  We were exhausted and just wanted to relax, so after 4 hours at the park, off we went to the hotel knowing that next year, we get to experience it all over again for FREE!!!

of course!!!
the tram provided us w/ our own "Jurassic Journey" to the entrance
our little group
♥my guys♥
Flamingos
Hi Mom!
Ethan had a friend during lunch
can't be in FL w/o seeing the gators!
so intrigued
Time to go
on the way to the hotel & Brenton spotted one of his favorites....Raymond James Stadium
this little guy conquered his fear of elevators, YAY Colin!


We had a great week!  I loved it and getting away with my family is so worth it.  We met new people, experienced new things, had heat like no other, the gulf water was beautiful, white sand between our toes, enough Vitamin D to last another year, family time, conversations that will last a lifetime, memories to look back on, and a ride home that was memorable.  Memories...that's what it's all about, right! ☺

ready for the beach
Tampa Bay
Brenton focused heading to his favorite bridge
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
us going up
our paradise = Lido Beach
our little fish were so so happy we made it
he's figured out this swimming thing
Father's Day was a success
Sunday started out rough for Colin, but by the end of the day he was "wimming" in the pool
all better & ready for the beach
we love Kilwin's & St. Armands Circle
this kid = EPIC
our date place = BEST Seafood Mac-n-Cheese
he made friends and of course 2 were female ;)
these cards = a "God Thing"
he made the perfect vacation friend...Alex
#3 gone
souvenir shopping
the Tooth Fairy found him in FL (we had to leave early)
almost time to go and he wanted to say goodbye
OH here we come (flash was bright, lol)
our home for the week...condo #140
Kingsland, GA
the reason we were held up in SC = 3 fatalities, so sad!
in NC we needed a break & Nick introduced us = New Tradition
this in VA gave us hope that the end was near
HOME = HAPPINESS


Friday, May 29, 2015

Well....Hello, again!

Wow, it's been almost a month, since my last blog post! Holy cow, sorry!!!  There's just been a lot happening at our house these past few weeks and I guess blogging was the last thing on my mind.  As much as, I look forward to this time of year, I have to admit (for some dang reason) I get sad?!?! LOL!  I know it sounds crazy, but with each school year that comes to a close, I realize at that moment just how quickly life is going. I mean it, it seems like yesterday that I was preparing to bring my boys home for the 1st time!  Truth of the matter, Ethan, just finished the 2nd grade & had an awesome year.  He loved it so much, he was sad it was over....well, for a little while that is. LOL! Colin, has finished his PreK year and will be heading to kindergarten in the fall.  I've been so anxious about that transition, since last fall and have been worried about how Colin will do, how will he do it, etc?  Well, my prayers were answered and our school district has stepped up to help these kids that need more help, than the typical child.  Now, I have to say, I cried for days when I found out where the R&T room will be housed, but our Special Ed Director (whom I love dearly) has been helping me through all the emotions I've been having and answering all of my questions.  So, after a few weeks of planning, this mama is excited for Colin.  Our goal, obviously is to get him into a standard educational classroom full time, but until he can achieve that goal (he will be mainstreamed even in kindergarten, to help with this goal) he will be utilizing the R&T room to help him w/ all of his work that he needs to "focus" on.  I'm really anxious, in a different way now, to see where Colin is next year at this time? I tell ya, this boy of mine is moving mountains! We are so proud of him!!!  I love watching him grow and knowing that he'll be able to learn his way and have all the help he needs, is music to this mama's ears!

Last week, we celebrated his PreK graduation.  I heard great things on how well he practiced and he was singing, etc & I thought, "maybe he'll do it"?  However, the day of the ceremony, he needed Daddy's help! =)  It was so cute, b/c I saw him walking in like a big boy, doing what he had practiced the weeks prior, but when he came around the corner to enter the sanctuary, he saw the people, and bolted right back out the door. LOL! It wasn't happening, but Daddy saved the day and he accepted his certificate just like all his little friends. ;)  After it was over, the kids threw their hats and that's when he saw me a few pews back, my little man ran to me and said "go byes".  I knew at that moment, he was overwhelmed and needed to get outside, so we did.  We got a few pics and then him and I walked home, he had enough.  Want to hear something funny...the whole way home he sang his graduation song to me.  Of course he did, right....LOL!!!  In these moments, I've learned to not get upset or focus on anything negative, but rather celebrate the accomplishment as a whole.  I didn't need him to stand up there and sing for me, even though it was so cute watching the other kids do so, but I was celebrating inside on everything he had accomplished over the entire year.  What a great year he had!  As we were walking home, holding hands & I'm listening to his sweet little voice singing his song, I reminisced on how great of a year he had.  He's accomplished so much, has done so many new things, and was "using his words" to sing to me the very song that was sung just a few short minutes before.  I didn't care if no one else heard him, I heard him, every word and I was so proud of him.  I knew walking up the front steps of my house, that a new chapter is about to begin and we finally have people on our side that care and will help him continue to grow.  I sighed a HUGE sigh of relief and looked up at the sky to thank God for answered prayers!

Curiosity
I think your wonderful, 
I think your marvelous, 
I think your beautiful and magical 
and filled w/ curiosity.....
And dreams!


We sing this song everyday now, because it truly holds so much truth behind it.  Hearing him sing it, is one of the things that I smile about, because it's his voice and he's doing it!  Something we weren't sure if he'd ever do....talk!  So, to be singing....HUGE!  Colin, you truly are all those things the song says and I can't wait to see where 'your' dreams take you one day! XOXOXO

Since it has been so long since I blogged, I won't bore you with anymore of my words.  Pictures speak volumes, so here's what we've been doing the past few weeks....making memories!

we love "porch" season
he loves the movies
Kindergarten registration time
ready for his big day
I think he's going to love his new school
Love them
They made my Mother's Day perfect
Luau Time at PreK
Luau fun Day 2
Batter Up....TCC Braves
It's a family affair 
the circus rolled into town
"Adventure w/ Mom" at the Warther Museum
Mr. Independent
Our lil graduate
Graduation Memories
Golfing w/ Daddy
he LOVES the park
Dentist time
Summer 'fun' buckets complete

bye bye 2nd grade....
so sad...LOL!  He loved 2nd grade