Picnics, Parades, and Mini Donuts!

I wish every weekend would begin and end with a picnic.  After the 30 percent rain chances, cloudy skies, and foggy drizzle cancelled all plans to be outside most of last week, the mix of sun and puff clouds on Friday lured us outside for lunch.  We drug our quilt out of the back of the car, and hauled out glasses of iced tea, bowls of bing cherries, and of course, puffs for Cruz.  The picnic did the trick, as Beau decided to call it a day and spend the rest of his Friday afternoon at George Wyth with us.  

Last night, we picnicked again.  This time, we joined my extended family for grilled burgers, Mom's macaroni salad, and a deliciously store-bought cherry pie.  We introduced Cruz to some relatives he had yet to meet, and introduced him to Wilder Park, a park that has grown up a lot since I was a little girl.

Yea, our son started this biting thing...

Sandwiched between our picnics this weekend was a smorgasbord of summertime events that left us all a bit worn out when we returned home Sunday night.  Cruz, as always, went with the flow all weekend, but was a bit unruly today.  I blame it on a busy weekend, and of course, baby teeth.  He had his first temper tantrum today when I tried to rock him to sleep.  He put up a fight, but I, along with some Baby Tylenol, Orajel, and a frozen teether won out in the end.  After a two hour nap, about a pound of strawberries, and a good soak in the tub, he's seeming a bit more like his happy self again.   

This weekend also marked our annual city celebration, Sturgis Falls.  I've always been a sucker for small town festivals.  The parades, and carney food, and live music brings me back to days spent at the Butler County Fair, or up way past bedtime at the Allison Days street dance featuring the latest classic rock band.  Those celebrations were the highlight of my summer.  My neighbor, Stacy, and I would plan an itinerary for the entire week; and because in reality there wasn't a whole lot to do, we'd find entertainment at the hog show, make friends in the cattle barns, and wander through the 4-H buildings, sampling fresh pies, Culligan water, and elk burgers.  We'd sit at those crane games for hours, listen to the carnies heckle us for more money, and ride the tilt-a-whirl until we felt sick (or until a girl got sick all over my sandals).  I have fond memories of those days, and will always feel a hint of nostalgia when fair time rolls around.  This year, at Sturgis Falls, Tourist Park was booming with a Bon Jovi Tribute on Friday and yes, a Journey Tribute Saturday.  This small town girl was ready to introduce her little man to mini donuts, strawberry smoothies, and 'Don't Stop Believing.'  

Cruz loved the people, the music, the balloons, and the live music.  He squealed from Beau's shoulders as we tried authentic gyros, and even got his very own taste of my fresh strawberry smoothie.  I changed his diaper next to a tree behind the beer tent, and dressed in his skulls and crossbones sleeper, he drank his bottle from his stroller, serenaded to the sounds of 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn.'  About the time the strobe lights and smoke filled the stage and we realized we were one of about five couples left with a stroller, we decided it was time to head home.  We took one more stroll through the midway as Cruz drifted off to sleep, and decided to sit curbside at Tony's for a late night slice of pepperoni.  We were home, in bed, and asleep by 11:00, probably about the time my little brother was making his way to Cedar Falls.  Oh, the stages of life ;)

Cruz liked watching this guy get down...

...and wondered how he might make the same moves...

Saturday, we were up bright and early for Cruz's first ever parade.  I figured we might as well take advantage of the candy-less parade while Cruz doesn't care!  It's a long parade, but my boys did great.  Beau like the classic cars, Cruz liked the UNI Dance Team, and I got some use out of my telephoto lens.

Waiting for the start...

 

Oh, Sunny...

After the parade, we took one more walk through the park, grabbed one more bag of mini donuts, and went home to take naps.  Then, after a fresh bowl of guacamole, we headed to Jordan and Kelli's to celebrate Kelli's 29th birthday, as well as a visit from Dave and Kara, friends from UNI who now live in Australia.    

What a weekend!  When I think about it in hindsight, I can't believe how much I ate!  Maybe it's a good thing we don't have picnics and city celebrations and birthday parties every weekend!  

Last week of June.  Hoping for a long, sunny, and relaxing July, filled with lots of picnics and pool days!