Mangum Mania 2012: Roundup

The rest of the reunion was mainly spent at Sam's parents' house: adults chatting it up and kids running around like crazy. 

This was a common sight (everyone on their phones):

A lot of Mangum Men sitting around talking. I would bet money the topic of conversation was sports or movies.

Sam's mom also organized some awesome games for the kids to play, with exciting prizes. 

We also hit up the pool at the local YMCA one morning, which, for Bria, was nearly as exciting as the park rides the previous day.

And of course I have to mention the Shipley's Donuts we ate at Matt's house that possibly changed my life. (Seriously, how am I supposed to survive without Shipley's??)
 

Mangum Mania 2012: Day Two

Our first full day there we spent at Kemah, down on the boardwalk with lots of scenery, restaurants, and amusement park rides. It was the perfect size and proximity to Houston for a day trip. There were plenty of little kid rides for Bria, and a couple more exciting things for the big kids and adults too. Plus, there was always someone taking a break from rides for me to chat with, since I'm weird and won't go on rides. (they all make me dizzy or motion sick. I'm such an old woman. boo.)

Running to tell me all about the ferris wheel...

There was only one small meltdown when Bria was not tall enough to go on the big spinning swings. A quick $3 for a game instantly cheered her up and won her this pink dolphin she named Susie. Whenever she felt sad about being too small for a ride, she gave Susie a quick squeeze and then found a different ride. (Man, I wish every meltdown were solved so easily . . . )

Jenn took her on the train. I don't know, do you think she may have liked it? (seriously, click on that one to see the look on her face.)

 

Seems holding Trevor's hand at reunion is becoming a trend...

Riding with Myles and Trevor. She absolutely adores these two.

And of course Bria was completely tuckered out by the end of the day.

*and because nothing can ever be drama free, the excitement of the day was on our way to Kemah when we were driving our rental car behind an 18-wheeler, and one of its tires flew off. Sam, the ever-cool driver, was forced to drive right over it (I probably would have swerved!). All seemed normal at first until we heard weird sounds and pulled over. It ripped the bumper almost all the off and cracked the fender. After talking to the rental company, Sam and Matt pulled the bumper the rest of the way off, we continued our way on to Kemah (adrenaline pumping), and traded the rental in for a new one the next day.

Mangum Mania 2012 Day One

Every two years the Mangum family has a reunion, and this year's was in Houston over Memorial Day weekend. As predicted, it was loads of fun, and Bria thought it was the end of the world when we had to come home. Being penny-pinchers, we opted to fly out of Baltimore, which wouldn't have been a big deal if our flight hadn't left at 6:00 in the morning. We were all up by 3:30, and much to my chagrin, Bria did not go back to sleep in the car or on the plane. But she is still a champion traveler and was content to watch Megamind on Sam's phone and rummage through the snack bag while I slept in the seat next to her. Luckily Bria caught a quick nap driving from the airport to Sam's parents' house, where we spent the bulk of the day hanging out, chatting, catching up, and playing with cousins.

That night we went out for Real Texas Barbeque with some of Sam's extended family. By the end of dinner, everyone had arrived for the reunion, and we were ready to party.

 Our little family stayed with Sam's brother Matt, who is there for a summer internship (he's getting an mba), and his wife and kids hadn't joined him in TX yet. It was so nice of him to let us crash his bachelor pad. True to Mangum Family Form, Sam and Matt stayed up to all hours and into the wee hours of the morning each night talking and talking and talking. This is seriously the most common thread in all Mangum reunions. Luckily my participation is optional, so I can turn in at any point-- usually when the subject turns to sports, missions, or Norwell reminiscing.

family pictures

Strawberry Picking

Last month we went strawberry picking with some friends. We tried a different farm which turned out to be perfect-- not too far of a drive, the fields were close and manageable, and there was even a little playground, some goats, and some chickens. We've been every spring we've lived here, and it still thrills me to find such red, ripe, delicious berries on the bush and then bring them home with me. I absolutely love fruit picking. Once home, I immediately set to work washing and hulling the berries to make jam and strawberry shortcake. (I also froze a couple bags for all the green smoothies we eat around here.) I'm sad the strawberry season is nearing its end. I don't think we could ever get enough.

Sunshines

In December I changed my mind about not putting Bria in preschool this year. I asked a couple friends where their kids went and called several schools between Christmas and New Years. The first school to call me back was from a local Methodist church, and I jumped to take their one opening in the Sunshines class. I was a little unsure at first-- maybe the Rec Center preschool would be a better fit (I heard back from them about an opening within 5 minutes of paying to register). And the first week I found myself feeling rather anxious. Was I really sending my firstborn child off to spend 12 hours/week with strangers? And what was I supposed to do with all that time anyway? Pretty quickly I became attached to those school days, and even faster I fell in love with the school. All the teachers, parents, and administrators are so amazing. I cannot wait for the fall when Bria goes back.

 first day of school

The last day of school was graduation for the pre-K students. It was hilarious to watch all the pomp and circumstance for such little kids. There was a little ceremony, complete with all the kids singing awesome Christian songs, followed by a picnic outside, with a bounce house for the kids.

She was not shy about finding us in the crowd and waving enthusiastically. 

 With her beloved Sunshines teachers, Miss Jessica, Miss Jill, and Miss Laurence