The End Of Summer Break!

 

Ahhhh! I can't believe that the end of summer break is here and that this was our last beach trip of the season. I have loved every minute spent with these kids and although I'm grateful for education and that they will be back at school this week I will definitely miss hanging out with them! The older they get the more I want to appreciate their presence and all the things that their heart desires which isn't too much. They are the most agreeable kids and I especially love the way they don't plan and want to do the simple things in life. Going to the shore are moments of fun, sand in our tushes upon leaving, and splashing in the waves while soaking in the ocean. Ahhh yes - I'm sure going to miss these moments...and so will they!

Beach Day!

With summer winding down we are taking advantage of time by going to the beach. We have less than two weeks before school starts and we really want to soak in these final days of summer-literally! I have to say that this summer hasn't really been filled with beach days because of having other commitments and being that it's been soooooo hot would rather go to a movie, museum, or just stay in the comfort of our home watching Netflix! 

We did manage to go to the beach when Jon was off from work and adopted my other son winsley for the day. Sure do love that kid and Noah is always happy when he tags along. As much as he loooooves his sisters I'm sure that he would like some male bonding with his friends from time to time. It's nice that Noah has a couple of good friends that he can have fun with and are like a brother to him. And looking back at this post I can't believe how tall these boy have gotten in one year!!!! I blame it on the pandemic!!

Coney Island At Dusk!

It feels like it was just June yet somehow we are nearing the end of august! We are trying to "live up" of what's left of summer before school starts so last week we ended up going to Coney Island. It's become tradition to go every summer and even though it can be trashy (in a good way) we love going! We don't mind the smells of weed or trash because let's face it, it's legally part of the world now but we don't mind that and we just focus on the positivity of this unique experience and just have fun with it! 

We always always ride the cyclone and the wonder wheel! They are both old rides and I swear I felt as if I was going to fly out of the roller coaster every time it took a curve. We screamed and cheered and upon rolling up to the top before dropping down the guy sitting behind us said, "welcome to hell." I totally had a final destination moment but nonetheless chelsea and I had a blast screaming all the ahhh's and I even said, "shiiiiiiiiiiiiT" once while riding this 95 year old roller coaster. Don't regret it and it's definitely worth the 10 bucks!  

It was a low key fun afternoon and stayed until late in the evening. I'm so glad I made this reel at dusk when the lights turned on because it truly does look magical. 

Tender Moments...

Two days have past since Lexie flew back to Utah and we already miss her something fierce. I know that time will pass and that we will see her again during the holidays but when you're getting up there in age and have two kids left at school-you just want to relish all the time with your kids and honestly at times don't want them to leave. These tender moments in pictures of Lexie saying bye to us are priceless. I am so grateful for the time she took to come home and visit and spend three weeks with us. We had such a great time and wish she could have stayed longer but school for her starts at the end of this month plus we need to wind down and get the rest of the kids prepared for another school year come September. So glad school starts after Labor Day here in the east so we can have more time for one last little hurrah of summer. 

Tennis In The Summer Time!

Temperatures have been in the 80's lately and before Lexie left the kids managed to play a lot of tennis. It's a perfect time to play and get all hyped up with the US Open beginning in a couple of weeks. We hope to attend a watch a match or two with the kids but with school in session it's almost impossible and Jon and I  usually make it a date night. 

There are many more tennis moments that were made this summer but only captured the kids on this day as the weather wasn't too hot for me! There are days when I can handle the heat and days I can't (thank you menopause!) So on this morning while we let Chelsea sleep in Noah and Lexie had a little match with me being the "umpire." I am so happy that Noah enjoys playing tennis and it is my hope that he will join the team this next spring instead of track, but it's his choice as to what sport he wants to do. He's getting better and better at tennis though and would love to see where it takes him if he sticks with it. Lexie is pretty much a pro and whether it's 100 or 80 degrees she and Chelsea will never say no to playing a game of tennis!

Cause When It's 100 Degrees Outside- We Paint.

It's been years since I've blogged or posted anything about Noah doing crafts or painting and since the weather has been brutally hot lately decided to stay indoors and pull out this ceramic dragon tile that has been tucked inside my scrapbook bag since last summer and have Noah paint it. He's a lover of dinosaurs and dragons and to be honest don't want him to outgrow all the things he used to do since he was six, but he will be 13 in three months and so I have to come to terms that eventually he won't be so much into crafts (unless he becomes some sort of decorator LOL) but he's such an agreeable kid that he will pretty much do anything that we suggest-and if he's in the mood to paint he will do that! It made my mama heart happy to see him doing something that reminded me of the time when he was two and painted with his sister Chelsea. Such sweet memories. And to especially watch him enjoy doing it. There's a difference. He truly enjoyed painting it! Just watch this little reel I made of him painting it and you can be the judge and tell me whether you think he liked painting it or not! Ha ha!

Yankees Game, 2022!

 

Going to see the yankees is always a highlight during the summer in NYC. Especially for Noah. Now that he's gotten older he understands the stats of the players. One of his favorite players is Aaron Judge and how exciting it was to see him hit a home run. Definitely the highlight of this game. It was such a perfect day especially when you get cheap seats for $10-20 bucks!! And for five people!! The weather was perfect and although it was hot we were up on top where you can feel a breeze. It was such a great game and look forward to seeing the yankees every summer! So fun that I had to make a little reel which you can see here from my Instagram! 

A Little Letter To August!

 

Oh-Hey August!

Please take your time this month and slow down. I want more summer with less heat waves. I want more time spent with my kids. More time to create memories. More time to relax and for all the kids to prepare unhurriedly before the school year begins.

Give us more time needed to spend with loved ones if we can. More hugs & kisses. More Beach days. More time to remember what summers used to be like as a kid so that I can pass those moments on to mine.

Because with time comes aging. For all of us. And before you know it we all have another birthday approaching.

So August-please slow down so that I can embrace September with open arms in knowing that school is going to resume after Labor Day, that I will be turning 51, that my only boy will officially become a teenager and my baby girl will be in her final year of high school.

And then…THE HOLIDAYS! So please…slow down!

Yours truly-Rose

Swimming Lessons While Having Fun In the Pool!

How fortunate we are for Dan who taught Noah how to swim recently. I know we are waaaayyyyyy late in the game for Noah to be taught but just never made the time. For the past six weeks he has taught Noah to not be afraid to go under the water. To not be afraid to jump in the deep end of the pool. To not be afraid to float and to let go of the floaties. To tread lightly with ease and not panic! Dan was as patient as he can be in teaching him and I will forever be grateful to him for teaching Noah to swim for free! He sure is dear friend to Chelsea and the fact that he works as a lifeguard part time is a bonus! And even thought he's taught him to swim we will still go over to have a little fun in the sun in his pool. Noah's not the perfect swimmer but the more we go to the pool the more "perfect" Noah become! Who knows....he could also be a lifeguard when he gets older! Cheers to Noah in becoming an official swimmer! 

Hydrangeas And A Little Library Pantry!

It's that time of year where hydrangeas are in full bloom and for the past two years have always passed by this cute little pantry library where the most vibrant hydrangeas bloom. Last year on the same day we stopped by and then again this past week. It was a fluke that we happened to stumble upon it on the same day! The older Noah gets the more he likes to venture out to little pantry libraries to see what they have. In return I will put in books that we'll no longer re-read and that's the best trade! But look at how colorful these hydrangeas are! These photos don't do it justice and I sure do love capturing them in all their blooming glory! I don't which I love the most- books or hydrangeas!!

Summer Solstice - Yoga In Times Square!

 

20 years ago yoga in Times Square started out with three people and today there were at least 100 or more people (and a ton of onlookers) LOL! They gave out free yoga mats and smart water and although we were laying on the dirty streets of Times Square it absolutely was the best and so fun! (thankful for the yoga mats!)

Great way to start our summer solstice with experiencing yoga in the city with my Chelsea girl on International Yoga Day! And as you can see from these photos she is more of a pro and is a lot more flexible than I am. Ahhh...to be a teen again!