Bike riding

Today was almost a repeat of our post-Irene blog.  The day started unusually early with both Matteo and Chloe May getting up pre-7AM.  Well with Daddy working until 4:30 AM I wanted to keep the house quiet so he could sleep, so I took the kids to the local beach to play on the toys for an hour.  We then headed to Target (love it!) and on our way home received a call from our friends (the boys on the tire swing pic from Monday) to go bike riding at the park.  Matteo loves this family with their 4 kids - so indeed we did go bike riding.  Having not been to this park in quiet some time it was new to Chloe May and a treat to Matteo.  Though I had my camera a picture would not have done it justice - Matteo riding bikes with an 8 year old, twin 6.5 year olds and a 4 year old.  Matteo was never far behind the 8 year old and kept up beautifully the whole time.  We certainly enjoyed bike riding with our Dear Friends and were more than delighted to receive the invitation.

As we were leaving the park our Aunt Marisa called (yes, the kids have taken to calling her Aunt as they love Her so!) - and we were invited over for some swim time - which Mommy really appreciated as I felt as though any sort of water Matteo was in would help aide in the healing of his knee. 

And though Aunt Marisa has this beyond georgous pool,

sometimes we find the most pleasure

 

in life's simplicity.

 

 Our day was beautiful in so many ways - unfortunately it ended on a sad note with Matteo not being able to walk.

Itchy

Yes it's true, Matteo has poison ivy.  Daddy thinks that perhaps it is because of all the piles of leaves and sticks we raked up that Matteo somehow contacted it - so his feet have about 8 bumps on them and his hands 7 - add this to the already large gash in his knee (which Daddy said could have used stitches) - and Matteo is one walking mess.

Poor fellow - though when asked if it itches he says "no, not one bit."

Post Irene

With Irene behind us - we had a large clean up in front of us - so we took to the yard!

Our friends Caleb and Rory stopped by to drop off some frozen food that they wished to keep frozen, so we were more than happy to lend our freezer. To our delight they stayed for an impromptu playdate - aren't those the best?

Later in the day our friends down the road came to play -

I always take delight in hearing other children shout your child's name from down the road :-)

We then had over our friend Kiernan who was visiting his grandma across the street.

And we ended the day with our Dear Friends Marisa and Jen coming over - helping out with Matteo & Chloe so I could run to an appointment and then delighting us by staying for dinner.

Yes, it was a wonderful day!

"Friendship is a precious gift that can’t be bought or sold. It’s value is greater than mountains made of gold. If you shall ask God for a gift be thankful if he sends not diamonds pearls or riches but the love and trust of friends."

2 Hours

Two hours - that is approximately the length of time we were without power - and ironically it happened early in the evening - just as we sat down to dinner.  So we ate, sponge bathed, played with flashlights a bit and then off to sleep we went - and just as I closed my eyes (nice and early) - the power went back on :-)  Considering ourselves more than fortunate when so many are without power. 

Irene

Waking up to not only Irene today, but also a house full of electricity!!

Thanking God we are not part of the 450,000+ customers without power

and wishing I could have housed a family or two so they did not have to go to a shelter. 

Butterflies

With Irene due to arrive early this evening, we spent the day preparing: riding bikes, playing on the swings, riding the green truck, and going for a walk. Typically one or more of these activities is in our normal day, what was not however is an umbrella. And it is three umbrellas that Matteo was carrying when the accident happened.

Having just rounded the corner and on the homestretch of our walk, Chloe May told me she needed to use the potty - so I quickly handed Matteo the three umbrellas and scooped Chloe May up and we started to hurry home. Matteo must have either tripped over my umbrella or the sidewalk because next thing I know he is bleeding (pretty heavily) and crying. Thinking it was not so bad, that the blood had Matteo more scared (shame on me), I brushed it off (I know shame on me) and told him to come on home. We put two band-aides on it and he was good as new (see it really didn't seem so bad). Well when I went to bathe him 4 hours later imagine my surprise to see just how deep the cut was. I called in Daddy who questioned an emergency room visit - so we called our Dear Neighbor (who came over in what was the start of Irene) - and she said it was very borderline and a butterfly stitch might do him well - but because of the weather, etc. a butterfly band-aid would suffice. So Daddy went to our local CVS (who ironically were opened) - and we butterflied (spelling) Matteo's cut with some gauze and tape. Ironically in the 4.5 years that Matteo has been there I have no large stock of band-aides until tonight :-)  

Though Matteo's knee is a bit swollen and there is some dry blood he is still running around the house as normal and as I sit and type this (a day later) he is doing cartwheels.  Disaster averted - though I am still feeling hugely guilty over not taking his cut more seriously - I'm telling you next paper cut I'm taking out the needle and thread myself :-)

3 days

You know it's a hit. . .

when Chloe May spends 3 days wearing the outfit you gave her :-)

and looking adorable the whole time :-)

sometimes you just need a lazy, at home day, and today we enjoyed ourselves doing just that....nothing :-)

2 B's

After a morning doctor's appointment and a fun playdate at our friend Marisa's house, we spent the early evening preparing for Irene by picking up the two essential b's - Bacardi & batteries.  Come on Irene, we are ready!

Central Park

Today we left for an early morning adventure on our way to the Central Park Zoo and Central Park itself!

We again took a train and this time TWO subways - always navigated by Daddy and accompanied by our same group of friends.

We took in the feeding of the seals,



saw a variety of animals from penguins, polar bears, everything in a tropical rainforest, snow leopard and then when we needed to rest enjoyed a 4-D movie.

A 4-D movie is when you experience what the movie is showing, so there were bubbles in the air, we were sprayed with water three times, the seats shook - a real wild experience - even Chloe May enjoyed it.

We then left the Central Park zoo and visited a neighboring zoo - where this time we fed the animals and got more hands on. Below Matteo and Daniel are posing like Bunnies :-)

Still loving my brother/sister photos!

Central Park is simply beyond georgous - and I know I have said that alot this blog, but truly I have never visited it and was just in awe at all there was to see and experience.  Not really "do" - but more like "enjoy."  

Matteo loved loved all the big rocks you can climb - can you spot him (in the green shirt) on top of the rock with Jules & Chloe May

At some point I always request (please don't gag) a hotdog from the street vendor - or as my friend calls them "brown water dogs" - I think wanting one is simply wanting to experience NYC.  So here we all took a break and enjoyed a brown water dog :-)

Down by the fountain and boats in Central Park

 What a view - what a day - what a truly wonderful experience - we got to blow these enormous bubbles, see a magic show, a juggler on a unicycle, hear sounds from all sorts of instruments echoing through the park, Matteo held a turtle right out of the water (I do not recommend) and we ran up countless stairs and used pottys that make my bathrooms look hospital sterile!  :-)

Though the day was not picture perfect - I was glad.  It taught us to deal with situations as they come and use our resources to help us through what we were experiencing.  What could have been a very embarrassing and uncomfortable situation at one point for myself, found us all laughing and joking about it later thanks to Jules and his quick thinking :-)  And truly no understatement when I say the greatest City on Earth - I was offered help with going down stairs with my stroller three times by strangers and one time a gentleman gave up his seat on the subway so this mama could rest her bum and feet.  

Needless to say I'm already planning our next trip to NYC Central Park as we barely touched upon all the Park has to offer in the 4 hours we were in it.  Check back to see when that is!  Until next time. e.

Post Office & Down Port

Because Grandma is here the kids always get up about an hour early - so while we wait for Grandma (as she is in the bathroom getting ready for the day), Matteo dresses up in Grandma's slippers, glasses and hat!



A true replica, wouldn't you say :-)

We began our day with a walk in a park I often take the kids to after their doctor appointments. Not exactly close, but I know Grandma would enjoy it - and indeed she did. What Grandma really marveled at was the old historic post office that sadly looks to be one of the ones that are going to close. Glad Grandma got to view it post-closing.

Then of course we continued and went down Port - which is a place Grandma says during all 28 days of summer school she looked forward to each and every day. 

This photo was taken about 4 minutes before the earthquake of 2011 hit!

I was talking to Daddy on the phone when the quake rocked our little piece of the east coast - imagine my horror when Daddy told me we were having an earthquake (because I didn't feel it) - and I look up to see the kids walking around this statute - not knowing what to expect, I quickly yelled to Grandma to get them down quick!  So no we didn't feel the earthquake, but Daddy felt it, and visually saw parts of our house moving (i.e. the rocking chair, a glass of water).  In a way I wish I felt in, but in another glad I didn't.

When we arrived home from our day of fun - we found a delightful surprise on the front steps - a neighbor left Chloe May a belated birthday present - and yes Sarah yellow is fastly becoming her color :-)

And finally all good things must come to an end and so Gramps came to pick up Grandma - much to our sadness.  

I can honestly say we made the most of our days and didn't hold back - just had a truly wonderful visit with our beloved Grandma.

Until next Summer 2012 Grandma - something to look forward to certainly :-)

While Grandma and Mommy shopped at the health food store in Town, Matteo and Chloe May enjoyed watching the bees outside the store.  But when I look at this picture I see Matteo ...and I see this little girl, who seems to becoming just that, a little girl.  So tall, a mind of her own, humor of her own and loving anything her brother has - especially if it is in his hand :-) 

Ironically there was a time when I cried wondering if I would ever love like I loved Matteo - - and now I barely remember a time without Chloe, without her "teo".  Funny story about Chloe she often refers to herself as "you" - which makes sense as we say "there YOU are", or "that's YOU".  So the other day after helping Chloe May on the potty I say "Who do you want to flush, me or you?"  To which she replies "You" - so clearly I flush.  Well let me tell you the sky opened, she cried and carried on for about 4 minutues... because when she said "you", she meant "chloe."  haha.  Try and try as I might to get her to say Chloe, she always says "you" - even looking at pictures of Matteo and herself - she says "teo, you."  As I read today - the days are long, the years are short. 

But alas back to Grandma's visit and where we went today - back to our new favorite beach during low tide!

Matteo was more than delighted to show Grandma the new "snake" he caught - which Daddy reassured Grandma was jsut a fish.

And patience pays off, Matteo finally got to fly his new kite that he received at the end of the school year.

Dare I say I am starting to miss Grandma and she hasn't even left yet :-)

G R A N D M A

That's right the sun is shining again - Grandma is back!

Low Tide

Today we had the most gorgeous experience of visiting a new (to us) local beach that we had only heard of and saw pictures of.

Yes that's right, visiting this beach during low tide is amazing - you find so many sea creatures that get stuck in these tide pools, as well as how far out you can walk into the water. Simply amazing.

Another first for us, we were introduced to "clamming" - again something I had never experienced, only heard of.  Well clamming is just as it sounds, you go digging or wading in the water and look for clams (muscles too).  Well as the tide began to turn and started to come back in, we hit the motherload of clams!  Nothing to write home about in terms of size, however large enough to enjoy at dinner!  Daddy had his first raw muscle with Mommy's prompting - followed by two and three!  Matteo enjoyed two as well on the beach, and Mommy tried one, spit it and and tried another which I just swallowed (yes I heard the porcelin bus calling me in my head).

So the whole time we were at this beach I decided we would stop at the local fish market and get some .... SEAFOOD for dinner, sort of come full circle with our "beach" day.  No need, with all the clams and few muscles we found, we $aved - and came home, cleaned, steamed and enjoyed our days hard work.

These clams were so delicious once steamed, Matteo just stood next to me as I was chopping them eating them!  haha I had to "shoo" him away.  Hey a penny saved is a penny earned.  We found a recipe for some clams with linguine, made a sauce and ... it was enoyed by all (not Chloe).  A full day and a tiring one :-)

I suppose my only disappointment came that evening when putting matteo to bed and him asking.... "When are we going to have the seafood that we caught today"..... clearly he didn't realize I had paired the seafood with the linguine in his dinner....... :-)  Thinking I can cut our food bill and become a seafoodarian (is there such a word). 

Missing Grandma

With Grandma gone, our day just seemed a bit sad today - a bit empty - we all were a bit lost.  To help us ease our missing Grandma we did something nice for Her, as Grandma does nice for so many.  We made Grandma a "care package" filled with suction cups and lights that she was looking for, as well as some recent photographs from our days together - we have a feeling Grandma is going to love it!

Other than that, Matteo spent a good part of the morning quietly "reading" the Bible.



After catching up on more than one chore, I went out with the kids and we tended to the much needed tending to garden. Matteo picked our biggest carrot yet.

Daddy picked some potatoes

And so for dinner we had mashed potatoes, slices of carrots and a hamburger.

Beach & Home

With the weather finally improving to be a beach day, we took off early and arrived at the beach at 9:10 AM!

The beach was pretty empty with the exception of 2 or 3 families and of course the swans swimming.

The colder water temps didn't stop Matteo from his usual swim - so proud that he isn't shy to jump right in the water and swim so nicely.

A great day by all.

But like all great things, this one too had to end and so late in the day we drove Grandma halfway to meet Gramps.  We tried to make it a fun adventure on the way back home from the drop off, but that special someone was missing - Grandma.  Hopefully she'll be back soon.

*Hugs Grandma*

On a sidenote, I watched what I can only describe as a great movie this evening.  Valentine's Day - came out in the movies in 2010 I believe.  I was able to borrow it from Library and it had me up until past midnight enjoying it.  A great movie - I would highly recommend - though perhaps not alone like I did :-)  

Hats and Ports

Much to my surprise and delight, a friend sent me a hat in the mail today (as I have been known as being a hat person). 

I do think the best part of the surprise was the note inside "To My Dearest Friend."

Later in the day we took Grandma down Port where she enjoyed watching the boats and view.

It is a great view Grandma.

$hopping

With Grandma in town and the rain pretty much not letting up (though the downpours stopped), we took to our local outlets today.

We found many deals, Mommy for one found these sandals originally $55 - on sale for $16 - and with my present shoes have more than one hole in the soles, well needless to say with such a deal I purchased TWO pairs.

I also purchased Matteo's winter coat - another steal $70 and because of the sales and coupons I always come armed with I purchased this coat for the low price of $26!!



Our shopping didn't end there, we also went to Walmart where I purchased a dress for $12 - as I prefer dresses in the summer versus shorts.

Let's not forget the deals and steals Grandma found, from turtlenecks, to shoes to engagement gifts, our day of shopping was more than successful. And to reward ourselves Grandma treated everyone to Friendlys.

And by the end of the day the sky was a turning a beauitful blue - a sure sign the storm is behind us.