It was on his trip that Matteo learned the DSI - ironic as we are out in the wilderness.
I very much enjoyed mowing the small parcel of lawn that was supposed to be mowed.
Lunch was often around a campfire and simple.
And Matteo and little Rocco took to climbing this tree - not exactly the safest.
Life is really simple here - just quiet, family and having fun. Lots of food and drink as well. The sleep was limited as Jules, his brother and myself would often sit by the campfire until 1 or 2 AM - - watching the fire, talking. On this particular night we shot off fireworks in light of the blue moon - which I read only happens once every 2-3 years.
Today the kids and I alone ventured up to my old stomping grounds to visit a lake I grew up at. I needed to be alone for a bit and quiet with the kids - somewhere where I wasn't known. Jules was a bit stressed out last week having to book a business trip and not liking the conditions, so I felt bad/negative energy in the house.
Jules did meet us later in the day as we were all packed and ready for a weekend at his brothers cabin - 5 hours from our house located on 25 acres of land. Remote indeed.
Before that trip, while at the park, we met up with some friends after having some quiet alone time.
One of my dearest friends from JH school.
So with 10 gallons of water, frozen food, two coolers, blankets, pillows and clothes we spent the night at Jules' family's house in preparation for our trip tomorrow.
Meeting Matteo's friend at the beach today proved not so fun when the rains washed away our playdate at low tide. However coming home to spend a quiet afternoon as a family was indeed enjoyable.
After all of yesterdays waves and higher waves, Matteo was more than water logged today - and spent most of the day on the couch listening to the cd of Where the Red Fern Grows (a personal favorite of mine).
Here's another great video from yesterday. Though tossed in the waves, the smile never left Matteo's face.
Thanks to our local library, we made use of the library pass today and enjoyed a visit to a semi-local museum. This museum was about creatures native to our area - including a touch tank.
Then we went on a small hike and enjoyed looking for turtles in the pond.
We also used the binoaculars to bird watch.
A small museum, but packed with information and excitement.
We then ventured another 45 minutes to Montauk. The waves were 8 feet high Daddy said and came 15 feet onto the shore - washing ours and other beach goers blankets and towels many times.
Matteo & Daddy - as always - enjoyed the water and waves.
And it was this visit to Montauk that I will never forget.
You see I was sitting on the blanket, and Daddy had just walked over and was talking to me. Matteo & Chloe met new friends and were playing with them, about 5 feet away. I saw them both walking back over to me - Matteo in front and Chloe trailing behind. Matteo reached me first - and as I reached in the collor to grab two sandwiches - I looked back up and didn't see Chloe. I knew she was gone instantly. I quickly went to where I last saw her and inquired with the family. They didn't see her - and now Jules too was looking. Wit the waves coming as far on shore as they were, I decided not to waste a minute and ran over to the lifeguards and said she was missing. They quickly sprang up - as well as about 5-7 people sitting nearby. These few minutes seemed like a lifetime. I started running to the direction I last saw Chloe walking and thank God I saw a woman walking her back - safely. Those 3-4 minutes I will never forget. Never forget the woman Marget who said she noticed Chloe walking and crying calling "Mommy." She said she sat there for a moment and then decided to do something - rather than read about this little girl in the coming day. She didn't know she was lost, but her instinct too told her something was wrong. I will never forget that woman, her kindness, and as she says "if she see something, do something." Many poeple on the beach spoke to us - told us how quickly it happens, but how it happeend to many of them. Gave us a few tips for the future - but wow, what an experience. Like I said words cannot express my appreciation towards that woman.
though we often butt heads - something I don't remember as much with Matteo -
she's still my Dolly -
And I love her Dearly. We all do.
You see because of the large waves, we moved our blanket back a bit - and when matteo turned in 4 feet, Chloe May didn't see him do that, and kept going straight, hence her getting lost.
Today Matteo, as well as all the other Kindergartners, were invited to the school playground. There they wore the same color shirts, depending on what class they were in, and enjoyed a story by the principal and an ice cream pop.
And after a bit of coaxing, Matteo got his haircut - after 4 months. It was fun and gorgeous and appropriate for all of our long days at the beach, but now in order to get ready for school, I would like it more cleaned up.
Mission Accomplished!
And remember our pal Maris - well her new bundle of joy has arrived - GABRIELLE ROSE!!! Congrats to our friend and her family - and we can't wait to meet our new friend.
We were delighted when matteo received his teaching assignment - Mrs. H. Our friend Caleb had Mrs. H and while 2 other K teachers also come highly recommended, we went with Caleb's recommendation - as his mama always has great suggestions. And bonus, as of last year Mrs. H allowed mother's helpers, a policy I am hoping continues this year so I can volunteer.
So today we were off to meet Mrs. H, as well as Matteo's other classmates - and Matteo also enjoyed a bus ride. Last night going to bed, Matteo was all a bundle of nerves, so he fell asleep in my bed. Today he was a bit nervous going in, but by the time I picked him up off the bus, laughing and playing with a boy whom he sat with on the bus. Here's to more smiles comes September 5th.
And after a lego get together at library and a playdate with our pal Charlie - off to Nanny's we went for an overnight visit and a trip to a fair on Wednesday.
Visiting a new beach today - had us enjoying the waves. And by "us" I mean Daddy & Matteo (who truly is a fish in the water). I often live vicariously through Matteo - but the water is often too cold for my liking.
When not enjoying the waves and water, Matteo & Chloe May dug yet another huge trench.
And Chloe May was often buried in the sand by Daddy - much to her liking.
Matteo met - of course - a new girlfriend, some nice friends and just reconfirmed our love for Johnny. A truly talented person who was meant to teach children.
To celebrate I took Matteo and Chloe (with Daddy) to the beach to enjoy the sprinkler park for a bit. A trip to the ice cream truck was bonus.
And Sarah, you're on notice - Clarice III has made her way into our hearts. Yes, a blue beta fish has made her way into our hearts (though a male fish). And with Jules scheduled to go out of town potentially, you know her life is going to be short lived :-)
While at a hummingbird sanctuary today I received a phone call from matteo's counselor that he got stung by a bee. First bee sting and he didn't even cry. Seems as though Matteo wanted to hold the hornet - - probably won't opt for that in the future again.
Now - as you may know - I'm a stay-at-home mom, so do I need my children to go to camp? No. However, with Matteo starting K soon, I decided having him go to camp for four half days, three of which they take the bus to different nature preserves, would be good practice for September. And Bonus, the camp is run by our very own friend Johnny - whom you might recall has played at our various birthday parties.
So - waking at 3:30 AM - and not falling back to sleep (of course) until 6 AM - Matteo started camp today at the early 9 AM.
First day of camp was a success - having hiked through a local park and the marsh. Afterwards we met one of Matteo's fellow campers at the local beach - of which Grandma was all too happy to go to.
Below Matteo single-handily built the panama canal according to Jules.
Every year Jules' folks make their own tomato sauce. This year marked our first year making our own tomato sauce.
I always believe in having the kids help out - - in order to see where the food comes from, how to be part of a team, etc.
Then again the kids can only help out for so long before making toys out of our working equipment. Below matteo is pulling Poppi and Chloe in the cart that we use to transport the jars.
In total we made 150+ jars of sauce. Nanny's smallest year yet, but perhaps a new tradition for this family of 4.
Tearing ourselves away from the local beaches, we ventured out East to a children's museum today.
Guess who was the biggest kid.
Matteo always fits right in - - even matching the campers shirt. It still makes me hold my breath when Matteo walks up to another child and says "can I play with you."
I love this picture.
We then took the kids out for ice cream and visited a local used bookstore. There Daddy treated me to a Judy Bloom book - for the low price of $1.50! I wanted an easy read - nothing overly dramatic.
Today at dinner Matteo told us that he knows a lot of desert people visit the beach. I knew where he was going with this, but played along anyway - - asking how he knew, he says "because a lot of people at the beach have brown faces." I think Matteo is starting to recognize that we are not all the same.
To be honest after Chloe's party we went next door for our neighbor's 1st birthday party - - - so waking today the house looked as if. ..... well we just hosted a birthday party. So with leftover food in hand I suggested a trip to NYC.
We enjoyed the central park zoo
Then we headed to Central Park where Matteo loves to climb the rocks
Moving forward from this activity included more wining than I care to remember on Matteo's part as he could have stayed here all day.
We then ventured to a sprinkler park - much to matteo's joy came with more rocks to climb.
The views and skyline are nothing short of breathtaking.
Truly the greatest City I have yet to experience.
Chloe May was tickled pink to hug so many of the characters we read about.
