The Beach

Last summer, we went to the Jersey Shore. We chose a more secluded beach to avoid fist pumping and cat fighting made famous on TV. I thought that since we were in that vicinity of the country, not going to the ocean was a bad move. Truth be told, we hated it. It was over 95 degrees. The sand burned our feet. The water was too scary for the kids. Adam's sensory quirks were not conducive at all to being covered with sand. There was little interest in building or digging in the sand. So, this year we were invited to Crystal Beach in Canada with a friend. I reluctantly agreed to go, secretly hoping that we'd wind up in her nice clean backyard pool.
Well, subtract 15 degrees, add a breeze, and a less threatening body of water, and we had a blast! Maybe we're beach people after all!

Swimming!

Snack time! Watch those birds! Everyone loves a beach nap
Castle O 'Vinkle


Lots of body burying...
Loving that water!

Disney 2011

A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia. ~Author Unknown

This quote could not ring more true for the trip we just took! While a wonderful and unforgettable time, we had some, ummm... moments. Vacations with kids has an oxymoronic quality... but honestly I would not have it any other way. A quick four day jaunt to Orlando was the vacation this time... stayed on Disney property at the All Star Movies Resort and had a jammed packed schedule. As with most things, the planning was all futile, and we wound up having to make lots of adjustments for two little guys in 90 degree heat and LOTS of walking. We enjoyed the theme parks, good food, and they LOVED swimming in the pools.
Moms planning a Disney trip with kids too big to want strollers but too small for a full day, be sure to make your plans for parks on half day increments... and take time to rest up in-between! Do what the kids want and are enjoying, not what you think should be a part of "the plan". I mean, who knew that the mist sprayers in Adventure Land would provide to much joy??
And, if at all possible opt for direct flights, and use, buy, or borrow a portable DVD player.

I smile looking at our pictures... and, you can thank me later for collaging them and not making you look at a 115 picture album. (-:

Forgot the camera, but had a great time.

We made the trek to The Poulsen's over my heavenly 2 week break.
I was impressed that we did not have to stop at all on the 3.5 hour long trip... (which in my opinion is 3.25 hours too far away).
We had fun... even after almost 3 years away our kids play great together and have a love for each other rarely found outside family. Pardon the cell phone pics!

The "big ones"


The "little ones"


It's Veggie Tales time!!

Wow, it' s been a little while since I have blogged. I guess it's a combo of not a lot going on, but the stuff that is new is outside of my "share it with the world" boundaries.
I am embracing the next two weeks of stay-at-home mommyhood. We are all off school and let's just say it's not all that hard to get used to this. While I am loving the more leisurely schedule, especially in the morning, the break in structure is not always good (hyper kids, lack of thier routine- other mom's- are you nodding yet). Once we get into a good groove, it will be time to go back.
In the meaintime, I can't wait for:
-some warmer days coming up
-a visit to Utica for a long awaited time with my friend and her kids
-succesfully executing a surprise (that's all I will say).

AND... in keeping with tradition, our return to this place, quickly approacing...

Just the 4 of Us

We had a great vacation!!
Great in the sense that we got away, saw some sights, and had some time away from the responsibility of everyday life.

Great also in the sense that it was just us. I am certainly not complaining about the fact that we have a ton of help in the form of loving family who love our kids and want to see (and babysit) them as often as possible. I know it's a luxury that few have.

But, it's also nice to be just us.

Here are some highlights from our Sesame Place/Adventure Aquarium/ Beach day (which lasted about 2 hours plus driving due to heat. We found a cute farm to go to at night)/ Chocolate World trip.

In case you missed me...

We were away!

We had a lot of fun.

Photos and details to follow... here's one...

Our "Staycation"

A little school break in the middle of winter prompted us to book a room at the Great Wolf Lodge . There are several locations, but we chose the one right across the border to get away overnight. Who does not love a 10 minute drive (and thankfully a free and clear border) to a place that makes you feel like you're hours away.
This place was tailored to kids (but with plenty of adult friendly amenities), and the water park was a blast. I have not felt that completely worn out, swimming all day in warm weather feeling in so many years- it was a nostalgic feeling!
But unfortunately, the water area was not camera friendly... but there are a few videos from inside the water park at the end.

"This is how you swim"

So excited to be here!

A new way to play skee-ball, apparently.

The cool Adirondack Chair


The Moose, Bear and Tree who performed a little show for the kids.

There were tons of cool carvings like this around.

Exactly What I Needed

A few weeks ago I just had this feeling that I needed a friend. But, not just any friend... my "BFF" Tara. We must have been on the same wavelength because after a series of text messages (the preferred communication method between busy moms these days), or trip was planned. We got Adam all pumped to see his Selah Grace, and made the trek to Utica, NY for some relaxation. Now, mind you, relaxation is a different thing with 4 kids under 4 in one house, but we make the most of it! Let's just say that this was exactly what I needed. Several (many) cups of coffee, conversations that were (semi) able to be completed, seeing the kids play (fight), and some after-the-kids-were-in-bed reminiscing (bantering) about old times with Tara and her husband.... perfect (missed).

I also take this opportunity to give an excerpt of 3 year old conversation:
Selah: Adam, dance with me!
Adam: No thanks
Selah: Please Adam?
Adam: I no dance
Selah: But I'm a princess (lip quivering)
(both moms crack up)


So, here are some highlights... the camera got a little neglected this time.

I gave up getting them to "say cheese"

Seriously gorgeous. My future daughter-in-law (crossed fingers)

Adam attempts a smooch

Calling All Movers!

Wobble Goggles? Scribble Sticks? Idea Emergencies?
Rich, Scott, Dave, Smitty....

This might sound strange to you, but to us these are everyday household terms. Our son Adam loves the Imagination Movers, a kids show on Disney that is gaining popularity for its high energy, musical problem solving methods.

I like it because it does not annoy me.

We were fortunate enough to be able to take him to the live showing. The look on his face when he saw them come out LIVE, IN REAL LIFE sort of brought a tear to my eye. He was mesmerized the entire time. Not jumping around like all the other kids, but watching, enjoying, and taking it all in... being true to himself as an observer (and bopping a little bit here and there).

We enjoyed some one on one time with our little Paul... er... Adam.

Our Trip North

We made our annual trip to Kingston, ON and Paul's parent's cottage this Labor Day weekend.
As always, we enjoyed the relaxation and hospitality of our family. It's really neat to me to see that even though the boys don't see Grandma and Grandpa Vinkle and Uncle Scotti as often as we'd like, they take to them so amazingly well. There is a love and family connection there that is natural.

The lake

Paul and the boys on the four wheeler
Checkin' out the lake

Munching on corn

Adam and Grandpa spending some quality time on the tractor

The cottage (Uncle Scotti and Grandma in the distance)

Ahhhhhh naptime!

Quiet time for the boys

Bye for now!

It's become a signature move for me. When I am out with the kids, and they get cranky I almost always have a nuk (paci, bink, boo-boo.. you know...) in my pocket ready to serve as the mute button for a meltdown. Sometimes two, or even three. You never know. I have recieved many knowing smiles from fellow moms, and appreciative looks of relief from those without children when this has happened.... I just pop it in and we're good to go...

So, Sunday as I headed off to my conference at Gaylord National Conference Center (a fun new area, take the trip!!), I was sure to clear out my pockets and head off for a grown up time. No nuks, diapers, goldfish crackers, or tantrums in sight.
The only thing missing was my husband... it would have been a nice romantic getaway, but it did not work out this year. The hotel is fabulous. Worth checking out. Just a hop, skip, and jump from DC, Alexandria (which I fell in love with), and Baltimore. Nice area. All new. Smells good. Not at all like Niagara Falls, where wiffs of chicken wings or garbage are the primary outdoor odors.
Oh, and yes... there was a purpose for the trip. I did attend a conference. It was through the U.S. Department of Education Safe and Drug Free Schools focused on school safety,, gangs, cyberbullying and more... very valuable...

My friend and co-worker Amanda also attended, and we had a blast on our "off" time!

A clear day to fly
The cool lobby, set up to look like a colonial street

My room... too bad I didn't have my hubby there to share it!

View of the harbor from the hotel

Me and Amanda

A darling view of Old Town Alexandria

The doors of the courthouse

Some fun sculpture at National Harbor
Up close~

Swarovski Cats! Fun!