Cramming it in

The week before school started, we went crazy trying to fit in the last few things on our to do list.  I think we over did it and I was GRUMPY at certain points. Oh well, it was totally worth it!

We were able to return to a really great lake and water park (http://www.tomahawklake.com/) within that lake.  They had a bunch of water toys inside the lake that the kids could bounce and climb on.  They also had small water slides.  Gavin even tried the big kid water slides this year. 

Last soccer class and the park,

Victoria Gardens--It is the perfect little amusement park for kids under 7.  The kids can go on most the rides without an adult.  IT is never crowded (or has never been when we have gone), so the kids can just keep riding rides over and over.  It really isn't that expensive either.  We had a great time.

We had our last Capoeira class, we all went swimming and then, Inacio's dad made all of us lunch and gave the kids a music class! 

We finally made it out to the Aquarium.  We took the 1 1/2 hour subway ride out to Coney Island.  The kids helped make the journey out there a lot of fun.  The kids loved the sea life almost as much as they loved the person who was scuba diving while cleaning the sea lion tank. They love their friends.  I have to admit though that this trip about put me over the edge.  I went to bed at 2AM the night before.  I had already over scheduled myself and the kids all week.  It was super muggy and hot.  I was super grumpy and frustrated.  It made me realize once again that I can't try and do too much and I HAVE TO GO TO BED EARLIER!  Hopefully, my kids and my friends will forgive me for being a mess on that outing.

We went camping, but I took too many pictures, so I am going to do another post to document that trip.
Labor Day was so beautiful this year and we finished off our summer with a great picnic. 

Last Beach Day?

We went to Long Beach last weekend via train!  It was a perfect day to be at the beach with friends.  Was that our last beach day for the season?   I don't know.

Gavin and Eli finally got to ride the "big train"  again.  They ask to do it all the time. 

We love Sherilyn

TOY STORY 3

This was the boys first full movie in the theater. Eli loved it. Gavin got pretty scared, but said he "kinda" liked it!

Ladies only

I managed to do a few things without the kids this summer.  The first was way back in June.  I ran the Wall Street Run for the 2nd year in a row.  I promised myself I would do better than last year (which was my first 5K).  I did do better by about 5minutes.  My time was still not great (35 minutes aprox), but for me it was pretty good.  It was about 95 degrees that evening and there was only one water station.  It was pretty miserable. I am glad I could do with these lovely ladies.



Monica and I ran it together last year. It was her first 5k last year and she has done a lot more as well as a 10k since then.  She totally rocked it.

I attended Lillith Fair with this lovely group of ladies.  We had a great time together.  The music was pretty good too. I attended in 1998 as well. The time sure does fly. 

Summer here and there

Here are some random pictures from the summer. 

We spent a lot of time at the parks.

Eli and Brandon are the best little buds.  When they are together they follow each other around and Brandon always brings the yellow truck for Eli!

What can I say about these two?  I love  this picture!

Imagination Playground

The summer isn't complete without ice cream

Lasker Swimming Pool.  We were surprised by how much we liked it there.

Jones Beach

Ft. Tilden at the beginning of the summer!

Nicholas and Gavin at the pool by our house.  Nicholas moved and we were so sad to see him go.  They have known each other since they were born.

Summer fun with Gav's old prek class

Capoeira and soccer

One of the little boys in Gavin's prek class has a father who teaches Capoeira in the schools.  This summer he had a playgroup/class for Capoeira (and he also incorporated soccer) once a week with a few of the kids from Gav's prek class. Capoeira is a Brazilian art from that combines martial arts, dance, and music.  Gavin really enjoyed it and Eli did for about  10 minutes.  They both learned to be a little more aggressive and that there is "No crying in soccer."

Davis Park, Fire Island

A few weekends ago we were able to join my dear friend Monica, her family, and her friends out on on Fire Island where they had rented a house for a week.  We joined them for a couple of nights. It is an island off of Long Island that you have to get to by ferry and there are no cars.  There are only a few small stores, several vacation homes and boardwalks (like above), and the beach.  We had a blast.

The kids started a lemonade stand and made over $12. 

The boys had a great time with all their friends.  We were all able to spend some much needed time with Boyd, and we were able to spend some great quality time with good friends.  

One of my favorite parts is that I was able to play in the ocean quite a bit.  The ocean was pretty rough while we were there and the waves were quite big, thus the boogie boarding was quite fun.  I have loved all my time at the beach this summer.  I am like a child again when I get to the beach.  Most of the time I am managing the kids at the beach, but on this trip, I was able to do my own playing at the beach.