Vacations

Summer is wrapping up. Just 2 days until school starts. We've just returned from Megan's open house at school. Her teacher seems nice and there are familiar faces in her class. It was fun to look for her name written in cursive on the desk for the first time. I'm optimistic this will be a good year for her, even if there's a bit more work involved. I'm hoping and praying that it will be a good year for Craig. We've already had to have changes made to his schedule, and things are still not great. There have been conversations between the school and us that have left us feeling this isn't the best system for our child. Naturally, that leads us to conversations about finding a better situation. Change is always hard, especially no knowing if it will be good in the long run, or not.

Vacations were fun though. We went to Fripp Island, SC again this summer. A week at a lovely beach that is quiet and uncrowded does wonders for my soul. And this year we went with one of my brother-in-laws and his family. The kids had such fun together, especially the 3 closest in age. Nice to have kids not whining about not having someone to play with!

Fun in Maine in August. We stayed on Mt. Desert Isle and spent lots of time hiking, biking, and kayaking in Acadia National Park and around the island. It is such a beautiful, unspoiled natural playground. Yes, I'm wearing a sweater in August. Just fantastic and such a treat compared to our relentless heat and humidity. It's so hard to go on vacation somewhere you love so much, knowing you have to leave.

I have not managed to do much crafting this summer, but did finish Megan's dress. I'll share pics after day 1 of school. I'm also helping my sis-in-law to make/alter the bedding for their nursery. One bedskirt done, 2 valances to alter, and 1 quilt to put together before my newest nephew arrives--in September! We've also been rearranging things around the house, giving Megan a twin bed and moving her double to the bonus room. A bit more to do to get the bonus room shipshape again, but we are making the house work for us better.

I do hope to post more often, primarily for myself, just to keep reminding myself that I do accomplish some things, every now and then.

Beach Vacation

We had a wonderful visit to Fripp Island, SC last weekend. The beach is lovely with soft sand and waves that weren't too big. It wasn't too hot either, which was a blessing. Lots of time spent relaxing, walking along the beach and playing in the water with the kids.

Just one shot from the photo session(by mom) on the beach.

At the Cabana Club pool. It was fabulous with the island in the middle and waterfalls. It also sits on the edge of the marsh looking over the ocean. We all enjoyed that pool.


Sandcastle competition. Yeah, we only had a bucket each.

The native "wildlife". These small deer are very comfortable around people and have fairly free reign all over the island. They just have to watch out for the real wildlife...alligators.

The view from our balcony. I love watching the tide coming in and going back out.

A really great trip and we do want to return again. It's nice to find somewhere we like visiting enough to return again. I really just wish I wasn't so sensitive to the sun. I have to use 70+ and reapply regularly and still I get plenty of sun. I haven't been this tan in decades.

Now, back in the real world, my desk is piled high with paperwork from the kids' schools and I'm wading through the laundry while I attempt to finish cleaning the house and get Craig's "middleschooler" room finished. I guess I need a new project to do list!

New York City for Valentine's weekend

In Central Park

Me in Times Square

I went to NYC for Valentine's weekend to stay with my hubby who is working there during the week. He had an apartment then, so we took advantage of the free place to stay and frequent flier miles to have a romantic weekend in the city. His mom came to stay with the kids, which was nice. We started out with the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday night. That is my kind of entertainment! Saw lots of great works, and some that weren't. We ate at a small French restaurant nearby for dinner and I had the best scallops I've ever had. YUM. Wonderful boullaibase too. Saturday we did the tourist things, saw Times Square, the lions at the library, Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central Station, and a long walk thru Central Park. We had an early reservation at Del Posto for Valentine's and had the most expensive meal of our lives. It was very good, but wow, fancy. In that understated kind of way. We also went to the movies and had a nice Valentine's together. Sure beats last year's apart.

Sunday we walked by the World Trade center site and then on to brunch at Bubby's before heading back to leave. We did detour thru Century 21 which was interesting, but I would need a full day alone to do shopping there. All in all, an enjoyable trip. And best of all, Jonathan came home with me for the week. yay. But then the kids were sick and we both got it too. boo.

A cold weekend in the city which was not overly crowded. Good for me. There's still lots to do and I know we'll take the kids back one day.