9 Year Wedding Anniversary in Switzerland

Back to School (2nd Grade and Kindergarten)

Spain: Marbella, Gibraltar, Ronda and Seville

The highlight of this summer was definitely our trip to Spain.  It was our first trip to Europe with the girls and things could not have gone smoother.  The flight was a breeze and while they never fully adjusted to the time change (they went to sleep at midnight every night!) that actually worked in our favor as Spanish people only sit down for dinner at 10 pm.  We swam, relaxed, hiked and explored different cities (with minimal whining when they had to do a lot of walking).  

View from our room in Marbella. (each lounge chair had a button that you press and someone magically appears to get you drinks, food, towels, etc.)

 Ape's Den in Gibraltar (Violet was the only one brave enough to pet them)

 Best tomatoes I've ever tried (Ronda, Spain)

 Palacio de Mondragon

 Alcazar of Seville

 The real reason why Spain was amazing: gelato!!!

 Plaza de Espana in Seville

Summer in the City

With our summer house rented, we took the opportunity to take lots of local mini trips.  We picked peaches at Alstede Farm, rode roller coasters at Dutch Wonderland, explored Storybook Land, ate out, went to shows, and enjoyed our wonderful city.

Getting ready to go back to school

Ivy is 5!

I can't believe that I am no longer a mom to a baby or a toddler or even a pre-schooler.  I am a full on mom to school age children.  How and when did this happen?  I am still 29, surely this can't be!  

Ivy is now 5 and about to start kindergarten.  Her Birthday was filled with celebrations (3 to be exact!), a show, and tons of presents.  She's only 5 yet I can already see that she shares her mom's odd sense of humor and the lack of sensitivity.  But it's not all bad: she's funny, makes friends easily, loves to play win games, adores outdoor activities (especially hiking), loves to come up with solutions for life's small challenges, and is more determined than anyone I've ever met.  Ivy, you're our little firecracker and may you keep on sparkling!

Onward and Upward (to Kindergarten and 2nd grade we go)

Peter Graduates High School

Hard to believe that it's been 18 years since my little brother was born.  I remember so clearly the day he was born.  My dad called me from the hospital giving me the great news and I remember running for the bus with my grandpa so that we can get there as soon as possible.  It was the same summer that I worked at a kids' clothing store and I remember putting aside the few bucks that I earned to buy him clothes.  That year I came home almost every weekend from college just to play with him and take him on walks around the neighborhood, where I encountered confused faces when I told people he was my brother, and not my son.

Fast forward 18 years later and he is on his way to Binghamton.  I am proud to say that my little brother is WAY smarter than I ever was (luckily his bar was set low) and he not only completed some of the best schools in the city (Mark Twain and Brooklyn Tech) but he got a head start for college by taking tons of AP courses (something I had no desire to take on).  Even though 18 years separate us, we are one and the same when it comes to our weird and twisted sense of humor and logical approach to life.  Love ya little bro and hope your college years are fun and memorable (oh yeah, and educational).

Summer in the Hamptons

Before renting out our house for most of the summer, we got to enjoy it just a bit.

Oyster Fishing 

 My new obsession: roosters!

 Ride outside our new favorite pizzeria and across the street from Home Goods (mommy's heaven)

Our first visit from friends

Ice cream at sunset; photo courtesy of one of the kids

 Breakfast on the beach; bagels and french fries (no better combo)