Benny's Request

A couple of days ago Benny asked that I take a picture of the video game he was playing at the time. He then asked me to post the picture to the blog. I told him I would later but then got him involved in something else hoping he would forget. A few days passed and this morning he asked if I would put the picture on the blog. I told him okay as I did not see any harm in it. I asked Ben why he liked this picture and why he wanted it on the blog. He said:

"Because it is so funny and I like it. It looks great Mom. People will laugh."

So, here is the picture because it is funny and people will laugh.

More NJ Pictures

Ben in the hotel pool.

Ben and Mommy

Grandpa enjoying a swim.

Jacob and the computer in the hotel room.

My grandmother

A few of the 2nd cousins.

First Day of School

The kids had their first day of school today.  Jacob is a big 4th grader and Benny started kindergarten.  I think I was more emotional about Benny going to school than I was years ago for Jacob.  I did not sleep well last night and almost lost it at work.  Here are some pictures from the big day!

Jacob is ready to go!

Ben with the elusive smile.

Ahhh - brothers...

Ben and his friend Erin and her sister Brooke at the bus stop.

Finding his place on the bus!

Beach Day

The sun was out so I took the boys to the beach on the last day before back-to-school. We had a great time even though Wallis Sands in Rye now charges $15.00 for parking! Here are some pictures to capture the day:

Jacob in the sand

Ben in the sand - the boys love the sand!

Running to the ocean...

Jacob and the Beach Bags

The garden shovel works well...

Digging

If only Ben had smiled...he was having fun!

Cup holder and chair - a good thing.

A Day Off from Work = Rain

It seems that every time I take a day off from work it ends up raining and my plans of hanging out by the pool or going to the  beach get thrown out the window.  And I looked at the forecast for Labor Day weekend and there is far too much rain predicted!  Yuck!

Family Reunion in NJ

This weekend we traveled to NJ for a family reunion.  Each year my mom's family has an August party to bring the family together and to celebrate my Grandmother's birthday.   My mom is one of 6 children so I have lot's of cousins.  My cousins all have children and most of us have 2 or more kids.  

We usually travel down on Saturday morning, attend the party on Sunday and then stay until Monday morning.  This year we needed to leave on Sunday night because George started back at work today.  Here are some pictures.  I'll post more once my parents share their photos with me!

Relaxing in the hotel with Grandma

George had to be "on-line" for a football draft

Goofing around

Second cousins in the pool

Got to the Decks!

I finally made it to Poco's for dinner with my family. We headed down to Portsmouth tonight to have dinner on the decks. It was a great evening - sunny with a nice ocean breeze. The kids enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed one, yes only one, Blue Moon Margarita.

After dinner we went to the Mall for back-to-school shopping. We had great luck at Old Navy but then spent way too much money on school supplies at Staples. School supplies have gone high-end now and are far too fashionable. But maybe my parents felt that way when I wanted the good ol' Mead Trapper Keeper. When I was Jacob's age, I also think I spent a small fortune on stickers -Lisa Frank, Mrs. Grossman, etc. My sister and I had hundreds of stickers and would venture out each weekend to buy more. But I digress, here is a picture of the great dinner on the decks.



And for those of who you also grew up in the 80's, here are some memories:

The famous Lisa Frank unicorn sticker, the "must-have" Trapper Keeper, and one of the thousands of Mrs. Grossman stickers!

Mr. Mom or House Husband?

My husband is making me look bad this summer. Today he baked cookies with the kids. And, unlike the cookies I make, the kids loved them! Imagine that! While I am somewhat complaining it is pretty cool to see him wearing an oven mitt and using the spatula. Benny enjoyed licking the mixing bowl and wooden spoon.


You have to love a man with an oven mitt and spatula!


Chew with your mouth closed Benny!


That's better but look at all those crumbs...


Using the cooling racks too...pitter patter goes my heart

1 Photo Interview

Katie, of the Betts-Levine Family Blog, challenged us with a new blogging game. Here are the rules:

It is called The 1 Photo Interview. Unlike past games where the answers were written, you must answer each of the following questions with 1 photo (and 1 photo only). The catch is you cannot include a caption on any of your photos unless a commenter requests one. And here I go:

1. Where do you live?2. What color are your eyes?
3. What does your mailbox look like?

==Coming Soon===

It is dark out!

4. What is one part of your daily routine?
5. Who is one of your favorite people? 6. What comforts you?
7. What are you doing tonight?8. What time is it?
9. Who are you talking to?10. What are you thinking?

A Cheery Blaze...

Last night we had a little camp fire action in our backyard fire pit and enjoyed some S'mores. It was a beautiful night - a full moon, stars in the sky and a tons of hungry mosquitoes! We had to get the 98% Deet out to ward off the pesky bugs.


George tending to the fire.


How peaceful...


And with the flash.


Jacob relaxing.


Benny and a S'more!


Putting on the Deet!


It takes supplies to enjoy the fire pit!


Uncle Colin enjoying the evening