The End of Summer?

8.30.2015

This week, Lewie will begin school, and last week, the college I work for started up too.   Although Autumn doesn't begin until September 22nd, it always feels like the season is over right about now.  Maybe it's the cooler nights; maybe it's the leaves that are starting to change on some trees; or maybe it's just the fact that summer camp is over, and now's the time to be serious--early bedtimes, homework, parent-teacher conferences, PTO meetings...

I'm not mentally ready for the change; I'm not ready for the fall fairs that replace days at the beach, but here we are...  This post is my last tribute to summer.  It's been a busy one, so I'm combining some of my favorite pics from multiple weekend and weekday adventures.  All in all, I think we were able to cross off most if not everything I included on my summer bucket list.  Here were the most important ones:

1. Swim lessons.

Lewie took swim lessons at a wedding venue called the Colonial Tavern.  They own an outside swimming pool, and just through sheer luck, I learned that they offer very affordable, private, swim lessons for kids.  The pool is not heated, so they state that the swim season lasts for six weeks during the summer, but we were lucky and able to squeeze in eight lessons.

Lewie w/ his teacher, Miss Alexis.  (She's a nursing major in her junior year of college.)






2.  The Beach!

I love going to lakes the best, but there is something to be said for going to the beach and admiring the vast, beautiful, all-encompassing sea right in front of you.  This year we had a chance to see the beach in Tampa, FL and Rehoboth, DE.  In Connecticut, we went to Hammonasset and Rocky Neck State Parks.  Flying kites and enjoying yummy beach food, to us, is just as important as the actual beach experience.


Hubby getting his new hyper-kite ready...




These clouds don't even look real!!!








Waiting to eat at Rocky Neck State Park...  My kid is such a ham!

Friends!!!

The boys finishing up their ice-cream treats!


Pretending to sunbathe.

3.  Unique Eateries.

During the summer, anytime that we decide to eat out, I'm always looking for cool places where we can sit outside.  Simply put...if a restaurant doesn't have a patio or deck, then I'm not interested (at least not when the weather's beautiful).  This year, we tried a unique eatery called "The Place."  They cook everything--from corn on the cob, to hot dogs, to steak, to lobster, to clams--all over an open fire pit, and their guests sit under a tent on tree stumps.  The food was delicious, and the restaurant was quite "the place."  It felt like we were invited to someone's backyard barbeque. 







4.  Amusement Parks!

This year we had the joy of going to LEGOLAND in Tampa, FL; Jungle Jim's in Rehoboth, DE; and our very own Lake Quassy Amusement Park here in Connecticut.  Lake Quassy has become an annual tradition for us, and each year it's fun to see what rides Lewie has outgrown and what ones are his favorite.  This year, the train ride and the Pirate Swing were his hands down favorite (going on each seven times in a row).  He liked others too, but with those, he was content to ride them just once.

All aboard the Quassy Express!


All aboard the Quassy Queen.



The Pirate Swing...AGAIN???



After taking a dip in Lake Quassy...
Yes, school starts tomorrow for Little Lewie...  I guess it's time to start making a fall bucket list; although, I'll still be daydreaming about the carefree days of summer!

Birthday Pics (Age 7)

8.16.2015

This year we celebrated Lewie's 7th birthday party a bit early...  (Since many of his friends are August babies, we wanted to beat the crowd, so to speak.)   We rented a pavilion down the street from us at Veteran's Memorial Park in Bethany, so all the kiddos could swim, play on the playground, and get their face painted.  (Our famous art and Spanish teacher, Miss Gabby, provided the face painting; Lewie was so happy to see her!)

This year, like last, I also asked for an ice-cream truck to come, so everyone could choose an ice-cream of their choice on us.  Kids and adults never tire of ice-cream trucks, so it was a win-win for sure. 

The day, as usual, went by in a heartbeat, but it was nice to reunite with family, old friends, and some new ones.  Some of Lewie's little friends at the party were his very first play-dates--starting at 18 months old.  It's funny to say that they've already been his friends for five years!  Other "newer" friends were from Lewie's kindergarten class this year.  Indeed, with only six students in his class, they all became very close to each other, and the party was like a mini-reunion for them.  There were lots of hugs and giggles from this crew to go around...

The famous ice-cream truck appearance--now in its second year.



Lewie's friend and classmate, Payton (and her mommy).

Aunty Karen

Lewie's Godfather -- "Uncle" Theron

Lewie's friend Ryan and his daddy.


Lewie, Elliot, and Wyatt (his friends starting at 18 months old)

Lewie's littlest cousin, Lily

Lewie in the ice-cream truck.


My boy with his Minecraft swords...

Can't believe he's 7 years' old!










Cousin Sarah

Cousin Brooklynn




 
Cousin Elijah

The talented Miss Gabby!


Lewie's classmate Evelyn and her mommy.




Clean faces after swimming.
It's sad to say goodbye to year six.  It was a fun year of transitions from Thomas the Train and Paw Patrol to Ironman and Minecraft.  Underneath this "big boy" exterior, however, he's still my same little boy who requests "fairy dust" to sleep at night and big hugs to wake him in the morning.  I feel incredibly blessed to say goodbye to a fun-filled, amazing year and to welcome a brand new one that will be just as wonderful.  As long as I have my little buddy with me, this coming year will certainly be as special as the last...