Summer Traditions

Last year, I posted about our annual tradition of going to our favorite lake with our buddies, Sue and Ryan.  We started the tradition two years ago, and now we've officially documented our third year of going on this (mother-son) play date together.

This year, our visit was a little different than times past.  For one, the two boys were much more confident in the water; instead of building castles in the sand, the boys were more interested in swimming, swimming, and more swimming.  Another difference was that both boys were quite vocal about wanting ice cream for lunch;  it was tough getting them to eat something else before they practically inhaled their ice cream cookie sandwiches.  Finally, in years past, both boys would fall asleep in the car on the way home.  This year only my little boy fell asleep (for five short minutes).  Ryan was wide awake the whole time!

Here are a few pictures that document the last three years...I start with 2013, go back to 2011, and then finish with 2012.

Lewie swimming in the lake this year.

Ryan floating in the water this year.

 

Lewie and Ryan posing for the camera.

Just chillin' cause they're cool like that.

A final picture of the two guys hanging out after some swimming and ice cream.

The thrilling car ride home.

Still my baby...even if he did only fall asleep for a short five minutes.

Ryan (Age 3)

Lewie (Age 2 going on 3)

The Munchkins at the Snack Bar

Fast asleep on the ride home

Lewie (Age 3 going on 4)

Ryan (Age 4)

The two cool dudes enjoying their ice cream.

Fast asleep on the ride home.

Indeed, there's something to be said for traditions.  Some signify our culture, some signify our heritage, and still others simply signify our way of life.  I'm not sure if these two boys will end up growing up with each other for years to come, but if so, they'll have many fond memories and pictures to look back on...

Four Going on 24!

My son is four years-old, but if you listened to our conversations around the house, I'm sure you wouldn't know it...

Lewie:  "Leave the keys out to the Subaru."
Me:       "What did you say?"
Lewie:  "Leave the keys out to the Subaru.  I have to go to work."
Me:       "And where do you work?"
Lewie:  "I have an office at Naugatuck Valley."  (This is where my husband works and where he used to go to preschool.)
Me:       "So you work with Daddy?"
Lewie:  "Yes, sometimes."
Me:       "What do you do?"
Lewie:  "I teach, and I work on the computer."  RING RING RING, RING RING RING.  (My son answers his pretend cell phone.)
Me:      "Who's calling you?"
Lewie: "My work.  They need me to go now."

I'll end the conversation there.  You see, while some kids pretend to be superheroes, and some pretend to be animals or dinosaurs, or cartoon characters, my son pretends to be an adult.  According to him, he has a job, he has a cell phone, he has a car, he has his own house (close to ours), he has siblings (even though he's really an only child), and he has a kid.  (I think his kid is magically older than him, but nonetheless, his kid often comes with us and has to be buckled in the backseat of the car too.)

Everyone assures me that his wild imagination is natural, but oh my, I just wish I could have my four year-old back.  I don't like this pretending to be an adult stage.

Oh, and here's a picture of his pocketbook (or as Daddy calls it...his man-purse).

A few weeks ago, Lewie decided that he needs a bag to carry all of his essentials, and so when I reach for my purse on the go, so must he.  As you can see, he's carrying some very important items: a cell phone, a key, an alarm clock key chain, a mini strainer, a light-up pen, and a spinning top.  I suppose it's not nice of me to be already going through his personal things, but I just had to see what was so important, since he insists he can't leave the house without his bag...

Here's to enjoying the innocence of toddlerhood...at least what's left of it.

These Busy Days of Summer

Oh, how I wish I could say "these lazy days of summer," but our summer has been anything but lazy.  In the past two weeks, we've picked strawberries, visited a trolley museum, went to the beach, saw fireworks (twice), and went swimming in friends' and family members' pools.  (This is in addition to working, correcting papers--I teach English composition--and, trying to do some minor home improvements like painting, upholstery cleaning, and eventually getting a new carpet for our living room.)

These summer days are swirling by, but at least I can say we are making the most of them.  The rainy days of June have stopped, and so these hot July days have been providing plenty of opportunities to swim and have fun.

The constant activity of friends and family has left me with little time to take pictures, but at least (between my husband and I) I have a few cell phone pictures to share:

Patriotic cousins!!

Our first time strawberry picking.  (It was my first time too!)

Hmmm...where should I start?

Oh, those look really good over there!

What a great way to keep the kiddos busy and out of trouble (LOL).

I think I'll eat some...

"I mean it Mommy.  Can I eat them for real?"

Newport Flower Show

This weekend my mom and I were able to share another mother-daughter day--this time to Newport, Rhode Island.  Over the past few years, my mom and I haven't been able to take any special day trips together, so I'll admit that I feel spoiled now that we were able to squeak in two trips in a little less than a month.  (Our first trip was to the Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill.)

The theme to the Newport Flower Show was "Jade: Eastern Obsessions," and it was held in one of the famous Newport mansions called Rosecliff.  While my mom and I are not avid gardeners (we dabble here and there), we certainly do appreciate flowers and often fantasize about turning our own backyard into a beautiful, serene oasis one day. So, going on this trip did exactly that--it gave us a chance to spend valuable time together, and it gave us a chance to dream.  It was a much needed respite for both of us that have been working "double duty" at work and feeling too overwhelmed and exhausted to daydream about the future.  (I feel stunted when I don't have a chance to daydream...)

For all of you flower lovers (or daydreamers that want your own backyard to turn into an enchanted garden), these pictures are for you:

A beautiful lily pad reflection pool w/ patio.

This rock structure offers a beautiful waterfall.  (Lewie would love playing in it all day long.)

Chinese lanterns!!

A gorgeous stone walkway.

Dining in elegance.

Me (the Rosecliff Mansion is in the background)

I love the idea of adding Chinese parisols to a garden setting.

A garden "in miniature."  This one won first place!

A unique flower exhibit.

My mom standing beside the Ocean wall at the Rosecliff Mansion.

What do you daydream about?

Hot Air Ballooning for Father's Day

For Father's Day weekend, my husband and I decided to take a quick, four day trip to Vermont.  We found a great getaway deal from Travelzoo that we couldn't resist, which included a three-night stay at the Castle Hill Resort and Spa with extra credits towards two massages and a dinner for two.  Before booking the reservation, I made sure our little guy could come with us too.  Fortunately, they found a room that could accommodate the three of us, and they didn't even charge us extra!

By far, the highlight of staying at this resort was the pool and hot tub.  The outside pool was heated, which means that the water was typically warmer than the air, and the hot tub was nearby for convenient access after the pool.  Both the pool and hot tub used a fine salt to keep the water clean instead of chlorine, which means there was no chlorine smell, no burning eyes, and no green hair.  We made sure to use the pool everyday--Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning.

On Saturday, we had decided to attend the 34th Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival.  While riding on a hot air balloon is definitely on my "bucket list," we didn't make reservations to ride one this time.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money and have our little guy be afraid.  Instead, we figured it would be just as fun (well almost) to watch them all go up into the air at once.  After enjoying the festival itself, we walked over to the field at 6 p.m. to prepare for the hot air balloon lift off.  At first, the weather didn't seem to be cooperating and so all of the hot air balloons were lying dormant on the field.  Then, all of a sudden (around 6:30ish), the breeze seemed to dissipate, and before we knew it, 21 balloons were inflating and preparing for lift off.  While they didn't all take off at once, they did follow each other in close sequence--one, then another, then another, and then another.  I got emotional after watching the first one leave the ground; it was such an exhilarating experience, and my brain didn't know how else to handle it other than to make my eyes well up with tears.  Lewie, amazed, even said to me, "Mommy, I never saw anything like this in my whole life."  After the fifth or sixth balloon, however, he was eyeing the playground and wanted me to push him on the swings.  Kids--go figure!
  

On Father's Day, we treated ourselves to massages while we took turns watching Little Lewie, and for dinner, we used our restaurant credit to eat at their castle.  While eating at the castle was cool (Lewie enjoyed going into the different rooms to look for secret passage ways), my husband and I both agreed that the environment was a little too stiff for our liking.  Most of the couples were older, and for this reason, they seemed somewhat displeased that we brought our very active four year-old to dinner.  While no one said anything to us in particular, we did receive lots of glares.  All I could say is that Little Lewie behaved wonderfully in my eyes.  He didn't talk too loud, and when it took a while to be served our food, he was very well mannered as we walked into the other rooms of the castle to keep him entertained.  We certainly couldn't be blamed for interrupting any one's dinner.

All in all, we had a wonderful trip, and I feel very grateful that my extra online teaching assignments were able to help pay for it.  The next time we go to the Quechee Festival, (yes, I plan on going back), I definitely want to be in one of those balloons!

It only took a matter of minutes for each hot air balloon to inflate!

The very first "lift off."  This balloon was from Fairfield, CT--not far from us.

More balloons getting ready...

The next two balloons preparing for flight.

Up, up and away!

The race to "the top"

And we have another lift off...

I love this picture.  The hot air balloon was literally right above us.

Floating away...

Taking a picture from the playground area.

Anyone that's seen Wicked the musical would appreciate this balloon.  It says, "Defy Gravity" on the other side.

Big Lew and Little Lew on Father's Day.

My husband and me... Little Lew took the picture!

My husband spotted an orange salamander outside of the castle.

Me and my little guy in front of the fountain.

There was a wedding here on Saturday.  The tent actually has chandeliers inside!

The Castle, built in 1902.

The other side of the Castle.

Big Lew enjoying the hot tub.

Me taking pictures of the pool.  

Another picture of the pool area.  (I'm a sucker for gardens and landscape design.)

Taking a swim in the 80+ degree water.