This has been quite the busy summer. Not bad considering that I’ve been working all summer, albeit on nights. Third shift makes it so much easier to do stuff with the kids or as a family. It was a sad reason to go to Jersey, but while there for a funeral, we took a little time out to get this great family photo taken. Anyone who has seen my blog about our Victorian Photo shoot knows that I love pictures like this!
Of course you can’t go to the beach without playing in the ocean. Of course we didn’t bother with suits, just hopped in, clothes and all!
We’ve enjoyed a couple of evenings / afternoons with our friends, watching movies or just hanging out. I also enjoy these visits because I can take pictures of Madison and Arthur together, stockpiling them for there future engagement……
One of the great things about living in the greater Cleveland area is the Metroparks. Hundreds of acres of wilderness, just waiting to be explored. The kids and I spent a day exploring different parks, even finding a hollowed out “castle”, right in the woods!
We enjoyed the Brunswick Summer Celebration also. It is so expensive to go to fairs or festivals anymore, but thankfully, it only comes once a year. We splurged on the wristbands for the kids this year and we definitely got our money’s worth.
Of course with all the schools and parks right here in town, we also spent some quality time playing on different playgrounds. This is good on two levels; the kids can run off their energy and mommy can sit and read her book!
The kids spent some time with daddy, trying to learn how to do magic tricks. Tony got the Chris Angel Magic Kit for Christmas a few years ago, and it just never gets old. Chiara kept saying he was “lying to her” when the trick was explained.
We’ve had these glow-in-the-dark bubbles for over a year now and we finally got them out. Chiara had been begging to play with them and sadly they only glow for one night. The jar of bubble solution glowed a really pretty purple, but sadly the bubbles were barely visible in the dark. I will say that they looked really cool with the camera flash though!
I also had the chance to enjoy a girl’s night in with some friends of mine. Wine, sweets and chick flicks. What more do you need in life? Nothing like staying up late with alcohol and watching stuff like Magic Mike!
We haven’t gone to the zoo much this year. It’s a big change from two years ago when we were at the zoo every week. Tony has taken the kids once and I’ve taken them once, but it’s fun every time. If only the Cleveland weather would be at least a little consistent!
We attended a first birthday party for a co-worker’s daughter. Surrounded by people who’s first language is Albanian, it was quite an experience, especially the food! The kids of course had a blast, enjoying water guns and just running amok. We also had a chance to visit a new part of the metroparks. Tony really loved that one, longing desperately for his mud-mower!
Most recently this summer, we enjoyed a day at a local Splash Pad. Another great thing about Cleveland, there is always something to do, you just have to know where to look. We joined Jenna and her kids for a long afternoon of water fun. There was also a nearby playground, so the kids had a blast!
For not making any specific plans this summer, we’ve managed to stay quite busy. I know the kids have been enjoying it! And to think, we’re only half-way through…….
