City Kids Go Country

I grew up in the country or pretty close to it. Actually at one time I lived on a horse farm.  Our kids weren't so lucky most of their lives we lived on a military base.   So every time we go home the kids are over the moon with the different animals they encounter when we go to NJ.  Back in VA we have cats and then there are the regular animals you find outdoors birds, squirrels, a few deer, and a groundhog or two.  But when we go to Jersey they get to interact with more of the farm yard type animal up close.  My good friend Kelly has a goat, chickens, and a bunny.  And when they are at my parents house since they live a five houses away from the lake ducks are a regular sight in the yard.  Unfortunately for my parents the kids love to feed the ducks and will swipe any loaf of bread they can get their hands on just to feed the ducks.  This trip Cam go brave.  Originally he wanted to pet the ducks but quickly realized that wasn't going to happen.  He did figure out that they would come right up and take the bread right out of his hand.  He had a blast.  His only disappointment was that they only came up twice.

  

Family

Another one of my favorite things to do when visiting NJ is to head to South Jersey to visit my Aunt Kate. When I was Kenzies age I would go down to Aunt Kate's house and spend a week there.  It is some of my favorite summer memories.  So now making sure my kids get a chance to go down and spend time at her house is tops on my list.  A few years back we started a new tradition with Aunt Kate's oldest daughter my cousin Maryann.  When we get together we always go down for lunch.  Maryann is a wonderful baker.  I have never had anything I didn't like.  So a few years ago we started what we refer to as "The Great Cousin Cake Swap".  I make something (usually her favorite Raspberry Lemonade cake) and she makes something and we take home our new goodies.  I look forward to it every year.  The kids go in the pool, we eat lunch, we laugh and tell stories, the kids go back in the pool and then we have dessert, and more laughing and stories.  By then everyone is tired and full and it is time to go home.  Cam sleeps all the way home and Kenzie reads.  And I leave with a smile on my face knowing the kids got a little glimpse into my childhood and  I get to enjoy my family.  This year was great because not only was my family all there but Aunt Kate, Maryann and her daughter Sarah was there.  Funny thing is Sarah lives about 75 minutes from us in VA and we both had to drive 4ish hours to see each other.  Spending time with all of them was a hoot.  I can't wait to do it again next year.

Life's a Beach!!!

During the summer we try to get up to NJ at least once a month.  This year with the craziness we weren't able to do it as much.  For our final trip we made sure that we hit up the Jersey Shore.  We always enjoy spending at least one day at the beach with my best friend Christa and her kids.  She had Jason who is almost 15 and then I had Kenzie who is 13.  We both took a little time off and then I had Cam who is 6 and exactly 10 months later Christa had Juliette now 5.


Even with the huge age gap all our kids get along really well.  Since they are both teenagers the big kids tend to go off on their own.  And even though they only see each other a couple of times a year the little kids pick up like they live next door to each other.  The beach is one of my favorite places especially the Jersey Shore.  I know what you are thinking and don't let those idiots on tv speak for us who are really from Jersey.  If you don't know just about all of them are from other states.  Their stupidity and lack of class should not reflect on those of us who were born and grew up in Jersey.  When we got the shore we like to go to Island Beach State Park.  It's quieter, cleaner and less populated then some of the other beaches.  The kids love to build sand castles, jump the waves and collect seashells.

 It was a perfect day.  It was warm but not too hot and the sun was out.   It was a perfect day to spend with the perfect friends.  I could just sit there soaking up the sun watching the kids play chatting the day away with my bestie for ever!

Little Fish Little Fish..........

Cameron is starting to become a fish.  After a few years of being a bit afraid of water he is now getting very comfortable and fond of being in the water.  We have put Cam in swim lessons before and he had done pretty well and started to swim under water.  But we thought that he really could use a few more lessons to get him swimming on top of the water and to improve his endurance in the pool.  After the first session of  8 lessons over 2 weeks he seemed to have a break through so we decided not to stop the momentum put him in another session for 8 more lessons.  Along with the small pool we have in the backyard Cam spends almost everyday n the water.  While I don't see him turning into the next Michael Phelps it is wonderful to see him so comfortable and happy.  Here are a few pictures and a video of him swimming.  One more week of lessons and then a little vacation with a lot of swimming!

And yes I know his goggles are on upside down.  He does that on purpose! Strange little boy.