Week 24 (June 9th – June 22nd): Our Tri-Athlete

Jeff participated in his first triathlon last week. You can read all about it here.

http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest-EH/16884/Inspiration-And-Community-Building-At-Second-Annual-Turbo-Tri

The kids were feeling less than great that day, but were so excited to cheer on their dad! They did great during the pre-event time, loved being on the beach to see the swimmers, and tolerated the wait for the bike ride to be over. By the time the run came, they gave up! It’s a shame because we missed Jeff crossing the finish line in third place. I’m still bummed we missed it but he has another one in July!

Here’s what the triathlon looked like to us!

Swimming

Biking

Eating

Week 23 (June 2nd – June 8th): The Great Outdoors

The kids have been saving their coins all winter for a tent. Every time they saw a penny, they picked up and announced that it would go in the “tent jar.” After months of talking about camping and prepping for it, we finally got a night under the stars. We planned on two nights at a campground less than two miles from home, but ended up getting a late start due to rain. Luckily, we camped close to home because we had left a few essential items at home: pillows and dinner for the kids! Otherwise, the trip was a success. Delicious dinner, a fun “hike” and marshmallows by the campfire. Instead of ghost stories, the kids each told a story about their invisible friends, Mackie & Suza. They conked out by 9:15 and woke after 7. Not too shabby! We all can’t wait for the next trip!

Caroline has some quiet time in the quiet

Yummy! I never get these at home!

A bedtime snack by the camp fire

The camp cook

Bagel for breakfast while the pooch waits for crumbs

Liam proves that he can be grumpy in the morning even when camping

Week 22 (May 26 – June 1): LIA….M?

LIA is the Long Island Aquarium. We made our first trip there in celebration of Caroline’s 4th birthday nearly a year ago and ended up buying a family membership. The kids and I have been to the aquarium a few times each month. They love that they have their own ID card and get a stamp on their hand. The stamp goes on the left hand and determining which hand is their left hand is very serious business to Caroline and Liam.

After our most recent visit, I saw Liam staring at his stamped hand. The following conversation is paraphrased because my memory just isn’t that good, but it still makes me chuckle!

Me: Hey, Bud, what’s up?
Liam: Something’s wrong with my hand.
Me: Nothing’s wrong, it’s the stamp so the aquarium workers know you paid to get in.
Liam: But it’s wrong.
Me: How is it wrong?
Liam: They forgot to put the “M.”
Me: Pause to process what he was talking about then nothing but smiles and giggles

LIA—just needs the M to make it complete for LIAM