The End of the Birthday Week

Always feels like Leah's birthday is celebrated for at least a week. I love how excited she is about her birthday. She is a great kid and deserves every bit of it.

We had her birthday bbq today. It was nice to have everyone over. She had her two friends and they played, went swimming and ate a lot of junk food together.

Adventureland Birthday Fun

As per our yearly tradition we went to Adventureland for Leah's birthday. This year she invited her friend Mayah along. Leah and Mayah are still not tall enough to go on a lot of the rides on their own so I went on some with them. I am not a fan of rides but had a blast going on them with the girls.

Here is a picture of Leah on the Ferris Wheel.



After Adventureland we headed home. Leah opened up the last of her gifts. We sang her Happy Birthday while she blew out her candle on her cupcake. She was exhausted and could barely keep her eyes open.

Memorial Day

We spent this morning at the local Memorial Day Parade.

Breakfast of Champions - Red, White & Blue Sprinkle Donut






Proud American & Flag


Leah asked to take this picture for her Grandma Ruth (who is a BIG Yankee Fan).


Waiting patiently to go up on stage with the rest of her schoolmates.


Leah joined her American Sign Language teacher and other kindergartners up on stage after the parade and they signed God Bless America.












Afterward Matt & George went with Leah on a walk to see the local water tower. Then they spent a little time in the playground.

Matt & Leah on the swings-Matt has always been (and hopefully always will be) a kid at heart.




We headed home and changed for the beach. We met up with our friends.

Leah enjoying some cold watermelon.


Matt, Leah & Louis spending some time together.


Family photo


Leah was absolutely wonderful (as usual) with Louis today. While we were setting up our beach gear (blanket, chairs, umbrella etc) Leah sat nicely with Louis on the sand and held him until we were done.

When we sat Louis in the water for the first time she was there by his side. Great big sister.

Six Flags Great Adventure

Today we went to Six Flags Great Adventure. This was Leah's first time there. We met with one of Matt's best friends, Jared, and his daughter Bella. While they rode the rides I hung out with Louis and enjoyed the time outside. I am not big on roller coaster rides so I was perfectly okay not riding them. We had a good day.









Leah is 5, nearly 6 and still loved Wiggles World.




We had a long ride back home New Jersey to Long Island. There was traffic everywhere, every bridge, expressway, route.

Fortunately our children sleep very well in the car.

Off to the Farm again :D

Being so close to White Post Farms we tend to go there a few times each season. Especially now that the bouncers are there. Great way for Leah to be entertained. Matt dropped us off and we spent the afternoon there. Today we met up with one of my childhood friends from the Bronx - Sean, his wife Rosemary and their two beautiful kids Leah (Lee-ah) and Seanie. It was so nice to spend the afternoon with another family so much like our own. I cannot wait to get together with them again.

The Bronx Zoo

We went to the Bronx Zoo today. The Bronx Zoo has a special place in my heart. Many days were spent at the zoo with my family going up. As a preteen (tween) I spent many days there with friends. The zoo was literally a 5 minute walk from my house. I also volunteered there and even worked there for a short while during my teen years. Needless to say I am always up for a trip to the old neighborhood and zoo.

Matt bought us a family membership. I already have trips plans to the Prospect Park & Queens Zoos. I am looking forward to using the membership this summer.

We met up with Lindsay and her friend Susy & Susy's two beautiful kids Silas & Jack. Leah was excited to spend the day with Silas & Lindsay.

We spent the afternoon walking and looking at the animals, chasing the kids around and enjoying the really nice weather.

On the way back to the exit after leaving Lindsay & company we stopped at the Children's Zoo and then stopped for an ice cream cone.

We weren't far from my where my dad lives so we stopped at his house. My mom came over. I cooked dinner & we all hung out for the evening. I miss home a lot. Home to me is the Bronx. No matter how many years have passed since I last lived there, it is still where I grew up. In my heart it is home. I love sharing it with Leah & Louis.

Snow Day

The local school district was closed today due to a huge snow storm we were expecting. Good thing too cause there are nearly 2 feet of snow outside.

Leah was bouncing off the walls all day, she could not wait for Matt to get home from work so she could go out to play in the snow. She bundled up in tons of layers, threw on her snow gear and out she went. Our neighbors and good friends were also out so Leah played with her friend Mayah out in the snow for about 2 hours.



While the girls played I spent time catching up with Mayah's mom and letting our two youngest ones get to know one another. Mayah's sister Alana is 7 months old.

It is wonderful having such good friends with kids around the same age. I look forward to the Spring when we can all be out and about together.

Mayah's Birthday!

Today was Mayah's Birthday party. Mayah is a friend that Leah has made here on our complex. Her parents are awesome and she is a wonderful little girl. When we first met the family Leah was Mayah's age and now Leah will be 4 in a few months and Mayah turned 3. The birthday party was at a local My Gym. The place is awesome. The party hosts were great and all the kids had a wonderful time. Leah can't wait to go back.

We snapped some pics of her in the car on the way home. She got this little bottle of water and was having a blast drinking the water. She really enjoys drinking water, definitely a good thing.

Now if we can only break her of her terribly bad habit of always needing to find comfort in biting her nails! As shown in the second picture, she loves her fingers.

Today we went to Freeport for a birthday party for one of the boys in Leah's preschool class. We had a great time. Leah got to ride a pony, decorate a pumpkin, and run around with all her playmates and her 'boyfriend' Alistair.