Countdown Until Vacation

16 Days Until Our Cruise

The Jersey Shore

Dave & I promised each other that this year we would get the kids to the shore (last year we just never made it). So, the one Saturday we knew Dave would be off work we headed to Point Pleasant, NJ. Going to the shore any time in the summer let alone on a Saturday morning, usually means sitting in a ton of traffic but God knew what we needed and we made record time to the shore with hardly any traffic. Emily and Matt were excited about going. The last time we were at a beach Emily was in the water with Dave and Matt spent his time playing in the sand close to me, well that changed, which meant I had to spend most of my time down in the water too. Matt loved running away from the waves, although that was all he wanted to do, no going "into" the water. Emily enjoyed boogie boarding and then body surfing with Dave. We spent from 9:30 - 1 on the beach then hit the bath houses, changed, walked the Boardwalk and then to the rides for the kids. The day totally wiped us out but we took a different route home and went through some of the towns we have always heard about but never seen. On our way back, we stopped for dinner and then for coffee and a treat. By the time we got to the coffee stop, Matt's legs started bothering him, so we made a quick stop to the pharmacy for some Ibuprofen. It was a very full day but a wonderful day, a day I wouldn't mind having again in the near future - a mom can dream!

Independence Day

We decided to spend the July 4th holiday soaking up the sun and playing in the water at the Land of Make Believe - a small amusement/water park about an hour and a half from our home. Our main purpose for going was getting in the water. The summer started out brutally hot here in NJ and has pretty much stayed that way. We first hit all of the water rides. Dave and Matt were together and Emily & I. It was so fun doing these rides with them. It seems like such a short time ago we were saying "won't it be great when we can do this with the kids someday" and here we are doing just that. We enjoyed a trip on the lazy river before heading to the main "pool" area. It was nice because Dave and I were able to sit at the edge of the pool and just watch the kids play. Emily was in charge though, if you ask her. After time in the water, we had some lunch then hit the rides. I should say Emily and Matt did. Our time there ended with some ice cream to cool us off one more time. On our way back home, we stopped at a local mall area had an early dinner at Olive Garden - Emily loves their salad and breadsticks - then we headed home for the night. It was a wonderful day!

Sorry So Long

I know it has been a long time since I have updated the blog but life has been a lot like this picture - going around in circles. The kids are enjoying their 4th week of camp - 2 more to go. They are gone from 8:30 until 4:30 each day, which allows for me to attempt to get many things done here at home that have not been done for quite some time (cleaning rugs, sorting toys, clothes, etc.) Once I pick them up and we eat dinner, it seems like it is time for bed, for all of us. Well, almost all. Dave has once again become MIA here at home. A deadline for closing 5 companies switched from 5/31 to June 15 to July 1, to now 8/1. Needless to say he has been putting in late nights and usually one day on the weekend which we don't know about until late Friday. If he is off, he is still on call or checking his Blackberry. The kids are missing him a lot and becoming verbal about not seeing him. Emily the other day asked why is he always working - Dave just responded "good question". It has been rough on him lately. Being that his schedule is so crazy, we haven't done much in the way of activities that have resulted in pics or posts. Well, there are a few I haven't done yet but will do today. So knowing how life is here, do not be surprised when you check the blog and it is still the same old post. Hopefully in a few weeks that will change once vacations come and school begins. In the meantime, we hope all of you are well.

Splishing and a Splashing

The kids love being in water. I can remember when both of them couldn't stand getting any water in their faces but that has all changed. One of their favorite water "devices" is the classic Slip 'n Slide. Emily is an old pro at belly sliding. Matt on the other hand tends to knee plant then go to a full sprawl slide which doesn't get him very far. Needless to say they both have a lot of fun. It has been a very dry and hot and humid summer so far. I'm sure we will be having many more evenings filled with water fun.

A Day of Things Matt Loves

On Saturday, July 3rd, we went into NYC to get Emily's American Girl doll and had to make it just as appealing for Matt to go into the city and boy did we make it appealing. First, instead of driving in, we headed to Secaucus and took a train into Penn Station. Matt was thrilled we were taking a train and was more than happy to watch a few go past while we waited for ours to come. When we got in the city, we walked down to Rockefeller Center, where the American Girl Place store is located. Just a block after the store is a Lego store right by the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center. The apple is actually made out of Legos....very cool. Matt and Dave shopped there while Emily & I were at American Girl. We met up with them and checked out the Lego store. Matt was able to spend some of his birthday and allowance money on Legos - which made him very happy. The picture of Matt is his reaction to the giant Lego dragon sticking out of the wall behind him. We ate a very nice lunch then went to a NYC Fire Department store. Much to the happiness of Matt and all of our feet, we took the subway back to Penn Station and our train back to the car. It was a very happy day for both our kids in the city.

Matthewisms

Matt is taking his "isms" on the road. When I dropped off Matt at camp on Monday, I told them that he can be a very "funny" little guy. So, when I picked him up on what I think was Wednesday of this week, I wasn't surprised that the director told me his "quote of the day". Apparently one of the workers from the morning leaves mid afternoon and when she was getting ready to leave Matt said, "Mrs. Boche you can't leave we're your biggest fans". I tell you he can make your day with his insights and comments. By the way as of this morning, the word future still "disturbs" him.

In the picture, Matt is wearing his favorite new sweatpants he got from his babysitter, Victoria, and her stepson, Juan, for his birthday. They are official Lodi wear bearing the emblem for Lodi Track (Victoria is a runner) which Matt think is for the train tracks in Lodi, not the track team.....too funny. Of course, they are white - not the best color for a 5 year old but hopefully, he'll let me wash them soon.

Meet Emily Christina Wessel

A month and a day from her birthday, Emily finally received her "promised" eighth birthday present - an American Girl doll. Originally we had talked about a pet at 8 and an American Girl at 10 but when we realized how quickly 8 was coming and mommy still isn't ready to add a pet to her crazy schedule (we know it is the mom who takes care of pets) we switched gears and made it the American Girl doll at age 8. In January, we had gone to the American Girl Place store with our friends the St. Cyrs while they were visiting. It was then that we told her she would get the doll and any money she saved from Christmas, birthday and allowance she could by accessories for her doll. Her heart was originally set on the Mia doll - which she had seen in catalogs we had received - but Mia was retired. So, we looked at the different dolls and she chose one from their "historical" collection and her name is Emily. So, Emily and I bought her doll and then Emily spent some of her money on outfits, a pet cat named Ginger and a carry tote for her doll. The boys left us to shop and headed to the Lego store to bide their time - a good plan. Her doll's full name is Emily Christina Wessel and she has taken very good care of her thus far. Happy Birthday, Emily. Oh, and thanks for patiently waiting.

Our Little Girl...isn't so little

In the busyness of every day life, I don't always "see" how much the kids have grown. Their birthdays came and we celebrated the year past and the new year to come but that too was enveloped in the busyness of that time of the year.

However, there are these "moments" when all of a sudden I am taken away by the growth of my children and most of them come in the form of a photograph. I took these pictures while we were waiting for a train headed to NYC for the day. When I took the first one and saw her pose, it made me think of how many times she has posed this same way and yet how much older she looked now. The first picture inspired me to take the next one of her looking out over the Meadowlands. When I looked at it, I thought this is no longer that "little" girl. I showed Dave the picture and said "look how grown up she looks". I don't begrudge her growing up I am just sad that so much of the time, we are so busy I don't notice how quickly time is passing. I also have to say when I look at these I can in no way deny this girl is my daughter....she does look like me at this age. Emily, just remember we love you at every age and moment of your life.

A Year Ago Today

It is hard to believe that a year ago today we were in Illinois celebrating the fourth with family. We loved the time we spent with Aunt Lori and Uncle David, Uncle Dennis and Aunt Kim, Brian, Shellie and Nate. Whenever I see this picture it makes me smile. Matt decided to cuddle up to cousin Brian and take a little afternoon snooze. We miss all of you!! Thank you for some amazing memories.

Emily's Teaset

As one of her birthday gifts, one of her friends gave Emily a tea set that she could paint. So, one afternoon she decided it was time to get crafting. She made quite a colorful set. No two pieces are alike. The one teacup is the world - blue ocean and green continents. Already she had a tea - apple juice - party with Matt. Oh, unfortunately we've had one casualty, the teapot top but we are using the sugar bowl top as a replacement. Emily loves these crafting/creative kits.

Stepping Stones

Well the stepping stones the kids made have made it into the garden. We had a lot of fun making them. Matt's says "Matt "hearts" God" and Emily's says "God is Love". Emily came up with her "thought" first and then Matt followed along the same line. It is nice to see that God has made his way into our kids thinking. Both stones also have their hand prints on them. This is definitely a project we will do again in the future - uh-oh I used the word that disturbs Matt.....you have to laugh.

Matt's Birthday

It is hard to believe we just celebrated Matt's 5th birthday. What made it even more unusual is that we were home. Since Matt was born, his birthday has always occurred while we have been on our early summer vacation. This year his birthday fell on a Sunday so it was a full day. It started with presents and a birthday blueberry muffin. His presents had a theme "Lego". He was most excited with Emily's because it is the Lego Toy Story 3 train - Legos & a train who can go wrong. Emily got a huge hug for such a great choice. We spent the morning at church then went out for lunch with family friends. If you know Matt, you should know his choice of restaurant - Chinese. He got his dumplings and sushi. The restaurant gave him a birthday ice cream plate. After a short afternoon at home building a few Lego projects with dad, Matt and Emily went with Dave to the Meadowlands Fair. They must have been having a great time because they didn't get home until after 11:00 p.m. (they left at 6 p.m.). All in all it was a great day and I still can't believe he is 5.

Matthewisms

This kid cracks me up. Yesterday we were in the car on our way home and I said we would do something in the future to which Matt said "don't say that". I asked him what "future" and he replied "yes". So I asked "don't you like that word" and he said "no, it disturbs me". Disturbs him - how hilarious. Matt has expressed before his dislike of the work "future". We haven't been able to figure out his disdain for the word. This is the first time though he told us that is disturbs him. Like I said he cracks me up!