The Jackals

Saturday night we did a family outing to see a Jackals baseball game at Montclair University. Sadly we got rained out in the 5th inning but we had a great time while there. We got to see our good friends the Bergacs who happened to be at the game that night too. Matt was able to get Jack the Jackal to sign the baseball he got in the souvenir shop. This is definitely something we will do again.....very family friendly and affordable. It also sparked Matt's interest to practice his baseball skills. Woohoo, play ball!!

A Moment to Remember

Just 7 months ago this is the weather we were experiencing here in NJ. This pic was taken on January 22nd. I remember feeling like winter was never going to end but it did. Today is a truly beautiful summer day and I had to remind myself to enjoy it because in no time we will be back to this scenario. Enjoy your day no matter what the weather!

My Mini- Me

Every day more and more I hear people telling me how much Emily looks like me. I am starting to agree with them more and more too!! Its hard to believe she is 9 already and the "girl" talks we are having. I mean I knew she would grow up but I didn't think about the journey we would be taking to get there. One thing I've come to realize is that kids grow up way to fast these days. My goal is to be her mom, not her friend, as she grows up but that the relationship we have is an open and honest relationship. So, I decided to "create" that style of relationship before the teen years come. Please pray for us as we go along our journey. Hopefully we will still be smiling at the end of our growing together.

Its the Green Lantern

One of the themes for home day at day camp was "Princesses and Superheroes". Emily can put a princess outfit together easily but I was curious to see what Matt would come up with for a Superhero. Well he did us proud. Matt found all green toned clothing had Emily draw him a shirt logo and with the help of a recent Subway kids meal he had a Green Lantern mask, ring and bracelet. Thank goodness the kids like to "eat fresh" and Subway was a promoter for the Green Lantern movie.

God Never Takes a Vacation

During the summer, most of us take vacations and when you think of "true" vacation the beach always seems to come to mind. So, for the summer bulletin board at church we went along that theme but focused on the fact that God never takes a vacation. He is always with us. If you'll notice, I didn't put any hand on the clock once again trying to focus that God has no sense of time and that He always IS.

I think this is another favorite but I am starting to feel I say that after every board now.

Soup anyone???

So, my bulletin board "job" has expanded outside of our church. I was asked by a friend to help with the fundraising bulletin board at HCS (Hackensack Christian School). This week I finally finished the Labels for Education portion - I already completed the Box Top portion. I was pretty pleased with the outcome.

I have to tell you one thing I never knew about the Campbell's soup label. When making the can, I tried to be as exact as possible. I never really looked at the gold seal on the can and when I did see what it was I knew it was something I wouldn't be able to mimic. At the 1900 Paris International Exposition, Campbell's soup won the Gold Medallion for Excellence and the gold seal is a "picture" of that medallion. Who knew?

NYC at Night

This is how the city looked after an early evening shower and clearing. Dave said it looked like Gotham and I totally agree.

Another Day in NYC

It is funny how when something is in your own backyard you don't always take advantage of it. So this year we've tried to take more advantage of having NYC in our "backyard". We took the kids to see their first "off-Broadway" show - The Gazillion Bubble Show. I never knew bubbles could be so fantastic and they had an amazing laser show. Of course, no pictures were allowed to be taken.

Before the show, we went to the M&M's store and after we had amazing dinner at a Greek restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. We finished the night, after walking in the rain, with Emily's favorite - cheesecake at Junior's.

Of course, we have started a new "wanting" in Emily, she wants to go back to Broadway and see Mary Poppins. It looks like my first Broadway show is going to be her first Broadway show. We told her that before she gets to go she has to watch the original so she can appreciate all that she sees.

I have to say living next to NYC opens a whole new world - when you go there.