We really did have a beach week, this week. The weather was perfect for us and we were able to spend 6 full days down at the ocean. Aiding us, was the fact that every year it gets easier with Steven, Sammy and Amaya. Not easy – they’re still three 5 year olds – but so, so much easier. It actually makes it difficult for me to believe that I did this with three two year olds. Or even three year olds!

On Monday morning, Chase and Charlie came over early followed by a quick visit from Auntie and Dod Shuki. Dod Skuki was even kind enough to hold down the fort while Auntie and Nana ran to the store and I got ready for the beach.

We hit up the clam bar for our annual tradition – lunch this time, instead of dinner. Followed by a walk on the dock.

When Savta is around, you’re almost certain to find Sammy near by.

Chase showing Steven a crab shell that he found.

With Nana, looking at the little fish swimming in the water.

Cabana time!

It was hot which made it perfect weather for the cool pool. Amaya wanted pictures floating behind me. All week long we had a blast in the pool together.

Amaya: Mommy! Mommy! I’m waiting for you outside your door. Can you see my fingers and toes!?!?

Tuesday we made it back down to the ocean. It was a very calm day which was perfect for everyone. The ocean felt more like a lake.

I even went out deeper with Chase and Charlie!

Amaya, off to meet Papa to get back in the pool. (No worries. I followed behind until I could see them meet up.)

A huge source of beach fun is digging huuuuuuge holes. This was the first of many throughout the week.

Steven really got comfortable in the pool this week. I’m so proud of his progression, even from just a few weeks ago at the JCC pool.

View of our cabana row.

We headed to the Goldberg’s house for post-beach snacks and then to a gymnastics center where Charlie had an evaluation.

SSA were enthralled.

Watching Charlie on the beam. She did a great job demonstrating her skills!

We take showers in MI but the kids love baths in NY so I entertained that three of the nights we were there. An hour+ production each time.

Wednesday! Sammy and his Savta, pre-beach.

Digging holes in the distance. For a good portion of the time that Steven, Amaya, Chase and Charlie were digging, Sammy was off at the playground content as could be. He definitely needs his alone time.

It was nice to be there during the week because it was so quiet compared to weekends. At times, we nearly had the pool to ourselves.

Heading to the concession stand for promised treats. Glad I waited until Wednesday because it definitely opened a can of worms. 🙂

Wednesday’s ocean time involved a lot of digging for sand crabs. Steven even found (a dead) one. He was thrilled.

No surprise that Amaya made time for an extra trip to the pool.

Thursday – Rinse. Repeat! Chase wasn’t with us this day and either was Gene.

I ordered sidewalk paint which we broke out on Thursday morning.

Didn’t take long to get to the pool.

Nana led the kids through some kidde-pool-side yoga. 🙂

Back to the ocean we go. <3

Nana and Steven went for a long walk together and Nana took these awesome photos of their shadows in the sand and surf. So cool.

Organizing his shells. “I love to organize.” Like father, like son.

On Thursday we ordered in pizza for dinner at the beach. I was hoping we’d get a late night. Sara was also able to join us after work!

Feeding leftover pizza to the seagulls. It’s really something to see a seagull down half a piece of a large slice in just one gulp.

Hair twins.

On Friday Aunt Sara didn’t have to work and we took a break from the beach to head into Manhattan. This time, our plan was to take the tram to Roosevelt Island. I’d sent the kids a video from a tram in Norway and it peaked their interest so this was a relatively easy way to let them experience a tram ride.

Papa taught Sammy how to eat olives with pits.

Waiting for the tram.

Some view!

Sammy was excited to stand on his own and watch out the window.

Steven panicked at first and insisted on a seat. Fortunately, another passenger kindly gave up her seat for him. Once we got going he was totally fine and even made friends with the lady sitting next to him.

Jan, Steven’s tram friend, told us about a free bus that ran a circuitous route around the island. We hopped on for a short tour.

We wrapped up our visit with a fun stop at some playgrounds – another tip from Jan. 🙂 The kids play so well together. Steven loves to instigate games where they split up into good guys and bad guys and then chase each other in a game of freeze-tag.

The whole gang!

Riding the tram back, Steven was ready to stand and Sammy and Amaya tested their balance.

It’s not a week in NY unless we have a sleepover with Chase and Charlie. Friday was the night! Amaya was so excited to sleep with Charlie that she kicked me out of their room and sent me to sleep on the couch for the night lol.

It’s all fun and games until you get cheese wax stuck in your hair.

Morning at Nana and Papa’s house.

Saturday was a our last day in NY and, yes, we spent it at the beach!

The water was calm again and there were shells everywhere. Nana took one for the team and got wet, wet, wet helping everyone find shells.

Steven and I stayed down at the water for a while after everyone else left for a bit more time hunting for shells.

Goodbye hole! Goodbye beach!

And off we go, back to MI. The boys love watching our luggage on the luggage belt. I don’t let anyone sit in the stroller anymore but it is super handy to have with us to pile all of our stuff. I will be sad when the time comes to leave this baby behind.

After all of this time, SSA have learned how to identify their seats on their boarding passes. Or maybe it’s just the first time I’ve mentioned it to them.

Daddy!!

And we’re back! It was a fantastic week and we’re looking forward to this down week before school starts after labor day. (ACK!!)

Have a great one!

This is one of those weeks where Monday feels like it was a lifetime ago. This was our last week of camp (wow!!) and this blog is coming to you from NY!

On Monday morning I got in the car to take the kids to camp and my car wouldn’t start. I got lucky because the kids hustled into the van and we made it to the bus on time. Gabby also generously agreed to trade cars with me at my office so she could use the van to pick up the kids and I could get home from work.

This week, we started some lessons on cutting strawberries.

I did some “surgery” on a stuffed animal of Amaya’s. I’m still surprised at how much I enjoy mending their stuff.

I had to all a tow truck for my car and it arrived at 8pm – after Sammy and Amaya fell asleep but while Steven was still awake. I knew Steven would love seeing the car towed so I brought him outside with me and we watched together on our front lawn.

Tuesday goofballs!

Wednesday was field trip day – another trip to the water park! This time Steven seemed to enjoy himself a bit more and found activities he was willing to try.

Friday was the last day of camp. The kids had such a great summer and were so sad to say goodbye. I’m glad they loved it enough to be sad it was ending, though! Here’s Steven’s sad face.

Amaya was obsessed with one of her counselors, CC. She drew this picture during the week. It’s an “Amaya and CC making machine.” She says things like “CC is in my heart” and brings CC into conversations constantly. Hopefully CC will be able to babysit when she’s home from college for winter break.

The famous CC!

Gabby picked the kids up a little early on Friday so we could hightail it to the airport for our flight to NY for Beach Week! Yay!! This time we had a bonus because Jason met us on the plane (literally) to join us for the first two nights of the trip.

Sammy sat next to Jason and I got to sit with Captain America and Captain Marvel. (We’ve moved away from the Cares harnesses but Steven is just shy of 40 pounds – FAA approved weight for lap belts – and feels more comfortable with the extra security so he’s still using it to fly. Sammy, conversely, is thrilled to just use his lap belt.)

Charlie skipped a sleepover to come with Nana to pick us up at the airport. <3

Before bed, the kids had their Friday-night-with-Nana Shabbat tradition. (And, this time, Papa too!)

We had a quiet Saturday morning at home and then at the the playground at Hall’s Pond. It was horribly humid but still nice to get outside. I love having a playground we can walk to.

I love my childhood memories of this pond. It’s really cool to see my kids there.

Steven struggles with decisions. At CVS, both Sara and Jason went to bat supporting him in his decision over which chapstick flavor to pick. Jason tells me he was the same way as a little guy so at least one of us can relate. <3

The walk home…

Love.

Savta joined us for lunch, to the delight of all of the kids. Savta!

The big event of the day was a birthday party for Nana who’s birthday is on the 28th. My cousins Mike & Joe came with their family. Uncle Austin and Krissy flew in from Pittsburgh. Auntie and Savta were there. Uncle Dave’s parents, Allan and Syvia. Family friends Joyce & Steve Bloom and Laney and Steve Honig came, too.

[Photo credit to Jason for most of these.]

Steven spent close to 45 minutes talking to Allan and Syvia. He just sat out there talking and talking and talking. They were so patient and wonderful with him.

Savta and the great grands! Sammy, Steven, Charlie, Chase, Amaya, Jake, Eli, Dalia and Naomi.

Today was our first beach day of the week. Whoo hoo!

The kids got right back into the swing of it.

Amaya was so happy to be in the pool. She even got me to come in. “It’s cold when you first get in but it gets better once you start swimming.”

Charlie, Papa, Chase, Amaya, Uncle Austin and Krissy.

The boys were happy to spend a while in the kiddie pool.

Until Sammy realized he can stand in the big pool! Hurdle conquered!

Uncle Dave was a champ and sat there for ages while Steven played by himself in the kiddie pool. (Thank you, Uncle Dave!)

Until Steven realized Sammy can stand and wanted to try it, too. I practically had to pry him out of the pool.

I’m so excited that all 3 Cline kids have graduated to the big pool.

This girl loves to pose.

Off to the ocean! Since last summer, the walkway to the ocean was built up and extended.

The BIG change this year is that SSA are all finally comfortable in the ocean. They looooooved it, especially Steven who pretended he was surfing the whole time. There’s lots of hand holding where the waves do more than roll in which means I’m getting my fair share of ocean time, too.

Sammy and his Savta. 🙂 When we were in the water, Sammy kept asking me, “Am I in the ocean!?!?!”

Digging big holes is a favorite past time.

Amaya and Nana went shell hunting together.

And that was our week! Jason is back home in MI and I was able to get the kids to bed tonight at reasonable hour. Tomorrow the plan is another beach day but with a clam shack lunch to start and a pizza dinner at the beach. Tonight Amaya was already asking me if I’d go in the pool with her. Of course I will, little mama!

Have a great week!

Monday I left for a work trip, yet again. Trip 5 of 5 in 5 weeks. And I’m done! For now.

The bonus of this particular trip was that I was in DC and was able to have dinner with Aunt Ouize, Uncle Todd and Abe. It was so nice.

“Gabby – can you send me a pic of the kids?”

Looks about right for a post-camp afternoon.

Bonus pics from Penni!

Next day: “Gabby – can you send me a pic of the kids?” 🙂

Steven, organizing his ball cards.

I was back at the bus stop on Thursday. Amaya can’t help but pose when she sees me move to take a picture.

Amaya was pissy because I told her she had to stay in her bed when I read Sammy his book. She played it well for a while.

“Don’t make me laaaaaaaugh!”

After dinner on Friday I filled up a trash can for some water gun time. Here, we were watching a butterfly that landed on Steven’s water gun.

Water guns! Somehow, they managed to stay dry in their pajamas. An end-of-week miracle.

Yesterday was gorgeous and we headed off to the pool. Not before Amaya put together this beaut of an ensemble.

We were at the pool from 11:30am until 5:30pm. It was incredible. The kids absolutely loved being in the pool. At one point, the boys were in for 90 minutes straight. Amaya’s swimming skills have improved even in the last two weeks. She’s swimming on her stomach now, not just her back and, while we were at the pool, she got up the nerve to jump in! I don’t think she can pass a deep end test yet but she’s made so much progress.

The kids snagged this spot for the lunch and, later, for ice cream. (Except for Steven who, true to form, chose nutrigrain bars instead of ice cream.)

Like our last trip to the pool, the kids wanted to see me jump off the diving board. This time, there was guy there (my age) who was doing some elaborate dives. He convinced me – and then coached me – to dive off the board. I was always so nervous diving but I did it!

Later, he came up to us during our snack and told me that his wife and daughter always ask for pictures with the kids, would I like one? So nice!

We wrapped up the day trying out the inside pool. It was freezing and a little too deep to stand well but, with puddle jumpers, SSA all braved it.

Back at home for bedtime. <3 It was such a long day that, for the first time, Steven was asleep in his bed before I even got upstairs to tuck him in.

This morning we packed up and headed to a playground. It was so nice out.

Offer Cline, on duty.

After a little while Sammy asked if we could go to a different playground. In the past, packing up the kids to go somewhere else would have felt like so much work but today it was a breeze. The flexibility we have these days is awesome.

“Is anything on my nose?”

We had a lazy afternoon at home and, with few exceptions, like Sammy and Jason watching comedy videos the kids spent it all out on the deck with chalk paint and sidewalk chalk and lots of water. Boy, they love to play with water.

We wrapped up the weekend with dinner at Michigan Beer Company. The kids were very interested in the condiments that came with Jason’s bloody mary.

<3 <3 <3

Have a great week!

Jason was away this week, visiting family in Iowa and then on to Chicago for the National Sports Card Collectors show. It made for some busy mornings for me but I had 3 great helpers.

On Monday morning Steven wanted my help with his orthotics but I was busy putting on Sammy’s sunscreen so Amaya offered to help. My goodness, it was sweet to watch.

Waiting for the camp bus. The kids like to peek out of my sunroof.

Monday afternoon I headed off on yet another work trip and Grandma Sunshine came to the rescue to spend the night and get the kids to camp on Tuesday morning.

All smiles for Grandma!

Wednesday morning and I back! (For now.) Some “waiting for the bus” selfies.

Here, on Thursday morning, Sammy was telling Amaya that he thinks her braid is beautiful.

Thursday was a late day at camp and these kids were ready for twelve hours of fun.

(Sorry, Sammy, I never got around to deleting your song from this video.)

On Friday night, the kids and I set off on a road trip to meet Jason in Chicago. We’re master fliers but this was our longest drive. The kids did great thanks to tablets and happy meals. Unlike our drive to Cleveland, this time I thought to download content ahead of time so I didn’t have to try to stream via my hotspot.

We got to Chicago at 9:15pm CT and Sammy slept for the last hour of the drive. Steven fell asleep within 5 minutes of the hotel. He may have conked out earlier but he loved the trains that run through the middle of the highway in Chicago.

A hearty hotel breakfast before heading to the aquarium. Steven was deep in conversation. As per usual.

<3

It was a beautiful day. While Jason headed to the last day at the ball card show, the kids and I headed to the Shedd Aquarium. We had this beautiful view of Lake Michigan and Chicago. SSA couldn’t believe how massive the lake is.

The aquarium really is incredible. So much to see and do.

Penguins!

Playing like Penguins in the Penguin habitat play area. If Ashley hadn’t shown up, I’m not sure I would have been able to tear the kids away.

Ashley, our afternoon sitter from Summer 2017, is interning at the Shedd and she graciously comped our tickets. On top of that, she arranged for Steven, Sammy and Amaya to have a behind-the-scenes look at some animals. We met and pet a turtle, a skink and a snake. Such a cool addition to our visit.

The kids and Ashley. It’s so nice that we’re still in touch two year later.

I took a series of about 15 pictures of Amaya posting on these rocks. “Take another picture of me.”

Front row seats for the dolphin show. WOW. (Amaya was not thrilled about this particular picture.)

Our lunchtime view. We braved the heat for the chance to eat outside and watch the boats and airplanes.

When you’re solo and someone just can NOT wait to go to the bathroom, you pack up your lunch and sit outside a single person family bathroom while said person takes forever.

Finally… my personal favorite was this incredible turtle.

After the aquarium we met up with Jason and checked out the ball card show. Ahead of time he scoped out some activities that could be fun for the kids including personalizing some bags from eBay, spinning a prize wheel and getting our own Honus Wagner style ball cards made.

The kids used stencils to make their bags. True to their style, Sammy just completed the outline and was done while Steven meticulously colored his in. Amaya frustrated that these stencil letters don’t look right (they had spaces) and attempted to reconnected them.

Originally we contemplated driving home on Saturday night but, after a late dinner, we made the call to spend one more night. The kids were thrilled to get another night in a hotel room (and in beds with Mommy and Daddy). 🙂

Time to go!

A quiet car. For a while, at least.

Amaya complained that it hurt her neck to look down at her table ton her lap so she came up with a creative solution.

Back home!

Earlier in the week it occurred to me that JCC Day Camp might have a Facebook page and they do! I was able to find all of these (and more) photos of Steven, Sammy and Amaya having fun at camp. It was so cool to get a glimpse into their days.

Tree Runner course!

A view of the fields and the camp pool. (Until recently I didn’t even realize they have a separate pool for the camp. I thought they used the main campus outdoor pool.)

I’ll leave you with this morning exchange from our ride to the bus, earlier in the week. Keep in mind that Amaya has long said that she never wants to give birth to a baby.

Amaya: I’m never getting married

Sammy: If Amaya gets married to a lady, the lady she marries can carry the baby

Amaya: I don’t want to get married because I can’t decide between Elsa and Captain Marvel

Steven: I’m going to marry Captain America

Sammy: How will they have a baby if they they want one?

Me: Could a lady carry a baby for them?

Amaya: That’s not “carrying” it’s called “donating.”

Amaya again: Wait. If I have a baby with a lady, where will we get the sperm?

I love that they understand that relationships come in all different forms, (including with fictional superheroes and princesses lol) and that our biology lessons are taking hold. They don’t quite know the mechanics of reproduction but eggs and sperm and the various ways families are made are sinking in.

Have a great week!