Monday started with a dentist appointment for SSA. The first in a year because we were thwarted by COVID in the spring. Jason took the kids and successfully got them through x-rays. Apparently all three have some movement in their bottom teeth with Steven’s the loosest of all. The tooth fairy may be visiting soon! Steven also seems resigned to the reality of braces at some point.

There was some drama over the weekend because we had wild turkeys in our backyard and Steven missed the chance to take pictures of them. Sure enough, the turkeys were back on Monday and Steven got his coveted photos.

Checking out a dead baby snake…

Monday was a gorgeous day and they enjoyed an afternoon trip to Three Cedars Farm with Gabby. Look at that sky! No filter!

I always get sad in September because summer is ending / over and every October I’m reminded that we still have some nice weather yet. It’s truly only miserably cold in MI for four or five months of the year lol.

Our Lego Lady. She loves her Lego Friends sets. I think it’s great that Lego has sets that appeal to all sorts of interests but they definitely seem flimsier and less substantive than the Lego City sets – which is only a big deal in that they seem to fall apart more easily. Amaya flew through this set in one afternoon. <3

Bubbalish, getting organized on a Tuesday morning.

When you have school at home and you have a break, paint those nails!

As a staying in bed prize, Sammy picked out this bubble thing which is totally Sammy. I got a 2nd so he’d have someone to play with. It doesn’t really rebound but he doesn’t care. He got the biggest kick running straight into me.

Sammy always talks to Nana via Caribu on his “sleep with Mommy” nights. They read a book and do activities together.

Their corroborative, digital coloring project – broccoli for Mommy.

Bedtime buds, while Sammy was with me.

The kids had some state testing this week and their class was divided into two groups so they didn’t have their normal 9am Zoom class. The weather was beautiful so Penni took the kids to the playground. We’ve got to take advantage of school-at-home when we can!

Sammy wrote out notes for a new “Small Moments” story. He had to document options for places, people and events to include.

His people ideas were Savta (SOFD), mom and dad. His place ideas were NY, Disneyland and Beach. He picked Savta, Mom and NY. (He wanted to be sure I knew that he didn’t pick daddy because daddy wasn’t in NY for this particular event.)

Another sample of Sammy’s writing in his book journal.

I believe this says, “I think that Lilly is kind because she helped Ginger and told Ginger she could be Lily’s flower girl.”

Amaya has been so excited for our trip to NY. She spent the past week or two drawing out a check list of activities to do with Charlie. Trampoline, tattoo (temporary), bracelets, bake a cake, sleepover (Not COVID approved), fashion show, art, takeout from IHOP, make pancakes, pumpkin picking, stress ball and make-up. I love everything about this. <3

My sleeping loves.

Thursday was swim class number 3! Tuesday with Gabby went great and they were totally ready for Thursday’s class. Amaya jumped right in again. Steven and Sammy have already made progress. Sammy put the bottom half of his face in the water and Steven put his whole head in the water! Amazing.

I got this smile from Amaya after she saw Steven put his head under. 🙂

Friday was buzzing with energy. We were leaving for NY right after their last class ended and the kids were thrumming. It was hard for me to concentrate all day, too, to be honest.

Here was their art project for Friday’s art class. I love how differently they each interpreted the same assignment. The source art was Van Gogh’s Mulberry Tree in Autumn.

Sammy’s

Amaya’s

Steven’s

I also love this drawing Sammy did of Piggy.

Off we go to NY! This time the kids have school and I have work so Penni is joining us on the trip to help with virtual school while I’m busy with (virtual) work.

My Bubba. He had a run-in with Steven at lunch “recess” and ended up with a scratch on his face. He wanted to be absolutely certain no one could see the scratch. Mission accomplished!

We got a later start than last time so we didn’t make it as far, but with two drivers, were able to drive until ~11pm. Unfortunately, when we got to our hotel they were out of clean rooms so we all sat in the lobby for an hour while they cleaned rooms for us. The kids were total troopers.

We got a decent night sleep before heading out again at 8:30am.

Morning cuddles for Steven and Amaya.

New York or bust!!

Ready, ready, ready! (Also, check out the gorgeous fall colors we saw all the way through Pennsylvania.)

Auntie was an addition to the car, as well, when we learned we’d get to see her on Saturday afternoon.

Pit stop at the same scenic overlook as last time. A new tradition, perhaps? Or, perhaps soon enough we’ll be back in the air for our trips to NY.

Amaya loves this “Little chicky” graffiti.

MADE IT!

I’ve shared the photo of the Amaya / Charlie pillow that I got for Amaya after our last trip. We got one for Charlie, too, and Amaya wanted to deliver it in person. Another mission accomplished.

Amaya said, “Last trip we had the pool and this trip we have the trampoline.” Truth. They looooooooove jumping on the trampoline.

After checking off “trampoline” on her list, Amaya and Charlie (and Sammy) moved on to “bake a cake”.

Since Penni has her own bedroom, SSA and I are roommates on this trip.

Today was overcast but warm so we made it a city day and headed into Manhattan for a visit to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Penni was taking a day to visit the city so we dropped her off in Times Square on the way.

The Intrepid! I haven’t been since I was a kid. Steven was so excited. He kept squeezing his fists saying, “eeeeeeeee!” over and over again.

Steven’s got to have a map. 🙂 This was an Israeli fighter jet.

Inside the command & navigation area.

Pretty cool.

The Intrepid also houses the Enterprise space shuttle. It was a prototype that took some flights within our atmosphere to test out certain functionality. It’s scale, though, and nearly identical to the shuttles that flew. (One difference is it didn’t have a working heat shield.) So it was awesome to see and now Amaya can add a 2nd space shuttle to her list after also seeing Endeavor when we were at the Los Angeles Science Museum.

Nana and Papa <3

The kids got souvenirs and Sammy picked this interactive astronaut helmet. Suits him perfectly!

The whole gang!

It was a great day! When we got back to LI we spent the afternoon at the Goldberg’s house, the kids trampolined and we got to visit with Savta a bit. Tomorrow is a school day and work day and then more family time.

Have a great week!