Some weeks it feels like more of a miracle than others that I get the blog published so, as I type this on Saturday morning, I am curious to see if I make it for Sunday night with all we have going on. Future me will find out!
We had a fantastic rest of our week in NY. Each morning, while I took some morning meetings for work, the kids went across the street to Nana and Papa’s for breakfast. It worked out perfectly!
After Sunday, we had another three full days at the beach. It was hot and sunny and we all made the most of it. We got into a good routine. Right when we got to the beach we’d stop at the playground and I’d apply sunscreen to everyone. While they waited, and afterward, Charlie and SSA played a game called “Toilet Tag”. I get the sense it’s like Freeze Tag.
Monday was primarily a pool day. The kids were in the pool, on the playground and then back in the pool.
Steven really wanted to go on a shell hunt and I agreed to be his partner in crime. It was so hot. I brought a small backpack with water which was a lifesaver.
Steven took me to a spot he’d checked out on Sunday.
Steven hadn’t planned to go down to the ocean but the heat got to him, too, and it was beautiful down at the water. Cooler and breezy.
Back up by the cabana, Papa and the rest of the kids hit the pool.
The whole gang. Savta joined us on Monday. She mostly stayed by the cabana but it was great that she could come with us. <3
When we got back to Glenwood Rd, we took the kids on a promised trip to Carvel for ice cream. Joe & Nicole’s daughter, Dalia, was staying with Auntie and Dod Shuki this week so she came by and, after ice cream, the kids all played with legos together for a short while.
My view of Nana from the rental. Back and forth and back and forth she goes.
On Tuesday we headed down to the ocean right away. It was another hot, clear day and the ocean called us.
Three years running, this is Sammy’s favorite bathing suit. Now it’s soft and worn and has been mended multiple times.
Amaya and Steven went on a shell hunt with Nana. They didn’t find many shells but they did find a whole lot of birds.
Charlie and Sammy chatted while Steven and Amaya went for their walk.
Auntie, Dod Shuki and Dalia joined us at the beach and Auntie got comfortable in the sand.
Dod Shuki was on ocean duty with Dalia and Amaya
Amaya and Dalia, playing together. Cousins’ kids!
Even I got in the water on Tuesday. I got a little red on Sunday so worked hard to stay covered the rest of the trip, even in the ocean.
Such a pretty view
I had a work dinner in Manhattan on Tuesday night so I left the beach around 2:30pm. Nana, Auntie and Dod Shuki stayed with the rest of the kids and wrapped up the day with ice cream. Then it was a sleepover at Nana and Papa’s house.
Wednesday it was back to the beach again for our last beach day of the trip. Auntie, Dod Shuki, Savta and Dalia all joined us.
Everyone in the ocean, including me!
Charlie and I are out in the waves while Steven looks on.
Amaya loved her wet suit all week long.
Steven lived it up on Wednesday. He created a little sand nest for himself and settled in, living his best life. Watching him relax in to the sand was one of my favorite moments of the trip.
After our last beach day, we headed to the Point Lookout Clam Bar. Aunt Sara, who has been working during the day, was able to join us! ❤ ❤ ❤
Thursday morning, again while I worked, Charlie, SSA, Dalia and the grandmothers spent time visiting with Savta at her house.
It was a rainy day and our NYC day! The adventure of the trip was a visit to Sloomoo – a “slime museum” in Soho. The museum was full of different slime experiences including a catapult, a “move slime with your mind” game, and a DIY bar.
Amaya, shooting slime at the rest of us.
So much slime! (With alcohol wipes between each station.)
The museum offers an opportunity to get slimed. We didn’t buy tickets to that part of the experience but, apparently, someone donated a ticket and Sammy was the lucky recipient! He was first to volunteer and off he went.
They covered him in a shower cap and smock and then rained down a ton of slime on him. I think he loved it!
Ready to go!
SLIME!
Glow-in-the-dark slime
We wrapped up the day with the DIY bar – we picked base, a scent, added a color and then selected some charms.
Mixing in our colors
Oomooyoo with her slime! (We got nametags that replaced vowels with “oo”. It was Choorloo, Stoovoon, Soommoo, Oomooyoo, Moommoo and Noonoo.)
On the way out, the kids ran through slime! (It says “no running”. There was lots of running.)
Such a fun experience!!
Before heading back to Long Island, Steven asked that we walk the few blocks to Chinatown. On the way, we saw this building in the background. It’s 56 Leonard St and the kids recognized it right away because we watched a show on how it was built. Very, very cool to see in person.
Starbucks, compliments of Nan
Sara came over for dinner (IHOP!) and then it was time to say goodbye to Charlie. It was a rough goodbye for the kids. Amaya cried when Charlie left and Sammy cried at bedtime. Nana came over to rub backs to help ease the kids into sleep.
Very early Friday morning we headed back to Detroit, where we were all so happy to see Jason!
Then, after a few hours at home, we jumped in the car to head to Sandusky for a weekend adventure with Grandma Sunshine, Aunt Annette, Aunt Ouize, Uncle Todd, Nancy and Abe. Another AirBnB for the Cline Kids!
Art contest, let by Steven. Grandma Sunshine was the winner.
Snuggly Sammy
We had a lazy Saturday morning while we waited for Nancy to arrive from the airport. The kids played cards with Grandma and then Steven led another art challenge.
Today we spent the day at Cedar Point – a first for the Cline Five? (Not for Jason, for a first for us as a family.) We were there from noon to 6pm and had a blast. Abe and Todd soldiered on even longer, leaving closer to 9pm.
Ready for the day!
Nancy and Amaya on the carousel.
Nancy and I adventured together on the pirate boat ride.
Steven found a jeep ride he wanted to try. I was his happy passenger.
Sweet little face.
Bumper cars were a huge hit for Sammy and Amaya. I think they went three times.
Amaya and Aunt Ouize!
Pilot Steven
Steven and I joined the crew for bumper cars.
Cedar Downs – a fast horse racing ride. Sammy was very nervous at first but loved it enough to ride three times. (2.5 times, really. Our 2nd ride was stopped and restarted because they had to remove a rider who wasn’t following the rules.)
While Sammy and I were riding, Ouize took Amaya and Steven to the arcade so Sammy wanted a chance to win tickets, too.
Meanwhile, Aunt Annette and Aunt Ouize took Amaya and Steven on one of those rides where you drive a car on track that runs down the middle of the vehicle.
Steven loves his maps.
While Ouize, Nancy and I rode the Iron Dragon roller coaster, Grandma Sunshine, Aunt Annette and SSA took a train ride.
We wrapped up the park with a tram ride to the entrance.
Back at home, there was time for Super Mario Party, dinner and then smores – compliments of supplies left by our AirBnB host.
Happy, happy kids <3
We spent today at Cedar Point’s water park. The kids got off to a slow start but ended up having so much fun. I love water parks and was really excited to have time for a fewer bigger slides, myself.
Sammy and I went on a big raft ride together. It was an (unexpected) hour long wait but he thought it was worth it. So much so, he wanted to do it again!
Mid-day lunch in the shade.
Steven, Sammy and Amaya probably spent 2 hours in a section of the water park with tons of slides for kids. It was exactly their speed. So many smiles.
All 3 kids also hit up the rapid river (slightly less tame version of the lazy rive) and the wave pool. Then ended the day with funnel cakes.
Somehow they still had enough energy post-showers to play catch with Uncle Todd and Steven hosted a final art challenge. The artists had to draw things Steven loves so Grandma Sunshine drew me. <3
And I did it! A blog tonight! It was a phenomenal week. We are so lucky to have our family.
Have a great week and happy 4th!