After a week in NY with SSA but without my mom, it’s another difficult Sunday to publish the blog. It still seems impossible that she wasn’t there, isn’t here. It’s her birthday today – 71. She wanted to make it to this birthday but I know there’d always be a “next thing” to make it to and the grief is still so raw that today doesn’t feel harder than yesterday. I’m already always thinking of her.

But grief and loss aside, Steven, Sammy and Amaya had a great week in New York. Truly. It was even better for them than I’d hoped and I’m so grateful for that. I was worried it would be too hard to stay at the Airbnb but it wasn’t – it was comfortable and normal and it kept us close to Papa. I hope I’ll stay there again, to be honest.

I worked from NY every morning and the kids were great about entertaining themselves until I was ready to leave at 11am. (Devices! Screen time!) On Monday and Tuesday, Chase and Charlie were there, too, for extra cousin time.

Papa knew a big “see ya later” was a lost cause with tv and phones and ipods and switches in the picture and was a very good sport about it.

Sara didn’t have work on Monday so we took the kids to Dave & Busters where they ran around and quickly spent down their cards while we had a drink at the bar. Then we went to Sugar Crazy where the kids all loaded up on some candy.

For dinner, SSA and I met Savta at Venus – a local West Hempstead diner that I practically grew up at.

Tuesday, all five kids were back at the house while I worked. After lunch, we stopped by Allen and Syvia’s house to visit them and their dog Millie before we drove further out east to a trampoline place. I was able to work more while the kids jumped and jumped.

Dinner was back at the Airbnb for everyone except me because I was able to meet up with my friends Wayne and Carianne for dinner while Auntie and Savta stayed with the kids. I was so grateful for their time because trying to make plans was a reminder that I couldn’t ask my mom to help.

Amaya never forgot a dose of her medicine the entire trip.

The gang

Wednesday was another perfect beach day and, this time, we headed down to the ocean. The kids hunted for shells, played in the ocean and dug holes in the sand.

My view. I’d love to be back there right now.

Amaya, Charlie and Chase had a great time duck diving and jumping over some of the bigger waves.

Amazing how a shovel is hours of entertainment at the beach.

Sunbathing ladies

Auntie came to the beach. <3 (Savta, too, but she stayed up by the cabana. It’s a long walk down to the ocean.)

Savta brought binoculars which thrilled Steven

Wednesday was Nana and Papa’s 36th wedding anniversary so we all went out for dinner in Rockville Centre and then across the street to Nana’s favorite ice cream shop. More bitter than sweet at this point, but it was special to be together.

Trying to remember what was going on here. I think I was telling the boys not to pretend to punch each other because it was inevitable one would eventually land.

I don’t have the same association with Five Pennies but those local to Nana definitely know how she loved it here.

On Thursday we had lunch with Gene at Venus. Amaya wanted to go back because she loved the matzah ball soup. When we arrived and were seated, the waitress said hello to Gene and then asked if “these are the triplets” before asking the kids about Michigan. Papa is a regular. 🙂

Favorite soup!

We had an incredible afternoon out on Uncle Arnie and Aunt Dale’s boat. All the Goldbergs came along with Sailor, our cousin Glori’s teenage daughter. It was a hot day which made the temp perfect when we were moving and perfect in the water.

Captain Steven, up top.

Front of the boat as we cruised through the water was spectacular. (In fact, I fell asleep there on the way back.)

We anchored in Cold Sprint Harbor. Uncle Arnie took all the kids out on the speed boat, two rides apiece! The looooved it.

A huge amazing raft that was tethered to the boat. Sara and I had our turn there, too.

After dinner we all went back to Aunt Dale and Uncle Arnie’s house where Glori and Mark joined us for dinner. It was a such a nice day. <3

Friday, despite the threat of rain, we went back to the beach. We made it about 2 hours (not bad!) before the skies opened up and we high tailed it to Sara & Dave’s house. Unfortunately that was also the exact moment Vidya and her daughters arrived at the beach. But Vidya is amazing and so are her kids and they all joined me at Sara’s so we could spend much needed time catching up.

Through the week, the kids played with the legos that Nana kept at the house for visits.

We had a last night in NY dinner. Auntie was here, too, and Dod Shuki also stopped by.

A “fashionable hat”.

And off we went back to MI. It was very difficult for me but we did it.

I’ve been running all month. In fact, in the first 27 days of the month I spent just 6 nights at home. So, to decompress, I spent the night alone at a local hotel while Jason and the kids caught up after a week apart.

Taking advantage of the music and games on the closed streets of Northville.

Today was quiet an uneventful. Emotional for some of us, ordinary for others. I’m looking forward toward ordinary.

The kids have one more week and then they’re off to third grade so it will (mostly) be quiet and calm. Lots of downtime as they gear up for school.