Spent the afternoon relaxing at Pindar Vineyards yesterday.  Drank wine, listened to music, packed a picnic and laughed with friends.  Samy from Creative Courses Catering made us steak sandwiches that were too die for.  The kids had a great time getting their faces painted and playing Frisbee.  It was the first day that I actually felt chilly when the sun went behind the clouds.  This is it.  Summer is gone and Fall is here.  The smell in the air is different too.  The East-end was in full swing with pumpkin picking and cornstalks.  I’m not there quite yet.  Maybe in a couple of weeks.

It was a delightful day:

We love trying new wines around here. Do you have a favorite?

We decided well in advance last minute, to have a Labor Day party. Luckily, our friends were able to make it and we all had a super great time.

Enjoy:

Monsta – by surprise of course.

Carly and Sam

Maritza and Chris

Timmy

My sister Jules and Samy

Cubby

Holly and Rob

Joey

David and Debra

Mary

Tony

Jules and Mia

Jill and Joe

Joey and Monsta armed with their DS’

Party didn’t wrap up till around 11:30. Hung around talking, guitar heroing and laughing.

Today, I sent my boy to his first day of Kindy. Oh my Gosh, I really can’t believe it. I am really excited for him and he was pretty psyched as well. I’m getting pangs of anxiety though (just little ones) trying to think what he is doing at this very second. What if he is lost in the hallway? What if he can’t open the container I put his peaches in? HAHAHA, I make myself laugh. I know everything will be fine and that he will come home safe and sound.

I can’t wait till 3:15.

The second half as promised…

My little babe.

Sweet Joey.

Full of life, Jules.

A lazy bunch watching the skies.

My honey.

Monsta and a sparkler.

Timeless Andy with his trusty bug watch.

Beautiful Samantha watching the lights.

Happy belated 4th!

We spent the afternoon/evening/midnight hours with good friends. The kids played and we actually relaxed.

Cubby in his favorite seat.

Andy gearing up to jump in the water.

Samantha being the cute little bunny she is.

Monsta luvin the bubbles in the hot tub.

Last but not least…..Jules and Sarah – BFFs

More to come because I took about one zillion pictures of fireworks.

During breakfast this morning, I zoned out while I was eating my egg and wheat toast. I could feel the first sip of warm tea go all the way down to wherever it goes and it felt wonderful. It was a silent movie for a minute.

No sound.
Cub putting egg in his hair and smiling.

No sound.
Monsta stuffing his mouth with pancakes and syrup.

No sound.
Me, looking at them thinking, “How in the world did we get these wonderfully, happy kids?”.

I love those moments.

Today, I hope I can inspire some of you, to DO something that enriches your life. Really think about what that might be. We get caught up in the every day business of cleaning and caring for our families but sometimes WE get lost. When was the last time you read something for YOU? Have you left a project unfinished because you just don’t have the time? Have you been meaning to excercise?

When you find yourself with a few minutes today, stop everything and focus on YOU…..you might even find yourself in a nice, warm bath with lots of bubbles and a magazine. (I don’t think I’ve ever done that!)

I would love to hear about your ‘YOU minutes”.

I also want to dedicate today’s post to my friend Kristin. She is always a source of inspiration for me. Last week she posted this.  Monsta saw it and minutes later we were having fun in the kitchen.

Thanks Mainemomma!  You inspire more than you know.

Also, just want to remind everyone that the Tina Steinberg giveaway ends tomorrow at midnight.  Click here and comment – you might just win!

I recently met up with some girls from High School. We re-connected through FaceBook and met at the Argyle Grill in Babylon. It was such a great afternoon. We caught up and laughed at so many old memories. I will post more about this day soon but for now here is a picture of me and my great friend, Karen.

We set out on a beautiful day with friends…

Captain Joe made sure everyone had the proper life vest. This one was too big but it had a way cool whistle.

We were off…

We boarded and left out of Port Jeff Harbor. Ben had to change his life vest to this Barbie one (don’t make fun) because it fit better.

I had the Cub with me. We were both happy.

I got a few I love yous from my sweets.

Daddy made sure to point out all the interesting things we passed by.

I thought these cabanas were cute. Who owns them….I wonder.

Nice house, right? The people that own the cabanas own these houses.

We traveled the sound to Mt. Sinai Harbor to Cedar Beach.

We had a greasy bite at Ralph’s Fishing Station.

On our way back we stopped for some fishing. It was pretty rocky being still or rather NOT being still. Here is Joey ready to catch a fluke…

They were biting like crazy. Everyone caught one including me!

The baby slept the whole way there and the whole way back. What a sweetie pie. It was pretty exhausting being a passenger. We didn’t make it out of the parking lot before someone was snoring.

Thanks Joe and Jill for taking us out. It was super duper fun.

We ate and drank poolside:

Had the giggles:

Lit firecrackers:

Some (not all) ate watermelon:

If you use the wrong knife, you will get yourself into trouble (said in Count Dracula voice)

Some ate Chocoflan:

Then it got really late:

It was a relaxin kind of day:

Hi, it is me again…..posting pictures from a long time ago…..

Memorial Day weekend spent with friends…

Jules eating a gigantic, colorful doughnut!

Cutie Sam:

I actually drank a beer!

I let Ben eat this horrifying candy that looked like a rat – GROSS!

Our friend Tony….he just loves babies!

The kiddies in the hot tub.

Better shot courtesy of Joe. Thanks!

I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful Baptism last Sunday at St. Patrick Church in Bayshore. It was a special day for Kris & JoAn’s twins… they were so sweet in their outfits and I didn’t even hear them make a peep. The celebration continued with family and friends in another part of the church. We enjoyed homecooked food and meeting up with some old friends.

this last one is my friend Leslie (she dances flamenco too) holding my little cubby. She dazzled him with her sparkly earrings!

Thanks guys for such a great day!