This past weekend we rented a cabin in the Poconos.  It was a great house with hardwood floors, a big kitchen and many many bedrooms.  There were ten adults and seven children.  The kids had a blast just being there.  Ben spent most of the weekend climbing up and down the staircase.  I guess since we live in a ranch this was exciting (go figure!).  The guys relaxed in the hot tub with beers and smoked cigars.  The girls had no part of that and hung out upstairs with some wine.  We rarely all get together like this so we ended up talking till way too late.  I have to say I got inspired by many of the conversations we had.  For instance: when I got home, I started redesigning the livingroom and basement, decided on some prints to blow up and hang on the walls, taped Baby Einstein (which Ben really liked - wink wink Beth) and tomorrow I’m going shopping!  On Sunday we spent some time at the lake.  It was cold and overcast but nobody cared.  We skipped rocks, threw a football and took lots of pictures.  I wanted to share this one photo of me and Ben.  I’m loving the fact I actually got one of us together.  I just love his big smile (thanks to Vesna for the jumping up and down trick).  This is just so Ben. 

The guys:

The girls:

The kids:

The weekend was truly great. With that being said…..did I mention that when we got there, I realized that I left my bag at home? You heard me. grrrrr.

This was waiting on my bed when we got home:

A few posts back I mentioned I would post more pics from the museum.  Well, I’ve been really behind on editing so I only have one for you today.  This is Ben making gigantic bubbles.  I thought it was cute because he looks like he is concentrating so much.  This was the first thing to do when you walked in and he was soaked for the rest of the day!  He even stepped in bubble solution with his new sneakers.  They were a soppy mess.

Went to the Long Island Children’s Museum yesterday with my friend Emily and her son.  First time being there but definitely not the last.  We all had such a great time.   This wall is outside the museum and I thought Ben looked supa cool in his hoodie (hehe).  I have lots more photos but don’t have the time to post now.  I need to research Long Island Restaurant week now.  It crept up on us and we never miss it.  (That’s right Joe…another date night!)  Check out the link and go treat yourself.

Ok, this video is 5:21min long but you just have to see the first song (2:07 - 2:54).  It makes me laugh every time I watch it.  The rest is funny too.  It’s wonderful what you can find on the internet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Omt8zDPptw

That’s what my little cousin Jack calls himself.  He looks fierce!

I know a girl named Jules
I’ve known her most her life
Her Mama is my husband’s friend’s
sweet and caring wife

Now, Jules is very smart
It can throw you for a loop
She loves her books and art
and she’s Queen of the hula hoop!

She took us to her library
Cuz, it is her favorite place
She painted a big, fat rock
and I could see all in her face
that special spark of learning
that was twinkling in her eye
as she took me to the place
where that big, fat rock would lie.

I had to take her picture
cuz I thought, “This moment rules”
That’s the little girl I know
That little girl named Jules.

I’m already itching for the weekend to come.  Labor Day weekend is always so bittersweet.  We will be spending it with family and friends.  Hope everyone has a nice plan for the 3 days.  I’m looking forward to sun, pool and relaxing!

I bet there are things you pass by every day and never notice. 

Why can’t I get a Coke in Vegas? 
Every restaurant I’ve been in has Pepsi.  I really don’t like Pepsi very much.  I used to, several years ago, but now I’m a classic Coke guy.  I only buy pepsi for Julie (aka Titi) who, for some strange reason, hates coke.  I mean, HELLO!  The only redeeming value of PepsiCo is Mountain Dew.  So I say to the waitress, “I’ll have a coke”.  Is Pepsi OK?  And I’m like, “NO!! It’s not ok”.  If you have Pepsi then it stands to reason you have Mountain Dew.  I’ll have that.  What a racket!

(If you haven’t figured it out……..that was Craig)

and this is a $14.00 meal from Jones Beach. (Thanks Joe for letting me shoot your fries!)

I’ve been driving a Civic for 10 years.  It is trustworthy and comfortable and I never thought I needed anything new.  Until….NOW!  We got a Subaru Outback and I freaking LOVE IT!  It is a total upgrade for me let me tell ya.  2009 baby!  It’s got leather!  I won’t go into all the features because what I think is so cool is probably totally normal for the rest of you.  For instance, it’s got the buttons to open the locks ON the key!  You see, you are making fun of me.  I won’t go on to tell you that it has a 6 CD changer that works and a radio that comes in crystal clear.  No, really, I won’t tell you about the dual temp control and fold down seats AND heated side mirrors.  Holy Crap, heated side mirrors!  I’m cruising in style now for sure.

This photo is completely unrelated but look at this little boy’s profile - CHOMP!