Monday, June 27, 2011

June Updates

Two weeks ago, Layla had her last Little Gym class of the semester.  We have been taking classes at the gym since Layla was only five months old and I have to say, she looks forward to going and seeing her friends every week.  She started off as a Bug and has "graduated" twice - first to a Bird and then to a Beast. 

It was also the last day for her teacher, Ms. Gretchen, at the Cranford gym.  Layla is going to miss her very much in the fall! She loves Ms. Gretchen!




We decided to take the summer off from classes in order to take swim lessons at the Woodbridge Club.  Although Layla enjoyed her first lesson, she came down with a nasty cold, which turned into an ear infection.  It was bad enough that she was sick, but then I had double pink eye, and we continued passing it on to my sister, my mom, and then finally Monte! My dad was the person who spent time with Layla and didn't get sick.  And let me tell you, it was one of the most miserable illnesses I have ever had.  We were basically quarantined for a week and a half and had to cancel all sorts of fun plans.  We are going to try to get a refund for the remainder of her classes, because I definitely do not feel comfortable going back to that facility!

Anyway, although we stayed close to home, we made the most of this past weekend.  We caught the last night of the carnival at Saint John Vianney church.  Layla was super psyched to have somewhere to go in the evening when she normally would have been getting ready for bed.  She rode on the train, the merry-go-round and an elephant ride.  Because she is such a shorty, she had a hard time meeting the height requirement for some rides, but we met a nice woman who volunteered her daughter to be Layla's "buddy". 






Sunday was my dad's birthday, so we celebrated both of our birthdays at the Shannon Rose in Woodbridge.  We had a nice lunch together.  It was a fun afternoon.



Family (minus Monte, who was taking the picture)

After lunch, we went to Pier 1 Imports, which is one of my favorite home stores.  Monte found this amazing hanging lantern for such a steal! He filled it with a string of lights and it looks great in our gazebo.


Finally, last night I was bored, so I cleaned out my jewelry drawer.  Not only did I get a pretty big bag of stuff to give away, I made a really cute earring holder! I filled a clear vase with blue stones that I had hiding in a drawer and then stuck in a wire "tree" that was from Easter.  Voila! Isn't it cute?


That's it for now!



Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my playful, loving, supportive dad and to my hard-working, amazing husband, Monte.  Layla and I are so incredibly lucky to have the both of you in our lives. 

I made Monte a photo book, and included this beautiful poem, entitled "Father" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

Father

He never made a fortune, or a noise
In the world where men are seeking after fame;
But he had a healthy brood of girls and boys
Who loved the very ground on which he trod.
They thought him just little short of God;
Oh you should have heard the way they said his name –
‘Father.’

There seemed to be a loving little prayer
In their voices, even when they called him ‘Dad.’
Though the man was never heard of anywhere,
As a hero, yet somehow understood
He was doing well his part and making good;
And you knew it, by the way his children had
Of saying ‘Father.’

He gave them neither eminence nor wealth,
But he gave them blood untainted with a vice,
And opulence of undiluted health.
He was honest, and unpurchable and kind;
He was clean in heart, and body, and in mind.
So he made them heirs to riches without price –
This father.

He never preached or scolded; and the rod –
Well, he used it as a turning pole in play.
But he showed the tender sympathy of God.
To his children in their troubles, and their joys.
He was always chum and comrade with his boys,
And his daughters – oh, you ought to hear them say
‘Father.’

Now I think of all achievements ‘tis the least
To perpetuate the species; it is done
By the insect
and the serpent, and the beast.
But the man who keeps his body, and his thought,
Worth bestowing on an offspring love-begot,
When the highest earthly glory he was won,
When in pride a grown-up daughter or a son
Says ‘That’s Father.’



Happy Father's Day again to all of the daddy's out there!

Two Great Causes


I have two great causes that I would like to share.  The first is the Kids With Food Allergies Foundation.  This is a phenomenal resource for families and educators of children with food allergies.  By clicking on the link, you can vote to help this worthy foundation win a grant to educate families and offer family support to those who are affected by food allergies.  You can vote once a day every day though August 27th.




While you are in a charitable mood, earn some extra karma points by making a donation to help fund a child's education! My friend has started a blog in the hopes of helping to earn college tuition for her younger sister, Sacred.  Every dollar counts.  I honestly cannot think of a more worthy cause than the education of women.  Check out her blog and please make a donation.

                                                              A Girl Needs An Education

Thanks for your help!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Happy June!

June begins another string of birthdays in our family.  My mother-in-law, Victoria, celebrated her birthday yesterday, June 1st!  Monte and I had a doctor appointment in the afternoon, but afterwards we stopped by her house to have a little celebration, complete with pizza and ice cream cake. Layla was happy to see her Jidda (Grandma) and her aunts and cousin, Christian! It was a nice way to spend a weekday evening.

Happy Birthday, Victoria!


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This evening, I took Layla to the Holy Trinity Greek Fest in Cranford (www.NJGreekfest.com).  It was such beautiful weather and a fun way to spend the evening.  My parents and MaryGrace came too, and we sampled many Greek dishes.  We had Greek Salad, Spanakopita, Gyro, Chicken Souvlaki and Greek Fries.  We didn't even have room for dessert!

Layla's favorite part of the festival, however, was the Greek dancers and music.  She had a blast clapping and dancing to the music and watching the Dance Troupe perform.  She kept asking for more! My mom bought her an Elmo t-shirt and tickets to jump in the fire truck bounce house.  She was the only kid in line at the time, so the man in charge of the ride let her jump for as long as she wanted.  We literally had to DRAG her out of the house.  She had such a great time!  Festivals are one of my favorite things about summer and it's exciting that Layla is old enough to really enjoy herself.