Fourth of July!

We had a beautiful July 4th at Lake Shawnee.  My cousin Susan moved to this private lake community on Memorial Day weekend and I have to say, it's such an idyllic setting for the Fourth of July.  Her house sits right on the lake and is surrounded by numerous sandy beaches.  The entire family had a great time kayaking, swimming, fishing before we returned to Susan's for a fabulous barbecue, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, flank steak, fish tacos and about a million side dishes.  Yum! Of course, we were all too busy to whip out a camera, but Monte and I managed to get a few shots on our phones. 

Putting in ear plugs

 Squirting Layla

Trudy and Layla baking a birthday cake!

Mary Grace (and Monte, Devon and Todd in the background)

 Dad, Mom and Jill

 Rich and Susan

 Layla and her favorite person in the world - Ryan!

 Dad and his girls <3

 Me and Monte

 Uncle Bobby, Susan and Monte

 Beautiful view

 Cousins (and Aunt Debbie)

Monte and Ryan caught a fish! (Poor Tommy, it was his fishing rod)

Birthday, Beach and Baby Boy!!

Monte's last day of school fell on my 29th birthday, which gave us two reasons to celebrate! It's been a long school year, so I love seeing the end of another year for him (and another year closer to getting out of the state)! 

Layla and I spent the morning gardening and fingerpainting in the backyard.  Here are some before and after pictures of Layla's "masterpiece":

After lunch, we went shopping in Montclair, and then picked Monte up from school.  My MIL watched Layla while Monte and I had a fabulous dinner at our favorite restaurant, Presto's in downtown Jersey City.  I stopped by my parent's house after dinner and then Monte and I had dessert at home.  I am a very lucky lady! I got some awesome gifts from my mom, dad, sister, and even Layla, and Monte surprised me with a new hammock for the backyard! It was a great birthday.

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Later in the week, Layla and I went down to Avon with my family while Monte was at work.  Layla is absolutely fearless in the water.  Luckily, there were tons of tidal pools along the shore line, so I didn't have to physically restrain her from walking directly into the ocean.  She had lots of fun swimming, making sand castles, and making everyone wear buckets on their head.

After the beach, we went out for pizza.  What a perfect beach day!

***

On Friday, I had my 20 week ultrasound.  I really look forward to each ultrasound, not only because I get to see my baby, but it's some of the only bonding time that Monte and I have alone.  It was so exciting to see our baby, especially since my last ultrasound was done at 12 weeks.  The baby looked so cute and had both its legs and arms crossed, which reminded me so much of Layla! The doctor said the baby looks great.  Obviously, the health of the baby is the most important thing, so it was a relief to see it moving around.  Monte and I decided to find out the sex of the baby aaaannndd.... It's a BOY!! I cannot begin to explain my shock and surprise when I found out.  Even though I have been imagining the baby was a boy and referring to it as a "he", I did the same thing with Layla so deep down, I really thought I would be having another daughter.  Monte is so excited.  I think every man needs a son in his life, just like every mom needs a daughter. To be honest, as excited as I am to be having a boy, I feel completely unprepared!! I only have a sister and the closest thing I know to raising boys is being around my younger cousins.  This should be quite a ride!

It was fun surprising my parents - Monte and I went shopping after the ultrasound, and bought some little boy onesies and had them wrapped.  My mom and sister, who were babysitting Layla, opened the box and saw all the blue!  Then they called my dad.  He's finally getting another boy in the family!

 Even though Layla is probably too young to understand the difference, she says she's excited that she's gonna have a "brudda".

I'm going to have to save my fourth of July post for another day.  I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!

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!

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.

Vote Here Every Day!

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!

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.

Memorial Day Weekend / Backyard Projects

What a beautiful long weekend! It really started on Thursday, when Layla and I took a trip down to Avon-By-The-Sea with my sister and parents.  It was our first beach trip of the year, and although it was foggy and a bit chilly on the beach, we had a fun day!

                                       

 

After Monte came home on Friday afternoon, we went and bought our pool! We got a pretty good deal on a 16' x 48'' Intex Metal Frame Pool.  Monte said it only took an hour to put together, which he did on Saturday afternoon.  Layla and I knew better than to be home when Monte had a project to do (haha), so we spent the day in Cranford. 

On Sunday, we got a LOT of yardwork done (pictures below!) and then went to a friend's BBQ.  Another gorgeous night!  On Memorial Day, we went to the parade and to a diner for breakfast.  In the afternoon, my mom, dad and sister came over for an impromptu BBQ / pool party.  Then Monte and I did another 3 or 4 hours of yardwork! 

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I am so happy that we've made enough progress in the yard to actually post some pictures.  We have a lot of work left to do, but I am satisfied with the projects that we have completed.  Although we have been living in our house for almost four years, we have made so many changes to the outside (removed concrete patio, replaced with pavers, cut down four HUGE trees, removed 150 ft of english ivy landscaping, removed hedges, etc., fenced backyard) and it's finally starting to look how we envisioned it.

  

Our House

In the front of our house, we have planted hydrangeas, day lilies, lavender, hostas, morning glory and verbena (impatiens, petunias, blue lobelia, coleus and snap dragons in pots)

Front Entrance

Moss "N" that I made this spring for our front door

  
                                                     Hanging Baskets

  

Here is a before and after picture of our backyard from March of this year to May of this year:

View from side entrance (after we put up the fence) - BEFORE

AFTER

Monte and I created this garden for our rose bushes in the back corner of our yard.  We added a solar fountain feature to our bird bath.

Monte made this adorable table and stools from the tree trunks of the trees we had taken down.  I sanded them and we still need to stain them.  Layla loves eating here or coloring!

 Monte added this edger to the side of our patio and I planted purple coneflowers and black eyed susans. I also planted hyacinth bean seeds near the shephard's hook. 

                       
                                                    Pots near back door

                                                            Sitting Area

                                                      Perennial Garden

                                                      Tea Cup Bird Feeder

Monte is going to build another vegetable garden in this area for pumpkins and watermelons.  I also planted wildflowers here.

                      The beautiful raised vegetable garden beds that Monte built!

 

That's it for now! The next big project is the side of our house (ugh!!), so I hope to have some before and after photos by the weekend.  Happy Summer!