On this last day of thankfulness

On this last day of November, I am thankful that age 3 won't last forever. Nuff said

Indian Summers Rock!

Today it neared 70 degrees. Normal temperature for this time of year is in the 40's. And that might be stretching it just a little. I mean.... we did get snow before Halloween this year. I know that everyone from farmers to weathermen were telling us that this year was shaping up to be generally milder than last year, but 70 degrees? 

We took full advantage of it. We went to Coney Island. 

First we stopped by the freak show. The performers were not performing today and won't be back until April, but we did go through the museum. I wasn't able to take many pictures, but..... It was cool. 

 

We went to the aquarium. Something we haven't done in a couple of months. It was like visiting friends you haven't seen in a while. 

Even the fish seemed to notice that we were back. 

We watched the sea lion show. For the first time in 34 years, I saw a kamikaze bird who saw an opportunity for a free easy meal. Unfortunately for him there was a sea lion on duty. The bird got away, but yeesh. The trainer went down and the bird flew away. 

 

It was so exciting for me to see my kids getting so big. Today we left the stroller at home so Sean could practice his walking and while he didn't walk as much as he should've (because of us, not him), he did get some practice in. 

Check out that action. Check out the lifting & bending of the knees. 

It was so exciting to see Sean sitting there clapping and Meredith acting silly. 

 

And then it happened. 

Some days it sneaks up on you. Those little moments when you look over at your kids and realize "Hot damn! They really do love each other!" I know I've said it before, but we're having more & more of those moments lately. We're having amazing moments that let me know life is grand. My kids' lives are perfect and they're going to be ok in the future because they have each other. 

We headed to the beach and the view could not have been nicer. 

I didn't let the kids get all sorts of sandy, but we did have some fun. 

 

And then I got sad that some of my favorite places won't be there next summer. We have learned the real story now about why they won't be back so that takes some of the sting away, but..... some of the boardwalk joints I grew up with are gone. 

It was cool to see the original signs for the spaces though. 

November Thankfulness Day 26-Early bird Santa

Today I am thankful for the early bird Santa visit. As we have found out in years passed, Meredith doesn't do Santa. Poor kid. At least she had cute boots on, right?

This year was no different. The only difference this year is that she actually came close. She stood just out of the way of the camera, next to the Christmas tree, holding Rob's hand and avoiding any & all contact with Santa. She was all of 3 months old when she first visited him & she let loose that year too. We thought she'd be to young to make heads or tails of him. Boy did she prove us wrong.

See the look? The one that says "Really mom? Who is this guy holding onto me and why are you acting like that? I'm really not smiling."

We love this Santa. He's at the Staten Island Mall every year. He looks just like Santa and he has the patience of a saint. HA! I guess that's why he's St. Nick. 

We try to get there early every year. Ya know before he's had to deal with a lot of screaming kids or ungrateful, demanding kids. Before he has a chance to get really annoyed by the whole thing. Some years it works out. Some..... not so much. 

This year we got there on his first day on the job! There was no line and everyone, except Meredith, was in a good mood. 

He asked Meredith what she wanted & ran down the list. Poor guy was met with a nodding head of "no" with each suggestion of something he could bring her. But we're making progress!!! She didn't cry. She didn't scream and she didn't run away! 

November Thankfulness Day 25-Black Friday

Today I am grateful for my Black Friday sanity.

We went shopping after the die hard Black Friday shoppers have all gone to bed for the night. I am grateful to have waited & carried on like today was any other friday. I was able to score some good deals, return some items I've been holding onto that needed to go back & did it all while retaining my sanity.

November Thankfulness Day 24- Turkey Day

Do you see that? Sean is essentially walking holding on with 1 hand!! 

Today I am thankful for my happy little family, family who stretches near & far, friends who are like family, a cozy intimate dinner, children who are in bed before 7:30pm and a 4 day weekend. 

I hope all of your Thanksgivings were filled with joy, laughter and all things that make you happy. 

November Thankfulness Day 20- Good Sports

Today I am thankful for good sports. The kind of good sports who come over to a 3 year old's tea party, drink tea, eat frost your own cupcakes and live it up! 

Meredith invited her cousins and aunt & uncle over for a tea party. Uncle Freddy, Hailey & Hannah came over & gave Aunt Kelley a break. 

Meredith wore her Sunday best and then promptly fell asleep for a nap before everyone got here. 

It was Uncle Freddy's first tea party and the first in a very long time for Hailey and Hannah. Uncle Freddy was happy just to be invited to the table for tea!