181- free movie days

The free summer movies have begun!

My only captured documentation of the event.

I was a little worried about taking the three kids to a movie, especially a one-year old, but they all loved watching the show on the big screen.

The movies get out early enough to have a big chunk o' day to play. Although it was a beautiful day, I'm sure will be going to these free movie days to beat the heat this summer.

~•~

177- camping

I love summer for moments such as this.

The last time we slept in our tent was in our friends' backyard out on Long Island last month. This time, we went to an actual campground and had the complete camp experience.

It was so fun, mostly because the kids loved it so much. Having kids makes me enjoy life's little pleasures even more. Not that I don't enjoy camping.

Next time, I hope we stay longer.

~•~

176- an experimental roll of 120 film

This is a SOOC (straight out of camera- no editing) shot of a ride at Coney Island, taken with a vintage Kodak Duaflex IV, twin lens reflex camera. The camera is built for 620 film, but 120 is compatible with it.

The camera was given to us by our friend's parents (thanks!). My husband gladly took it (as well as two old movie cameras), cleaned it and ordered film for it right away. He was very excited about it.
We got the film and were both clueless as to how to work it. I had to use a 2 1/4 camera in college but I recall it being more self-explanatory than this one.

This roll was my husbands, but I got my hands on it for the shot above. We had no idea if the film would even turn out, what the focal point was, if we were forwarding it enough...

Now that we know it works and how to use it better, we will definitely try using it again.


*When we got the negs back, I remember how exciting it was way back when to get a roll of film processed and to see the results.
Good memories...*

171- the fathers in my life

Happy Father's Day to...

Dad, because you love being a dad and grandpa and you always want us to be happy. It shows.

Dan, because you far exceed my expectations as a father to our children.

Dan's dad (also Dan) because my husband is the father he is because of your good example.

Happy (albeit belated) Father's Day, dads!

~•~

170- meeting this baby

I don't always do catch-up "grateful" posts, but I thought there were a few noteworthy things to be grateful for that I'd like to share...

My childhood BFF had her baby last week (hallelujah!) so I drove up to Rhode Island to meet her. She is sweet as can be, and I'm not just saying that.


So sweet.

More to come, Julie!

~•~

169- at the beach

"We are going at the beach!" my daughter yelled this afternoon.

She was getting impatient with the sea life at the aquarium. She just wanted to play in the sand. When we finally finished and we walked up to the boardwalk, she couldn't contain her excitement. Kids rock.

~•~

168- those perfect days

They don't happen very often, but every once in a while, when all the moons align, and life's daily happenings work together in synchronized harmony, I have a seemingly perfect day.

I do have a lot of good days where one thing or another can just made my day good, but today was good everywhere and in everything...

The weather was beautiful.
I worked out.
We went to the park early, a park with grass!
We walked for leisure, not just to get from A to B.
We were all happy.
The girls were obedient.
We laughed together a lot.
I was productive.
Jane took a nap.
The house was clean.
Claire gave lots of kisses.
Everyone got cuddle time with me.
I got cuddle time with everyone.
Dinner was easy and delicious.
I got new bedding (after 7 years).
I read.
Tomorrow is Friday.

I'm sure I could think of some things that could have made my day even better, but I think today is just about as good as it ever needs to be.

164- free grandma rocker!

Or maybe even a great grandma. It seems old enough.



I went to this moving sale around the corner and I saw this chair. I thought about how perfect it would be for the girls' bedroom, perfect except for the fact that we don't have room for it. Not even close.
Nevertheless, I expressed interest and the seller said she would contact me if the person she promised the chair to didn't come to get it.
Two days later, I got a phone call-- the chair was mine, if I still wanted it. I went to check it out again, and the lady told me to just take it, for free!
Room or no room, it's ours and the girls (and I) love it. Besides we won't live in this small space forever...



right?

~•~

163- race day!

(Yep. This image is all you get. I was too proud to show my post-race-sweat-face pictures.)

I ran a pretty OK race in Central Park today. I think half the women in NY ran in it with me-- we had a lot of men cheering us on.

The weather was probably the best I could ask for in June. It could have been worse. Much, much worse.

It was fun. I'm so happy I did it, finally.

~•~

162- cool June days

It was 65˚ this morning. Lovely.
I am loving this weather the last few days. No A/C. No sweating for doing nothing. No cranky kids (mommy), at least not from the humid heat. We are comfortable and happy about it.

This is perfect running weather. Last Sarutday when I ran, I was overheated right away and I thought I was going to pass out. I hope this 60's business sticks around for tomorrow...

~•~

160- that's better!

Hannah was pretty sick yesterday and the night before. We've all been sick, actually, but Hannah seemed to have the worst of it.
Today, however, when she woke up, she was practically bouncing off the walls, ecstatic to be alive, or something. Anyway, I'm glad she is happy and well today, even if she is over-the-top hyper.

~•~

154- an opportunity to garden

The girls and I got out of the city to spend the day with a friend of mine up in New Rochelle. There was loads of space inside and out of our friends' home for the girls to roam around in.

Most of the time, all three girls played with the dog, but we took some time to plant in the garden. It wasn't much but it made me realize how much I want a garden of my own to harvest and to teach from. Gardens can be such a great learning experience.
Just waitin' on that yard...

~•~

152- cool down

We had to go to three parks before we found one with the water turned on or accessible.
The spray was so refreshing, and we actually got a little chilled.

When we came home, the girls watched this video of themselves over and over-- home videos are some of their absolute favorites. After that, the girls were hot again so they got in the bath tub in their suits.

How much longer do we have of this humid heat???

~•~