LBI: Let's Go Fly a Kite

Late in the afternoon on our last day there, the weather was perfect for kite flying.




Where's the kite, Jack?


Jack took one last chance to frolic in the waves.

LBI: Beach Days

Toby & Steve treated the family to a week long vacation on Long Beach Island this summer. It was a great chance to spend a week relaxing on the beach and having some quality time with everyone, particularly the Monahans! While Matt took the opportunity to get in some golf, the rest of us spent most sunny hours (and some not so sunny hours) playing (and reading and napping) on the beach.

I loved watching Aileen and Jack run around and play in the water, dig holes and build witch castles.

One overcast day while the boys golfed, the girls (and Jack) hit the bay beach, where the water was calm and the kids could swim.



Later that afternoon, back at the ocean side, I got a good close up of Aileen.

Matt even enjoyed the fun.

Aileen the Butterfly

In June, Matt and I flew to New Jersey to celebrate Toby's retirement from Shore Regional High School. While there, we spent the day with Aileen, who'd had her face painted at a nearby shopping center. As it rained all day Saturday (I understand this was common for the East Coast this summer?), we improvised. Some coloring on the front porch and cocktails and mac & cheese in the garage.

Aileen is Styling

Aileen borrowed Matt's sunglasses during our car ride to JFK. Tres chic.

Dinner with a Walrus

We went out to dinner with friends Jennifer and Dean as well as their 3 kids, Quinn, Tycho and Tate, and Dean's parents. The kids are really great and fun to see. I had to snap some photos of Tycho when he used some fries to become a walrus. Luckily, at nearly 3 years old, he didn't stick them in his nose.

I love spending time with this family as Jennifer and Dean are such great parents (and the kids are pretty awesome, too). We try to make note of some of their strategies for the future. 

Shaking her Booty

Aileen doesn't have much of a booty, but she will shake if prompted with the chant - and chant along.

Seeing the Niece & Nephew

Matt and I were finally able to take a long weekend and travel to Shrewsbury to visit with the Woodards & Monahans - including 10 week old Jack. Matt especially enjoyed playing with Aileen who loved the attention and action.

Jack seemed happiest in his swing (both at home and at Mana's), gazing at his "friends" the fishies on the wall.


All of the pictures from the weekend are here and I will post a cute video of Aileen dancing soon.

Tycho & the Cat Tree

Our friend Dean came by Saturday to check out the demo and provide an opinion on the removal of the wall. He had 5 year old Quinn and 2 year old Tycho in tow, leaving Jennifer home for a hopefully quiet day with 3 month old Tate . While Matt, Brian and Dean enjoyed time dodging lead paint in the demolition zone, I happily entertained the kids in the clean half of the apartment. Quinn was content to sit and watch Shrek 2 but Tycho had a ball wandering between rooms and was most interested in the kitties. What he really wished to do, of course, was climb the cat tree. I think Marin was happy I kept him from climbing.

RIP Red Vinyl Booth

The corner booth in our retro kitchen seemed like it would be nice. Everyone who has visited or seen pictures has commented how neat it was. I agree in theory. It would have been neat if it was functional. It could be fun to sit there with some friends and enjoy a burger with fries & a milkshake, if I ever made such things. The problem was, in order to make such things, I needed that table for my work space. How could anyone use such tiny counters for anything except a microwave, drying rack and staging area for dirty dishes? Ok, I admit, the whole place was designed before microwaves. However, wasn't it designed in an era that predated take-out? Wasn't it an era of home cooked food? How could anyone cook with shallow countertops and 12" vertical space?

I digress. This is about the booth.

I can count on one hand how many times people have sat at the booth with me to eat anything, and it was limited to cheese & crackers, breakfast with Betsy & Evan (the morning sun is nice), and lunch there while unpacking from the move in November. Otherwise, the table was pushed towards the wall to allow more space for movement and less of a reach to the outlet for the coffee maker, not permitting access to the short side unless you slid around the bend. Our downstairs neighbors, who are blessed with an identical booth,have the same experience.

Many people suggested trying to sell it, along with the "vintage" stove. I took one step in that direction, taking some photos, but never posted an ad and was happy enough to just toss it out the window. Even the Got Junk guys commented that while everyone else is going retro, we're tossing retro. Oh, well.

On a final note, I always referred to it as the "Johnny Rockets Booth", tho I can't say I've ever eaten at one. Unknowingly, Simone has confirmed this though with her February photo album of Aileen & Jack. Aileen's birthday dinner was at Johnny Rockets:

Looks a lot like this, don't you think?

More Aileen

Posting a few more pictures of Aileen from our trip East. These are from the real camera so they're a bit clearer & higher quality than all the iPhone pics.

How could anyone ever say no to this face?

Matt played a game with her, aptly named "Aileen in a Box". The rules are simple. Aileen gets in a box and sits. Matt pulls the box. Aileen squeals with joy, Matt gets out of breath. Aileen looks up with those eyes and says, "Again!"

The game has advanced a bit since I was that age. I think the game "Susan in the Laundry Basket" had fewer rules: Susan gets in the laundry basket. End game. I'm sure my parents or sister could remind me if there was more involved. My memory of that era is a little sparse.

(1/23) Update: According to my mom, I would sit in the laundry basket and read books.


Finally, I expect Aileen to excel at 52 Card Pickup, namely as the dealer. During both our visits to the house, this barrel of toys had been emptied 8-10 times. I suspect it's not Simone's favorite.

Woodard Family Weekend

Matt and I flew East Thursday to spend the weekend with his family and celebrate his grandmother's 90th birthday. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone.

Niece Aileen turned on the charm and showed us how much she has grown. She is talkative and adorable as ever. My favorite talent of hers, which I tried in vain to catch on video, is when she demonstrates how frogs catch flies. I wonder if she knows that in 10-14 years she'd really be embarrassed by a home video on the Internets?

One of the first thing Matt does upon arrival at Simone & John's Thursday is start fiddling with electronics.

Toby & Steve made a fabulous meal Friday night for the family including Rudy, Gene & Steven.


Aileen proudly shows off one of her toys at Mana & Papa's.

Aileen gets hugs from her Mana and love from her Great Aunt Gene.Ice cream!!

Who needs toys when there are remote controls and other fun gadgets?

We are very excited for the Monahans when they welcome Aileen's baby brother or sister February 5th!