Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Oh, half way there
Half way through summer vacation more or less. Doing what we do best, playing hard. I finally submitted a selection from this blog to the literary contest at Dan's Papers. I just love Dan's, don't you? I don't read it every week but I've been reading it since I was a kid.
Friday, June 27, 2014
FIfth grade is coming to a close
I've been sharing lots of fun anecdotes since I started this blog when the princess was in kindergarten. The question is do I continue with this blog or stat a new one for the middle school years?
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Elementary School adventures are coming to a close.
I started this blog when you know who was a wee kindergartener and tomorrow she moves up to middles school. If you're like me, you're asking yourself "where did the time go?
Countless hours on homework, science fair projects, PTA events, field trips, concerts, talent shows, Girl Scouts ... New friends arriving, old friends leaving. We've had our share of grand adventures and dark times and have come through it all the better.
During the past few weeks I was contemplating retiring the blog. When I shared this the response was, why? there are more adventures on the horizon. So starts a new chapter of our adventures together. The middle school years here we come; hoping you'll join us.
Congrats to our elementary school family.
Countless hours on homework, science fair projects, PTA events, field trips, concerts, talent shows, Girl Scouts ... New friends arriving, old friends leaving. We've had our share of grand adventures and dark times and have come through it all the better.
During the past few weeks I was contemplating retiring the blog. When I shared this the response was, why? there are more adventures on the horizon. So starts a new chapter of our adventures together. The middle school years here we come; hoping you'll join us.
Congrats to our elementary school family.
Monday, June 16, 2014
The 5th grade boat trip, an adevnture of epic proportion AKA you can't make this stuff up
I have been on countless school trips as a student, teacher and parent. Today's adventure ranks in my top 5. The princess, captain and I embarked on the annual 5th grade boat trip in NYC.
Our transportation to the pier was provided by Hampton Jitney and the boat trip on the Skyline Princess docked at the World's Fair marina. The sailing was along Flushing Bay and the East river. Some of the sights along the route included Rikers Island, Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty and the east side of NY.
We had terrific weather, great food and entertainment. Everyone had a great time chatting, dancing and eating. As far as I know there was no illness or injury. We really couldn't ask for more. After our cruise we returned to the marina and boarded the busses to head home.
Coach 105 began to experience some mechanical trouble while on the Van Wyck Expressway. Our very competent driver, who'd earlier informed us it was his second day on the job(rofl), managed to get the crippled coach to the LIE service road aka Horace Harding expressway alongside the Willett Family Burial Ground.
The coach and its passengers were safely off the highway much to the displeasure of a hot dog vendor. She expressed her thoughts to our principal in a not exactly pleasant manner, packed up her wagon and moved down the street a little bit.
The bus as you might imagine was becoming unbearably warm so the passengers were disembarked onto the sidewalk while awaiting alternate transportation. There was food, water and entertainment. Social media was alive and well. Silly texts , facebook and instagram posts and maybe even some tweets.
The NYPD was working hard issuing summonses to deserving drivers, after a while we found ourselves applauding, although the officer did not seem to appreciate it. After an hour we boarded or rescue bus which still had that new bus smell but lousy A/C. We arrived a few hours later than expected but many of us still managed to make our other commitments at school in the evening. I'd write more but I have to finish the diorama and research paper which are due in the morning.
For more info on where we were visit http://nycemetery.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/willett-family-burial-ground/
Our transportation to the pier was provided by Hampton Jitney and the boat trip on the Skyline Princess docked at the World's Fair marina. The sailing was along Flushing Bay and the East river. Some of the sights along the route included Rikers Island, Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty and the east side of NY.
We had terrific weather, great food and entertainment. Everyone had a great time chatting, dancing and eating. As far as I know there was no illness or injury. We really couldn't ask for more. After our cruise we returned to the marina and boarded the busses to head home.
Coach 105 began to experience some mechanical trouble while on the Van Wyck Expressway. Our very competent driver, who'd earlier informed us it was his second day on the job(rofl), managed to get the crippled coach to the LIE service road aka Horace Harding expressway alongside the Willett Family Burial Ground.
The coach and its passengers were safely off the highway much to the displeasure of a hot dog vendor. She expressed her thoughts to our principal in a not exactly pleasant manner, packed up her wagon and moved down the street a little bit.
The bus as you might imagine was becoming unbearably warm so the passengers were disembarked onto the sidewalk while awaiting alternate transportation. There was food, water and entertainment. Social media was alive and well. Silly texts , facebook and instagram posts and maybe even some tweets.
The NYPD was working hard issuing summonses to deserving drivers, after a while we found ourselves applauding, although the officer did not seem to appreciate it. After an hour we boarded or rescue bus which still had that new bus smell but lousy A/C. We arrived a few hours later than expected but many of us still managed to make our other commitments at school in the evening. I'd write more but I have to finish the diorama and research paper which are due in the morning.
For more info on where we were visit http://nycemetery.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/willett-family-burial-ground/
Sunday, June 8, 2014
My new friends, all 102K of them
Now at first glance one might think this is a reference to social media or life in the virtual world, however this is far from that. this experience is firmly grounded in the reality.
It is a tradition in my family to wager on the 3 legs of the triple crown. For those of you who are unfamiliar with horse racing the triple crown consists of three races Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
I have been fortunate to be able attend the third leg several times and we attended Belmont yesterday and made 102 k new friends. We spent the afternoon in one of the hospitality areas and had a great vantage point for the racing action. as the day went on the crowds grew larger but most folks were there with the same purpose, a chance at witnessing history. California Chrome had won the first and second legs of the triple crown. As you well know the third jewel in the crown was not to be this year.
Getting here was easy, getting home not so easy. We took the train along with a gazillion others.
It is a tradition in my family to wager on the 3 legs of the triple crown. For those of you who are unfamiliar with horse racing the triple crown consists of three races Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
I have been fortunate to be able attend the third leg several times and we attended Belmont yesterday and made 102 k new friends. We spent the afternoon in one of the hospitality areas and had a great vantage point for the racing action. as the day went on the crowds grew larger but most folks were there with the same purpose, a chance at witnessing history. California Chrome had won the first and second legs of the triple crown. As you well know the third jewel in the crown was not to be this year.
Getting here was easy, getting home not so easy. We took the train along with a gazillion others.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Rocks in my pockets
I know some of you are wondering about this title of this post. It has nothing to do with depression, Virginia Woolf or Signe Baumane.
Recently I picked up the princess jacket and noticed it was heavier than usual, I asked her what was in the pockets, she replied rocks, mommy. Ok, I thought it's a kid thing putting whatever treasures one finds in their coat pocket for safe keeping. Not wanting to invade her privacy I left it alone.
When I informed her I was planning to launder the jacket she asked that I let her clean out the pockets. Well, you know kids...After growing tired of waiting, I unzipped the pockets and began to remove the contents. She had the most interesting collection of treasures. Twist ties and plastic bags from the grocery store. She makes ghosts with those, wrappers from dum dums, several business cards, the program from a church event and rocks.
Today she asked if she should wear her coat, I said yes. She proceeded to replace only the rocks and explained why. If the coat doesn't have rocks in the pockets it might very well blow away on the playground.
Recently I picked up the princess jacket and noticed it was heavier than usual, I asked her what was in the pockets, she replied rocks, mommy. Ok, I thought it's a kid thing putting whatever treasures one finds in their coat pocket for safe keeping. Not wanting to invade her privacy I left it alone.
When I informed her I was planning to launder the jacket she asked that I let her clean out the pockets. Well, you know kids...After growing tired of waiting, I unzipped the pockets and began to remove the contents. She had the most interesting collection of treasures. Twist ties and plastic bags from the grocery store. She makes ghosts with those, wrappers from dum dums, several business cards, the program from a church event and rocks.
Today she asked if she should wear her coat, I said yes. She proceeded to replace only the rocks and explained why. If the coat doesn't have rocks in the pockets it might very well blow away on the playground.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Planes, trains & busses! This is a true story
Go big or go home I always say. One of my nephews and his girlfriend came to visit for the weekend. Their inbound flight from Nashville to Long Island was delayed a few hours but it didn't affect our plans. Sayville Summerfest, Friday and Saturday. Fair food, rides, vendors, entertainment, downpour...repeat. My visitors wanted to go shopping but were unaware that Attias Flea Market was no more, the poor kids drove all the way to Massapequa before they realized it, thanks Neverlost...not
Sunday we went on a day trip to Montauk, by train. my nephew's girlfriend had never ridden on a train before and we decided it would be a fun day's adventure. Buttered bagels on the train, a treat. The beach was lovely, water was calm. We had a terrific time shopping and eating our way through town. Then the fun began. We boarded the train, expecting be home in a few hrs. The conductor informed us the train did not go to our destination or anywhere remotely nearby. She suggested we ride to Jamaica and double back or wait in Westhampton for the next train at 1:00 AM. Another conductor suggested we get off in Westhampton and take a cab.
After leaving the train and unable to get a cab, our 9 year old needs to use the restroom, which much to my surprise was open. While in there an announcement came on that the station doors would lock in a few minutes and police would be notified if anyone was still inside; considered letting that happen for a fleeting moment.
Time for another executive decision. We were approached by a young man wearing a Hampton Jitney shirt, he asked to use my phone as his was dead. I shared with him that mine was on it's last legs and we were trying to get back up the island. He mentioned there was a scheduled HJ pickup at Gabreski airport in a little while and we might consider taking it. He told us how to get there and we decided to roll the dice again.
We walked along the tracks to the county road 31 and headed north towards the airport. Mind you it's 10 ish at night and not well lit. One of our party had a flash light, good girl scout training. I called ahead to HJ explaining our situation and to verify that there would be a bus that we could board. Hey it's a Sunday night in August. After what seemed to be a very long walk, we boarded the bus got to exit 60 and were met by a dear friend that we'd managed to get a text to before all the phones died. The next day I got a Mophie Juice pack.
Sunday we went on a day trip to Montauk, by train. my nephew's girlfriend had never ridden on a train before and we decided it would be a fun day's adventure. Buttered bagels on the train, a treat. The beach was lovely, water was calm. We had a terrific time shopping and eating our way through town. Then the fun began. We boarded the train, expecting be home in a few hrs. The conductor informed us the train did not go to our destination or anywhere remotely nearby. She suggested we ride to Jamaica and double back or wait in Westhampton for the next train at 1:00 AM. Another conductor suggested we get off in Westhampton and take a cab.
After leaving the train and unable to get a cab, our 9 year old needs to use the restroom, which much to my surprise was open. While in there an announcement came on that the station doors would lock in a few minutes and police would be notified if anyone was still inside; considered letting that happen for a fleeting moment.
Time for another executive decision. We were approached by a young man wearing a Hampton Jitney shirt, he asked to use my phone as his was dead. I shared with him that mine was on it's last legs and we were trying to get back up the island. He mentioned there was a scheduled HJ pickup at Gabreski airport in a little while and we might consider taking it. He told us how to get there and we decided to roll the dice again.
We walked along the tracks to the county road 31 and headed north towards the airport. Mind you it's 10 ish at night and not well lit. One of our party had a flash light, good girl scout training. I called ahead to HJ explaining our situation and to verify that there would be a bus that we could board. Hey it's a Sunday night in August. After what seemed to be a very long walk, we boarded the bus got to exit 60 and were met by a dear friend that we'd managed to get a text to before all the phones died. The next day I got a Mophie Juice pack.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
