Day 8: playdate with the ingrams

Tonight we headed out to Grand Island, during a terrible rain storm, to hang out with friends from church!  Unfortunately there aren't any pictures because the kids were busy playing while I was enjoying some grown up time at Amanda's candle light party.  But it was enjoyed by all and we loved playing with their new Doberman puppy, Dante!

Day 7: Strawberry picking!

Its becoming somewhat of a summer tradition... its fun, its delicious and its even better when shared with friends! 

 

 This year Sicilya's best friend Lucy joined us, with her parents of course - my good friend Kathy and Brian!  It was a first time picking experience for them and I am so excited we were able to make it a summer memory together! 

 

 

the girls ate as much as they picked and their shirts and faces were covered in juice. 

 

my boys did an awesome job helping me fill our flat of berries!

 

 

 

 

when picking was through, we treated ourselves to a little lunch and ice cream and burger king, then headed home to make some jam!

Day 5: Playground picnic!

Today Frank met me at work with the kids, with lunch packed up for a picnic at 'grandma Janet's playground' (aka Cayuga Heights playground)  Unfortunately he wasn't able to join us because he was headed to work himself, but there were laughs and giggles anyway!  Listening to Tuscan and Vincenzo cracking up as I spun them on the tire swing was an awesome sound of summer and seeing Sicilya do her best to keep up with her big brothers always makes me smile.  

We finished off the night with a very random 'field trip' to the grocery store.  My mom was brave enough to meet us there, to see what i mean when i say I'm going "couponing" and i have to admit, i was so grateful she was there.  it made the whole trip so much easier on me and so much more fun for the kids.  They each pushed their own cart, through the entire store, filled with groceries and they did a great job!  It was so awesome to see how proud they were of themselves, taking on such a grown up task and being so helpful!

Day 4: Bon Fire!

Today was a bit less thrilling for me, I had to work all afternoon, but it gave the kids a change of pace as they were able to spend their first summer vacation day hanging out with their daddy!  Something that doesn't seem to happen often enough in this house, so naturally was a very special day.  Made even better by bedtime bonfire complete with s'mores and giant roasting marchmallows!

Tuscan's interpretation of this evenings activities!

Day 3: Color Me Rad Run

Sicilya and I's 2nd 5K of the season, the Color Me Rad run at Darien Lake with Nonna Beth!  So. Much. FUN!!  well, for Beth and I anyway... Sicilya was sound asleep in the stroller by the end of the first half mile.  She didn't know what to make of her 'color' the first time she got hit and had a look of confused disgust on her face, but she got over it quickly and was showing off her 'color' every chance she could!  Even more so, she LOVED showing off her tattoo!

The boys enjoyed a laid back day in the country with their Poppa, hanging out, helping Poppa clean out the garage, plant in the garden, hike in the woods and hang out in their fort - oh so many things to look forward to if our dreams ever do come true and we have the chance to be Nonna and Poppa's neighbors!

Day 2: First family bike ride!

 All trailered up and ready to go!  We inherited this trailer for Sicilya last year but i just never had a chance to put it to use...  this year the boys are all old enough to enjoy bike rides through our neighborhood so we decided to take advantage of another gorgeous afternoon! 

She got a bit sweaty in their with her helmet on but she LOVED it and the boys kept thanking me for taking them on this super fun bike ride... definitely a success and something we will be doing plenty more of through out our summer!

We finished the night with Tuscan's baseball game and some ice cream with Grammy Sue.  My new summer flavor, movie time... popcorn flavored ice cream with caramel swirls and caramel truffles! Delish!

Day 1: Buffalo Zoo

This could be Luna, but it might be her friend from Alaska... we really weren't sure who was who!  But we were super excited to have a chance to see these adorable little babies before they grew up to much!  We definitely were not the only ones who chose to spend the first day of summer vacation at the zoo, but we didn't let it bother us!  It was a perfect summer day and there was no better way to enjoy it!  We saw the tiger up close and personal, we heard the lion roaring and the kids all made their very own zoo penny souvenir! 

Last Day of School!!

 The day has come, the last day of the school year - a day that i anticipate excitedly and dread just the same.  I'm so excited to say good bye to strict schedules, early bedtimes, homework everyday, and all the other chaos that comes with a school day.  But what I'm truly going to miss is my "me time" every afternoon while Sicilya is napping and having quiet time EVER!

It's going to be a great summer though, one we definitely will not want to forget so Sicilya and i anxiously awaited the boys arrival with a bucket full of fun... glow sticks for the 4th, corn chips, salt water taffy, chalk, bubbles, sparkling juice (aka - kid wine!)  a redbox movie, just to name a few surprises!!  stay tuned for all our summer has to offer!