NumberNineteen

A Monumental Month For Hope

 

June has been chock full of activity and milestones and I've been wanting to share every bit of it.  Unfortunately, Typepad has been giving me fits and I only just resolved the problem today.  It turned out to be fairly simple, but I didn't have time to figure it out until today.  Because...I'm on summer vacation!  Oh, those sweet, sweet words :)  Since I'm on vacation, I can now write a big, wonderful post and even post more later this week.

It was an incredible month for Hope. Early in the month, she participated in her first recital with the dance studio that she joined this year and she was amazing.  Last year, Hope took a year off from dance lessons but she danced in every spare moment -- getting ready in the morning, setting the table, doing her homework.  Her heart was in dancing, but wasn't quite in the right school previously.  We tried a new school this year and she has grown so much.  She has really learned dedication, once telling me, "sometimes getting a new routine is hard, but I don't mind because I love it".  The recital was particularly exciting, as it was held in a performing arts center...no high school auditorium for this dance school!  It was the same stage on which we had seen The Nutcracker - what a thrill to be dancing there.  She performed in tap (costume in top photo) and ballet (blue costume) and just sparkled.  We were those parents in our seats - "look, there she is!" "isn't she beautiful?" "0ur baby!".

And, if that wasn't enough to proverbially burst our buttons, less than a week later, our baby graduated from elementary school! Not only did she graduate, but she received an award for her academic excellence! Though, you'd think that they would know how to properly spell her name after 5 years of attending the school...! She has worked so hard through elementary school, both in academics and other areas and we are so, so proud of her. 

For those of you who have followed this blog from the beginning, here is a picture of what she looked like when I started:

Look at her, reading even back then!  Our babies grow so fast...with only one child, I've really tried to cherish every day with her.  Squeeze her hand a little tighter when walking in the parking lot, kiss her cheek every night while she is asleep, watch her crazy dances when she says "Mommy watch this!".   And now, six more years left until she leaves us for her own life.  I need to squish in as many cuddles, dances, giggles, cookie baking, conversations and kisses as I can. 

Look at me, I'm practically making myself all teary!

Before I end up in a puddle of tears, I'm going to end this post, but I'll be back later this week to write about our escape to magical Maine....

Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Only 2 more weeks left of school!  But, that is 3 weeks past Memorial Day -- school should be over at Memorial Day, right???  It is especially hard to go back after having a fabulous Memorial Day weekend as we did this year.  We were visiting --- wait for it -- New York.  I know, it seems like we are there all of the time, but when one of the most amazing places in the world is 4.5 hours from your home, it's hard NOT to go when you can. 

This year, we were up to visit good friends who moved to Long Island a few years ago. They have an annual Memorial Day weekend barbeque, so it was the perfect time to visit. It was so great to see them again and catch up.  They recently moved into the most gorgeous 1924 colonial in one of the prettiest towns that you can imagine.  And, my friend has such amazing style so I was practically drooling in every room. 

We spent Saturday and Sunday morning with them and then headed into Manhattan.  This time we stayed on the Upper West Side, which we really liked.  It's less chaotic, un-touristy, and more neighborhoody than when we've stayed in mid-town.  I feel like when I'm in NYC, I prefer to sort of explore and enjoy the city's vibe which is easier in the residential areas.  Bonus: we were just a few blocks from the park, where we spent a lot of time walking.

Everyone was out because it was such a beautiful day on a holiday weekend, after a really yicky spring.  It was so amazing to finally be out and be in such a gorgeous place.

While in the city, we did a lot of clothes shopping for this girl.  She is growing so fast -- I think faster than she has since she was a baby!  When I told my dad, he was laughing that we went to Manhattan and ended up shopping at The Gap.  But, the selection is so much better at the NY location than ours!  And, who has time to shop during regular life?

On Monday, we went to visit this lady and Ellis Island.  Neither Glenn nor Hope had been to the Statue and none of us had been to Ellis Island.  I've wanted to go to the Island since I was in elementary school and did a project on it and my ancestry.  There is so much to see at both places that I felt like we could have spent more time in all of the exhibits.  But, we did get a good feel for all of it. 

Looking back on these photos, it strikes me how much detail was put into the design of even the most utilitarian buildings back then.  Ellis Island was certainly not intended to be a showplace -- it was a processing center essentially -- but look at the tilework!  I'm going to be an old lady before my time and say, those were the days. 

The Statue of Liberty was far more impressive than I'd remembered.  When I was previously there in the mid 80s, it was under restoration and I was 11 or 12. As an adult, it was very inspiring.  And, interesting!  It may be because I was visiting with an engineer this time, but I learned a lot about how innovative the design was when it was built.  In fact, Glenn mentioned to a guide inside of the Statue that he is an engineer and is really interested in the construction.  The man said, "Well, follow me!" and took him up into the structure, to see it up close.  So amazing. 

It was such a great weekend and got me in the mindset of vacation.  Only 10 more school days to push through!!!