I heart NY in the summer

This summer we spent 2 weeks in New York visiting family and friends. I had been dreaming of this trip for months and it exceeded my expectations in every way. I got to watch my kids soak up attention from Grandmas, Grandpas, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and friends. My heart was overflowing with contentment as I watched my kids beam with joy every minute we were there (not counting the trip to the ER).



We arrived in Ithaca after a day of flying. We were so excited to breathe in the beautiful crisp NY air. We headed straight to Leah and Alan's house where we barbecued and relaxed the evening away in the back yard.



The next day was spent preparing for the weekend that lay ahead. Nanny and Poppy came all the way up from Virginia to see us and have a 13th Birthday celebration for Emma. I think it was Friday...we spent the morning at the Stewart Park, had lunch downtown, did a little shopping, stopped at the amazing Alphabet Soup toy store for the kids, did a little playground playing, and then headed to the store to pick up some groceries for dinner. I guess Rilke thought we should add one more adventure to the day so when we got home she promptly body slammed herself into the foot board of the bed. Off we went to the Emergency Room (the very same hospital where Harper was born). Rilke handled it like a pro. She stopped crying by the time we had her buckled in the car. After about an hour (and seven stitches) later we on our way back home.



We spent the next couple days celebrating Emma's Birthday, visiting with our good friends Euni and Kai in Beacon, and then heading over to Westtown to spend a few days visiting Oma, Booma, Ariana, and Taylor.





Once again we we overwhelmed and smothered with love and attention from everyone. We got to properly celebrate Ariana's high school graduation with a dinner party and a battle with a slip n slide in cold 60 degree rainy weather. I'm pretty sure the slip n slide won. We also planned the ultimate play-date with lots of friends from high-school and their lovely little ones.



We returned to Ithaca with more family members in tow to spend the last few days of our vacation. We hiked and played in the water at taughanock, explored the Ithaca Science Center, ate lots of ice cream cones, counted slugs, shaved Jackson's head to match Harpers, got muddy, drank wine, painted nails, played cards and board games, watched movies, met new friends, and absolutely dreaded leaving.





Harper constantly says "Mom, can we go back to New York tomorrow?" and when I say no he says "Ok, how about the day after tomorrow?" I hate to think it will be more like 330 days after tomorrow. Needless to say we are already dreaming of next summer's visit.