Summer Vacation - Part 2 - We Are Leaving On A Train

Our second part of vacation started out early and with a train ride.  Instead of driving from Connecticut to Virginia, Arabella and I avoided all the New York/New Jersey traffic and hopped aboard an Amtrak train for the ride.  Arabella was so excited - she has been on trains before, but this one was bigger and better - it had a cafe car and lots of room, bathrooms and she loved it! 

We had a fun time and it was nice to just relax and get up whenever we wanted to.  Arabella was great, even though we were delayed a bit getting into Newport News.  We had fun checking out the sights along the way,  watching movies, reading and Arabella even napped!

Arabella couldn't wait to get there.  She was so excited to see Uncle Mike at the train station.  And then to see Uncle Jeff when we got back to their house!!  It was so hot for the almost 2 weeks that we spent with them - we mostly hung out at the pool, which was a lot of fun.  We didn't really need or want to do too much except spend time with Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff so it didn't really matter what we did! 

Arabella loved that the pool was so close - she could have spent all day in the water.  She loved being able to swim and splash around - such a little fish!

Arabella also loved riding in Uncle Jeff's new convertible!  So much so that one night she fell asleep when we went out to get dinner!  She thought it was so much fun...except for when it was so hot and we were stuck in traffic.  She even said that I should get one!

We spent a day at Virginia Beach!  It was so much fun and we all had a great time.  It was very, very hot so we spent a lot of time in the water.  Once again, my little fish couldn't stay out of the water.  She also had a fun time building and playing in the sand. 

Arabella loved just hanging out and playing with Macy and Rocco.  She and Macy had a lot of fun with bubbles one night.

There were a few pretty wild storms during our visit.  It was amazing how much rain would come down and then how quick the sky would turn beautiful.

And then there was always more time for pool time!

I feel in love with the crepe myrtle trees and Arabella fell in love with Leo, Grandma Shirley's puppy!

We spent a day at the Virginia Zoological Park.  It was a great zoo and not too big.  Since it was a very, hot day, a few of the animals were in hiding.  We had a lot of fun and Arabella loved seeing a few new animals that we had never seen before.  Although, I think her favorites were the giraffe and elephants.  But then again, I think she really liked the splash pad at the end!

One night we took the ferry from Hampton Roads to Newport News.  It was a lot of fun and it was nice to see the lights on the water.  We were able to get a good look at some of the boats that are in dry dock being repaired.  We also checked out a few boats that were docked in the marina.  It was nice to be out in the balmy evening air.  We all had a great time.

And there was always time for jumping games at the pool with Uncle Mike!

But before we knew it, it was time to go home.  We had a great time, but it was very hard to say goodbye.

 Can you tell, Arabella didn't want to leave, she wouldn't even look at the camera.

Thanks Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff for a great Summer vacation!!

Summer Vacation - Part 1

Back in July, yes, July, Arabella and I started out on our Summer vacation.  The first part was the road trip to Connecticut.  We had so much fun on the ride and once again she did great.  She just loves to travel and always is such a good sport.  I think it helps that we have travelled with her since she was an infant so she knows the drill.  She was very excited to be going to see family and friends.  We stayed at Auntie Lori's house and she loved it!  Auntie Lori lives right by the airport so one night we decided to see if any planes were taking off - sure enough there was a line up and we watched them go one after the other.  Arabella enjoyed it!

We spent a day with Grampie.  It was a lot of fun.  We went bowling, out to a great lunch at First & Last Tavern for so yummy Italian food, and then to the Farmington River to cool off.  Arabella loved bowling, it was her first time and she did so good.  I think the bowling gene of my Poppy has worn off on her!  Arabella wanted to stay with Grampie, but we wore him out...just wished we were closer to spend more time with him. 

We also visited with Aunt Rose and Aunt Moona.  Arabella had a fun time eating ice cream and it was nice to spend part of the afternoon with them. 

We also met up with my friend from IIN, Dan and his wife Nancy for dinner.  We went to the Rainforest Cafe in Westfarms Mall and Arabella loved it.  I thought she might be a little scared of the thunderstorm and animals, but no way.  She couldn't get enough of it.  We had a great time at dinner and it was nice to see Dan & Nancy.

We also spent time with Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill.  He was so happy to see Arabella and she loved coloring pictures for him to hang on the wall of his room at the rehab facility.  It really brightened his day. 

We enjoyed spending time in Connecticut and before long it was time to pack up and head south to Virginia to see Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff. 

Backyard Camping

 Arabella has been asking all Summer to camp out in the backyard. Last weekend, she and Jay finally did it. The weather was perfect and she was so excited. I was excited that once again I got out of the camping...we only have a 2 person tent and being almost 20 weeks pregnant, there was no way I was going to sleep on the ground! Besides, I never have been, nor will I ever be a camping girl...Hotels all the way for me! Arabella slept the whole night outside and even slept through some really loud fireworks that our neighbors set off.

 Can you tell she is excited???

 

 Pretending to sleep.  They both had fun and enjoyed it.  I think this is going to become a backyard Summer tradition. 

Soccer with Uncle Mike

Last week we were in Connecticut for Uncle Bill's funeral.  It was nice to be with family, despite the circumstances.  Arabella loved being with Grampie, Auntie Margo a/k/a Auntie Shortie (we love you Aunt Margo), and Uncle Mike.  Arabella also got to spend a little time with her great Aunt Moona,  Auntie Lori during Uncle Bill's burial and also spent time with Andi, Gabe and Emily while we attended the wake.  She was such a trooper and loved being with the kids and spending time with everyone.  However, she loved being with Uncle Mike.  They had so much fun and kept us laughing.  One of the things they did to keep busy was play in the yard.  I ended up buying her a princess ball at CVS...it was only $1.50...she loved it and had so much fun in the yard.  One morning, before it got too warm, she and Uncle Mike played soccer.  She just laughed and giggled and wore him out!

Swim Lessons and Diving

Arabella did great in her swim lessons at the pool this Summer.  She loved her teachers and has made great progress.  She is such a little fish!  She loves the water and has even mastered diving for things on the bottom of the pool.  Way to go Arabella - keep up the great work! 

In this last picture, she is swimming in the water while everyone else hangs onto the mat!  Way to go!

She also loved diving off the diving board and swimming to her teacher.  She loved doing this and had a blast.  She even said that she wants to take diving lessons...she just has to wait as she has to be 5.  (I love how amazing my camera is - it takes great action shots so that I am able to get the whole sequence of her diving in!!)

Summer Fun

It is hard to believe that Summer is almost over!  Boy it sure went by fast!!!  Too fast!!  I guess that is because we have been keeping busy.  Arabella has really enjoyed spending time at the pool, with friends and travelling, but I think she is looking forward to getting back to preschool.  She even asked to go to school this afternoon.  Here are some things that have been keeping us busy:

Crafts outside...

Splash pad fun...

Homemade organic raspberry lemonade Popsicles...

Backyard water hose "fights"...

And more water hose "fights"...

Swinging...

And making yummy rice crispy treats....