Last week of summer vacation

School starts next week. Most moms I talk to are excited for this time of year. I am not looking forward to rushing out of the house to catch a bus or packing snacks and lunches. I am in denial so I am just still enjoying summer as if it's not ending. This week, I had 8 kids for lunch on Tuesday, 6 for dinner and a niece sleep over.

Today, our morning started with bike riding at the field along with a picnic lunch. There were older boys playing basketball at the field. Joey watched them in amazement. He hid behind a tree, grabbed the biggest stick he could find, and acted as if he was protecting his grounds and needed to shoot the enemies. The best part was, when the older boys fell to he ground and said "he got me". Joeys eyes lit up. This was the beginning of a half hour battle which made his day. It didn't take long for Owen and TJ to join in. At one point, I heard Joey say to one of the older boys, "hey, not so hard with the stick, I am just a little kid." My goodness, he is cute.

We spent our afternoon on a hike along a nature trail. We took GG, Grandpa and cousin Cailey with us. The Dargan kids were excited to show their cousin one of our spots. So after a bike ride, a hike, a pizza dinner, an hour of running races with Hobson, 4 baths, 4 brushed teeth, and 2 books, I have 4 kids, and I will hear once again, "mommy, what do you want to do today?"

Sea Isle - I could go on for hours with pictures!

Summer in Sea Isle

We spend one week a year in Sea Isle City, NJ. It's usually the first week in August and it's a week that my kids usually start looking forward to in January. So for 6 months, I answer the question, "when are we going on our beach vacation?" This summer, our beach week was a blast as usual. Family time is so important to me and I enjoy every second on our vacation. This year, we headed down a few days early and had some quality time together. We started our first night with the boardwalk - a Dargan favorite. Joe and I are just as excited as the kids. He and I exchange stories of our boardwalk days as kids and are so happy that our kids get the same experience. Games and rides - it's a kids dream!

The beach to my family is such a positive experience and we have already made so many memories there. Ryley first crawled in Sea Isle. Joey was 8 weeks old when he first visited Sea Isle and a year later took his first steps there. I was pregnant with Owen in Sea Isle and a year later he got his first tooth. TJ was 6 months old on his first trip and wouldn't touch the sand. This summer he was jumping over waves. He would afterwards climb into the stroller and say, "I tired" and he would go to sleep. What 2 and a half year old does that?

Well, we had many days of fun in the sun. I could go on for hours. This summer was the first summer the kids were jumping over waves and riding waves in like a pro. (that made it less relaxing for me, but I was proud of them for being brave) After all, Joey would not put his toes in 2 years ago.

A week of fun and beautiful days at the beach and nights of laughter and constant smiles just add to the memories.

One of the most important nights at the beach was my Owen turning 4. He celebrated his birthday in style with rides, games, an ice cream party with his cousins and our big night of races on the beach. So heres to another wonderful summer vacation!

Funny things kids say

Today I thought TJ might be ready to use the potty. He informed me that he wanted to go. He couldn't and said "mommy, my peepee doesn't work." "It just doesn't work."

Today we had a fun day of play at "Grandmas park" in Secaucus. The kids love it! Apparently, it's where Joe used to play when he was a little boy. Now years later, it's a new Dargan favorite. After a picnic lunch and 2 hours of swinging, climbing and running through water, we decided to surprise Grandma at work. On the drive over, I listened to the kids conversation.

Ryley says "Joey what does Grandma do at work?"

Joey says "I think sometimes she just looks at pictures of us and thinks about us"

Ryley says "Yes, that's right. She likes to leave work too to see us because that's what Grandmas do."

Owen says "She likes to keep snacks and candy there to give us."

TJ says "Yeah!"

I love these guys!

Looking forward

I sometimes miss that they are not babies anymore, but I look forward to all the good times ahead of us.

Simple fun

A summer Tuesday for us is another adventure day. Lately my kids love riding their bikes. Joe surprised us this morning with a day off. I asked the kids to think about how they wanted to spend their day. Answer - bike riding! I love it. Sometimes that involves Ryley, Joey and Owen flying on their bikes while I jog after them and TJ slowly tries to catch up with his tricycle. Today, we packed up 5 bikes, 5 helmets, a dog, his crate, and bathing suits. We headed down to Grandmas house and Joe gave the kids and I a tour of Secaucus on our bikes. TJ relaxed this time in his little seat attached to mine. He is just too cute! During our ride, a few people said "wow, it's so nice to see a family bike riding together." I remember my days of bike riding with my parents and brothers and how much I loved it. I am happy to keep such a tradition. I think to myself, "why wouldn't everyone with kids want to do this?"

You have to take each day and enjoy it and cherish it. A simple thing like bike riding with your kids can bring such happiness. I cherish every second with my family. It brings such a smile to my face to watch them. I have these 4 amazing little kids that Joe and I created. I think back all the time to the day they were born and I am so proud of what they have become. I can't believe that Ryley, Joey and Owen can now ride on their own without their training wheels. I ride behind them and watch and realize that they are becoming independant. I am proud of them for always trying so hard to learn something new. Then I thank god that I still have one on the back of my bike that I can still call my baby for a little while longer.

I love having a dog!

The kids adore Hobson and Hobson adores them. If one is crying, Hobson runs to their rescue. If they are on the couch, all he wants is to be right next to them. If they are outside playing, he is right by their side. As I write this, I look outside to check on everyone. The kids are on the deck having one of their cute conversations that I love to overhear. Hobson is right on Ryleys lap! I just smile.