happy weekend.

this weekend, the kids and i are making one last visit to the jersey shore before our summer travels come to an end. i am so looking forward to the salty humid air and waves crashing along the shore. see you back here on monday.

happy weekend!

friday favorites: collecting.

for years I've had a passion for collecting sea glass. i am so fascinated by these ocean gems. amazingly, they are simply aged pieces of glass with hues of blue, green, brown and white that have tumbled against the ocean floor giving them this wonderfully frosted patina. my collection holds so many memories for me of the places i once lived, visited and vacationed by.

pictured above are the pieces i recently found along the beach in atlantic city, new jersey. as strange as it seems for me, it was, by far, the best place I have ever found sea glass. i was completely amazed and excited as i strolled along the shore with my husband and found these wonderful shimmers in the sand.

is there something you love to collect? does it hold special memories for you too?


please note: beginning this week, i will begin posting some of my favorite things on fridays. the topics will change weekly.

just a reminder.

have an amazing day!

print available here.

on the river today.

we took a break from swimming in the pool and headed down to the river today. why does it seem like whenever i am near a body of water, i am overwhelmed by this sense of calmness. peace. serenity. does anyone else feel the same?

we spent the entire day with old friends who live on one of many rivers in south jersey. friends, who i have not seen in such a long time. way too long. it was so wonderful to reconnect and catch up on the years that have past. and, so much fun watching our children interact and now play with one another. this was their first meeting, but it was as though they had been friends for awhile. isn't that the way with kids? they are only timid for moments and within minutes they are the best of friends.

it truly was a day to re-establish & to create new bonds of friendship. a day i found comfort in being surrounded by family & friends. a day i was quieted by calmness in all that surrounded me.

hot. hot. hot.

temperatures soared into the 100's today. although it was so hot outside, it was perfect for all day swimming and a water balloon fight. simple fun, absolutely enjoyed.

happy fourth.

photo via genbug

hope your fourth of july is wonderfully happy doing what you love best to celebrate the holiday. i enjoy family and friends. backyard barbecues. fireworks. sparklers. red, white & blue pinwheels. small american flags to hold. making smores. small town parades. and most of all, remembering the birth of our independence.

happy birthday america.

what will you especially enjoy today on the fourth of july?

thankful.

my little sia is on her way to wellness. we were so happy to hear her blood count had risen since leaving the hospital. and she was happy to have finally taken another ride on the merry go round. it was her one request throughout her stay in the hospital. after leaving the hospital today for a re-check, we drove directly to the nearest carousel where we happily went around and around. she was full of joy. it brought tears to my eyes. so much worry. so much love. so thankful she is well again.

thank you so much for family who were there to help. thank you to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who gave her so much care. and thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers.

we said goodbye to new york today and the ones we love only to arrive back in new jersey full of happiness.

not fun at all.

no, my weekend did not go happily around and around. instead, i fearfully held my little girl tight in my arms. sia and i spent three very long days in the hospital. not fun. really not fun. not fun at all.

i truly believe it's one of the hardest things i have ever had to do. it's hard to hold your child as doctors and nurses administer IV's and shots and take vitals and blood. it's hard to explain to your 3-year old why she has to remain in a hospital and let these people do all these things to her. not to mention, the cat scans and ultrasounds and x-rays. scary for me as a mom. even scarier for a child so small. sitting and holding on and wondering what is wrong. i would never leave her side. i held her tight and must've kissed her a million times.

still, the answer is unknown. her blood platelets and white blood cells are still low. a rash travels around her body. maybe just a viral infection? thankfully she was released from the hospital. we will return to see the pediatrician again tomorrow. a CBC will be done. i am dreading putting her through that again. but hopefully then, we will be given some answers along with an okay to continue with our summer travels.

slade and elle have returned to new jersey and sia and i remain here in new york. i am anxious to be together again. if all is well, we will head there tomorrow after the appointment. please keep my little sia in your thoughts and prayers.

happy weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend?

We plan to take a ride or two on the carousel circuit here in Binghamton, New York. There are six antique and historical wood-carved merry-go-rounds located in some of the nearby parks. And, like years ago, these magical rides are still "free of charge" to be enjoyed by everyone.

So during this weekend, we will be taking advantage of this great entertainment bargain. I hope you too have a magical weekend that happily goes around and around!