Summer Adventures so far...

I spent the last 12 months writing a blog for Rotary. My year as President ended and so did the blog. I realized though that the blog was a nice way to keep distant family and friends up to date on what is going in our life. So I am at it again.

It's hard to believe that it's August and I am planning the back to school shopping. We've had a few adventures so far and more to come before the leaves begin to fall. We kicked off our summer with a visit with my brother and his family. Emma had such a great time with her cousins. We spent a day at the lake, where she caught many fish and even ate them. Thanks to Jay and Skip for helping the kids and cooking up the catch of the day. I don't care for fish but I tried a bite and it was pretty good.

We spent a great day at Darien Lake with old friends that was a total blast. The only downside for the day was I lost one of my brand new earrings :(

Emma has spent most days at the YMCA summer day camp. She has made lots of new friends and built many forts on the grounds of Watson Homestead. She will tell you that the worst part of camp is the bathrooms at Watson. I checked with the staff and there are quite a few bugs and cobwebs, I told Emma "it's rustic and outdoorsy" just enjoy it.
I've been busy with my first two graduate classes at Elmira College. I finished up this week and WOW that was fun but stressful. I don't have the official grades but I think I got an A in both classes. I started these just as I finished my Rotary term so this is the first weekend in a LONG time I have been able to just enjoy myself.

It is almost time for vacation. Emma has been dying to go to New York City, so I booked the hotel today. We are staying at the Hotel Roosevelt, smack dab in the middle of everything. I got a rate of less than $200 a night so I figured I'd splurge a bit and we'd stay right in the city. We NEVER go on vacation. It's just for a weekend but I am hoping that by staying in the city we can do a lot more than if we stayed somewhere outside the city. This way we can see some sights Friday night and Sunday morning. Saturday we'll go to the American Girl Doll Store and see Mary Poppins on Broadway for sure. I am also thinking about the double decker bus tour of the city. What else should we do? I'm promising myself to not eat out for lunch at work and no more iced lattes so I have some spending money in the big apple. I wish we could stay for a week so I could check out all the restaurants I've seen on Food Network. I'd love to hear suggestions from seasoned NYC travellers about where to go and what's just a tourist trap!

I also got my passport this summer so I can travel to Canada.Emma and I are hoping to go to Niagara Falls next weekend. I hope to make a quick trip to Toronto and so does Emma before we return to our regular scheduled program.

Scott has been busy restoring his Cub Cadet tractors, playing a few shows with his band, and replacing the tub surround in our shower and installing a new washing machine. Yes, two unexpected house projects. The washing machine was the last of the old appliances and it finally kicked the bucket. The tub surround cracked and was leaking water to the studs and wall behind it so that had to go. What a giant pain! These two unexpected expenses means that the landscaping in the front of the house didn't happen. I have a lovely patch of 3 leaf clovers, still looking for my luck and 4 leaf one, instead of the mulch and flowers that was intended when the bushes were pulled out.

School supplies and school clothes are up next!