Love, Life and Appreciation

Yesterday night we went to May's Elementary School for a Bingo Night hosted by the PTA. It was a fun night and there were many parents and students and siblings there. The cafeteria where the event was held was packed. They even ran out of the markers used to splot the number when you have it on your bingo card.

The girls and I had to use pens. That was OK though because we were there to have fun and get out of the home. There was a raffle too for prizes and we did the raffle, there were also snacks, drinks, and sweets for sale at the event. The girls really like barbeque chips! There were a couple of times we came so close but with so many people there, there were actually mini duels for people who had bingo at the same time. May also spoke to some of her school friends and she introduced Nia to some of the friends too. Nia will be a Kindergarten there in the Fall of this year. The school was also doing a penny war between the grades and the jars were in the cafeteria. I gave some change to May and Nia to put in the jars. May knew to put those pennies in her 1st-grade jar.

We got bingo during the blackout round. Hehe. We didn't win any of the prizes though but we had a good time and the kids really enjoyed the event.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Nia wasn't happy on the ride.

Rex's view, he stood by while we were on many of the rides.

View of part of the Fair.

Rex!

May and Rex had a good time on the Fun Slide:

Pigs

Hello, Goat!

Petting a rabbit!

Inside the fire truck.

The children of the corn. Hehe.

Today I decided to take the kiddos to the Rocky Point Beach and Park in Essex, MD. I've been hearing a lot about the beach from our daycare provider and even when I searched Rocky Point online, I did see a what looked to be a beach and people on the beach but I was still a little skeptic. Rocky Point Beach and Park is about 12 minutes from the home and I was bewildered that a beach was so close. The beach we normally go to is Ocean City, MD and I am from New Jersey so I went to Atlantic City and Seaside Heights.

The daycare was actually closed this week for our daycare provider's vacation, which was actually good too, because I was able to watch the kids this week, while Rex was working. I've gotten much of the documents in and my orientation is August 24th. Rex will be starting school the second week of September and summer is really winding down. We hadn't taken the kids to the beach and Rex and I had gone to the beach earlier this month for a get together in New Jersey in Asbury Park, NJ. We were meeting with friends from the Kean University meteorology department and we left the kids with my father, who was more than happy to take them. It was so windy that day and it must have been at least 15 to 20 mile an hour winds. There was no rain though.

There were no winds that strong at Rocky Point today and though rain was in the forecast, I figured I could take the kids earlier and try to avoid the rain. It did rain and it was actually in the evening but during our time there it was more cloudy. It was actually nice being cloudy because as we were leaving the clouds broke and it got sunnier and hotter. The cost for entering Rocky Point was $7, which I believe is per car. Swimming is only allowed when lifeguards are available which is Memorial Day to Labor Day. Labor Day is right around the corner. The park is big and there were many boats both on land and in the water. There were two playgrounds and a long trail which we didn't even follow it to see where it went but perhaps one day. There was plenty of parking, as many people just we're there as well. Some people were barbequing and it seemed very peaceful. We parked the car and walked across the street from the parking lot. We went past the restrooms and there was the beach. It was a smaller beach and it looked small from the pictures online but it was also more intimate and there were other kids playing in the water when we got there. It was not crowded and more started to crowd by the time we left.

The kids really had a blast. May used to be so scared to even step in the water and she was putting her feet in the water. Nia did the same. The water was cold at first, but by staying in the water it got warmer. The scenery was very pleasant. There were many boats but they were further away. The water was dark and there was a plethora of seaweed, rocks, and shells. Nia had a great time collecting them and throwing them back into the water while May wanted to build sandcastles and bury her legs. The sand was a little wet from previous rains, but it really felt like sand. There didn't appear to be a boardwalk or strip of stores for novelties but there were resting areas and places to sit and eat. I found it so relaxing sitting there and hearing the waves and just trying to calm myself from all the hurt of the world. It was nice just to relax. I didn't get to relax for long though because I still was watching the kids and I didn't want Nia to get too close to the water without me present and for May just to be throwing sand and digging like a wild animal. May told me later that she was digging for treasure.

Overall, we really had a nice time and I definitely hope to go back to Rocky Point for the park area and the beach area and just experience the scenery. I believe that the park is free after Labor Day so we might be going back very soon. Even if there is a cost, we can still go back, especially with Rex because I think he would enjoy the tranquility and scenes.  It's so close to our home! Tomorrow, we are planning to go to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair and Carnival. Rex has been seeing the Farris Wheel and rides they have set up all week during his travel down that way for work. He actually mentioned it and I think it will be a great time for the kids.

Here are a few pictures from our visit to Rocky Point:

May by the water, we brought few toys for the visit too.

Sisters!

Little Miss Nia.

Little Miss May.

She sure did like getting close to the edge. Maybe she was a mermaid?

May making sand castles.

Miss Nia and I. She has a line on her nose from a scratch that healed from a fall she obtained about a week ago.

Rocky Point!

All smiles!

View from the other side.

They had fun!

On Saturday, we took a little road trip to Union, New Jersey. It was a bit breezy and cloudy but later on in the day the wind started to die down a bit and the sun came out. I've been wanted to go back to the school I graduated from, Kean University, for a while now. I was off from work and kind of spur of the moment, we went up that way. Kean is about an hour a half away from where my parent live and the drive up wasn't too bad.

Kean has added many new buildings since I graduated, though we visited the older building where I had most of my classes. It was nice because it was a Saturday and not too many people were on the campus. May seemed to like the stream that runs by the building where I used to take my classes. She was pointed at many of the plants too. Rex seemed to like the campus as well and said it was big. We walked on the floor of the Geology and Meteorology department and looking at the synoptic maps on the wall brought back many more memories.

We didn't stay long at Kean and we stopped at White Castle to grab a bite to eat. Later we went to Warinanco Park in Roselle. I was familiar with the park because that's where the department holds annual picnics inviting current students and former students, as well as other science department. It's usually held in April, though I have not hear anything yet about a meeting this year. Warinanco Park is very big, but we found a nice spot by the water and there was a playset across from the water where children were playing. We took May to the swings and at first she didn't wanted want to get on the swing. She did however want to walk holding our hand and look at the other children who were playing. The playset may have been a bit for older children but there was a small slide that we pushed her down twice and she enjoyed that. Later on she wanted to go on the swing and I pushed her. She laughed and looked around. When we got her out she didn't want to leave but we decided not to stay for too long, it was a bit chilly out. We got back to my parents house later that evening. It was nice to get out of the house and see a different area. We'll make more trips to go other places as the weather gets nicer. We are hoping to go to Lancaster, PA soon. I know Rex and May will really enjoy it out there. It's so open and beautiful out that way.

Here's a few pictures we took of May at the park :-)

This past week, on the 25th, Rex and I celebrated our one year anniversary together. I remember the day we got married like it was yesterday. I remember getting my hair done the day of, my nails done two days before, finding my wedding dress and most of all looking into the eyes of the man, I'll be spending the rest of my life with. The year seems to have gone by pretty fast, especially when raising our daughter. We can't believe she'll be 10 months in October. She is growing up so fast! (I know I always post that).

The day of our anniversary, we both had to work. May spent the day with her babysitter, a friend of the family. That night however we went to a Bingo event that our apartment complex was holding. It was fun. Rex never really played Bingo so it was nice to show him. I've actually wanted to play Bingo for a long time now. There's a Bingo/Casino not too far away from where we live and I've been hinting to him that I wanted to go there. The Bingo event at the apartment was very family oriented and we brought May with us. She was grabbing onto everything! The markers, the tablecloth, the game board. Anything she could get her little hands on. It was nice though. It was great spending quality family time together. Much of the time, Rex and I are working and May is with her babysitter for much of the day. We played about seven games in total. One of the rounds I won right down the B-line. It was actually an intense round. The numbers kept getting called and no one was yelling "Bingo." My board was so full when I hear the announcer say, "Is that a 9 or a 6?" Someone replied, "It's a 6," and it the specific number was B-6. With that three people including myself yelled, "Bingo!" After that we stayed for a few more rounds. One round we did get but one more number other than the free space. It was a good event, I even took a picture of May and Rex by the balloons, where the event was held.


We later dropped with the babysitter, as Rex said he wanted to take me to the Bingo/Casino. We didn't spend too long at the Bingo/Casino and played a few games for the Early Bird Bingo round. Though we didn't win there we came so close on two games. Rex had one more number to finish his "T" and I had one more letter to finish my box.

The weekend of our anniversary, we all took a trip down to Gordonsville, VA. Rex and I signed up for a package a while back for a three day, two night stay at the Shenandoah Crossing resort by Bluegreen Vacations. We signed up for the package through Bass Pro Shops. Rex and I really like the outdoors and I've heard of the Shenandoah Valley before and thought it would be a nice place to visit. We knew the deal would include a presentation about a timeshare.

We all left Friday night, after I had finished work. Rex had the day off. We both had that weekend off. The trip down was about 3 hours and a half. May actually slept the whole way down. The resort was very nice and rustic. We stayed in a cabin that had it's own kitchen. We took advantage of the full kitchen by cooking during our stay. We made a really nice vegetable soup the second day we stayed :-) The resort had many activities, such as a pool, a putt-putt course, horseback riding, hayrides, an arcade and an exercise center. Though much of these activities were not free. We partook in walking around the main center and the pony back ride for May while we were there. We were also given a list of events happening for the week and that Saturday night we partook in a campfire with roasting marshmallows and making smores and we also listened to a story teller.'

May seemed to like the pony back ride. I was able to put her on the pony and I walked with her around the track. After the first few steps, May started clapping. We went around the track once. On the second go around May stopped and clung onto me half way. She was done. We meet a really friendly father with his son at the pony back ride. Rex and I saw the duo the rest of the time we were there. We saw them at the campfire and also before we left. The presentation wasn't too bad. It was long and we had to take May out twice. We ended up not buying a timeshare. Overall we enjoyed our time at the resort, the staff was very friendly and the cabin was cozy. Here are a few pictures:







Lastly on the way back to Maryland we stopped by Shenandoah National Park. The park is beautiful and so big! The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. We came in via the Thornton Gap entrance and drove to Loft Mountain. We stopped occasionally to look at the overlooks. We hope to go back to Shenandoah National Park when May gets bigger and do some hiking. Here's a few pictures we took:





Here's to one year down, forever to go!