Spring break in the Garden State, March 2016

In just a few months, we will be back in the US, and re acclimating to life in the states.  I'm trying  to picture it.  We have lived in Bermuda for over five and a half years now.  I always knew we would return to the US, and I've looked forward to it.  It's watching the process unfold that makes me pause.  I can't wait to move back.  I've missed it so much.  I have no ambivalence about it.  But the process isn't that easy.  There is so much to do between now and July.

Over spring break, we returned to NJ for some house hunting.  You know how much fun it is to watch couples wander through homes on House Hunters or Love it Or List It?  It's not that much fun in real life with kids in tow or where your budget basically gets you the equivalent of Snoopy's dog house.  It's also different when you have a house of your own that must be sold, and it needs work before you can put it on the market.  Technology has improved over the years, so it's easier to view houses online and get a good feel for them before you go out to look at them in person.  That helps a lot since flying back and forth from BDA to the US to look at houses as a whole family is cost prohibitive.

Thankfully, on this trip, Grandma H and Michael took over kid duty, and left Jeff and I some solo time to look at homes, reinstate our state driver's licenses, and debate the pros and cons of mid century modern vs Victorian home ownership.

Unfortunately, this round didn't reveal the droids we were looking for.  Last week's solo trip on my end didn't either.  But, we have hooked up with a fantastic agent, who was vetted by my own real estate mogul brother no less.  She's been very helpful thus far, and I hope she will bear with us as we forge the path of home ownership again.

After exhausting the list of homes available to see, we decided the kids needed a break.  New Jersey is a wonderful place for kids, as I knew from the years we spent living there, when I was deep in the trenches of motherhood.  With two kids under the age of two, we spent a lot of time in the parks. Van Saun was a favorite.  They have renovated significantly, over the years.  None of that matters to a gymnast though. 

He saw toadstool seats and decided it was time for a spin.

Kids U. was another popular place for us.  Back it the day, I took Jordan and then Mina to mommy and me classes. Maybe I'm feeling overly nostalgic.  It was also the home of the infamous telephone in the toilet incident.  Mommies are not allowed to go to the bathroom during gym class, even if their daughter is left in the care of her teacher.  If mommy departs, it must mean it is time to start banging on the bathroom door, which results in mommy darting up, phone falling out of the back pockets of mommy's oversize corduroy Costco pants, and falling into the toilet.

 Kids U is also great because it had a huge play quad that you could use whenever.  We revisited it this time with Theo, who had a blast.



Spending some time in the Poconos over Easter.  The chilly weather encouraged the Easter bunny to hide the eggs somewhere warm... like the playroom. 



I got to enjoy my birthday over the break as well.  We had a lovely family dinner at Trattoria 903.



Theo didn't disgrace himself too badly.  There may still be some hope of taking him out to eat with us in the future (fingers crossed.)



Grandma and Michael got a Chocolate cake to rival all chocolate cakes for a lifetime.



Jeff and I also did some solo celebrating at the Mermaid Oyster Bar in NYC. 



And we enjoyed Aperol Spritz toasts for an evening of solitude at the Battery Park Ritz Carlton, kid free.

Between time spent with family and seeing good friends in our old town, I felt the week was supremely successful, even though we couldn't find the right house.  I vaguely remember when we purchased our first home.  I still can't exactly recall how we wound up in the town we did, or how long it took us to find the right home.  I remember loving the house and wishing it was in our budget.  Back in 2006, pretty much everything was overpriced thanks to the housing bubble. So, with this next move, I really wish it could be our last one - one to settle into our final house, the forever home.

The search continues.

Mofungo, baby!

This year marks a milestone in monkey history. It's the first year Jeff and I ventured without the kids, on a vacation, TOGETHER!



Ahh... Puerto Rico...at sunset.



This is pretty much where we spent the entire two days. Poolside, beachside, lounging.. Note how nicely I've covered up my running injury. Which has now developed into BIGGEST SCAB IN HISTORY. It is seriously so gross, I have been keeping it covered at all times. Sometimes when I cross my legs though, I can feel the fat ridges of the scab brush up against the fabric of my pants and I shudder to myself. I'm never going to be able to wear cute little, summery dresses again.



I digress. View from our room... This was just one side of the pool/lounge area. There was a whole other side of the hotel that was pools and lounge areas with chairs and BEDS! Outdoor beds! And naturally, poolside beverage and food service. This is my kind of vacation.

When we weren't lounging and sunning, we were stuffing out faces. Yep. That's about the nicest way to put it. From happy hours to four star restaurants, we indulged.



Wherein I learned that all things go better with MOFUNGO!! (plantain).





Another reason why I loved Puerto Rico. Hotel lobby statue says it all. If you notice the shadow image in the glass in the left corner, you'll see that after three days, my shape is looking remarkably similar.

It was hard leaving Puerto Rico behind. But with one last sweet gesture, I found yet another reason to love this place.

The airport had these things all over the place.



Heaven.....

The Boys from Cleaveland Ave.

It was that time of the year again - the annual Binghamton mini-reunion with da guyz.



Much to our surprise, the weather was positively balmy. We took the party outdoors and enjoyed those fleeting rays of sunshine. While the proud papas sat around and reminisced...



The progeny frolicked.



There was a new addition this year.



He had them at "hello."



Just like one of the guys



Yay Jerry's. Jeff was totally in charge of the menu this year, and ordered quite well.



Jordan and Mina had a blast, pre-party, picking out all the strawberries from the fruit tray. Which was fine by me.... just leave the wraps, orzo salad, antipasti tray and cheese platter for me.



Miss Mina was the only girl among the kid set. Surprisingly, this did not intimidate her at all. And as you can see, her influence extends far.



Yep.

This was definitely a guy's party. Notwithstanding the tutus, I notice someone managed to find the remote control just in time for the football game going on back there.

Captiva Island, Florida.

This year, we decided to try something new for our annual vacation. We headed south to Captiva Island, for five days of resort-style r&r. Joining us were our favorite co-travelers, The Perkins.



Aww...

and of course, Grace! She was kind enough to lend us her car.



And she stayed close at hand to keep an eye on things. In between screenings of "Monsters, Inc."



The South Seas Island Resort served as home base. With multiple pools, water slides, poolside bars, beach access with umbrellas and towel service, tennis courts, a golf course, spa, fitness center, a general store, several restaurants, a kids club camp, an arcade, and shopping on site - there was no reason to leave. We made full use of all the amenities.

Starting with breakfast...



Most mornings, we began the day with a hearty buffet served on the breezy porch of the Pointe. We sat on oversize wicker chairs, enjoying our meal, while watching the palm trees swaying by the pool. Just over the crest of the foliage, we could see the glittering waves of the ocean.



Breakfast offerings varied. You could go healthy...



Or not..



Or mix it up and have a "litta bitta both..."









Jordan's favorite was the chocolate croissant. Go figure. My favorite was the tea selection - brought out in a miniature, wooden trunk by a waiter dressed in crisp whites. He would chase me down the buffet line if I had left the table before he came back. After ceremoniously opening the case, I could choose among an assortment of teas I had rarely seen before.



Ahh... cheers! Nothing so civilizing as a soothing cup of tea in the morning..



Miss Mina took advantage of my distraction to chow down on my bagel with peanut butter.

I'm not the least bit ashamed to say, Jeff and I were really looking forward to utilizing one featured option:



Hurray!!! Captiva Kids Club. Also known as three hours of parental bliss.



And off they go, trudging up those stairs like dead men walking. On the other hand, you should have seen how fast Jeff and I ran down the steps after drop off. Woo-hoo!!! Freedom!!



We hit the pool...



And the waterslides..



And the tennis courts..



We hydrated ourselves with refreshing beverages..



Soothed our skin with luxurious facials at the day spa

And had leisurely lunches to wrap up the morning..





I'm looking very glow-y here because I just returned from an aromatherapy message and facial; and Jeff is all glow-y because he just returned from a 9 hole golf outing with Brandon. Look how relaxed we look. I think the last time we looked like this, we were on our honeymoon. That was also kid-free.

Now, before I get flamed for our heartless insensitivity in dropping off the kids, let me tell you the rest of the story...



Kids club was exactly where the wanted to be, when they weren't in the pool. On the first day when we returned to pick them up, we stood outside the building watching them from a window (we got there early - can you imagine?!?!) Jordan caught us looking, and he came running to the window.

Expecting a greeting, I smiled at him.

"NO!!!" He said. "YOU GO HOME!" "YOU GO AWAY! I'M NOT LEAVING!!"

Perplexed, I went inside, saw Mina and sat next to her. She looked up at me, not pausing once between bites of her Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies.

"No, Mama. No grownups allowed here."

Jeff and I looked at each other and almost burst out laughing with gratitude. I don't know what the counselors did with them all morning, but between arts and crafts, wacky Olympics, and Mad Scientist experients - the kids were well entertained.

When Kids Club wasn't in session, we occupied ourselves in other ways.



We spent a lot of time in the water.

The pool, complete with slides and a zero-entry 3 foot shallow end was a hit. Jordan loved this pool. The gradual inclined depth gave him a chance to acclimate himself to the water. As he grew comfortable, he ventured in deeper and deeper, going far enough along to start diving in, getting totally under the water, and taking a few strokes with his arms across short spans. I could see him teaching himself how to swim.

















This last picture here with Grace doesn't even do her justice. This child actually does know how to swim - really swim - in water that's well over 7 feet deep. She happily went down the water slides - both the slow moving twisty one and the vertical drop one that pummelled you out at fast speeds.



And she did it again, and again, and again. The child has no fear. I think she inspired Jordan.



And she certainly inspired Mina in the fashion department. As usual.

We got brave and took advantage of the BBQ grills located at our villa poolside. There, we swam, and ate Buddy's famous burgers, dogs, and quick and easy mac and cheese. Watermelon and Ice cream for dessert.













Monkey grooming...

There was so much to enjoy on site, we didn't venture off too much. Except to explore new places to eat... because we're just a little bit gluttonous like that.

At the Keylime bistro:









At the Bubble Room.

This place is really fun. Stock piled with quirky antiques, a moving train that circulates above the room, and displays set up through three floors of the restaurant - the setup was guaranteed to keep the kids highly amused.











And the food was good too!





Next time, I'm going to follow Buddy's lead, and just order the Bubble bread, salad and appetizers. I was stuffed. That artichoke dip, the parmesan bread, the salad and the drinks had me full before I took my first bite of steak.



Well, that was just about the most perfect vacation. And it was in large part due to the awesome legwork and graciousness of our dear friends, the Perkins. We had so much fun with you guys.

And we can't wait to see you again real soon (plus one!)