Lake Ontario camping

The carpet squares were great Dad - the ground here feels more clay-like.. not sandy as in NJ..

When camping with 2 smallish kids - stay hydrated.

Sunset over Lake Ontario.

J upon arrival at camp - looking forward to smores.

Observation deck on one of the trails...

View from observation deck - marshland with Lake Ontario in the distance.

found 1/2 way along on our long walk... C said we should dig it up...nice.

Jersey Shore

We camped at Pilgrim Lake, and spent 2 days at the shore... this is the only picture I took...guess that is what happens when the boys aren't around.

Getting ready....

You can't tell from this picture...but it is pouring.....

hail even.....

Being stuck inside all day makes us wacky - -

Pineapple upside down cake - didn't taste great..

Yesterday outside....

A plate deal at the christmas tree store...

Basil plant bought from the "near death rack" for $1.00 - making a comeback..

A recycled project started...

beach towels ready by the door...

What's for dinner?

Iced Chai Tea....

One - pan dinners......

and Iced coffee......

This weekend, while I was doing this.......These bad boys did this....yes that is popcorn, and yes I did check all children's ears....

a few hours later it looked much better....

and there was even time to stop and smell the roses.

Seneca Park Zoo

Growing up, going to the Philly Zoo.. I always enjoyed it.. but there was something unsettling about a zoo in general.. Animals pacing behind bars.. I remember as a grown up.. walking through the St Louis zoo.. it was in a park in the middle of the city, and we would walk through often.. The bears were in this tiny enclosure.. it made me sick - literally...

The zoo here is no different I guess.... I try to make C understand that there is some importance to the zoo.. the preservation of a species.. the ability to study them closer..breeding etc..

So anyway, it was 100 degrees.. and the animals felt it too.... maybe it made for a more depressing situation... I'm sure the zoo here dosen't get the funding of a bigger city also..

The highlight - as it was last summer - the elephants.. a private doner(s) has given them a pretty amazing living situation... a beautiful indoor area, where we saw them get and love baths last year.. and a nice shady, huge outdoor area with ponds... etc...

Genessee and Lilac... the only zoo tenants who seemed happy... well, it was Africa-like weather too I guess.


I'm glad it's 5 miles away, and we can go for free...

C's favorite animal - - - - - wait for it - - - - - the piranha...

too bad we don't have an aquarium here.....

tye dye shirts

the shirts all came out good... these pictures were from the day before we all came to NJ - as you can see...it was cool enough for J to wear pants... and if he has pockets - his hands will be in them.