How could I abandon you all for so long!!?? I felt somewhat bereft without my laptop, but our visit up north was so packed full of activities that we barely had a spare moment to catch our breath.
There was of course the birthday party for little Taylor which spilled over two days. First at home, with a pool party for friends and parents.
The cake was HUGE and tasted really delicious. I ate quite a big piece, and still had room for salmon, steak, shrimp, salads and ‘Keenwah’ which is apparently the latest health fad up in NJ.
The following day there was another party at the local Gymnastika just for the kids. The foam pit was very popular,
as were the pizza, macaroons and cupcakes afterwards.
We attended Taylor’s school talent show, where she got stage fright at the last minute. She was all set to sing ‘Castle on a Cloud’ from Les Mis, but couldn’t go through with it when she saw all the people in the audience, even with dad there to hold her hand.
Sienna proudly showed us her ‘Potato Clock’ exhibit at the school Science Fair.
She also had a part in a kid’s musical ‘Milan’, which was excellent. She’s the one in the middle. The only problem was that we were seated directly behind the grandparents of the girl who had the lead role, the girl in the white dress, and the whole family were busy videoing the entire show, so I had to peer around their cameras the whole time.
We all went to ‘Build a Bear’ and Max got a dog,
whilst Taylor chose a rainbow bear named ‘Sweetie Pie’.
On Thursday night we went to see Chris Isaak in concert at the Wellmont Theatre. He was amazing and was on stage for the whole show which lasted for almost three hours. My favourite song of his is ‘Wicked Game’. How many of you remember that big hit from 1989?
On Friday, Hubby and I visited the One World Trade Center and Observatory Tower, which I’ll show you pictures of in a later post. Then it was sadly time to come home again.
Before we knew it, we were back in Florida.
Hubby of course is back to work on the house renovations, and after I’ve done the laundry and food shopping, I’ll do my best to catch up with you all over the next couple of days. Hope you’re having a great week.
Seems you had a fantastic trip … I´m very impressed of the cake …
// Maria 🙂
Thanks, Maria. Yes, the cake was really big and was decorated with 7 ‘Shopkins’ to add to Taylor’s collection. 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful time Sylvia! Lovely photographs!
Thanks, Adrian. Yes we did. 🙂
What a great trip you had,Sylvia! No time to get bored 🙂 or hungry with that impressive cake! Welcome back home to the sunshine state!
Thanks so much, Helen. Yes our time was very full and so were our tummies. 😀
How on earth do we manage to stay so busy. So glad you had so much fun!!!
Looks like you had a wonderful time, Sylvia. Poor little Taylor – a big audience can be so daunting! 😉 Sienna’s potato clock is intriguing! Too bad those silly parents in front of you videoed so much, that’s very frustrating. Welcome back 😀
Lots of good times packed in there! I felt for Taylor on that stage. 🙂
I know that guilty feeling. At least you had a very good reason;) sounds like you had a great time too!!!
I’ve been in a lull,of sorts. Hoping to be back very soon. Take care
Thanks so much, Kathy. Miss your posts. xx
Awe Sylvia your sweet to say that 😘happy memorial weekend
😘
what a wonderful time with family, Sylvia! thanks for sharing precious photos! welcome back 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. We had such a great time. 🙂
Welcome back Sylvia, what a lovely time you have had immersed in your beautiful family. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
So schön tolles Becken wünsche einen schönen Tag Grüße und Umarmung Gislinde
Thanks for taking me with you through these captivating images…
Must have been beautiful!
Welcome back! Looks like a wonderful time Sylvia! Remind me where it is in NJ again. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa. They live in Montclair.
Next time we must meet! My husband & I love many of the parks there and go often.
Lovely pictures, especially of Taylor’s awe filled joy. You didn’t abandon us – you kept reading 🙂
A great Report, Sylvia, you had a great time, I see. Why would you have spent one thought about us? such a nice Family and great activities. Good to have you back, however.
So lovely to see your family! Sounds like a busy time but one that fills the heart to overflowing.
Wow Sylvia, when did you get a chance to sleep!?
Looks like you had an amazing time!
Yes, we did sleep, but every waking minute was busy busy. 🙂
Sounds like a fun trip, Sylvia. Welcome back! Too bad about the stage fright . . . but seeing one out of two perform isn’t too bad for a quick trip.
Wicked Game is a great song.
Thanks, Nancy. We were thrilled to pack so much into our time there. At least we heard Taylor sing at the dress rehearsal. I even have the video. 🙂
Glad to hear fun stories from your trip. Welcome back!
Thanks so much, YC. It’s good to be back. 🙂
You did pack your short trip full. How did you manage to get both grandkids performing, not overlapping, but available for your viewing pleasure? What an amazing time. !! 🙂
We were very lucky indeed. Had such a fantastic time. 🙂
So happy for you, Sylvia. 🙂
Great to see you back and oh – what a lovely time you had!
ps I remember the hit! 🙂 xxxx
Thanks, Marina. Yes, it’s s great song and the concert brought back many happy memories. 🙂
Welcome home, Sylvia. Looks like you had an amazing trip!
Thanks, Carol. Yes, we certainly had lots of fun. 🙂
Sounds like you had a great week! I love the song Wicked Game too. I first heard it on an advert and bought the CD. See – advertising works! Except the advert was for a car, a Jaguar, which I certainly didn’t buy…..
Hahaha That’s really funny. 🙂
What a busy fun filled time you’ve had Sylvia…..welcome home😊
Thanks so much, Seonaid. 🙂
You’ve had a busy holiday, Sylvia – all fun!
Absolutely, Tom. Such a lot of fun. 🙂
Sounds like a fun trip!
Thanks, Marina. Yes it was a lot of fun. 🙂
What a lovely family week. These are precious memories.
Thanks, Carol. Yes very precious memories. 🙂
All that fun and a mermaid in the pool as well!
I know…..what more could one ask for? 🙂
Lovely to see your family celebrations .. I know our kids really enjoy having all the family around … Makes for good memories
Thank you. Yes it certainly does. 😃
Isn’t it wonderful to see the next generation share their creative spirit. It is not easy to get up on stage, but these baby steps are the building blocks to help them take their positions on the “stage of life.” Beautiful moments. Thank you for sharing…
Yes absolutely, Rebecca. What a wonderful way to put it! “The stage of life”……..just love that. ❤
I love Chris Isaak. I have seen him many times. Never gets old. Did he wear the mirror ball suit for you?
Yes he did. He’s so awesome and as you say, absolutely ageless. 🙂
A lovely celebration. Was that a “mermaid” in the pool? 😉
Thanks, Brian. Yes there was a special guest appearance by their big cousin, Rylee the mermaid princess. 🙂
(Must be hard to swim in that…)
Haha Yes, I imagine it was. 😀
Happy you’re back and has a marvelous time there. .Lovely photo’s.
Thanks so much, Marylou. 🙂
It looks like you had a great time, Sylvia! Thanks for sharing your lovely photographs. xo
Thanks, Jill. Yes, it was a memorable visit. 🙂 xx
It looks like you had a fabulous time with children and grandchildren. I’m sorry poor Taylor got stage fright. I admire her for even trying. It would be pretty scary to be that young and have to sing in front of a large group of people!
Glad you’re back safely! We’re still going through our renovations here. I’m so tired of all the noise and upheaval!! 🙂
Thanks, Cathy. Our son said he would have sung the song for her if he’d known the words. 🙂 I know just how you’re feeling about the renovations, but we have to try to think positive. it will be worth it all in the end. xx
Oh, that would have been funny if your son had sung that song, and then started stumbling over the words!
Yes, I’m trying to think positively about the renovations. I am seeing progress and I know now we’ve passed the halfway point. 🙂 Good luck to you too. At least you don’t have strangers in and out at all hours!
Big awwwwww! on the stage fright though, Kids are so brave to go ONTO the stage as is, then to perform 🙂
I agree with you, Andy. It’s very intimidating with all the lights and the people waiting for you to perform. Been there, done that. 😳
Ah..memories eh lol 🙂
😀
Welcome back! ☺️