Babi & Deda Summer Visit: First Week

I took a bit of a blog hiatus.... but now I am back, and so excited to share all the amazing things that have been happening!  After a very insane 8 week remodel, no stone was left unturned as we prepared our home for our very special and first summer visitors: MY PARENTS!  Taj and Jax's beloved "babi" and "deda".  This was their first time visiting Western New York, Bemus Point, our house, and seeing our new life! They were pleasantly surprised with Bemus Point, loved our house, and even though we didn't have the best weather during their 2 week stay (the first 2 weeks of June), we maximized the sunshine and warm days (even the rainy days) and managed to show them all of our favorite places and things! We showed them lakes, forests, our state park, waterfalls, ski resort, island-beach, shopping centers, Amish country side, wineries and breweries, and even took them to a foreign country (Canada!)  Babi and deda fell in love with all the huge Maple trees and nature, were surprised by the numerous lakes and the size of the great lakes (yup, they look like the ocean minus the waves!).  Their favorites were Niagara Falls, Chautauqua Institution, and spending quality time with their grand babies in Bemus.  They became so familiar with Bemus that they went on walks by themselves, and even out for drinks on a couple of the evenings! My dad went paddle boarding for the first time, played Bacci ball for the first time, and on his last night, had a boys night at the brewery and boathouse with Brad! What fun was had!  We loved having babi and deda here and can't wait for them to come see us again!

The 2-week visit began with my dad flying in first (from the Czech Republic into Toronto, where I picked him up from the airport.)  Then a couple days later, my mom flew into Cleveland, Ohio from California.  Of course I have added "airport shuttle service" to my ever-growing resume, LOL, and I really enjoyed the driving!  Great talks with my parents and lots of peaceful thinking without the demands of my children spilling from the backseat. The second my parents touched down, our boys were deliciously spoiled by them each and every day.

Taj loved the new scooter he got from Babi and Deda for his birthday!  The boys also enjoyed the many books, toys, clothes, candy, and MORE cars they got (both babi and deda each had an additional suitcase filled with just gifts for the boys!)

In honor of my dad and his birthday (which he celebrated while staying with us), Brad decided to shave his facial hair and copy my dad's "handlebars." Throw in a leather jacket, and you have twins.... NOT! ha ha!

The first couple days my dad spent with us, and right before my mom arrived, we showed him around Bemus Point and Lakewood, played outside, had burgers at the Casino, took him for a ride on our new golf cart to show him the cottage, and we all went on a bike ride!

Then babi arrived, and we had a celebratory dinner (chicken lettuce wraps.)  We also gave her the VIP golf cart tour of our village, drove through Lakewood and Jamestown, went on walks and played at the park. (below is a sneak peak of our new dazzling kitchen..... another special post and photos coming soon!)

On the Tuesday of their first week, happened to also be our 1 year Bemus Anniversary!  We decided to celebrate it along with deda's birthday by going wine-tasting along the Lake Erie Wine Trail, at our favorite vineyard 21 Brix.

Babi and deda got a taste of this region's wine and really liked it! After our wine pre-party we dined at our favorite Jamestown restaurant- Forte!

Wednesday we seized the nice weather and went boating:

Jax showed babi and deda how talented he is eating yogurt.... and how he, apparently, likes to give himself a full body yogurt mask!

On the rainy Thursday, we drove out to Randolph, and Grandpa Grover and Grandma Nancy graciously gave us a tour of the Amish country-side.

Friday continued to be rainy so we decided to beat the rain by heading to Peek n' Peak ski resort, where we relaxed and played at their indoor pool and jacuzzi.

The following day, we embarked on our Canadian adventure, the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-lake, named "prettiest little town in Ontario" and Niagara Falls.

Taj's 3rd Birthday!

Taj turned 3 years old last month!!! Cannot believe it!  It kinda hit me the week prior to his birthday, and I got so emotional.  I mean, where did our baby go?  He's so independent these days.... goes to the bathroom on his own, dresses himself, and likes to do everything by himself!  He's got this "big boy" voice now too, and even a girlfriend...... (sigh)  Mama's boy has turned into a daddy's little man and he is obsessed with daddy these days..... (another sigh)  We've also entered into the "terrifying 3's" I like to refer to them, because unlike his 2's, his tantrums are more of a hormonal teenager's! Taj is 3 going on 13!  Like I said, he likes to do things on his own, his way, at his own timing :)  Generally though, Taj is sweet as pie, listens very well, helps and plays with his little brother nicely, and loves to be active.  He's playing on a soccer team, and starting private swim lessons this summer.  We are also signing him up for pre-preschool summer camp at Chautauqua Institution, and this Fall he's starting the preschool 3 year old program (just 2x/ week) at Hillcrest!  He still loves trains and cars, Little Einsteins, throwing rocks in the water, swinging, and LOVES reading.... and his new loves are racing, ice cream, riding his balance bike, tricycle, and scooter, and wrestling!  He also loves going fast on daddy's golf cart, paddle boarding with daddy, and riding his power wheels Jeep (that he got for his birthday!) Such a boy, right?

His birthday celebration started with a family breakfast at the Bemus Inn Restaurant:

then in the afternoon, his buddies came over for a fun little backyard celebration.  We had a Cars - Lightning Mcqueen themed party and cake, with our bounce house (which popped and deflated 20 minutes into the party!), lots of outdoor playing and running around, and even a piñata!!

Taj and his girlfriend, Charley.  Depending on the day, she is either his "girlfriend" or his "best friend"!

After cake, the kids beat the heck out of the car piñata but it would not budge!!

So mommy tried to help but still couldn't poke a hole in it...

so then daddy took a swing, and finally hit it hard enough that candy began to spill out....

that's when the birthday boy took over and gave the pinata the final whacks!

CANDY!!!!

Welcome to your 3's, Taj!  We are so proud of how much you have grown and love everything you say and do!

J.Lo's Biggest Fan

Or shall we say, "littlest" fan? Jax loves J.Lo's dance songs, ever since he was a just a few months old! No kidding!  I still remember when we were driving in the car (in Southern California), and J.Lo's dance hit at the time "On the Floor" came on.  I could hear the pitter patter of his little feet against the backseat... and fast forward to just a couple nights ago (coming back from a friend's dinner party), and here is Jax the crazy little dancing machine loving her newest song "Live It Up":


and some more of his dance moves... the second, and I mean the first millisecond, any music comes on, this little man straps on his dancing shoes and shakes his booty!!

Outdoor Fun - Spring 2013

Trees and flowers have fully bloomed.  Green, yellow, pink , blue, purple, red, and white is everywhere.  Most days it is a comfortable  and sunny 65-75 degrees with or without rain, along with really hot days where it feels like we completely skipped over Spring, and went straight to Summer! Not to mention the last 2 bizarre freezing days (35-40 degrees).... a cold front that is sweeping through and bringing icy rain that looks like snow! Eeek!  I don't think I have ever experienced a weather sampler Spring, such as this! How do we feel about this?  Well, for one thing.... the once again green and colorful nature quickly reminds us of why we fell in love with this place in the first place.  60-70 degree temperatures may not seem warm for some, but for us, it is unbelievably nice!  The accessories of this season are surely rain boots and sunglasses.... can't leave home without them!  Flips flops, shorts, and short-sleeves have made a comeback as well, and so have bare feet in the grass!!  We have been bike-riding, playing at the park, going on nature walks, picking flowers, getting ice cream, throwing rocks in the lake, and eating outdoors!  The boys love running around barefoot, rolling around in wildflowers, counting bugs, riding tricycles and cars, kicking balls.... especially Jax!  This little man loves to chase after his brother and is enjoying all this new freedom since this is his first Spring walking and running!

Spring reminds me of a reverse Fall.  Its gotta be the shortest season, but it is welcomed with open arms and gleeful cheers.  The animals and nature growing and blossoming is so melodic, you realize how quiet and still Winter months were.  Considering it was our first NY Winter and a long one (so the locals say...), WE REALLY SURVIVED (and can happily report back, that it really wasn't too bad!!!) Brad and I both agree that March just pretty much stinks on the East Coast!  However, with all the sunshine and the green, Winter seems SO long ago.  Funny, how the seasons truly elongate the year!

Just the other day, we passed 3 deer sprinting in a field, birds fluttering and playing chase, and squirrels shooting up and down trees.... life has once again re-awakened!  Even the summer shops and restaurants in our local Bemus Point have reopened and booming with pedestrians, bicyclists, and runners. The docks are back in the lake (including our NEW huge one!!!), and the sound of boats and jet-skiers provide excitement of the summer to come.  Our house remodel is looking SOOOOO good, we are very impressed how quickly things are moving along..... 2 more weeks and we are done!! Most importantly, we are super excited for my family to visit this summer, as well as our friends!  Its going to be our first official summer in Bemus (living in our newly designed dream house), where we can enjoy the fruits of our labor, entertain my family, and really live it up!  Can't wait!!!