Quick Chek Balloon Festival

from July 24th
Today we went for the 2nd year in a row to the QuickCheck Balloon Festival in Solberg, New Jersey. It was almost 100 degrees out and I think that we were all thankful that we once again had VIP tickets so we could go to the hospitality tent, get some shade and some cold drinks, and have a place to sit down whenever we wanted. Because it was so hot out, we spent less time walking around this year than we did last year, but we still got some good giveaways, took the kids on some rides and had plenty of free samples of ice pops and sodas. Of course, the highlight of the day was the Balloon Inflation and Launch.

About an hour before the balloons were scheduled to launch, we headed up to the tent to get a good spot to watch and get some snacks. Dylan was the first one to find a spot, a perfect spot where he wouldn't be bothered and where nobody would come to share his food.

The balloons were amazing - we were much closer this year than last year to where the balloons were inflated and many more ascended. This was due partly to the weather (last year it rained in the morning so some people left) and partly because we attend this year on a Saturday instead of Sunday. The boys got a front row seat and played with some of the giveaways while we waited for the first balloon to go up

but then Ryan decided to get a closer look

Last year, because of where the balloons launched and the direction of the wind, they traveled away from us. This year, they flew over us and it really was cool.

Dylan loved watching the balloons and every time one was released, he would say "ooooohhhhhhh"

Not sure how many balloons ascended but there was supposed to be somewhere around 100.

On the way home, we asked Ryan what his favorite balloon was and he didn't hesitate for a second before giving us his answer:

His second favorite? "Look mommy, its America"

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great day

The Shark

from July 5th

Jay had to work most of the weekend so when we picked him up at work today, we decided to do something special. The weather was perfect and I had off in observance of Independence Day, so we decided to head down to the South Street Seaport. Jay and I used to go on dates down there before we were married and I have many fond memories of going there together.

When we got there, we decided to eat lunch outside so we could watch all of the action and Ryan became fascinated with "The Shark", a speedboat painted to look like a shark that did a 30 minute tour around southern Manhattan. Ryan begged "Please Please Please can I go on that Shark?"

We told him we would take him if he finished all of his lunch. He started screaming hooray and I don't think I ever saw him eat so fast.

Unfortunately, Dylan was not tall enough and Ryan just barely made it....well, actually he didn't make it but I made them get out the tape measure and told them their 40 inch height marker was too tall. They measured him and I was correct - he was tall enough (40 inches exactly) and we were given tickets for the boat! Jay was nice enough to let me go with Ryan and he and Dylan waved from the shore as we sped away.

Before the boat departed, the captain started playing the theme from Rocky and told everyone that they would need to raise their hands in the air and scream if they wanted to go fast - let me tell you, I think that Ryan had his hands up for more than half of the ride.

I wish that the ride had been longer but it was a lot of fun - the captain played current Top 40 hits and Ryan spent the trip screaming, singing and "Catchin the wind with my mouth". His favorite part of the trip though was when we went under the Brooklyn Bridge and kept telling me "you better watch your 'ead mommy or the bridge is going to bam you" and then cracked up. I don't know where he comes up with these things....

Even though it was a touristy way to spend the day, we all had a great time - Jay, next time can be your turn on the Shark. Thanks so much for letting me have my turn today.

And it begins today......

the start of what hopefully will be THE year - the year the Jets finally claim the title of Superbowl Champions!!! In what Michael has called the longest offseason yet, there has been much anticipation of the 2010 season. With an amazing last season, a new stadium this year and a spot on the HBO show Hard Knocks, Jets fans are more pumped up and hopeful this year than ever before.

In honor of today's first preseason game between the Jets and Giants which will also be the first NFL game in the new stadium, I thought I would blog about our first visit to the stadium: Draft Day 2010 on April 22, 2010.

Dad got an invitation to come watch the draft at the Stadium and we all jumped at the opportunity to go watch the draft with other Jets fans in the new stadium and more importantly, to have the chance to check out our new seats and make sure our PSLs were worth it. It was also great to be in the New Meadowlands Arena and know we will never have to play in "Giants Stadium" again!!

The draft party was hosted by Marty Lyons and Bob Wischusen, the radio commentators for the New York Jets. They talked about the last season, what was expected of this season and discussed the possible draft picks for the Jets. Everyone assembled in the Great Hall but the radio show was on the loudspeakers around the stadium and big screens showed the draft live.

Even some current Jets were on hand to get the crowd excited:

D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Jerricho Cotchery

James Ihedigbo

and others including Tony Richardson and Nick Mangold. All fans n attendance were given Draft Day t-shirts which I attempted to get autographed by the players but after getting kicked a few times in line and being told by Nick Mangold "No touchy touchy" when I tapped him to get his attention, I decided to give up. Got a few though...

Since the Jets didn't pick until the 29th selection, we all took turns walking around checking out the field from the 50 yard line and even snuck around the stanchions to go sit in our seats. I was a little worried about the seats (that the field goal post would obstruct our view) but I have to say, they are amazing!!!

The picture quality on the big screens is amazing and it is great to finally be able to see them from our seats. The sound from the speakers was also terrific and very loud and I can only imagine how loud that place is going to be on game day - can't wait to hear it!!

After exploring the stadium and the concession stand, it was finally time for the Jets to pick. With the 29th pick of the draft:

In light of Darrell Revis' holdout, Kyle Wilson could end up being a great pick for the Jets. Who knows, by the end of the year, there may be a party to celebrate "Wilson Island".

It has been a few months since the draft, training camp is now over, and the time is here. Only a few hours until preseason kick-off and I feel thirsty already, lol

Venetian Shores

(from July 17)

This weekend we were invited to join my friend Rita and her daughter, Katie, for a trip to the beach. I almost didn't go because I really was not sure if it would be too much with both kids by myself (Jay was working), but decided to go and figured I could always leave if I couldn't handle it. Well, I am so glad we went because we all had a great time!!! After convincing the parking attendant that we should get in for free because our kids were so cute, we parked the car and told the kids that they had to eat lunch before they could go in the water. Well, getting them to eat was no easy task especially since they say the sprayground on the way in. What is a "sprayground" you might ask. THIS is a sprayground!

- a humongous sprinkler park that the boys that was the greatest place ever. They spent hours climbing, splashing and running around checking everything out. Dylan was hilarious because he wanted to do everything the older kids were doing and spent most of the day completely content to be playing by himself.

People kept commenting that they couldn't believe he wasn't afraid of the water and on more than one occasion, I found him putting his face right in the line of fire of a sprinkler and cracking up laughing.

Ryan equally wanted to play on the beach and in the sprinkler area and pretty much wanted to do whatever Katie did.

Running around and having fun sure does get tiring though and there is no better place to take a rest than a pool puddle.

Thanks so much Rita and the W family for a great day - I hope that we can do it again soon.