Southwick Beach :: Jump

Alekzander was still for about one minute 

before deciding to use the tube as his launch pad.

Jumping and splashing ... again and again ... ensued. 

Southwick Beach :: Float

My sister and I used to spend hours in the water and on the beach 

playing on a black tire inner-tube/float.

We'd float down the beach with the current, 

try to flip one another out of it, 

jump off of it... the fun was endless.

Then dripping wet, we would drag the 'tire' into the sand 

and hold each others' hands trying to 

stand and balance on the unstable float.

We'd fall into the dry sand, laughing, 

and instantly become powdered sugar doughnuts.

The black float has long ago popped or dry rotted,

but the possibilities of float fun was still alive and well.

Alekzander and Anderson had their share of fun

in a retired yellow snow tube turned float.

Southwick Beach :: Joy

Southwick Beach on Lake Ontario

has not changed much in the 30 years I have been visiting.

It is peaceful and relaxing and unbelievably beautiful.

Bringing my boys back to visit my uncle's camp

{formerly my grandma's} brings me great joy.

During Anderson's first visit to Southwick, 

he shared in the joy and warmed up to the beach immediately.

The water was clear and calm and the sun was hot.

A perfect day on the beach!

SYR :: Hotel Perks

Hotel perks :: late nights & free dessert + two cherries!

While Daddy was out on a 50K run,

I decided I would cash in on the free dessert token

since Alekzander was a rockstar at dinner {and at life in general}.

This went from being a good idea to being a horrible idea

in about 30 seconds ... as soon as the sugar hit his system.

The pullout couch-to-bed leap happened no fewer than

ten times {luckily with no mishap} and wrestling him into PJs was impossible,

 but once he was finally in bed, the sugar coma knocked him 

{and me} out in just a few minutes.

SYR :: Cousins

 

Blue eyed cousins

{Anderson was napping}

Love

SYR :: Back Yard Fun

Back at Grandma and Grandpa's house, 

we gathered for a cookout and all sorts of backyard fun.

Blueberry and wild raspberry picking was on the top of the list for these two cuties.

Their shared love for berries was only one 

of the reasons Alekzander adored his big cousin!

Anderson got pretty comfortable {and silly} with Uncle J.

Even though it was cool and getting dark, sprinkler play was a must.

Anderson and GPS playing ball on the porch.

Grandma getting post-bath snuggles.

SYR :: Zoo

We got to meet up with some good friends 

and explore the Syracuse zoo.

We saw lions, tigers, bears, raptors, birds, 

deer, monkeys, elephants and more.

Anderson was all about animal spotting.

{Tigers, Penguins, Monkeys}

Alekzander was too!

He found his favorite animals :: 

meerkats hanging out in their hammock.

 Anderson's chipmunk cheeks are big with a cheesy, excited smile!

Hi Big Kitty.

 Kisses for the sad kitty.

Childhood friends and their babies.

 Jocelyn and her mama.

 Cute penguins.

 Penguins mate for life!