Vacation 2013 Recap

We just got back from Bonzek Family Vacation 2013 and wow, was it wonderful!! We traveled to Cape Cod, New York City, and Aunt Anne's farm in Berryville, Virginia. Check it out...

Totally Pinterest!

Niva's first walk down to the beach this year. Ahhhh, East Sandwich beach, we love you!

Happy Father's Day! That would be the remains of chocolate chip pancakes around Niva's mouth. 

Niva was absolutely engrossed by the beach.

Airborne frolic!

We were all so happy to have Niva's 90 year great grandma in attendance too! Party never stopped at Grandma's cottage.

We always make it a point to visit the candy shop in Falmouth. Cookie Monster was the lucky friend to accompany Niva.

Picnic at Nobska Lighthouse

Are you familiar with the "How Wonderful!" pose?

Grandpa Mike's cottage was just a stone's throw away. Niva loved running over there to solicit chips, pudding, and giggles.

Grandma taught Niva how to catch a ball.

Up in the loft in our tiny cottage

Since we went on a seal watching trip, Niva got a little seal friend as a memento.

Love this pic of my tiny little bundle! Yes, the mornings could get chilly.

But the afternoons were warm...and who is that lovely lady peeking in the background? Why, it's Fufu!

The whole Spring Break gang paid us a visit

Niva adored Cousin Sammie and her friend Maddie!

So, fast forward to NYC...we were there for less than 24 hours. At least Niva got to check out the carousel in Central Park. 

And now, we're at Aunt Anne's and Uncle David's farm house. As you can see, Niva was delighted to be on the farm!

Uncle David raises cows! So cool to see it first hand.

Niva loved picking flower bouquets from Aunt Anne's garden.

We even made it to Washington DC. First, the Smithsonian...

Then, the Lincoln Memorial

What do you think the caption of this one is?

Got to take a ride around the farm in this awesome ride!

Another random place we went to...perfect for tots!

Lil Pardner saw Aunt Anne in action at work!

Ahhh! Life on the farm is so peaceful!

Aside from the sporadic toddler fits, vacation went almost perfectly! I will say that Dora the Explorer saved us in a pinch when we needed some P & Q around Niva. She watched the same 2 episodes about a hundred times each. Unfortunately, she would turn into a zombie with oatmeal for brains while she was watching her stories. When we needed to take the iPad away, she would flip out in a scary way! I didn't like it one bit. No more Dora until next family vacation next year!!

Babies Babies Everywhere!

In a span of 2 days, Niva gained 2 new friends!! Yesterday, we met our new friend Sabine Elizabeth Bodden (born on May 29th), baby sister to the one and only Leo Brazos. Woohoo for another gal in the group! And today, we met Baby Unnamed Right Now Geck, baby brother to Carla Ann!! We were so mesmerized with such beautiful babies that I forgot to take pix but I caught this candid one-- Carla, Sebby, and Niva partaking in an awesome celebration dance outside of Aunt Josie's hospital room. Hooray!!!

Yes, we know this is the cutest picture EVER! Check Sebby's moonwalk!

And in other news, last weekend we went to Katy and Niva got her first real haircut!

We took off only about an inch...pretty much looks the same.

After a job well done at the salon, Niva was rewarded with her first trip to this nice restaurant, Fleming's. And in case you didn't know, taking a toddler to a nice restaurant is not the best idea :/ We had several "walk and talks" outside here. By the way, this is our "how wonderful!" pose. Niva brought this expression into our house...don't know where from!

Last Day of School

Ahhhh siiiighhhh! The last day of school....check out the difference:

1st day of school

Last day of school

Same style dress...no more bangs....a few inches taller.

The 3 girls in Niva's class-- Carly, Alice, and Niva (Layla moved away last month)

With Ms. Delores

With Ms. Maria

School's out for the summer! Let's jump in a pool, STAT!

Well, school is not really out for the summer. Niva's taking a break during the month of June and then she's back at it in Ms. Maria's Monkeys class in July and August. Mother's Day Out continues...time to party! (except there is definitely no party and the time goes by in a blink of an eye...ah well!)

Off to the Races!

This weekend, Niva got a brand new pair of pink noise-blocking earmuffs and hit the racetrack with Daddy for the Australian V8 races! Check out all the fun:

Niva and her buddy Matthew kickin' it...so cute!

Niva enjoys her special smoothie treat.

Hangin' with Daddy is so much fun!

Fairy Tea Party

So, my regular everyday camera got misplaced in another city...hence, the long break in between blogs (that's my current excuse for the long break). But I've still got the good (yet bulky) camera to capture the life and times of NJB! My friend DeNae and I hosted a Fairy Tea Party this past weekend. We invited a bunch of our girl friends to dress up like fairy princesses as we nibbled on fairy snacks and did fairy crafts. The little girls were so precious!

Niva and I primped at home so we could look our fairy best!

Niva and her buddy Autumn dig into the snacks while sipping some "tea".

Yes, there was a lone boy there...the "Fairy Prince".

The floral crown was one of our crafts

Why can't we wear this everyday??

And now for my latest Niva Anecdote. Yesterday, Niva dug up an old baby toy. It was a Baby Einstein radio that played various bits of classical songs. When Niva heard one of the songs, her face lit up and she exclaimed, "This is Vivaldi, Mom!" It is? I knew it was one of the songs in our rotation of classical CD's but I couldn't place who the composer was. When Niva was at school, I checked to see if it really was Vivaldi...sure enough, I looked at the CD cover as I played the music and it was indeed Vivaldi's "Spring" Allegro. Niva's memory truly amazes me!