What can I say about May? On the one hand, a fabulous month full of exciting trips and fun activities. On the other, one of the busiest and perhaps least productive (on the to-do list front anyway) for quite some time!
You may be forgiven for thinking that I had disappeared. No blogging. A handful of social media posts. Lots of tumbleweed.
But, sometimes, that’s just what’s needed. And, it’s been worth it.
It began with a trip to New York City with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Women I have known for over thirty years.
It ended with our elementary school Spring Concert, where my daughter was given the role of announcer for Kindergarten, microphone and all. A very proud moment for us.
So May. What can I say?
Week 18
NYC. One of my very favorite cities. Seen this time through new eyes with three of my best friends. What a trip!
From watching the New York Ballet to a Harlem Gospel choir. From lunch overlooking the Central Park lake to dinner in the Red Rooster in Harlem to drinks at the top of the Rockefeller Center.
Visits to MOMA and the Frick Collection. A trip on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, paying our respects at the 9/11 Memorial. A tour of the city at night in a Limo and margaritas on a roof terrace to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
And, lots of chat. Lots of laughter. Lots of memories, new and old.
It was an unforgettable trip.
I actually took very few photos. I was too busy talking! But, I will never forget all the moments of this trip. Big and small. I’m gathering my thoughts on the power of long-time friendship and the support of amazing women. More to come on that.
Week 19
And then it was right back to normality! Although the buzz from NYC took quite some time to fade. I’m not sure it has, even now.
It was a week for catching up, enjoying the sunshine and spending time with my family.
Suddenly, as happens every year, spring arrived in full force with the most incredible blossom everywhere you looked. It’s hard to beat pink blossoms against a blue sky, isn’t it?
Week 20
This week kicked off with Mother’s Day in the US. Sadly, the sun did not shine, but I got my wish of a walk along the beach. Even if I did have to dress more for winter than the summer that really should have been starting to make an appearance!
This boy! He approaches everything with such enthusiasm. An inspiration to me, to be honest.
Another busy week catching up on life followed Mother’s Day. Lots of extra school activities as we head into the end of the year, so that kept me fully occupied. In this case, that included a field trip to a farm with Kindergarten. My daughter asked me to travel on the bus with them, so I did but… the noise!! 50 Kindergartners are SO LOUD. I’m not sure I can ever do that again!
The week ended with a gorgeous 5k race in Nahant, taking in the town and the coastline. I’d been quite ill during the week, that busy life catching up with me I suspect, so my little girl ran in my place. Six years old, and her first 5k race! She did so well, and ran it in a time that is *coughs* not much slower than my normal pace. The boys already run far faster than me, it won’t be long before she does too!
Week 21
This week kicked off with my daughter’s dance recital. Another wonderful event, the dancers all did a wonderful job. The little ones are adorable! Another proud mummy moment.
A slightly crazy week followed, with the end of year Drama banquet, a night out for my husband, open house/science inquiry/ice cream social night at our elementary school and the Cub Scout space derby…
Thankfully it was then Memorial Day weekend so we had an extra day off to recover!
Week 22
It’s been another busy week to be honest. So many events and activities crammed into the last few weeks of term.
After a lovely long weekend, which included a day trip to Storyland for my husband and the younger two and a very fun day for my eldest and I seeing Infinity War, buying all the clothes in Primark and having dinner at our favorite restaurant, this week has gone by in a bit of a blur!
The Spring Concert, Author’s Day and end of year celebration for my daughter’s Kindergarten class, an Author’s Expo event for my eldest (which of course clashed with his little sister’ event!) play dates and frappuccinos in the sunshine!
It’s been fun!
The spring concert was wonderful, the kids (and teachers) all did such a good job. My daughter was beyond thrilled to be chosen as the announcer for Kindergarten, taking to the microphone with no bother at all and introducing their performance! My younger son played his trumpet with the band, and then did a great job with his classmates for their songs. A fun evening.
The Kindergarten end of year slideshow this morning had us all sniffing and hiding behind our sunglasses. How can it be the end of Kindergarten already?! Bittersweet moments.
This weekend has two birthday parties, soccer and swimming to look forward to. It’s all go!
But, the countdown is now most definitely on for summer vacation. Only two weeks of school left…
Hope you’ve all had a wonderful month! Head over to my Instagram feed to see the rest of the snapshots I’ve taken this month.
Eudora Welty
I began writing ‘Snapshots’ posts last summer, when my days were too busy having fun with my kids to spend time writing about the fun we were having. They are a way for me to record the moments, but not feel obliged to write War and Peace. Simply capture the days as they happen. No SEO, no pinnable images, no stress. So, I’m going to continue to write them, and keep those moments from running away.
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Wow, your eldest looks so grown up now! Glad you had a great trip to NYC. I loved it when I went, and was only telling N today how I’d like to take him in future.
I use to stress about not writing a certain amount of blog posts a week etc but now I do like you and if there is a gap then so be it. There is no need to add the stress to our lives is there?! #365
Some beautiful photos, looks like a lovely month #365
Good to see you back. The pictures from your NY trip look fantastic.
Hello!!! I loved following your New York trip, it really makes me want to go. I can’t believe your little girl has now left kindergarten. How did she get so big?
you were very brave or foolish going on the bus on a school trip. New York sounds like it was a lot of fun. Shame about the weather for your beach trip on Mother’s day though
Lovely trip to NYC! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a busy eventful month for you. Glad you enjoyed a trip to NYC. We used to go there often, when we lived in New Haven, CT, just to visit all the marvellous art scene and the festivals, but I haven’t been there since 9/11.
Love the blossom and the beach photos.
The New York trip sounds great. lovely way to catch up with an old friend.
We have had way to much hot weather here lately, cant wait for it to cool down.
We have 2 more weeks at school as well. Least it will give me my Monday’s back for a while.