Fall To Do List

This fall Selim and I made a Fall to Do list. It is not like the typical Honey Do list, it was more of a must do and see list for New England. It included hiking in the lakes region, sea kayaking, apple picking, photos of fall colors, and so on. So far we have achieved a good portion of the list. Three weekends ago we went apple picking with Jim and Nikki to a great little apple orchard that was known for its cider apple dough nuts. Well worth the wait in the long, long line out and around the building.

A beautiful mid September weekend we traveled up to the lakes region to hike Mount Manger. It was a perfect day for a hike. The weather was sunny and cool. Selim, Alex, Tab, and Izzy traveled up the mountain while enjoying the breath taking views. All of the fall color was starting to truly bloom and vista we amazing all 360 degrees around us. At first I was not to sure if Izzy and Alex would be up for the 2.5 mile hike but they trooped thru it with smiles on their faces. We even did the ledges and both Alex and Izzy scaled the rocks and made it to the top. With the exception of the frequent bathroom stops for both Izzy and Alex, (yes Alex does...go in the woods) and the snack stops we make it in great time to the top. We had brought a back pack filled with food and refreshments for us to enjoy with the beautiful vista on top of the mountain. We even brought Izzy her own food and water bowl, Alex really enjoyed serving Izzy her food on top of the mountain.

The last weekend of September we traveled to New Castle to rent a sea kayak for the three of us. It was so much fun to tool around the bay with a small boat. At first it was rough going for us to get the hang of paddling and stirring at the same time. We hit land a few times before getting the groove. But that was fine too because Alex liked it when we would bump land and have to push off again to get going again. Again we had a wonderful day with the weather. After we were done boating it was time to get dinner so we went to Portsmouth for dinner down town. After dinner we walked around the shops and visited the local Starbucks bathrooms. Ever since potty training we are sure to visit each and every bathroom around. Small price to pay for having such an independent girl. And I must emphasise "Independent". There is not to much that Alex does not want to do on her own any more. She chooses her own cloths each and every day, some very interesting choices but I am not about to smother her creativity, I like to see it grow. The only things that I have had to learn is that I have had to add on more buffer time to our departure and arrival times since she has to do every thing on her own now. She has to chose her shoes, put them on, climb into the car on her own, get into the car seat all alone, and buckle up too. Now this process alone adds at least 10 minutes to any departure. So now when we are leaving the house her first question to me is "are we running late?". I am guessing I have been saying that quite a bit as of late, simply because we are due to her new found independence.

PHOTOS TO COME BLOGGER WAS HAVING SOME DOWN LOADING ISSUES!

This fall has been truly exceptional weather wise. It is very unusual to have such dry warm weather in October so we are trying to make the best of it while it lasts. We have a few more goals to meet for Fall activities and we will be sure to update as we get them done.

First Day of Preschool

Alex is now a school girl she had her first day of school on September 10, 2007. She is a student of Meeting House Montessori School, in Bow. She attends school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30-11:30. She loves it. She is learning so much. They are teaching the kids Spanish, karate, and creative movement dance, along with the regular school studies. The first day of school was very odd for Mommy and Daddy. Dropping our baby off and leaving her at school just felt odd. To Selim and I she is still our Baby but she says she is ready. No tears for drop offs and lots of smiles for pick up. Monday and Wednesday Bubby and Bubba pick her up after school while mommy works but Mommy does Drop off and Pick up on Fridays.

Luckily Alex has a friend from Gymboree in her class Madeline. They seem to be close in school which works out well to have a buddy in class from the start.

Alex at School on her first day

Live from Turkey

We had an amazing vacation in Turkey. We arrived in Istanbul, Turkey on Aug 22, 2007 and quickly jumped on a plane to bring us to big Grandma in Izmir, Turkey. We spend a couple of days in the city adjusting to the 7 hour time change and catching up on what has been going on with Grandma since the last time we saw her back in November. Lots of great stories to be told from both sides, Turkey and US stories, mainly what has been going on with Alex since our last visit. We went thru many pictures and presented our gifts from across the big ocean.

Alex and Big Grandma making French Toast

Family Photo

Grandma had some of her old movies that were on reels put on to DVDs so we spend several wonderful hours watching Big Grandams youth with her beautiful children, Mia and Bubby. It was so fun to see what their life was like back then. All of the proper things they would do and dress so amazingly.

Alex had having a wonderful time with her Turkish family. It is amazing that even though we all only see each other once a year but she still remembers every one and has love for every one. After visiting Big Grandma for a few days we traveled to our Summer house in Cesme. It is always so much fun but best of all RELAXING. We are right on the water in a summer town with no worries other than which beach to go to for the day. I know that Selim got some truly deserved rest. We got to catch up with Uncle Aydo, Auntie Mia, Cousin Enver, and Cousin Muine.

Typical after beach Bath in the Sun

Alex and Uncle Aydo
Auntie Mia, Alex and Uncle Aydo

(Can you feel the love?)

Cousin Muni, Alex and Cousin Enver

(As Alex would say "Lets Play")

Aqua (AKA Mojito Bar)

Daddy and Ally chill during Sun Set

Selim, Alex and I took some mini day trips. One day we went to Greece for the day. That was so much fun. It was just a short boat trip across the bay (1 Hour) to Chios. We traveled around the Island by small car and visited small villages and beaches. One of the beaches we visited was an old volcanic rock beach. It was made up entirely of black rocks, no sand at all. It was just amazing. The water was crystal clear and the beach was just amazing to walk on and lay on. The sound of the water coming in and out was like a rain maker. If you are ever in the area it is a must see.

Alex on her way to Greece

Mommy and Ally
Visiting Pirgi

Volcanic Rock Beach

When we returned to Izmir we stayed in the new Tobey Family Apartment, it was so nice, (Thanks so much to Jim and Nikki for all of your hard work on putting it all together for all of us to use). All and all I think we had a wonderful time in Turkey for Summer 2007. Relaxed, visited family, shopped, and spent valuable family time together. We returned back home on September 5Th to give Alex some time to adjust back to east coast time before starting Preschool for the first time. What and adventure she is about to start.

Ally getting her Second Hair cut and Mani Pedi

Selim and Tab in Amsterdam

Long Weekend in New York

Last Thursday Alex and I joined in on one of Selim's NYC trips. We had a great time. While Selim was in meetings Alex and I went exploring the City. We made some stops at Central Park and the zoo. But we spent most of our time walking up and down 5th Ave, shopping. Alex had a blast. She got all sorts of great new stuff. I thing best of all, she got new flip flops from the Disney Store that are from the Little Mermaid collection. Now she just wont take them off.

We spent some time in the Huge Toys R Us in Time Square, were we got to play with all sorts of new stuff, like Moon Sand. A must get for kids that like to play in the sand but it dries out to fast it never dries out and molds just like play dough.

Alex in the World of M&M Time Square

Selim with the Wall Street Bull
Dinner in Little Italy

Alex loved all of the street performances that were going on. But again her favorite part of that was giving the tip for the entertainment at the end of the show.

We went to visit the statue of Liberty as well while were were there. It was all of our first time to go out to the island. What a beautiful area, lots of great walking areas, amazing views all around, and a nice little cafe to get a bit to eat.

After our few days in the City we meet up with my aunt and uncle for dinner and then headed out to Long Island for the night. It had been some time since we had been to Aunt Susie's house so we figured that since we were so close we should stop by for a quick visit. They have been doing all sorts of renovations on there house that is still a work in progress but it is looking just beautiful. Great big new bedrooms, hug kitchen, and open and airy family room. So nice to spend time with our Cousins as well. Alex loved making water balloons with cousin Becka.

We spent a good part of Saturday hanging out at Aunt Susie's pool and visiting before we left to catch the Long Island Fairy back to Connecticut to head back home. We made it home by midnight on Saturday so we could have some time on Sunday to catch up on all of the home stuff and visit with family.

One of Alex and Selim's favorite thing to do now is mow the lawn. Here they are giving the yard a second mow for the week. As you can see we have been working very hard on getting our yard to a finished state we have all sorts of flower gardens and rock walls (Selim and Alex love collecting rocks from the property and making walls).

It is funny to us because any time any one asks Alex where her favorite place to go she will always say New York City. Now this has been a true statement for about an year now. What can we say the girl likes the big City.

Plymouth Rock or Plimouth Rock

This weekend we went down to Plymouth Ma for a baby shower and quickly went to view the Plymouth rock to say we had been there. It was a beautiful day and so much going on it was the 50th anniversary of the recreated Mayflower. On this special day they took it out into the harbor for a mini cruise. It would have been only the 11th time it had been out of port since it was rebuilt. Not to mention the free cake that was being given out in honor of the special day.

Mayflower

And we did see the rock. Such a fun day we brought Izzy with us too.

Small Rock Big Story

They say today it is only 1/3 of its original size. This is the rock that the Pilgrims landed on and used to bring all of their goods to land from the boat.

Although we love the Cape, we hate the return home traffic on a Sunday! What can you do it is summer time in New England.

Farmer Enver and his Crew

Selim got a new toy and just loves to use it at any given chance to play in the yard. I call my love of my life "Farmer Enver" and his partner "Farmer Ally". The two of them are always in the yard picking up rocks to create rock walls or moving dirt from one spot to another, or just picking up sticks. I find this all very funny for a guy from Turkey (in the city) to be so into having a large yard and enjoying every second of it. There are many mornings that I will wake up and look out the window to find him out playing in the woods cutting down trees or filling a tractor wagon up with dirt. Now when I say in the mornings I mean before work like at 6am. I do think he is off of his rocker some times but what can I say he loves it. I think he does love it more though when we all work in the yard as a family.Ridding thru the sprinklers with her buddies


Now Ally is very excited because she has her safety ear muffs to wear when she rides the tractor with her daddy.

Can you hear me?

You can never be to safe when it comes to our angles hearing. So she is very excited to start to wear these ear muffs while riding the tractor with Daddy.

Look at the Hamiltons

Well my parents are really into the Mini Horses now. Last weekend we joined them at a horse show. All sorts of mini horses walking around being shined up for ribbons. We are so proud of my mom and sister they worked very hard at preparing their horses and did come home with ribbons. Here are some shots of my mom and sister in action. It was fun for Alex to see all of the horses that were just her right size.

My parents have gone from Boaters to Farmers. To funny Selim just have to sit back and laugh. But every one is having fun and it it great exercise for my sister. I do feel it is teaching her responsibility and respect. I hope that she goes far with her horse Chance.

Now let me introduce you to the new Hamilton additions;

There is Nikki and "Chance"

Mom and her "Lady"

And my Dad's Casanova or we call him "Nova"