USA Vacay Throwback | Candlepin Bowling

photo circa 2011, at our first Red Sox game

Little known fact: though New York State and Massachusetts are neighbors, they have a surprising amount of quirky differences.

You would think that growing up 7 hours apart would mean J and I would pretty much get each other.

But my husband says things like "Oh crap there's a Statey" or "I need to find a bubbler" or "is it big ball bowling or little ball bowling?"

Say what? 

Early in our marriage I thought he was nuts. Or that he was just making up words to mess with me. I mean, for the love! He doesn't even have a Boston accent!

Come to find out, even though our states are right next to each other... we grew up a little different. And most earth-shatteringly of all, we were used to different kinds of bowling when we got married. In fact, he was used to a kind of bowling I'd never even heard of before!

And it wasn't until this past trip to the Cape that he finally took me to prove that he is not, in fact, making this up.

BEHOLD, I give you...

"Little Ball Bowling"... aka Candlepin Bowling. #photographicevidence

Apparently it really is a thing. I think I can rest in peace now knowing that we cleared this up. Thanks wikipedia.

We had such a great time. I think I might even like it even better than "Normal Bowling" (<-- my not so subtle way of reminding everyone that NY is better than Mass) 

It was especially cool that the girls could hold the balls so much easier. And I was able to rest in the fact that if they dropped one on their foot, it probably wouldn't lead to an ER visit. Unlike Normal Bowling, where I have mini-mom-heart-attacks every time it's their turn. 

So the moral of the story is Candlepin Bowling is not made up and it's really fun!

If you're in New England and you want to try something different, search for a lane near you!

Definitely a fun family adventure.

Also, for the record: I beat My Love at his own game. Just sayin ;-) 

My Heart Hurts

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm having a really hard time with the news of the Boston marathon bombing.

As Jesse grew up less than an hour from Boston, we have reminders of that area all over our house.  I tear up when I see Lily's Wally... a stuffed animal Jesse and I got her when we went to our first Red Sox game together at Fenway. We have tons of Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics shirts and hats... more than I realized.  But now I can't help but see them... reminders of the Aiduk family roots.  The first time I ever went to Boston was the weekend I realized I was in love with Jesse and wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. 

Jess fell asleep the other night listening to the local Boston news coverage of the manhunt and I burst into tears while I was doing dishes.  Every new horrific detail that I hear just makes it harder...

I suppose that's why my defense mechanism during national tragedies is to avoid the news.  I just don't want to hear the details.  Perhaps that makes me a coward.  Perhaps it's bad because it's preventing me from dealing with my emotions. But there have been a few nights this week I couldn't fall asleep because I couldn't get those images out of my head.  

In times like these I wish I had something encouraging to say to myself... but I have to admit my faith is a bit shaky.  I cry and I ask God why and I pray for help.  I tell him how scared I am to raise my girls in this crazy world.  And he doesn't answer me... I'm not expecting him to... except that I do feel him whisper truth to my heart.  That he's here, in the midst of tragedy.

And that's all I need.  It doesn't answer all my questions or take away all my tears, fears, or nightmares.  But it brings a significant measure of peace.

I pray for that peace for all who are suffering today.

Can't Leave the Cape without a Visit to the Beach

Samantha was pretty much born on the beach in Mississippi.  Okay, two blocks away.

But we didn't play there a whole lot.  I was too lazy to take them alone cause of all the "cleaning sand out of everything" that has to take place after... and J was way too busy learning how to be a weatherman for regular beach outings.

But with two grandparents in tow, it's much less intimidating.  Plus... I think I've become a much more chill Momma since Sam was born.  I think it has to do with Lily becoming more of a true toddler... I now understand just how much dirt and grime are going to be a part of my life for the next uh, ten years! ;o)  And I'm a lot less squeamish about it.

Lily's favorite things to do at the beach include crushing Grandpa's sandcastles, chasing birds, and trying to get into the water.  (Oh, and crying when she doesn't get her way... but that's not new)

Sam's activities included ignoring the sand, delicately touching the sand, and eating the sand.  And yes, I let her.  I know, I'm gross.  But it was funny and you know it ;o)  Besides, the girl's gotta learn somehow, right?

Can we talk about how cooperative and angelic my girls are when I want a cute Momma-and-her-girls photo?  Jerks.

My favorite part about going to Onset Beach is that it takes about 2.5 seconds to drive there from the Aiduk Casa.  And it's also a spot of many a family memory.  I mean, I've only been in this family for a little over four years... but I've walked on this beach and climbed that rock and worked on my tan and picked up shells.  I brought my itty bitty baby Lily here on her first Thanksgiving! 

And I know the Aiduks love this beach.  They speak fondly of it.  It makes me love it even more!