August 28, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop 
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 8 DAYS

Well hello, Friday!

Hey there! 

I'm so glad that it's finally Friday! 

My week has been all screwy, and the entire week I felt like I was a day ahead...
Yesterday felt like Friday to me.

And I know exactly why I was all screwed up - because we didn't have choir rehearsal this week! It's been such routine for over 10 years, that when it gets changed up I get totally confused - apparently all week long! LOL

Anyhow, Cosette has been going to the pool as often as she can - she goes when Chaplin and Jet go. She goes when Mika and Michael go. And Dominic is usually busy with getting ready for his classes that he misses out. 
So yesterday Dominic decided that he would skip his classes and head to the pool with the gang!

Andrew photobombing in the background!

Dave and I went to go watch them have fun splashing around, and Jet had wondered why I don't go in...well I don't know why. 
I guess I could, and maybe next time I will!

Before heading to the pool, I got to talking with the kiddos about our Hawaii itinerary and I had asked them if they wanted to go to a Luau. 
To which they emphatically both said YES! 
I guess they really enjoyed the Luau I took them to on their first visit to Hawaii!! Good job mom (insert - patting myself on the back)!

Oahu Luau - circa 2011

With that I began to research which Luau had the best rating and found 2 that were fairly comparable - Old Lahaina Luau being numero uno and then Feast a Lele Luau, with the Royal Lahaina Luau as my third choice.

Well, I had my itinerary all set to go and the Luau was going to fit perfectly into Day 3 - all I needed to do was book it. 
But then I found out that my first choice was fully booked on that date, and my heart sank. 
Can you tell that I don't quite like it when I don't get my first choice! 

So there I was going back and forth, weighing out the options. But I wanted what I wanted. 

The good news was that my first option was available on Day 2 of my itinerary - but it wasn't going to be as easy as just switching Day 2 for Day 3. I discussed with Dave wanting the share the options and probably wanting to hear myself aloud.

Then I figured that if I moved Day 2 to Day 4, and Day 4 to Day 3, I could move Day 3 to Day 2 - confusing I know...
And just as soon as I figured it out, we figured that I better jump on those available tickets for Day 2 before they sell out!
Whew. DONE. (insert smily face here)

Today I think I'm gonna book the Bahamas cruise for our Disney World/Florida/Bahamas 2016 vacation - which we do at least once every 4 years!

Later on this evening we are heading to the bowling alley and we are gonna meet our friend Chhai for a few games! 
Cosette mentioned to me how we haven't seen Chhai in a while and it got me thinking... 
Hmm, I know that we saw her when she came out to watch the kids perform with their choir - last Patriots' Day! WOW...it's been almost a year! 
How time flies!

Yours Truly with friends Chhai and Cherryl

After bowling we'll head over to Whole Foods for some supplies for the IPC beach party that is happening tomorrow. Should be a fun night!

Speaking of fun, Elisa and her gang of girls is headed over to Luna Park over at Coney Island today and she has shared 15 Facts about Luna Park, Coney Island - check it out!

I had a BLAST the last time that I was over there to watch a Cyclones game - such a freakin' entertaining time!

Cyclones game in Coney Island - circa 2008

Lastly what you all might be waiting for...it's FOODIE FRIDAY and Elisa has mentioned that her review for Osteria al Doge will be posted later today. 
In the meantime last weeks FOODIE FRIDAY about Cafe Berlin in San Juan, Puerto Rico - along with several other reviews are available for your reading and drooling pleasure!

Hope you all have a swell day,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN 28 DAYS

FUNDAY FRIDAY

Hello! And Happy Friday!!

My alarm wet off this morning and as I was opening up my eyes, I couldn't remember where I was!  I've been going back and forth between my houses in Nassau and Remsenburg so much that I had to look up at the painting above my bed to confirm my location this morning - it's Nassau lol.

I was, however, thrilled to wake up to yet another sunny day here on Long Island!

I know that Tanya was not that thrilled and went on a mini rant yesterday about the hot weather in Southern California these days, but I couldn't be happier with the great Long Island weather - sunny, dry, breezy! Not typical for August in New York.

Today, I'm getting ready to take the kiddies to Luna Park in Brooklyn. Charging my camera, packing some waters, and we should be all set!

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LUNA PARK IN BROOKLYN, NY

We've been running all week, so me and the girls have not had a chance to plot out our "ride route" for this amusement park.  We usually do this before venturing to any outing that involves rides.  

I figure we'll just get there; scope out the surroundings and then set ourselves a course for the afternoon.

Although I am anal and love to plan things out since I find it keeps the day moving along and usually saves time and energy, I do enjoy being spontaneous when we don't have anything else on our agenda.

This folks, is all I have on my schedule for today!

Thought it would be fun to do a 15 for "15 about Luna Park/Coney Island...

15 Facts About Luna Park, Coney Island 

1. The legendary Cyclone, opened on June 26, 1927, and this beloved wooden roller coaster is a National Historic Landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. The Brooklyn Cyclones, are the first professional baseball franchise in Brooklyn since the Dodgers moved to the West Coast in 1958.

3.  Nathan’s Famous has been serving up hot dogs since 1916 and the original location on the corners of Surf and Stilwell Aves in Coney Island is open year round.

4. The NY Aquarium is home to more than 300 marine species of birds, fish, mammals and reptiles, in addition to the rockin’ Sea Lion Celebration at the open-air Aquatheater.

5.  Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the U.S. on a cold water plunge with proceeds supporting local charitable organizations.

6. The Mermaid Parade takes place annually at Coney Island in June when folks come to dress up like a mermaid or maritime character in the Nation’s largest art parade celebrating ancient mythology and seaside culture. 

7. The best views of Coney Island’s beach and skyline can be had from across the water on historic Steeplechase Pier, which is 1,040-foot-long and newly restored and is open year round.

8. The Coney Island Circus Sideshow, known as the Coney Island Freak Shows during less civilized times, located by the Seashore feature 10 captivating performances from the likes of The Human Gumby contortionist and the sword-swallowing Betty Bloomerz.

9. The Coney Island Museum (open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day) brings important exposure to the art and culture of this iconic community. 

10. Long before it was known as "Coney Island", this area was known by the Lenape Indians as the “land without shadows.” The Dutch re-named the sandy ocean-side section of southeast Brooklyn, Konijnen Eiland or “Rabbit Island,” for the large population of furry mammals that inhabited the land along the pristine coastline.

11. As New York City grew into a cosmopolitan center in the 1800s, Coney Island had a powerful impact on revolutionizing the concept of an urban beach resort, with the first hotel, The Coney Island Hotel, being built in 1829.

12. . The earliest carousels (as we know them today) were created in Coney Island, as was what is widely considered the first modern roller coaster in 1884, called The Gravity Switchback Railway. 

13.  In 1903, Sea-Lion Park became the first Coney Island amusement park, joined that same year by Steeplechase Park, with its signature Steeplechase Horse ride as well as the original Luna Park, which earned the nickname, “Electric Eden,” because of its over 250,000 lights brilliantly illuminating the park at night.

14. The original Luna Park closed in 1946, followed by Steeplechase Park in 1964 and Astroland amusement park held the torch from 1962 through 2008.

15. Coney Island is home to three rides protected as New York City landmarks listed in the National Register of Historic Places: The Wonder Wheel (1918); the Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster (1927); the towering Parachute Jump (1938), closed in 1968 but still standing since its debut at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Last night, I took the girls (including Sarah) out to dinner with my parents and my nephews, Nolan and Julian.  It as a last minute plan, but it worked out.

The kids were in a rush to get home and watch their new TV-show obsession, Big Brother.  They begged me to watch this reality show with them about a week ago, but I literally got through 3 minutes and could not watch it.  

First of all, I am not a big tv-person.  I'd rather be writing or watching a movie.  Secondly, this show appeared to have a great deal of drama, which was not holding my interest. 

Oh well, they enjoy it.

Ok, guys, I'm on my way!  OH!!! almost forgot - it's also Foodie Friday.  You can catch my feature today about Osteria al Doge in NYC!  Apologies as it will be posted later in the day.

Have a good one!!!

-E
xoxo