Took the kids to Smith's Point to kick off the Memorial Day 6 day weekend! Here's a little secret - Smith's Point Park does not charge for parking after Labor Day till Memorial Day. Parking is now $12.50!!! I remember back in the days when it was $6. We went on the last day before they started charging. If you get a Green Key Card from Suffolk County they only charge you $5 for parking. One more Smith's Point tip - if you get there before 6am - you do not have to pay for parking either.
At Smith's Point is FINS - Fire Island National Seashore. There is a Ranger Station and a nature walk. Went with the kids on the Nature Walk, then sat by the ocean for awhile. Another tip for Smith's Point is to park all the way on the west side of the parking lot and follow the crosswalk towards the ranger station. Then follow the boardwalk to the ocean or take the nature walk which ends at the ocean. This is the "Surfer Beach". There is a lot of beach here and a lot less teeny boppers. The beach in front of the pavilion is smaller due to erosion. They brought sand in to replace what got washed out to sea, but the sand is more like dirt. Plus all the teeny boppers hang up there.
For family fun - go to the west end of Smith's Point. The kids will also get a kick going over the drawbridge to get to Smith's Point. There is also a snack bar, bathrooms and The TWA Flight 800 Memorial.
Smith's Point's web site is http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks/Smith%20Point%20County%20Park.aspx
FINS web site is http://www.nps.gov/archive/fiis/SmithPointCountyPark.htm
Check both these sites out because they hold events and classes. Most of them are free too - you just pay for parking.
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I went to a baby shower last week and they served the most delicious dessert. It is called Chudleigh's Bumble Blossoms and they got them at Costco. They are these pastries that are just yummy! The crust is great and it has apples, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. These little treats are individually wrapped and you bake them in the oven. You do not even need whipped cream cause they are just sweet by themselves. Look for them in the frozen dessert section in Costco in Holbrook.
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I was just in Marshalls in Patchogue - The Bayport Bubble does not have everything and I must venture out sometimes. But I found out in The Gateway Mall the old Linens and Things is going to be a Home Goods Store! Very exciting because the closest Home Goods store is in Stony Brook - way out of The Bayport Bubble. It should be opened by November - just in time for Christmas. I'll keep you posted!
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Bayport Bubble People - don't forget tomorrow is the "Go Home Early Drill". I find it funny - the kids get let out of school early the day before they have six days off for Memorial Day Weekend. The drill is from New York State to prepare children for an emergency dismissal. I guess it's a good idea? How much of a problem is it for the school to tell the children that they are going home early? The kids will be so excited they get to leave school early - the building will be excavated in two minutes!
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I received some mail today from New York Institute of Photography - guess they cashed my check. They gave me the lowdown on the lessons and my first unit is in the mail - on it's way to me. It will include a DVD and CD plus assignments. There are a total of six units with about six lessons in each unit. I also have my very own instructor - Chris Corradino. He seems to have excellent photography credentials. He is available to me via phone, email, fax and mail. Chris will be critiquing my photos via audio CDs. I hope this is all as good as it seems because I want to brush up on my photography skills. I have been very actively practicing photography, but the last class I took was in college about 15 years ago. There are also a bunch of lessons on starting a photography business. But I am still going to Google Chris Corradino to see what he is all about.
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I just got done eating half a bag of banana chips. Do you think they are healthy for you? They are very good - so that is why I don't think they are any good for you. =)
I signed my kids up this week for Karate at Shaolin Self Defense Center in The Bayport Bubble. My son has been bugging me for awhile to do Karate and I saw they were running a special. It's a good deal - $99 for six weeks of classes. There are two classes a week and you pick which two you can attend out of a choice of five. It's real convenient. And the $99 includes their uniform and some other things - like a Shaolin chip clip and a big bumper sticker that I am afraid will end up on my dinning room wallpaper! You also get a 15 min. free one on one training session.
Everyone there is so beyond nice. And I cannot tell you how cute my kids looked in their Karate outfits! My kids LOVED it - even my daughter - she does not like much. She told me that she wanted to do it, but when we got there she said "NO". The Sensei took my son for the private lesson and told my daughter she could watch from the back of the room. Next thing I know she is up front doing the lesson too. The Sensei then said it was time for class and off she went. She liked it so much that she slept with her white Karate belt around her pajamas.
After the first free lesson and class, I wanted to sign up, but I did not have my checkbook. Sensei Ray gave me the uniforms and forms to fill out. He told me that I could pay at the next class. I left with two new Karate uniforms and took a class - all without paying. That impressed me. I went the next day with my payment and brought along my kids with in their new Karate uniforms and smiles! Shaolin is located on the corner of Oakwood Avenue and Montauk Highway - 472-6940. If no one answers - leave a message - they call you back.
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