I was terrible at updating this space during the month of May because we were incredibly busy! We had my parents in town for about 5 days, a birthday party, a bat mitzvah, and a trip to Texas! It was a jam-packed month spent with family, which is just how we like it 🙂

For Mother’s Day, my parents came into to town for a visit. Chloe’s two favorite people in the world are probably Granny and Pop Pop. This morning, I asked her if she had sweet dreams, to which she replied, “Yes!” And when I asked what she dreamt about, she said, “Granny!”

We had such a great time during their visit, and thanks to the beautiful weather, we got to spend a lot of time outside. Chloe is a summer baby, and that really comes through once the temperature warms up. She wants to be outside constantly – preferably playing with bubbles (and drinking them – seltzer, that is).

We also got to celebrate’s Chloe’s second cousin, Elizabeth’s 3rd birthday. They had the party at a children’s space in the city that was filled with things to climb on and soft places to land.

Unfortunately, due to Covid, Chloe hasn’t been able to spend a lot of time with our extended family, but she is truly the most social and loving child and had so much fun getting to know her cousins and playing with all the small children there. The parents were instructed to always be within a few feet of their children, but that is nearly impossible with a hyper social child who just wants to be in the center of it all!

The following weekend, we attended Chloe’s (and my) first bat mitzvah. One of Chloe’s other second cousins – Ilana – turned 13 and had a “Miami” themed bat mitzvah. Chloe and I had to skip the service at the synagogue due to nap schedules, but we made it for the party, and it might have been the best time of Chloe’s little life.

She was obsessed with all of the music and was constantly dancing. She made it onto the stage SEVERAL times and was a little show-stealer.

She was also a regular in the photo booth. Her main goal was to steel the beach balls, but we also got some cute photos of her with Papa Greg and her cousins.

And, of course, Aunt Donna was the best ball toss partner!

To wrap up the month, Chloe and I headed to Texas. My Uncle Steve passed away earlier in the month and we were celebrating his life over Memorial Day weekend with a service in Austin. While bringing a toddler to a memorial service wasn’t the best decision, she also brought a bit of levity and joy to the whole day and I know that my Aunt Juanita loved seeing her.

Chris also came in town for the service, so Chloe got to spend a lot of time with him. She is a big fan of Uncle Chris! I’m so bummed that he and Chelsea live so far away, but we get to see them on the portal pretty regularly, and when we do get a visit, he makes the most of it 🙂

Coming out of this month, I feel very grateful for all of the time we got to spend with family. Even when we are far apart, I try to make it a priority that Chloe gets this time with her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles because I want her to feel the support of this beautifully connected group of people.

So here’s to more family and more fun!