The City...

Leaving Pennsylvania behind wasn't just about leaving behind the town we lived in, but a rich heritage of East Coast cities close together, easy to visit, and filled with our countries heritage and start.  New York City was a favorite of the kids and I.  Isabella has been the most and would most often cash it in as her reward for accomplishing something big.  It was a 3 hour drive into the city.  We would spend the whole day and then drive home late at night.  She has seen a half a dozen shows, done walking food tours, hit all the major tourist attractions, a couple of the major museums, and just meandered the streets.  Her last trip was on the day I took her to Spain, I scheduled her flight out of JFK.  I hoped for one last girl trip, to tire her out, and put her on a plane to sleep for 7 hours.  The city houses garden centers in little bodegas smaller than my living room, but with every inch covered in plants, 500 kinds of the best foods including pizza and donuts.

Then when we were ready to pick Isabella up from the airport to come home, we scheduled her a late flight in.  Wyatt and I went up for the day.  His tastes were totally different and each child could find a million things to do.  We visited NYU, visited Washington Square Park in the Village, learned about the northward expansion of Manhattan starting North and moving south through SoHo, Tribeca to see Little Italy and Chinatown.  The architecture, the history, the amazing book store, Strand, all the yummy food - Chinatown grocery stores are not for the faint of heart, and ending at the 9/11 museum and memorial were just amazing to do with my little curious boy.  More than anything I miss seeing the diversity in faces.  Because no matter the skin color, you see more concentrated ethnic diversity in the features and personalities of those in the city.  I miss that everyone is unique for their own reason in a perfectly wonderful and celebrated way.  And the icing on the cake, the last few times, I felt like a boss navigating the subway system pretty much anywhere in Manhattan. 

 

 

 

She's My Best Friend

She's an "old soul".

She's mature beyond her years and more kind than me.

She entertains and educates me.

I probably learn more from her than she does from me.

She's the perfect mix of girl and woman.

She's my best friend and she's my daughter.

 

She earned another trip to New York,

back in November-that is, 

her favorite big reward,

and not so bad for this day trip city loving girl.

It was just us and I don't get tired of her.

She loves an adventure with me and

she provides the whimsy and vividness

that only a child can bring to the picture.

New York City Mass Transit mavens

Times Square - Waiting at the Tickets Booth

Ellen's Star

MoMA

She's an artist!



The Doughnut Plant



It's a Girl Thing...

Isn't it crazy to get presents for kids from age 11-14.  I call it the black hole of gift shopping.  They are too old for toys, but don't have clear ideas of what they want for Christmas, birthdays, etc...They think they want huge electronics with bills through the roof and at our house it's just not an option not only because of cost, but my child that age doesn't need a cell phone, their own laptop, e-reader and everything else.  Go play outside!!! 

This year for Christmas I feel like we nailed it with Bella.  Two of her best buds' parents and I planned to get the girls a Day Trip to NYC.  They love Wicked and the city and so that's what we did.  So on January 31st, in the midst of the bitter cold of east coast winters, we braved the city with three girls and three moms.  It really was a great time.

 

Christmas - A Huge Success

A-N-T-I-C-I-P-A-T-I-O-N...

the kids have to wait until 8 to open presents. 

 I always get below them for a charging down the stairs picture.

 This year we got them a puppy. 

It was wrapped but whining. 

They tour open the big boxes thinking it was in there, but no. 

Temporarily distracted by bean bag chairs, they continue to search.

 Had they only gotten the puppy, it would have been a success,

but alas they also got toys that made them all smiley and happy.

 Bella got a girls trip with two friends and their mom's to NYC.  She is elated!

 Grandma and Mom open their presents too. Kody made Dad a mug.

 Wyatt gets a basketball and envisions his game winning shot.

Travis is jubilant over his reloading kit.

 Sibling gifts are always a huge hit.  Happy hugs fill my heart with joy. 

It can't be Christmas without a Lego set or two.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas too.

That Santa, your family, friends and loved ones filled your happy bank.

We sure felt it here!