Alice's Tea Cup

Alice's Tea Cup...Chapter II!

Alice's Tea Cup has three chapters, the original on the Upper West side, and two on the East side. Mom and I took Ava to Chapter I back in April, and she slept the entire time!

Happy to say that Ava was awake this time, and excited to have tea with big cousin Audrey.



When you walk in, and if you are a young girl, you are greeted with fairy wings and a sprinkling of fairy dust. I amost asked for some, but refrained.



Check out the decor! LOVE the turquoise, and the Alice details are EVERYWHERE.





This was the coolest thing in the bathroom. When you look in the mirror, the handwriting on the wall reads the correct way, "Employees Must Wash Their Hands...or", then you turn around and see the backwards letters, but also see "Off With Your Heads!!"








OK, I'm craving scones now.

The Big Piano

This is one of my favorite series from Audrey's visit. We stopped by FAO Schwartz last Saturday to kill some time, and they had a ball dancing on the Big Piano!

Stamford Nature Center

Last Friday we tried somewhere new. (Mom and Audrey were visiting Lady Liberty) The Stamford (Connecticut) Nature Center. I had heard great things about it, and Mr. Andy (I tend to call our friends Miss or Mr as that is what our kids call them) had invited us to go with his two boys.

Unfortunately it was raining, but we still had a great time. Just brought along the umbrellas and rain jackets and we were good to go.

The Center has a full working farm, a mansion, nature trails, organic garden, and the largest nature themed playground you have ever seen.

We started with the farm (and the little boy without rain gear is just an innocent bystander of my constant shutter finger...no idea who he is).





Can you see what's in here? The LARGEST pig I have EVER seen. Whoa momma!





A little guy can dream, right?? Thinking of Uncle Chuck in South Dakota...



We finished our rainy morning on one of the nature trails that is handicap accessible. Perfect for young kids and toddlers!! There is NO wandering away from the trail!

Our Day at Playland

I think I finally get it.

I remember being young and watching my Mom watching me having fun. And I would think, "Why don't you want to join in?" "Do you not like (fill in the blank).... riding roller coasters, playing in the water, making forts, riding horses, roller skating, jumping curbs on your banana seat bike, riding skateboards?"

She would just watch, but seem perfectly content doing so, and I didn't get it.

Well I think I finally get it. I think it happens when you become a parent. You find sheer contentment watching your kids have fun and would rather watch them than do the activity yourself for fear you might miss observing their excitement, reaction, laugh, or smile.

So last week while Mom and Audrey were here, we went to Playland. I live in Rye, the HOME of Playland, and this was my FIRST time!! It's kind of like the cobbler's children who have worn out shoes I guess.

I had more fun watching Ava and Tyson (and MY MOM) riding rides while laughing, spinning, twirling, tipping, rocking, and sliding. I mean, I'm pregnant, so I wasn't even allowed on the rides, but even if I could, I had more fun just watching (and taking pictures).

To start, here are a few photos to give you the feel of Playland, which had "been providing family fun since 1928"...or 1920-something.










Could my Mom BE having more fun?



Now the submarine...this was one of Tyson's favorites, and I think it was one of my Mom's favorite rides too. Check her out!



Can I just say how proud I am of Ava? She is my shy one. The one who is afraid to try to new things. The one is has to sit and observe before participating, and the participation usually involves someone holding her hand.

I think she blossomed at Playland. She went on a lot of rides BY HERSELF. BY HERSELF! That is a huge deal for her. This ride in Kiddyland is called Whip It, and I think it's been there since 1930. It was so cool. The track is oval shaped, and the little cars roll along until you get to each end, and you get whipped around the corner. Simple concept...BIG fun.




OK, now this next picture has a story. There is a kiddy roller coaster which we convinced Ava to go on by herself, because Audrey was too big, and Tyson was too small. She went on it with a little hesitation, but was excited. She sat in the last car next to a boy, and we watched the car climb up the "incline" before she disappeared from view. When the coaster came to the end, she was trying really hard not to cry, but when she saw me, she lost it.

The ride was "too jerky" and "the boy sitting next to me wouldn't hold my hand".


The spinning balloon ride. By the way, all the Kiddyland rides require you to give the operator a thumbs up before they start the ride.





More rides that my little girl rode all by herself...





This may be my favorite picture. As it was getting to be dusk, and everyone but the prego one, yours truly, went on the ferris wheel so they could see the view of Rye, Playland, and the Long Island Sound before it got dark. On one of their rotations, Mom stuck her hand out and waved to me. Love it.


More spinning. My Mom is such a trooper, isn't she?




This was one of Ava's last rides of the night. Why the sour face? Well I think she was getting tired, and when she got off, all she said was, "Mom, it wasn't fast enough." That's my girl. I'm so proud of you.




Thanks Mom for reliving your childhood and riding all the rides. I can't decide if I had more fun watching you or my own kids. It's too close to call I think.

One of those days....

I'm not gone, I promise! I've just been sleeping. And enjoying a visit from my Mom and niece. And sleeping. And having a couple dates with my husband. And did I mention sleeping?

Growing a baby is hard work.

I do have lots of photos to post from this last week, but honestly going through them makes me tired. And makes me want to.....hmmmmm....oh ya. Sleep.

So today was one of THOSE pregnancy days. I think the nausea is gone (praise the Lord), but I have realized that I need my three squares a day, plus snacks. Now I just need to made wiser choices in those meals and snacks.

The day started with an interesting breakfast. I am OUT of food. No waffles, no milk, and no fruit. So I opted to make pancakes with some Bisquick. Oh right, you need milk for that. So how do I make milk? Well I chose plain yogurt and some water mixed together. Honestly, it worked pretty good. It was the same consistency of milk, and the pancakes were pretty decent.

Then we were off to Costco. About 1/2 way there, I realized I hadn't had my 10am snack, and started feeling the effects. I FELT AWFUL. And all I could think about was a slice of Costco supreme pizza. As my mouth watered, I only felt worse. As soon as we got there, we ran into the store, headed straight for the food court, and I ordered my pizza and the kids a hot dog. I'm pretty sure I had consumed half the slice before I finished putting ketchup on the hot dog. I NEEDED it THAT bad.

I'm pretty sure that was the best slice of pizza I have ever had, and I ate it at a pace that would give the professional hot dog eaters at Coney Island a run for their money.

Have you guys ever experienced that?

So I am now officially 9 weeks pregnant, and I had my first ultrasound yesterday. Everything is good, and Baby Gus's heartbeat is good and strong....170 something. They moved my due date up a few days and my official due date is now April 3.

Have I ever told you I have a thing about numbers? 3 is my favorite number. I was born on the 3rd of December, Ava was born on the 3rd of July, and Tyson was born on the 5th of April, which is OK, because it's a multiple of 5. Tyson was actually due on April 1st, and they wanted to induce me on the 9th, and they WOULD NOT wait 1 day to induce me on the 10th (multiple of 5), and I was so mad. Luckily he came on the 5th.

So if Baby Gus comes on the 3rd or the 5th, I will be perfectly content. Easier for me to remember.

OK, I think I've rambled enough for now. But I do want to recommend this book that I've been devouring since Monday that my neighbor loaned to me. It has me cracking up out loud! She is a bit too sarcastic, and she could reign in her language just a hair, but the book is really funny for all you pregnant people out there....or if you have been pregnant at some point in your life. Check it out!

Until next time (and there will be pictures)...