Routine

...makes me happy.

I haven't been in a routine since we moved here 10 months ago. Don't get me wrong, I have loved it, but it is nice to have something going on that is routine!

Ava started preschool on Tuesday and goes 3 mornings a week, with a long 4 day weekend break (I purposely did that just in case Wade could take a long weekend off).

We started out the morning at Starbucks for a special treat for both of them....their OWN kid's hot chocolate. They usually have to share, but today was a special day.





Of course the "spark-eh-ly" shoes had to make on appearance on the special first day!


Much to my surprise, she ran right into school and almost didn't look back. Is this really MY Ava?


The tears were starting to come when we got inside, but luckily one of her teachers, Miss Bobbie, came to our rescue and took Ava to the big blue rug for singing time. LOVE Miss Bobbie.

Manhattan.....YUCK!

The drink, not the city.

So you may remember this post here. What an awesome girl's weekend. We each drank a Manhattan, and they were not so good. Ugh. But we drank them anyway because they were $20 each!!

So Janna sent this to me in the mail last week and it cracked me up! I don't know if this was in this month's Martha Stewart or not, but man, why do people like these drinks?


Why such an amazing city has such a horrible tasting drink named after it is beyond me.

Elmo and Superman Camping

We actually had a four day labor day weekend, but didn't plan ahead, so we decided to camp in the backyard. Why not? The kids loved it, and we all SURPRISINGLY slept well.

Bed at 8pm, up with the sun at 6am! The best thing about it? Wake up and go inside to use indoor plumbing...

I think Elmo and our little Superman especially had a good time.

Hot Dog Heaven

One of our last days with Mom and Audrey was spent in Central Park. It was an absolutely gorgeous day...not too hot!

We had a picnic just outside the arena where Whitney Houston was giving a free comeback concert, so we ate while listening to her belt out "I'm Every Woman". Go Whitney.

We opted for the best and cheapest New York lunch. Hot dogs from a vendor. $2 (or $4 for me because I had two) of hot dog heaven.



Oh, and I saw someone famous as I was heading back for my second hot dog!!!! Patrick Stewart! Don't worry, I didn't know his name either. But he's the very nice looking bald older gentlemen who played Captain Picard in Star Trek the Next Generation, and he's in most the X-Men movies.

I love seeing famous people...I watch to much E! channel.

Date Night

One of my favorite things about having people visit, other than seeing our guests of course, is having a date night.

Typically if you come stay with us, you get the privilege of watching my beautiful and well behaved and perfect (OK, exaggerating JUUUUUSSST a little bit) children so Wade and I can have a night out.

Mom and Audrey were gracious enough to stay behind one evening. I got to ride the train in BY MYSELF, ALL ALONE, SOLO, and I even took a book with me. WOW!!

I met Wade and work and then we headed to NYC's Little Italy on Mulberry street and ate at Il Palazzo (151 Mulberry Street). ALL their pasta is homemade. The food was fantastic, and we sat in a little courtyard in the back which had a glass ceiling and a view of the surrounding brick buildings. Very "Rear Window" - esque.

Just check out our food. Man, I could only eat about 1/3 of it, but it was phenomenal. And yes, you see two glasses of wine in the last picture. BAD pregnant lady, BAD!!!! Don't worry Mom, I only drank 1/2 of it. Baby Gus is just fine.





PS. If you want to eat on Mulberry Street, I would recommend two other restaurants that have semi-outdoor seating right on the street so you can watch everyone walking by. The store fronts open up completely, so you're dining inside, but a bit al fresco.

Caffe Napoli,191 Hester Street (Hester & Mulberry)
Da Gennaro Ristorante, 129 Mulberry Street

Then head just a block down to Ferrara's (est 1892) for some of the best Gelato and coffee.

Ciao!!

Cousins at the beach

Now Audrey used to live in San Diego, and she wanted to go to our Rye Beach while visiting, and honestly, our little beach is NOTHING compared to San Diego. I mean, c'mon! BUT, it was still a good time, and I loved that Audrey was so willing to watch after the kids and was willing to let them play all over her. What are cousins for?




And I couldn't resist this one. I LOVE Tyson's bellybutton. It sticks out so cute, and I think he's the only one in the family with an "outy". Although his is really 1/2 and 1/2 and not really a full "outy". But look at the sand sticking to his stomach. Oh, I just want to reach down and give his tummy a big zerbert!!!!!

Jelly Bellys

...make me happy.

And I don't think I realized it until we went to Dylan's Candy Bar after our morning at Alice's Tea Cup.

Dylan Lauren (daughter of Ralph Lauren) opened up the Candy Bar in 2001 to bring her love affair with candy and art to life. It's a pretty cool story, and you can read it on their website.

Dylan's was ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY UNDOUBTEDLY Audrey's #1 choice on her NYC to do list. She has been talking about it for weeks and been saving her spending money for a candy spree at Dylan's. I don't think it disappointed.

So if you like candy, want to walk on candy covered floors, and pay a visit to your dentist, go to Dylan's!!













P.S. I really should have used a flash or changed my white balance or something because the lighting was really not great! So sorry for the yellowish tinted images.