A glimpse of our Life

I'm packing things up.  The movers are coming in 2 1/2 weeks and my two youngest sisters are coming into town for a full week of that time.  I'm trying to get almost everything packed before they arrive next Tuesday.  Clothes, pictures, toys, and all of the books are packed.  Which brings me to the bedtime routine.  We always read a book before bed. 

Tonight, instead of a picture book, I made up a story about Princess Posey (a well loved nickname that my Mom has given Alexis, well I added the princess).  It included monsters, adventure, a hansome stranger (prince), and of course, the princess.  She loved it and insisted on another story. 

I told her to tell the story this time.  She said with glee, "Ok!  Once Upon A Time there was a princess that was locked up in a tower.  A monster took her and threw her into a fire . . . and she died!" 

The End. 

Morbid.

Tonight was Jacob's baseball night at the Red Wings game.  The first 1000 kids in the gate were given a Red Wings pillowcase.  Jacob was given the last one.  He feels like he won the jackpot.  

Flocks of young baseball players gathered early to march in the annual parade on the field.  He had a blast with his team. I think I wasn't too shabby a date myself.


As soon as that was done he was ready for the best part of the game . . .  the food.  Nachos, to be exact.  He's talked about it all day long.

On the field during the parade

J and some of his teammates

In Jacob's words, "Peace, Yo."

"Take a picture of me, Mom."

Don't ask, I really don't know.

This horse is made out of mitts.

Jacob and the pillowcase

After purchasing some very overpriced nachos we found our seat and watched the game.  We cheered, laughed, clapped and spouted off some silly jokes.  Good times with my big boy.

Halfway through we had to leave because I needed to get the babysitter home, er kidsitter as my children so fondly remind me.  Wayne is out of town this weekend.

The best part of the night . . . when Jacob said, "Mom, this was delightful."  I smiled and looked at him and he said, "What?  It was."  I agree buddy, I agree.

I think my kids are feeling the effects of nonstop play. We finally feel like summer is here and have been playing hard.

It was 6:45, I was upstairs.  I heard Jacob calling for me.  He came upstairs and asked if I could put Lexi to bed because she was snoring.  She had fallen asleep on a metal folding chair.  Fast forward one hour.  Trevor is zombified on the couch.  I'm not used to this, but I like it.  ;)
 

I know what you're thinking.  I'm spoiled.  You would be correct.  How often does a stay at home mom of three and wife to a busy doctor get to come home from a fabulous three day girl trip,  home for 1 1/2 days, and back on a plane to NYC for three more days?  Pretty much, never.  I was so stoked to head to the Big Apple with Wayne.  We have both been looking forward to this vacation together since it's been booked!

Our flight left at 6:00 a.m.  We figured we could get off the plane and run.  After being in the air for over an hour I think we were both wondering what was going on.  Not long after I realized we should have been making a descent, the pilot voice was loud and clear.  There was only 1/8 mile visibility in NYC, so we were redirected toWilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.  A few minutes later we were informed that visibility was now zero.  Great.  At least it was just the two of us with good books in hand.  We enjoyed reading and trying out the massage chairs in the airport.  Have you tried those things?  Whoa.  Not worth the money. . . unless you want a good laugh.   I felt like multiple golf balls were pounding and sliding up and down my back and bones.  Wayne kept laughing at my face.  When we decided to change seats it was me who was laughing my head off.  Neither one of us cared for that particular massage chair.  

About an hour after we landed in Pennsylvania we were told that we could reboard.  Even with the detour we landed in JFK around 10:00 am.  We took the train into the city.  It was actually really great.  I was surprised how quick the ride was.

We stopped by our hotel, grabbed some food, and walked 40 blocks to The Met.  We have wanted to go to this museum for years.  I am so fortunate to be married to a man that loves art.  We were taken back by the raw and unbelieveable talent. 

At the Met

After a few hours we decided to walk to LeVain bakery.  I didn't have on great walking shoes and we still had quite a way to go, so we paid a guy to bike us there.  There were some close calls.  I'm glad we kept our arms and legs inside the surrey at all times.  If you want one of the best cookies you have ever tasted . . .  you need to stop at this place.  It was divine.  The cookies are huge.  I really can't believe we both downed one of our own . . . well, I guess I can.  They were delicious.   

We decided to check out what Broadway shows had open seats that evening at the TKTS booth.  As we were checking out what was there a girl asked us if we wanted tickets to David Letterman.  We skeptically looked at each other.  There are so many people trying to "give" you things there.  I said, "Yea, sure."  She asked us to answer a trivia question, which I thankfully was given a second shot at.  She checked our ID and gave us instructions for the next day.  We kind of looked at it and wondered if it was legit, but tucked it away and decided to see The Importance of Being Ernest.   I acted a scene from this play in highschool at our State Drama Competition.  The show was so funny.  The MAN who played old Lady Bracknell was hilarious.  We thouroughly enjoyed it. 


I loved Chelsea Market and Highline Park enough to show them to Wayne.  Another 30 blocks of walking got us there.  We love to see the city.  We then walked the rest of the way down to the financial district.  The last time we were in New York City the freedom towers were level with the ground.  There had to be at least 50 stories built, and it is only halfway done.  Amazing. 

Right by Chelsea Market

Highline Park

Freedom Tower

I opted for the Subway at that point.  After hanging out at our hotel for a while we went to the Ed Sullivan theater to see David Letterman.  After receiving our tickets we were pulled aside and told that we were selected to sit in the first two rows of the theater.  The whole process was pretty lengthy.   We picked up the tickets just after 2:00 pm.  The taping was from 4:30 - 5:30.  We sure had a great time though.  Kevin Bacon was the guest.  After the taping my ears were buzzing for over an hour.  The band was so LOUD.   We recorded the show and totally saw ourselves on TV!! 

After dinner we had about 40 minutes until the evening shows were going to start.  We motored to TKTS and bought tickets to The Adaams Family.  It's a new musical.  I thought it would be cute.  Caution:  Do Not See This Show.  We were sorely disappointed.  It just wasn't good.   The writing, the songs, the infantile jokes and innuendo.  I could have paid $10 at a comedy club for the same kind of "comedy". 

The next morning we threw on running clothes and went for a run in Central Park.  New York City feels like a different place in the park.  It's quiet, lush, almost peaceful. 

We couldn't believe that it was already time to pack up.  Trips like these make me realize how much we need time away, just the two of us.   It was awesome spending three straight days with my best friend.  Love you Babe.

I was so sad not to be able to run with Cat and Eileen through Central Park the next morning, but I was given strict orders to only walk for two weeks.  Thankfully I knew I would be heading back to NYC for another shot at that run.  After running a half marathon :) they came back to the hotel by 8:00 a.m. and were ready by 9:00 am.

Chelsea Market

Then we headed to Highline Park, an old elevated train track that has been converted into a walkway/park.  We were able to see a whole new side of the city.   It was beautiful.

Cat, Eileen, Me in Times Square



Toys R Us on Times Square - had to show the kids

 Next was Memphis.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  I knew it had won the Tony for Best Musical in 2010, but other than that I was unfamiliar.  I loved it.  We all loved it.   I almost cried, it was that good. 

After the musical we went back to the hotel to get fancied up for dinner at Babbos, Mario Batali's restaurant.  Cat had quite the time with reservations.  You have to make a reservation one month before you want to dine . . .  to the day.  So, exactly one month before we would be there Cat called when the reservation line opened at 10:00 a.m.  She was on hold for one hour!  When she was finally taken off hold the only reservations left were for 6:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.  WHAT!?!  The food was amazing.  I tried octopus and LIKED it.  Shocking, I know.  I guess if you're going to try something new, do it at a world renowned chef's restaurant. 

We walked around Greenwich Village after dinner, did a little shopping, took the subway back to the hotel and crashed. HARD. 
The next morning we woke up, packed up, went to breakfast and rode a taxi back to JFK.  I was home by noon.  What a whirlwind trip.  I had such a fabulous time.  I will miss you girls!!!