Sandbox in December

The weather has been beautiful lately.  I really can't complain.  I was worried that it was going to be a long, cold, snowy winter, but so far it has been very mild and we all couldn't be happier to still be playing outside.... without jackets!

NYC At Christmastime: Take 5

It's hard to believe that this year was our 5th trip to New York City to see Santa at the Plaza Hotel.  I was a little nervous about how to navigate the trip this year with two mobile kids who both are still too little to walk most of the time.  Our double jogging stroller is too big for the streets of NY so we decided on the single.  I was worried we would have too much stuff and too many kids fighting over sitting in the stroller, but luckily the weather was gorgeous so we didn't need to take up space with snowsuits and layers and LittleL.G. had no interest in riding in the stroller anyway.  So MiniM.E. could get in and out as she pleased and we packed lightly enough that all our gear fit underneath.  

We set out early (MiniM.E. exclaimed as we left, "but it's nighttime!! I wanted to go in the DAY!!!") and made it to the Poukeepsie train station (after a fairly miserable car ride- MiniM.E. started feeling carsick about half an hour in) with exactly enough time to buy tickets and make it to the platform.  

Both girls were beyond excited to be on the "choo choo train" and LittleL.G. signed train all by herself for the first time!

When we got there, we walked around Grand Central and looked around the Christmas Market while we waited for our friends who made the train a half hour after us.

When we met up, it was time to start walking:

Our first stop was Central Park so LittleL.G. could nap for a bit while we walked around and climbed a really big rock:

Then it was time for the zoo!

After the zoo it was time to see Santa.  I was so proud of both girls for sitting on his lap.


It must have really worn them out, because by the time we got to the tree:

they were both asleep:

We woke MiniM.E. up to visit the American Girl store and $34 of souvenirs later we were on our way to the carousel and Christmas Market at Bryant Park.

We had planned on Times Square, but we were all fading fast and headed back to Grand Central for the train ride home:

Great trip to the city!!

Four Year Doctor's Appointment...

...was yesterday.  There was a shot, and tears, but overall, probably the best well visit we've had so far!

My Ballerina's First Recital

Last night MiniM.E. had her first dance recital.  It was a big deal for her to start dance this fall since she had never taken a class where moms and dads had to wait outside before.  She has done so well and was so excited (and also very nervous) about dancing on the stage for the first time.

We had to get there very early to make sure we were the first ones so we could sit right in front, and also so MiniM.E. could check out the stage before she had to dance on it.

LittleL.G. delicately admired the tree:

and MiniM.E. made sure she looked her best:

before a pre-dance photo:

MiniM.E. wowed us all by going to sit with other dancers all on her own before the performance started:

MiniM.E. and A.

waiting for their turn!

 It was quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen:

We were so proud of her for getting up on the stage and dancing.  She loved it so much she even got back on the stage after it was over and everyone had left and danced by herself.  On the way home she was sad there wouldn't be another recital until the spring.  Way to go MiniM.E., Ballerina!!

Getting Dizzy!

Outside

Victorian Street Walk

Last night was the Victorian Street Walk.  Broadway closes and hundreds of people come out to walk around, go shopping, see people dressed in Victorian attire, hear carolers, and see the tree lighting and Santa.

In the past it has been a frigid event, but this year was unseasonably warm, which made it much more pleasant.

However, there didn't seem to be as much activity as in previous years.  We missed having the "Noah's Arc" and reindeer, and it seemed there were less performances and activities.

At least the carousel was open!

It was still fun to have an excuse to go out downtown in the evening in the winter!