Taxi, Taxi

One of the things that you have to get used to as a mom in NYC is that when you and your kids take a cab, they don't sit in a car seat. It does not feel safe at all and I really did not like doing it a few years ago, but I guess I got used to it because now it doesn't seem like such a big deal.  We don't take cabs very often, but when we do, the kids are in charge of hailing the cab.

The cabbies always stop for the kids!

Sometimes they sit nicely and...

other times they just get into tickle fights!

One of their favorite things to do in the cab is sing the "Taxi, Taxi" song to the taxi driver. After singing it, they always ask the driver " Have you heard that song before?" They get super excited when the driver answers no and asks them to sing it again.

Sledding

The same day that they had swimming lessons, Drew and Katie also went sledding with Poppy and Grandmom.  There is this fantastic street a few blocks from our apartment that is a pedestrian-only street.  It is closed off to traffic, which is really unheard of in NYC.  I knew it would be perfect for sledding because the street also happens to be a huge hill.

Grandmom and Poppy took the kids sledding and they absolutely loved it!  Apparently Katie screamed when it wasn't her turn because she wanted to be on the sled.  She is usually very good at taking turns but I guess she liked sledding too much!  Therefore, Poppy decided to just put them on the sled at the same time and everyone was happy.

Drew sledding alone.  Very serious.

That is Katie sledding in her pink snowsuit!

Lots of smiles.

So cute!

Grandmom and Poppy took them for donuts and hot chocolate on the way home. 

Swimming lessons

There is this great website called Doodledeals that has deals of the day for NYC kids.  A few months ago I purchased two daily deals for $40 for 4 semi-private swimming lessons from Physique Swimming.  I signed the kids up for the four Wednesdays in January, thinking that we could use something fun to do during the long, cold month.  The lessons take place in a private pool in the Upper East Side and the set-up is perfect for us.  Drew gets his lesson with an instructor and at most one other 3 year old, while in the same pool, Katie and I have our lesson with another instructor and no more than three toddlers and their caregivers.  I am so happy with the program! Drew loves his lessons and has done extremely well each time.  Katie loves her lessons too and spends the entire time singing the songs with the instructor or shouting out "I am swimming!"

Ready for the pool!

Drew's instructor is great.

Last week Poppy and Grandmom were visiting and Poppy took Katie for her swimming lesson. She loved it!  It worked out great for me because I could actually watch Drew's lesson where usually I am in the pool with Katie.  Plus it was nice to not have to put a bathing suit on!

So happy.

One of his favorite pool activities is now floating on his back.

Andy's Birthday

Andy turned 35 on January 3rd and the kids were so excited for his special day.  The kids wanted to make something for Andy so we headed out to a local store called The Craft Studio and made Daddy special presents that they painted just for him.   Drew selected a dragon and Katie chose a heart.  When Andy got home he was so excited to receive his presents, hear his two sweethearts sing him Happy Birthday and enjoy some homemade cheesecake.

First the kids had to paint a base coat.

Next they took a trip to the dryers.

Then they were able to paint with any colors that they wanted.

Daddy loved his presents!

So happy after a long day of work.

Perfect birthday.

Brad visits from California

Brad is one of the great friends that we made from Andy's residency program. He and Andy trained together for five years and throughout that time we became very close with him and his entire family.  Drew always liked Brad.  Every time Brad would come over they would play together and Drew would often ask me when "Uncle Brad" was coming over for a play date! Brad always gave Drew (and later Katie), his full attention and made them feel special and important.  There was always lots of running around, tickling and being silly together.  Brad held both Katie and Drew on the days that they were born.  He will always be a friend to our little family.

We were all sad when Brad moved to California for his fellowship, but fortunately, we have seen him a few times since he moved in July.  We miss you Uncle Brad!!

Cousins from Connecticut

On their way to visit Granny and Far in Maryland, Andy's brother Ian and his three kids Mac, Mackenzie and Madison, all stopped in NYC to visit with us.  The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins, going out to a yummy lunch, and showing off their new toys.

Katie's First Haircut!

I figured I should get Katie's haircut since her bangs kept falling in her face and the back looked a little messy.  I wasn't sure how she would react to it, but of course, she was an angel!  Drew went first and climbed into his car and watched a show while the hairdresser cut off his adorable curls.  Katie was so excited for it to be her turn and kept saying "My turn, Katie's haircut, now!" When it was her turn, she happily sat in the chair, watched a show, and had no problem getting her haircut.  She loves talking about her haircut, even though I don't think it looks much different!

Friends from Finland

Meghan, Chris, Riley and Piper moved to Finland from NYC this past August and we have missed them so much.  Meghan and I were close in college, both married our college boyfriends, and then had children at the same time!  Since then, we have grown even closer sharing our love for our children and together laughing at the crazy stuff that they do.

Meghan and Chris were visiting family and friends for a few weeks over the holidays and we were lucky enough to have them over for dinner on December 29th.  It was just like they had never left.  We all had so much fun making a mess at a dinner of pasta and meatballs, playing in the kids room, and then a fun-filled four kid bath time!

Drew, Katie and Riley digging up dinosaur bones. 

Chris got really into it too!

Riley and Piper playing cars.

Katie, Meghan and Piper playing with the ladybug.

Drew after eating chocolate cake.

Katie is not a shy cake eater!

Why are Piper and Riley so clean after eating their cake?

Four kids in a tub!

We had so much fun with our friends.  Meghan, Chris, Riley and Piper, we miss you and can't wait to see you again. Until then, we will have to keep skyping!

The first big storm of the season

Drew never wanted to go inside!

Katie loved the snow! How cute is she in pink?

Drew walking down the middle of our street.

Even in the cold, these crazy kids wanted ice cream.

The ice cream store is less than a block away...

...but it took us 2 hours to get there and back!  SO FUN!

Our 8th Anniversary!

Andy and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on December 27th!  My parents came up and we went out to a nice dinner and a Broadway show.  Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!

Lately we have been making it a priority to go out on more "date nights" and spend more time just the two of us. We have been trying the various tasting menus throughout the city and have been having fun playing our own version of Top Chef!  A few weeks earlier, we went to a fantastic performance at the Metropolitan Opera.  I feel so fortunate that we have been able to take advantage of some of the fantastic opportunities here in NYC.  I think that we are both getting sad that our adventure here in the Big Apple will be over so soon and we are trying to take in as much as we can before August.

December 27, 2002

Christmas 2010

We had so much fun this Christmas.  The kids were very into Santa and could not wait for him to visit and bring them presents!  Andy had to work and couldn't leave the city, so the kids and I decided to head down to NJ and spend a few days with my family before the big day.  One of my favorite things about Christmas is Christmas Eve. My family has this crazy tradition that we have been doing since before I was born. On December 24th, it begins with my mom making the traditional Italian seven fish dinner.  This year we ate around 5pm with my parents, Chris, Gram, PopPop, Paulette and Steven. After dinner the kids were allowed to open their presents from Poppy and Grandmom.

They received ALOT of presents and liked all of them,  but some of their favorites included:
Drew--- First Science Kit, crystal climbers, science goggles, Lincoln Logs, and various critters that come out of eggs
Katie--- Tea party set and tea cart, silly bands, necklaces, a K purse, and clothes!

Drew DID NOT like the clothes at all! However, Katie wanted to put on all of the stuff that she got! It was so cute!

Katie modeling her new scarf, shirt, pants, necklace and purse.

Drew was really funny because after he opened a present, he would place it in a pile and make sure that it was just so.

Drew's presents!

After opening their presents, I put the kids to bed like it was a normal night at 7pm.  I then woke them up at 9:30pm and said "Oops, I forgot. There is a party over at Gram and PopPop's house. Should we go?"  After the initial confusion, they were excited to get dressed in their adorable Christmas outfits and walk next door to my grandparents house around 10pm.  The rest of the family (aunts, uncles, cousins) arrived.  Drew was so excited for midnight because he knew that was when he could open more presents! Every few minutes he would ask me what time it was and how long until midnight.  Gram said he was just like I used to be when I was little!  When the clock struck 12 and it was officially Christmas Day, everyone opened presents and the chaos began.  Again, everything was a big hit, but some favorites included:
Drew--- A space shuttle and astronauts, a dinosaur umbrella, and two cars that you can take apart and put back together
Katie--- A baby doll with everything that a baby needs, a Dora doll, a purse with makeup, a tiara and dress up shoes

Around 1:30am we took a break for ANOTHER full meal that my Gram made.  We headed back to my parents house around 2:30am to go to sleep for the "night" (they then woke up at 7am).  The kids were so happy and such troopers the entire time.

We woke up Christmas morning and drove to NYC where Andy was waiting with presents from Santa under the tree.  The kids were so excited to see Andy. They couldn't wait to tell him everything and show him all their presents.  It was so strange to not have him at Christmas Eve at Gram's because he has been there with my family every year since 1999.  We all missed him so much!   All of the gifts from Santa were a big hit but some favorites included:
Drew---Superhero cape, United State quarter collection map,  Smart Cycle, a spelling word game, binoculars and a volcano making kit
Katie---Superhero cape, a scooter, a construction hat, a matching necklace and bracelet, and a camera

We spent the rest of the day playing with new toys, telling stories, reading new books, and just hanging out as a family of four.

Katie loves her new dress up clothes!

Serving tea in a tiara?

Father and son doing science!