Thanksgiving in The Big Apple

We were fortunate enough this year to get reservations to spend Thanksgiving in NYC.  It was quite an event.  We started our day off on Wednesday in a bit of stress mode.  We gave ourselves plenty of time to get the metro to Union Station and then pick up our bus to take us to NYC.  But as luck would have it, the train had a malfunction an we were stranded.  After many delays, we exited the metro station to try and find a cab.... there are always cabs outside the metro stations... but not on this day... they were no where to be found... closest one said 30 min.  Ugh.  Luckily we got a cab and with 10 minutes to spare made our bus.  We even got front row seats on our double decker MegaBus which Lily loved.  Once in NYC, we headed to our hotel... Lily loves hotels too.  She likes to use all the envelopes and paper they provide to write her friends notes.  Very amusing.  After some food, we headed to central park to watch them blow up the Macys Day Parade balloons.  This was very cool... as was the weather...  We got up early on Thanksgiving to enjoy the parade.  It was great fun, but definitely a mad house.  We didn't get great views, but at least we could see all the balloons go by.  After the parade we hit Carmine's for Italian to celebrate the Thanksgiving day.  Nothing like spaghetti and meatballs to say a non-traditional Thanksgiving.  The food was great, but we needed about four other families to finish the dishes.  Wow.  I'd like to say we did some serious shopping, but we spent more time enjoying the window shopping (all the beautiful Christmas displays) than we did anything else.  Lily did get some quality time at FAO Schwartz and even got to play on the piano from the movie Big.   Oh and we also went for breakfast at Alice's Tea Shop which was Alice in Wonderland themed and they even let the little ones where butterfly wings.  We also discovered the tiniest little cupcakes in the world that were so good you couldn't stop at just three.  Lily's favorite were the tie dyed cupcakes.  It was definitely a wonderful holiday time with loads of memories.

Blowing up the Macy's Day Balloons the night before

The Macy's Day Parade

Dinner at Carmine's

Breakfast at Alice's Tea Shop

Playing on the FAO Schwartz Big Piano

Lily happy to be taking home a new Hello Kitty purse

We didn't stay at the Peninsula, but it was too pretty to pass up a quick photo opp

Rockfeller Center

Christmas Tree

We had a great time last week putting up our Christmas tree and decorations.  Most of the decorations we got up on Sunday after we returned from the beach.  And then during the week we got the tree done.  I can't tell you how much Lily loves decorating for the holidays.  She is so helpful.  We even got to hear here three Singing Snowmen from Hallmark sing all at the same time.  For hours and hours on end.  Special thanks to the Aunt Neenee and Uncle Dave for these "special" presents.

Weekend #2 without dad

Last weekend I wasn't sure if I wore Lily out or she wore me out.  It was definitely a full weekend.  So, you think I would have learned and actually planned to do nothing this weekend.  Nope, not happening.  We decided to hit downtown and the museums on the National Mall.  Of course the day wouldn't be complete without taking the metro so we started with a quick and efficient metro ride into town.  Then we hit the Barnes and Noble for some hot chocolate and book look reading and look abouts.  Next we walked to this amazing french bakery (Paul) and I had a lovely chocolate croissant.  What a treat.  We sat out in the crisp sun eating a warm chocolate croissant.  I nearly felt like I was in Paris.  On our way to the National Mall, we motored through the Sculpture Garden with some crazy art.  Next up was the Museum of Natural History.  The line to get in was so long I thought it was going to be packed, but it really wasn't and we had a great time looking arounds, watching some of the educational shows, and seeing all the animals and dinosaurs.  Next up, we walked over to the National Gallery of Art.  If you haven't been... I highly recommend it... even just for the amazing architecture inside.  It is awe inspiring.  And the Monets are pretty cool as well.  Lily even recognized some of the Monet's that her teacher has posted in their art room.  Finally we had some good food and followed up with another efficient ride back on the metro.  What a fun day.

Lily enjoying her metro ride

Sculpture garden

Lily dancing with bronze neanderthals at the Museum of Natural History

View of the capital from the outside of the National Gallery of Art

Girl Time

Since Dad was out of town we planned a girls play date for Lily and her best friend Gianna.  Yes, they probably spend plenty of time at school together, but they sure enjoyed being out on the town together. We went to the mall, played in the play area, had lunch at their favorite spot (Panera) and then did some serious girl shopping and dress up at Claires.  I think we nearly knocked over every stand in the store, but had lots of fun doing it.

Weekend without Dad

While Chris took off to drive our Expedition and furniture out to our new condo in Park City, Lily and I had a fun filled girls weekend.  First stop by the zoo.  We had a great time seeing all the animals and even got to enjoy a seal feeding show where we learned a lot about seals.  Unfortunately our new baby panda is not able to be seen for viewing yet, but we got to see his mommy hanging outside.  The carousel was also a big hit with Lily.  

Did you all know that the National Zoo is free?  It amazes me every time I go.  So nice not to have to stand in lines to get in and not feel bad if you want to take off early.

Trick or Treating

This Halloween we were fortunate enough to have some really nice weather.  No need for coats even.  Lily and her pal Lluc took off around our neighborhood and filled their trick or treat pumpkins before coming back and enjoying some play time.