Girls Day Out!

I promised McKinley back in December (when we weren't willing to stand out in the American Girl Store line that was wrapped around the block) that when it was spring we would have a girls only day and go to the American Girl Store in New York City. Well, today was that day.

She and I took the early train in to the city for brunch at the American Girl Store Cafe. It was adorable. Your American Girl doll got her own chair to sit at (so did McKinley's little dog), and a little plate with a tea cup. There was a box of questions to ask each other during brunch. They start off brunch with some little cinnamon buns. Then you choose your entree. I got Eggs Florentine (which I've never had before) and they were DELICIOUS! McKinley thinks she always gets sick at restaurants, so after her first bite of pancakes she insisted she felt something coming up. Therefore her meal went uneaten. If I could have eaten her brunch too I would have. I love breakfast. To finish off they serve chocolate mousse in a flower pot and a little sugar cookie. I was stuffed! It was a lot of fun. I'm glad I have a little girl to do this with!

McKinley got to do a little shopping at the American Girl store before brunch with some recently acquired birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa K. The only trouble was staying within her budget. EVERYTHING looked so wonderful to her. She has my spending genes. I had promised I would buy her something there as well. She finally decided on the dog for her doll, a pet bath kit, an outfit for her doll, and a brush to finally brush that doll's mess of hair.

The American Girl experience was a girl's dream come true and worth the trip and money!

After we were done we agreed to go see Central Park and on to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

On the way I wanted to glance in at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was beautiful.

We passed by the Central Park Zoo. I didn't want to go in though. Here is the clock that is featured regularly on the "Penguins of Madagascar" cartoon. We happened to pass by at 11:00 so the bells went off and the animals moved around. It was cute.

We stopped for a rest in Central park at one of the many playgrounds. I needed to look at my map, and McKinley "needed" to change her doll into her new outfit. Here's her new purchases...

McKinley wanted to slide down this slide at the playground in Central Park. Some of the kids had cardboard box flaps they were using as sleds to go down the slide faster. She thought the slide was really fun, but we had a lot more walking to do so we had to go.

We finally made it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Phew! It was a long walk! But I'm cheap, and taxis aren't an option.

McKinley loves art and was really excited to go here. So was I. I'm glad it was just the two of us because as I was showing Kent some of the pictures tonight he could barely sit through the museum highlight. He would have been grumbly.

We got the audio tour to learn more about some of the pieces. It is a gigantic museum. I had to keep telling McKinley to keep walking or we would never make it home! My favorite part of the museum was the Roman and Greek art. It was full of marble sculptures, busts, pottery, and jewelry. This sculpture of a little Eros boy was just precious. When we walked past all the Greek sculptures (think "David") McKinley kept whispering to me "I see a bum." It made me laugh.

On the rooftop garden there was a great view of the New York City skyline.

On to the modern art area. This was one of our favorites. It was so funky!

Although this series of paintings seems simple, it's visual impact was impressive and was one of my favorites.

McKinley claimed she was "hypnotized" by this art piece.

McKinley pointed out what a perfect museum picture this area would be...she was right!

We finally finished at the museum, and walked a few MORE blocks to the Shake Shack (that is on my list of NYC places to go). We both weren't hungry still, so we shared a black & white shake. I thought it would be an Oreo shake. Either we got the wrong shake, or I was just plain wrong. It was very yummy though. The burgers looked fantastic too, and that's coming from a girl who's not big on burgers.

We were on 86th street now. We had to make it back to Grand Central Station on 42nd. Luckily we spotted a subway station! So we headed down, and I took my first NYC subway ride...and it wasn't bad! It's definitely not as clean as D.C.s metro, but it saved me walking 44 blocks, and kids are free. And now I'm not scared to ride the subway in NYC. It had me worried before.

In Grand Central Station is the famous Magnolia Bakery that sells yummy baked goods and cupcakes. Since it was also on my list of places to go, we got two cupcakes (just one each) and it was buttercream heaven!

Then back on the Metro North Rail to home! It was such a fun (and exhausting) day! I don't feel intimidated by the city now. Although I think driving would be a different story. In fact I don't see the appeal of driving. I think the train was the way to go.

Half Way!

I thought I should say something to commemorate the half way point with baby boy (no name yet).

The ultrasound went very well. The spine is closed, there are two kidneys (and they are functional), the heart has 4 chambers, and the stomach is inside the body. Four of my biggest worries from a pediatric nurse standpoint.

Now we just have 1/2 a pregnancy to go. Did I mention it's really humid out here...and warm. It's going to be a long air-conditioned summer!

A day with Ted

Sawyer got to take home "Ted" from his kindergarten class today. They have been following Felix around the world on his travels to London, Paris, Rome, Kenya, and NYC. Felix has a cousin named "Alfie" who got to visit the class on their daily adventures...but Alfie got lost yesterday so his friend Ted came to visit instead.

It is so adorable how excited Sawyer has been waiting for his turn. His day finally arrived.

Here is Ted.

Sawyer posing with Ted.

Ted got to join Sawyer on his play date with his little buddy Colin.

The boys played Transformers with Ted, took him outside, and then wanted him to watch them play "Criss Cross Crash" with hot wheels.

Sawyer had many activities he wanted to do with Ted, including playing a board game.

He chose Monopoly.

Now he is having a sleepover with Ted. I love how real Ted, and Alfie, and Felix are to him. If there is any mention of London or Paris Sawyer is quick to point out that "Felix went there!"

What a fun little age.

Pictures

I finally got around to taking some of McKinley's baptism pictures this weekend. This isn't the one I chose to use though. Hopefully I'll get them printed out and sent soon. Not that anyone will be making the long trek out here...but they're still invited.

The Art Party

Today was party day for McKinley. We did an art party. When the girls arrived they got do draw their self-portrait. Then we moved on to acrylic painting on some canvas boards. They were to mimic the Georgia O'Keefe style of painting giant flowers. In between layers we did a bubble art project. Then back to their paintings to finish off their flowers. Then they got to take off their art "smocks", which were just white t-shirts and tie die them. After that they made their own individual pizzas and made bracelets. A quick birthday song and cake cutting to go with their pizza, since there was only 20 minutes left before the parents arrived. A couple of kids did the pictionary game for a few minutes, then they wanted to open presents...so we did. She got a lot of fun crafty stuff, some books, and some earrings. She had a good time. 2 and a half hours with six 8 year-olds was more exhausting than I anticipated. I couldn't help but think back to my 8th birthday party with 12+ girls. I never appreciated the work that must have gone into that party as much as I did today. I guess it's the cycle of life and one day McKinley will understand the work it takes when she has her own kid's parties.

Kent thankfully took the boys out to Chuck E. Cheese's during the party so I could have one (or two) less things to worry about.

I made the currently popular rainbow cake and the girls loved it, and so did a couple of parents. We decorated with balloons and some tissue pom-poms a la Martha Stewart.

Now I can go to bed and sleep for a few days.

It's a...

Big brother

Big brother Sawyer was earnestly teaching Hayden how to properly shoot a basket the other day. It was sweet.
"No, no, Hayden. You have to bend down like this" (bending his legs), "hold the ball right here" (against his chest), "and shoot!" Swoosh! Then when Hayden would give it a try he was very encouraging, telling him "Almost Hayden!" very loudly---I'm not sure Sawyer has any volume level other than loud.
Sawyer's getting pretty good, as he practices every day at recess with his kindergarten friends on the basketball court outside. It's pretty dang cute to see. It's more of a mix between basketball and football. There's a lot of holding, pushing, and running with the ball. He's got two pair of shorts that are "basketball" shorts that he would wear every day if he was allowed.

Pierced

She did it. She got her ears pierced. She was very excited and very nervous. I was completely honest about how it would feel. Maybe too honest since when she was done she told me it wasn't as bad as I made it out to be. Although she still winced and wanted to cry, but she didn't. She looks adorable! Her brothers got her some new earrings for her birthday that she took to school to show her friends. Apparently she is the first girl in the class to get her ears pierced.

8 Years Old!

She checked this morning and insists she is a good 1/2 inch taller than she was yesterday. She is so excited for her birthday and to be turning 8 years old. She had her baptism interview yesterday with the Bishop and is ready for her baptism next month.

Her food requests for the day include:

breakfast-chocolate chip pancakes, strawberries

lunch- lunchable

dinner-dark meat turkey or ham (we're going with a ham), rainbow jell-o salad, cooked carrots, and kiwi. With dunkin donuts for her dessert.

She got to do a little shopping on Saturday and pick out a few clothes from grandparents birthday money. Tonight she'll get her presents (a bike). Then for the finale we're going up to the Danbury mall to get her ears pierced. Yikes!

Birthday interview:

What is your favorite color: pink

What is your favorite food: wafer cookies

What is your favorite thing to do: mold with clay

What is your favorite thing to play with: crayons and markers

What is your favorite subject in school: art

What do you want to be when you grow up: artist

What do you want for your birthday: clothes, new bike, littlest pet shops, DS game, backpack

What was the funnest thing about being 7: having friends

What will be the best thing about being 8: getting baptized

What's one thing that you really like about yourself: I'm fun and creative

Our weekend

We made a little fire pit out back using some of the many rocks around here. We gathered some firewood from around the yard and had a little camp fire and s'mores. It was all the good parts of camping without the dread of sleeping in the tent all night and the other usual camping misfortunes.

This morning

H- "I wish I had magical powers."

Mom- "Why?"

H- "So all my dreams could come true."

Mom- "Oh? What are your dreams?"

H- "Lots of Buzz and Woody's!"

Luckily his birthday is in a few weeks so we can make all his dreams come true.

party

I just bit the bullet and sent out invitations for McKinley's 8th birthday friend party. It kind of gives me anxiety to have a party in this house...but I am swallowing my pride. I'm remembering this quote by Erma Bombeck:

Because I don't want to say: "I would have let McKinley have an 8th birthday party with her Connecticut friends even though I didn't think my house was good enough."

Art show

McKinley had an art project chosen to be part of the annual Wilton k-12 art show at the city library. McKinley's "cat mask" was the piece her art teacher chose. McKinley loves art and was very proud to have one of her works chosen. We, of course, are proud of her too. There was a big opening night reception that I took the kids to (since Kent was out of town) that was a lot of fun for McKinley to go to.

Happy Mother's Day

image from onecharmingparty.com

The Big Music Show

The 2nd grade put on a broadway musical concert. McKinley has been excited about this for months now. The kids got to decorate her own white t-shirt in art class for it. McKinley's favorite song to sing was one from "Wicked", I can't wait to take her to it next month now. She did a great job and loves to perform. She's a good kid :)

A little bit of Hayden

It is a nice cool spring day today, just the kind I love. So we went outside this morning for a few bubbles and energy-expending.

I can't believe my baby is almost 4 years old!

We played with Sadie too. She did her crazy running around the yard over and over. Now she is pooped and sleeping on the back porch.

an excerpt

This is an excerpt from a letter that McKinley wrote her new sibling on April 9, 2011.

"You don't know how long I have been waiting for mommy to say that she was going to have a baby. I hope that she has a girl but if she has a boy then I will still love you the same."

I am keeping it for a reference and proof to her, since she went to bed tonight crying (again) that it 'better be a girl because she doesn't want to be the only girl, and she doesn't like brothers.'

2 weeks until her heartbreak or joy...Oi Vay!

Hatched

Our butterflies courteously waited for us to get back from D.C. to emerge from their cocoons. The kids were thrilled.

A few days later we released the butterflies into the wilderness.

Then I threw away the habitat because when they emerge from the cocoon they have a goopy red goo (which is leftover caterpillar stuff) that smears all over. Disgusting!

But it was a very educational experience for the kids and they loved it!

Birthday boy

It was Kent's birthday on Saturday. He just likes to hang out, but I may have persuaded him to decide to try out Mystic Seaport, CT. It is a quaint little seaport village with a bunch of little buildings and old ships to walk around and see. Luckily the New Canaan library has a discount pass to check out that made it free for a family of 5. Otherwise it was $24 per adult---which it is not worth. Since we got in for free though it was worth it. That is just our price :)

There was a recreation of Amistad, as well as a few whaling ships. I tried my first fish and chips---which was happily yummy. The kids even ate the fish and chips! Kent even preferred it to what he ordered (which turned out to be gross, but still, it's a big step for Kent).

After the seaport we found a little beach for the kids to romp around on for a few minutes. Then we headed out and got ice cream cones.

Next, we stopped by Old Mystick Village to try and hit the sidewalk sale for Mother's Day merchandise, but the sale shut down right at 6:00 when we got there. When we got back near home we ate at Outback (of course). McKinley got sick at dinner (again). All three kids fell asleep on the 15 minute ride back home at 9:00 at night. I guess it was a busier day than I thought.