Food Tour of NY

A belated birthday present to Chris, we went with our friends Mary, Dennis, Kathy and Jeremy on a food tour in the Village and Soho. It was one of the most fun things we have done here, not to mention the tastiest! We got to go try seven different foods including Indian, Italian, Cuban, Cheese, Milkshakes and Tarts. We will definitely be heading back to some of these places to get an entire meal. 

                                           Mary and Dennis

 Can't wait to go back here and try the burger!! Our friends Cady and Travis just went and said it was delish!

 Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix were just a few of the performers who started here-

 Really cool sand art this man does by hand-

 Empanadas at Cuba

                                 Kathy and Jeremy-

 Happy Belated Birthday to Chris-wonderful tres leche cake and best mojito in the city!

It was so much fun and we will definitely try to do it again in another part of the city. What could be better than eating your way through NYC!

 On our cab ride home we saw this woman just walking down the street with her bird. Like it was normal. This is the best I could get from a far.

The boys had to be fed when we got home so we finally took the to "the best dogs in the city" Papaya King. I think they sucked down the strawberry drink faster than the dog though.

Sleeping and playing around

For the first time in 2012 I believe, both boys were napping. Andrew didn't feel well, but regardless, it was quiet here for 45 whole minutes!

 Ryan on the floor behind my door hugging his "otter bottle"

 Making strawberry homemade ice cream!

 Climbing in a new playground

Andrew and I colored these cars and then he drew our friend Quinn's dog Miles in the top car and Fasbee in the bottom. They were racing.

Ryan's 2.5 year check-up

Here in NY they make you come for a 2.5 year check-up. Ryan was NOT excited about it AT ALL.  He was great between the nurse and doctor entering the room and after they left, but while they were there it was not fun.  I got to get weighed because he refused, and then we got to measure him on the baby blanket because he wouldn't stand up. I tried to prepare him by telling him they were just going to look in his ears and mouth and as soon as the doctor came in he covered his ears. Oh, stubborn Ryan. 

At 2.5 he was 36 inches and 27 pounds. He has actually dropped a tiny bit of weight from 2, but he didn't eat much on vacation and had a temp so I don't think it mattered.

At 2.5 Ryan is constantly cracking us up.  He may have been a late talker but he has definitely made up for it. A couple weeks ago I counted an 8-9 word sentence. He memorizes books just like Andrew did and loves to sing and make up songs. He remembers everything about everybody (telling me a phone cover I was looking at wasn't like mine, it was like Uncle Mike's because of the color).  He likes to make sure everyone around him knows when something matches, whether its clothes, toys, cars, etc.. He loves to play balls and jump and is completely and utterly a true rambunctious boy.  

Jake and Justin Roberts

We finally attended a free Summer Stage concert in the Park! This was a kids concert featuring Jake and the Neverland Pirates and their band including all kids of things for the kids to do. The main band was Justin Roberts whom the boys love because of his song "My Brother Did It." Next time we will take dinner and hang out longer. It was a really cool production.

Coming back to the city

Our trip back was pretty uneventful but seemed to take FOREVER.  Ryan was being super demanding in the car and both kids are usually pretty relaxed.  We ended up coming through the Holland Tunnel which we never do and got a new view of the city. We also got to see the Statue of Liberty as we came in. 

 The boys were SOOO excited to be back into their own room and own toys.  We play a lot of make believe around here, and house lately, so when we got home Andrew was the son and Ryan was the Daddy taking him roller blading. It was pretty comical.

Water Country,Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg

We went right to Water Country and really enjoyed it. Ryan didn't do any of the water rides, but certainly liked the wave pools and kiddie pools.  He was a rock star again and didn't nap all day. This led to a rough sleep week, but so goes it. I am pretty sure Andrew could have played there ALL day long. We stayed at a great resort called Kingsmill that my friend Jorie recommended. It was so nice! Great restaurants on site, Chris and Don golfed, I got a great massage, and realllllly good homemade gelato/ice cream at the little shop. 

On the 4th we went to Busch Gardens sans Dottie and Ryan. That morning when I told Andrew we were going to Busch Gardens he said, "Aww mom, flowers are boring!!" Such a great comment! It turned out to be a much better idea since he was so tired and really just doesn't care to much for the rides or anything. Andrew was very excited about a few rides until we actually did them and he decided they were too scary. I do think he will enjoy coasters as he gets a little older. 

                                                         Happy 4th of July!

 The last day we went to Colonial Williamsburg and it was HOT. 102 outside and air so thick you could barely breath. We were actually a little late for most of the attractions, but did get to play around a bit.

So long Williamsburg! It was a great trip, but glad to be heading home and getting back to a "normal" schedule after 2.5 weeks away!

Vacation here we come!

Instead of a beach trip this year we decided to head down to the house in Virginia and to Williamsburg for a few days. We were only at the house for a day, but got to relax and enjoy the lake for a few hours one day. Andrew loves playing with Uncle Mike and Pat and when they were awake he wanted to be with them all the time. 

                      I love the tongue out for concentration here-