Saturday, November 29, 2008

Central Park


Andrew has fallen in love with the touch screen televisions in the back of the cabs.



Central Park Carousal

More NYC



We hit several more big city sights yesterday. Toys R Us Time Square where Sydney & I rode the the indoor farris wheel while Andrew checked out the life size dinosaurs.




The Winter Wonderland at Macy's Harold Square was a very impressive operation. There were at least 100 people in line but we moved through in about 30 minutes. They line winds through an aray of holiday displays, and the staff take on a characters to entertain adults & children alike. When you reach the end each family is guided into one of six Santas workshop's where you have some one on one time with Santa.



Sera treated Sydney to her first pedicure.

Friday, November 28, 2008

NYC Part 2




In leiu of turkey we had Korean for our Thanksgiving dinner this year, bulkogi, kyogi and yakudori. Yummo! As usual Andrew was spoiled by the waitresses. He pouted when we didnt order any noodles; a few moments later our waitress arrived with a noodle dinner on the house!


This morning we took a the kids down to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. Sydney's only comment; "This is not a park and theres no batteries". Priceless! We tried to explain that in New York places with grass are considered parks. To our little Ohio girl, parks have playgrounds.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Big Apple Thanksgiving



Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are spending the holiday at Matt's sister, Sera's in the lower east side of Manhattan. We drove in last night through the Holland Tunnel after an unscheduled tour of the New Jersey ghetto. The kids were wide eyed at the sight of all tall building in all their night time glory. Andrew was bewildered by all the traffic and asked if it was a parade.



But, the parade had to wait till this morning. About 4:00 AM Andrew popped up from bed and asked if it was parade time yet. Maybe we should have followed his lead but instead we got up at 5:30 AM and took the subway over to 75th & Central Park West. We arrived about 7:00 AM and were about 20 yards back from the sidewalk in a sea of humans from everywalk of life. We spent the next two hours elbow to elbow with new friends from the Bronx and Sydney, Australia. Just like clockwork at 9:00 AM the grand daddy of all them all; the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade kicked off with a crowd countdown. Although we could only see the floats & balloons it was still spectacular. Several seasoned watchers brought along buckets, ladders and scaffolding to see above the crowds. We ended up with the kids on our shoulders.

Sydney was thrilled to see the real life; Hannah Montana. While Andrew squealed with excitement over a Buzz Lightyear & the cast of Sesame Street. So, despite the long wait, insane crowds and holding the kids up for 2 1/2 hours I am glad we went. Thats one more crossed of my "bucket list".





Monday, November 24, 2008

Competition Season Begins


Back in my cheerleading days you practiced once maybe twice a week and cheered school football & basketball games. Boy, the world of cheerleading has changed. Tumbling is no longer a plus, its a must and you now find many girls giving up representing their own schools for the challenge of all star competition level cheerleading.

Sydney choose cheerleading as her sport of choice again this year. Since June she has been practicing three days a week. Yesterday the NEO Gym held a "dress rehearsal" for the parents & family. Sydney was so excited to dress in full uniform and makeup. She & her team did a nice job & I was so proud to see her throw a beautiful back walkover.