Friday, August 13, 2010

And so it goes---FAST!
















Oh my goodness- I can't explain how fast time seems to be flying. Just last night I was talking to Richard about how big Jayna is- I just want time to slow down. She is attending day camp for a couple of weeks this summer. She was so excited, but on the way there the first day she got very nervous and scared. Two days later she's asking me not to come in with her- could I just pull up and drop her off at the door :( !!! We did that today, although yesterday I still got out and walked her into the building- but not to the gym where they meet. And she's like ok mom, tomorrow you'll just drop me off?? She's 8 years old- that's a good ways past diapers, potty training and even Dora the Explorer. (Although I must say, I've seen enough of Wizards of Waverly Place and Suite Life of Zack and Cody and ICArly to last me- somedays I'd much prefer to watch Curious George and Dora- but life moves on)

Jayna's 8, Whitney is 13 and Andrew 15- sometimes there seems like there is only so much time to get in special family activities before the olders one won't want to be involved (which already happens at times) So that being said is was a great time this summer to hit The Big Apple, NYC!
What a fun vacation it was- and more than fun, I think we really had some good bonding time going on. It was my first time there, as well as the kids. Richard went when he was in high school. We had a hotel right in Manhattan-which was great! We could either walk places ( Like Dylans Candy Shop- fun and yum!) or hit the subway. We did tons of subway rides and we ALL got pretty good at swiping our cards and getting on and off. We did have one ride at the evening rush hour that was super packed- I mean really super packed! I was afraid if we broke down- I would break down- and be of no help to anyone. It was crazy! We also did tons of walking.

One day we did Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty- this was probably my favorite adventure- although we planned it for day that ended up being 100+ degrees out. It was just so meaningful to see what our nation has meant to people in the past, I think sometimes we forget that, along with the blessings and benefits of living in the good old USA.

We also saw Wicked on Broadway. How fun is that! I think that was probably Andrew's favorite things. I started explaining the play to Jayna as it started, after about a minute she asked me if I could just be quiet!! Like I said they are growing up fast.

Shopping in Times Square and China Town. The kids were each given $80 of spending money. It was fun seeing them plan their buying (Andrew and Whitney) or just see something they had to buy and buy it (Jayna more often) So this is how they spent their money: Andrew: wicked poster, wicked t-shirt, candy from Dylans, stickers for friends. Whitney: statue of liberty necklace, candy, sunglasses, clothing, friend gifts. Jayna: statue of liberty clock, m&m dispenser, playing cards, candy, water toy. We all thought the ferris wheel in the toys R Us was very cool- I knew they had an indoor ferris wheel, but not that the carts would be so cool! We got to FAO Schwartz just as it was about time to close, but Jayna did get to play on the big floor piano.

We also hit some theme restaurants: mars 2012, Jekyl and Hyde, and one with aspiring singers singing for us.

Also walked on wall street, and went to the 9-11 memorial center, central park. It was really a great time. One of the best memories was the kids singing on the way home to the tune of "Why can't we be friends", changed to "Why can't we have food"- mom and dad was hoping to make it home without stopping to eat again. Also , Whitney made her own versions of "I say a boom chicka boom.." we had the underwear version: "I say a loom chick a boom", the mummy version- "I say a tomb chick a boom (hmm, does she say boom or tomb the second time?), the scary villian version "I say a doom chick a doom?" It was just lots of fun.

So much more to say- graduation, NBCOT test, job search....but that's all for now.



div>Just read- How to be Lost by Amanda Eyreward





And so it goes