New York: Part 1

Indeed, I did promise pictures. And I guess that tomorrow came and went and I did not deliver.  So, I apologize.  I think I was in a state of mourning that prevented me from sharing.  Still sort of sad, actually.

It was a very early morning.  Woke up around 4 and out the door by 4:45 am.  Uh huh, AM.  It was all leading up to this moment.  That shot was one of the first views we had of New York City.  It is incredible.

   

The experience of flying was not something Kyra was looking forward to, but she was great.  When we landed we gathered our things and set off to grab the first of many cabs.

We stayed at the Hilton Times Square.  The inclusion of "Times Square" in any title is enough to make me just giddy.  It was spectacular.  Here is a little glimpse of our view out the windows on the 44th floor of our hotel.

I know that not everyone has the same love for such a sight, but for me...wonderland. So many people, so much energy, so many things to see and do.  The smell is exquisite...not like the clean smell of the ocean, or the fresh smell of a walk in a park, but something that I can't even explain.  You can smell hot dog vendors (had to have Gray's Papaya hot dog.  Amazing.), roasted almonds on every street corner (I don't know why), the subway, the everything.  I told you I can't describe it.  It is a smell that filled me up with so much joy that I felt like I could do anything.  You know that song?  If I can make it there...I'll make it anywhere.  I never, ever would have thought I could "make it there", but I think I was wrong.  I could have made it there.  I could see myself there.  Another time, of course, but I could see it.  Moving on.

There was no shortage of crazies in costumes.  Elmo.  Sponge Bob.  The Statue of Liberty herself.  Everywhere!  It was quite funny.

Once we got checked into the room, Kyra and I set out for our first walk.  We didn't get far though, as we were ready for lunch and there was a fab little place right out behind the hotel.  It's called Schnippers.  Yummy.  As great as it is, and it really is, there was so much more food to come.  I didn't even TRY to count calories.  We had Corned Beef Sandwiches and Cheesecake at Carnegie Deli, the most amazing breakfast I have ever had at the Norma's at Le Parker Meridian, more amazing breakfast at Russ and Daughters where we had the best bagel and lox EVER!  The fine gentlemen that made it called it the Rolls Royce of Bagels and Lox.  There were cupcakes.  First we went to Magnolia Bakery and then on Sunday we stopped in at Crumb's on Madison Avenue.  Take a look.

     

I didn't love the New York pizza last year, but this year...oh wow.  Kyra LOVED it.  She asked for it every day.  I think we ate the pizza three times when we were there.  For all of the walking we did...we were hungry.  We ate at this little hole in the wall Italian place where the adorable Italian server called me Mama and called Kyra Baby.  From a cute Italian waiter it sounds good, anyone else would sound cheesy.  

What I am trying to say is that we ate a lot of really delicious food.  

There is certainly more to cover, such as the trip to visit Lady Liberty as well as Mary Poppins.  A little bit of trivia that I don't know that many of you will know about:  The very first experience I remember having with any kind of theater was with "Mary Poppins".  I don't remember how old I was, but I couldn't have been any older than Kyra, but I remember Mom playing Mary in a little "road show" at church and I was one of the kids and we sang "Let's Go Fly a Kite".  That is my first memory of loving this whole theater thing.  I could have taken Kyra to see "The Little Mermaid" or "The Lion King" or any number of other shows but this one was the one that meant the most to me.  I don't know if Mom even remembers this, but it stands out for me.  There was also a lot of site seeing, including Central Park, a highlight!  Toys R Us, a 9 story original version of Macy's and so many other things.  More later.  Too much to share in one night.  

We're Ba-a-a-a-ck!

So, I miss it already.  I love New York more than I can say.  I love the smells and the sights and the excitement and energy.  I love the theatre and the restaurants, the pizza and the people watching, the architecture and everything in between.  It is a little hard to come home from such excitement to cleaning muddy paw prints and whiny children, not that I don't love this life of mine, because I so do...but I am certain that my alter ego is living in a fabulous apartment in New York, starring in amazing shows and hanging out at the museums and libraries and hidden vintage clothing stores.  She has far more "cool" factor going on and she is amazing.   I am sure that she would be wishing for my life with children in a suburb in Texas though.  Anyway, much to tell but I am dragging and need to sleep!  Pictures tomorrow.  Promise.

New hair-Again

Ok, so I absolutely HATED my hair cut so I went back in to have her cut it again.  I despise when people do that and I felt so bad,  but I just really couldn't get my hair to do anything.  So, Kierstin and I were playing around on the camera and I thought I would share my new cut, that I love!  Love, love, love, love.  Did I mention that I kind of like it?  We will see how it does after I style it myself, but when you can like your hair right after you leave the salon, someone did something right.  It's a little bit "stacked" in the back, but not too much.  It flips where it needs to and is much more flattering than before.  Thank goodness.  I needed it.  

Just wanted to share.  Now off to pick up round 1 of the hooogly-boooglies.

I guess it's time.

I am done.  I want these things out of my house.  I do love a baby in diapers and the sweet chunky legs that go with them, BUT when the patient in question is almost 3, it starts to look a little silly.  Now.  She has NO desire, none!  She thinks it's funny when we ask her.  She runs.  She laughs.  She says no.  I have elected not to push it because I figured we should wait until she expressed more interest.  But nothing!  I am heading out of town as you know, but when I get back!

When I get back!!!  Ha!  That's false bravado if I have ever heard it.  Maybe Michelle will take care of it while I am gone.  :)  

Maybe "Potty Patty" will have more success.  But I do concede that when a child is big enough to bring you the diapers and wipes and say in a clear sentence that she needs a new diaper and then throw said diaper away...

Here's your sign!

How did I miss this???

She came out with her 10th CD and I missed it.  I mean, I have it now, of course, but I didn't even realize that there was a new CD.  It came out right about the time that the kids started to get sick, so I suppose it is on the list of things that time forgot with the massive energy swallowed up by the flu.  

Not to worry though.  The situation has been handled.

Stupid parenting!

Is it too late to back out?  I mean, I want them to still live here and all, because I really like them, but I don't want to parent anymore.  I don't.  I am not feeling all that qualified and I think I should be on the list of layoffs for the year and get government benefits.  It happens, right?  No, you say.  

Ok, look.  12 year old boys are making me crazy.  All of them.  They are sarcastic and gross and pushing their limits across the board.  They want to be independent and still be little boys when they want something.  They want things done their way and they don't want to take responsibility for their actions.  Now, I realize that there are many wonderful examples of 12 year old boys who don't act this way and I congratulate the parents of those boys.  The boys I see in and out of my house and surrounding the one I gave birth to are...making my head hurt, and it's only 8:38 in the morning.

The problem is that the problem is me.  I mean, they are 12 and acting out and exploring new behaviors and seeking independence and such and I am the parent.  I am getting more bothered than I should and I know that I have to learn to deal or I will make myself crazy before he hits 13.  And this is only the beginning.  I know that Kimball is a very good kid and that we have little to complain about in the grand scheme of things.  We don't have the trouble that a lot of parents are dealing with, so far.  But I am not good with bad behavior.  It makes my head HURT!  

I think I will just have to crawl back in bed with Kierstin and watch "Finding Nemo" for the 10th time in 3 days.  She has found a new favorite.

Motivation!!!!

It is April.  I had set a goal for myself to be at a healthier weight by the time I got on the plane for New York this weekend.  I didn't make that happen.  Excuses are plentiful, reasons are many, but at the end of the day I have not made the changes.  Oprah's call made me laugh but it also pushed me a little.  Now, she hasn't called back and I don't think she is because the truth is that I don't think I am a serious enough case for the show they are doing.  Now, if they do end up calling then I will take all the help I can get.  For now, I seek motivation in images of healthy strong gorgeous women!  I get it.  I am not pushing to look like this, though wouldn't that be cool?!  I would like to be closer to this than not.  And right now, it is safe to assume the "not" category.  But!  I will yet prevail.  I have been complaining about this for far too long and now it is affecting our children.  Kyra says she is the slowest runner in her grade and it makes her sad.  Fitness has not been a priority here and that must be altered.  Quickly.  I don't have a plan or a mantra yet but I sure do like the look of this particular image of motivation.  Here's hoping.  And, by the way, I am not setting any unrealistic lose 30 pounds in 30 days kind of goals.  I just want to see the scale move in the right direction to start with.  That's the first goal.