a mid winters vacation to NYC.

There are so many more pictures and so many stories and even better memories from our week away. I chose just a few of my favorites to capture so I can look back later and remember what an incredible week we had.

This vacation was sort of unexpected, really. We had been planning to go to Hawaii for Spring Break but after seeing flights well over $1600/person it just wasn't in the budget (should it be in anyone's budget to pay that?!? Crazy.). Randomly Matt got an email from a hotel he's stayed at in NYC in the past about a promotion they were offering for a reduced fare on rooms until the end of March. Adding in cheap flights, a week off of school and a little excitement from me and the trip was booked! 

We crammed in as many sights as possible over 5 days, walked over 31 miles, ate delicious food, saw incredible art exhibits, walked in sunny weather and had the best family time together. Other than missing Simon (because I just couldn't take a toddler to the city for the week) and battling an awful sinus infection (it was miserable) the week was perfect! 

We got up SUPER early Monday morning to board our flights and the kids were so excited. It was the simplest plane ride too. 2 older-ish kids, coloring books, books, IPads and snacks and I barely heard a word from them for 5 straight hours. Woohoo!

We checked into our hotel and they gave us a room on the 45th floor with an incredible view of the city. Carter doesn't love elevators so he asked if he could take the stairs. Ha!! Lucky for him this elevator wasn't bad and never made any of our stomachs churn. 

We literally dropped our bags, grabbed our coasts and took off! A quick pizza dinner at the Plaza and then off to Times Square!

Lucy's one request was to visit the huge M&M store. She was in heaven with all the chocolate and loved getting to make her own special mix of M&Ms to take home with her.

The lights, the people, the stores - it was all a bit overwhelming but also so fun to see everything at night. The perfect 1st night adventure. Plus, with all of us stuck on PST we stayed up super late to walk around the city.

The next morning we walked to breakfast at Sarabeths and had a delicious meal. Which was great because it was most definitely our splurge meal of the week. I can't remember the last time we paid that much for some pancakes, eggs and french toast but so worth it to have a good breakfast to start our day. 

We walked to the Museum of Natural History for a morning of dinosaurs, skeletons and other old artifacts. We all loved it! 

Along the way we saw Central Park on our right and tons of city buildings and churches to our left. I really wanted the kids to notice the little details all week so we pointed out different architectural details we saw in various neighborhoods, cultures, languages...everything. It was fun for them to start noticing it on their own as the days went on.

Lucy with...skeleton Lucy!

We had to make a special trip to floor 3 just for Carter to see all the reptiles!

And the dinosaurs. By far my favorite floor. These pictures don't even begin to do it justice. These things were huge!!!!!

It was beautiful when we left so we took a long stroll back to the hotel through Central Park. 70 degrees in the middle of February in New York? Yes please!

That night we headed out to dinner before going to Broadway! The kids chose School of Rock and I'm so glad they did. Some people might think that's a silly show to see but let me tell you, the kids in this production were outstanding. The acting, singing and musical performances left us speechless. Lucy was on the edge of her seat the entire 3 hours. So fun and such a special treat for all of us!

After the show we were all a little hungry. These special treats were just right before taking a long walk back. Days 1 and 2 - amazing!!!

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my date.

With 3 kids, busy schedules, limited income and expensive babysitters we've learned to get creative with date nights. This past year we've really embraced our stay in date nights, usually consisting of a simple but fancier dinner than usual after the kids go to bed with a bottle of wine and good conversation. We can sit in our sweats on the couch and not have to deal with traffic in the city. 

But every once in a while it's nice to get out! We have some amazing neighbors with kids the same ages as ours so we swapped childcare for Valentines Day date nights. They went on a chocolate factory tour and out to dinner last week and this weekend it was our turn. 

We headed down to the Starbucks Roastery for drinks and a self tour. And it did not disappoint. Starbucks spared no expense and every little detail was so beautiful. The equipment, drinks, pastries, even the aprons were just on point. We are big coffee lovers so it was fun to try a new espresso beverage and sit at the bar watching all the magic happen. 

Now Matt is scheming up ways to have an employee team building meeting down there for a coffee flight and brunch...so fun!

 Our delicious drinks!

 Afterwards we walked down to a local Mexican restaurant for some delicious tacos before heading home. Simple and easy but still such a great night.

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my favorite Valentines.

Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays. Not because of all the sweet treats, flowers and cards. But because it's one day where we stop, slow down and tell the people we love just how much we love them. It's where we make little cards with puns to give to a friend. A little note, a pencil, a kind word. In the middle of so many awful things happening in our country right now slowing down to say, "I like you" can go so far. 

Simon got to have his first preschool party and it was so fun! They made chocolate covered strawberries, exchanged Valentines and played games. His school has been the perfect fit for him and I'm so glad we can continue again next year. 

Of course we stayed with a sports themed card complete with sports stickers to pass out to friends.

 Carter's class and teacher this year are remarkable. I'm already getting sad to think about the year ending in June because it's been such a great year. His teacher is one of those who we will both never forget. She challenges her students, encourages and motivates, teaches really important life lessons and makes it all fun. I can't say enough good things about her. Lucky for us, she's also our neighbor so we'll get to keep seeing her every day! Carter finished his 2nd sewing project of the year - this adorable heart pillow! He was so excited to show me when he finished, compare it to his first project and tell me exactly what techniques he used. Lucy finished her Valentines craft and wrote the sweetest note on the back for Matt and I. She also made a list of everything she loved. It included our family, our dog (who died 2 years ago) and Alexa -  the amazon computer girl. Hahaha!! Love it. Her teacher has been the perfect fit for her too. We really are so happy with their school!

 They each had class parties, got to pass out valentines, make a special treat and play games. I loved being able to attend, help out and watch all the kids show kindness and love to each other. Carter's teacher gift was a compliment book for each student. For the past month the kids have come in to their classroom each morning, chosen a student compliment card and written down something nice about that person. His teacher complied it into a book so we could see every students picture along with their compliments. Amazing.

 We came home from parties, admired cards, ate treats and relaxed. Later that night Matt and I had a simple kale salad dinner and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

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our week.

As I think back on our week and all the fun moments we had I can't help but think of 17 families who don't have the same feelings. 17 families who instead of remembering a day of love and sweet treats are now planning funerals. 17 families whose lives were instantly changed by a maniac who had access to weapons he shouldn't have. This blog is a little place for me to capture our family memories and share pictures with family and friends. But since it's my blog I'm going to just go there. I'm tired of these stories, these senseless deaths, the endless debates on social media and then nothing. Nothing is done. Nothing is changed. Lives go on, move forward and we anxiously wait for the  next story. 

Last week in the midst of fun class parties and sports practices and play dates my 2 older kids also had a lock down drill. When I was in elementary school I had 2 drills. Fires and earthquakes. But now my 2nd grader and kindergartner not only practice mass evacuation drills in the event of nuclear bombs but also active shooter drills. They know if a "bear" was to walk on campus how to huddle up in their classroom in the corner, how to squeeze closely to their classmate and stay as quietly as possible, how to close their eyes and pretend they are sleeping in case that "bear" peeks through the windows. 

And it makes me sick. 

So, to the few people who actually read this little old blog of mine, I'd urge you and every single person you know to demand change. And not with thoughts and prayers. I'm a God loving Christian but that is just stupid, at this point, to think those words really mean anything anymore. If you voted for someone who receives money from the NRA or if you voted for someone who has done nothing change your vote. There are so many levels to this and problems and issues - it's not simple. Demand change in gun laws. A change in mental health services. A change in background checks and school safety regulations and a better way to report concerns. Anything, at this point, is a good start.

Because don't these 3 sweet children of mine deserve better?

I sure know those 17 families whose lives have been shattered do. And every other child that has been tragically killed while simply attending school.

I simply can't stand to see the leaders of this country do nothing. It's not fair, it's not responsible and it's not right.

Whew. 

So, our week. It was a good one and I'm constantly reminded by how lucky I am to have time with these kids. They drive me nuts at times but I'll take the hard times for the really wonderful times that are squished in between. Lucy is a little monkey and spends every single recess on the monkey bars. She is determined to double  hand, skip and pass certain bars on the playground and while I have no idea what that really means, it's apparently a big deal in kindergarten and she's meeting each and every goal she has for herself!

The big kids went to science night so I stayed home with Simon for a special movie night. His usual choice...Frozen!

Matt and I were able to sneak away for a date night and actually get to go on another one tomorrow night too! What?! 2 dates in 2 weeks! We went out to dinner at a local wine bar and it was delicious.

For the Super Bowl this year we went to a friends house and had so much fun. All the food, lots of cheering, kids playing and overall a great afternoon. I whipped up these homemade football brownies at the last minute because we had nothing for dessert. They were gobbled up pretty quickly between 7 kids and 6 adults.

We had playdates, basketball games and birthday parties too.

And even though it was cold the sun was shining so we spent as much time as we could outside.
Valentines Day (pics to come!), school dance week and more basketball games this weekend before a special midwinter break vacation!!

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