We have an awesome neighborhood here in NYC. Everyday they have some free activity for kids. There's Preschool Play Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday where they bring out a bunch of toys at a park and do stories and songs at the end. Preschool Art on Thursdays where they do a different craft each week. There's basketball and soccer too. I wish we could take advantage of the soccer more often. Unfortunately it's at 2:30 and Tommy usually sleeps from 1-4. It was cute to watch Rachel do the drills and kick the ball. She absolutely
loved it and was so proud she "won" (being the first one to dribble the ball down the field.)
Our first experience with craigslist in NYC didn't go so well (we got scammed out of an apartment) but we've had success with it this time around. We traded this aluminum frame...
for this aluminum frame.
We didn't really trade, we just sold the bike Monday night and I bought our new stroller Tuesday afternoon. Although Jake was
really sad to say goodbye to his beautiful bike, I am
really happy with this new stroller. My old double was extremely hard to push and especially turn. This strolls like a dream. I never in a million years would have paid more than a couple hundred on a stroller but it's so worth it. It really is our mode of transportation...plus we don't have to pay gas or insurance :)
It was good timing too. The next day we went to Central Park. I had no idea Central Park was so hilly...not to mention it was another one of those HOT days. I would have died pushing my old stroller. Honestly.
Last week was our final swim lessons. We may sign them up again in the fall.
Rachel has made some major progress from last summer. Most of all, her confidence. She's not afraid to put her face in the water, and to try new things.
The city life seems to wear us all out. Tommy takes
great naps and Rachel seems to almost need them again too. She is often falling asleep in the stroller late afternoon/evening.
Jake's parents and sister Nicole came to stay with us for a couple days on their layover out west. We had a great time with them here! We showed them our neighborhood, did the Staten Island Ferry, the Chelsea Market and Times Square. We loved hearing how much they loved our apartment and where we live. We really have a good set up here and we're really happy.
Our apartment and neighborhood right behind us
As we were walking around town on Saturday we happened upon this fire station that allowed us to come look at their fire engines and to even climb inside. Tommy heaven!! It was also neat to see their little memorial of those who were involved in the September 11 rescue effort from their station.
Thanks again for the great weekend!
It kept the kids quiet :)
Then we went and did the ferris wheel at Toys R Us, which was a huge hit!
Going up
Tommy was completely enthralled with this moving dinosaur! 
Rachel wanted to spend her money (the 70 cents in coins we've collected on the New York streets) and out of all the toys and candies she decided to get a "journal." The entire thing was filled with doodles by the end of the day.
We also did some shopping on 5th Avenue, grocery shopping and dinner at a Thai restaurant. You'd think that all the walking, the spicy curry, the bumpy bus rides, maybe even the foot massage Jake gave me last night would have put me in labor by now. I really didn't think I would last this long, neither did my doctor. URGHHH...the anticipation and waiting is torturous!!!
