Riding Bikes

Tommy got a new bike for his birthday. He got the hang of it really fast. It helps to have a nice flat, carless place to ride. He now wants to ride his bike everyday. Yesterday it rained and it was absolutely torturous!That first day out on our bikes Rachel was cruising with her training wheels. I knew this summer we were going to teach her to ride on two wheels. I was telling Jake about one of Rachel's classmates and the unique way his dad taught him. That night Jake took off her training wheels. We went out the next evening...

A little demonstration...A little push...A little practice balancing with the feet...and VOILA...

within an hour she was doing it! I couldn't believe it.

Riding off into the sunset
I'm so proud of my kids!

The Best Festival

This festival was practically in our neighborhood and was above and beyond any we've ever been to...arts and crafts, vendors galore, broadway performances, bouncy castles, games and prizes, acrobats, you name it, they had it!
We got to hear Elpheba sing "The Wizard and I" one more time.Firetruck and winning a basketball...couldn't be happier :)All the Kindergarteners and first graders were invited to do a sing-a-long with one of the teachers up on stage.

Tommy turns 3

The kids enjoyed some fresh air while we prepped for the birthdayTommy had a baseball themed birthday (even as I type this he and his dad are at a Mets v. Giants game). We had hot dogs for dinner.He loved ripping through his presents and loved every single one!
His Evil Emperor Zurg bubble gum
One day a few weeks ago a box came. Tommy gets really excited about boxes. I told him we couldn't open it right away because it was for his birthday, to which he says, "Oh, is it my astronaut?" He never asked for it, we never told him about it...how did he ever guess?!Hot wheels launcher, "just like Andrew!"What's a birthday without a "pin the tail" game? This is Tommy getting mad at Rachel for going the wrong way.My attempt at a baseball mit cake.
My poor husband came down with a mighty fever and missed it all. I put this video together for him. It's 7 minutes long, so you don't have to watch it.

I sure love my little man. He's a definite Daddy's boy, but I still have a soft spot for him. I'm much more lenient with him that I am with Rachel. His nursery leaders tell us he's mellow, never cries or whines. I wish we had the same kid at home! We try and have our Family Home Evening and he's usually climbing up the couch, running the length of our apartment and acting goofy. He's a typical boy, loves cars, trains, Legos, balls, Toy Story, space, etc. He knows his colors (most the time), counts to 13, then it's eleventeen, 18, 19, probably doesn't know his ABC's, we hear bits and pieces of the song sometimes. He dosen't like being told what to do. Loves playing with Rachel, and has a great imagination. Happy Birthday Tom Bom!

Lost and found Easter pictures

When my kids lose one of the precious possessions I tell them to clean up and they'll probably find it. Turns out it works for me too. I found my mom's camera in one of those places you've looked 100 times.

Spring break with Grandma

We had the privilege of having my mom in town for Rachel's spring break, Easter, and Tommy's birthday. We had a great time and managed to get everything done that we wanted to. We had a couple cool and rainy days but overall some great spring weather.

Rachel's first request on her first day off was to go to the playground just outside our apartment and to have a picnic. Great idea!

Kate's first swing
Tommy isn't used to so much excitement. Having Rachel around and getting out and doing things, it has exhausted him. He fell asleep for the night one night at 5:00. So cute.
One day we went to the new Disney Store in Times Square. Quite impressive!
One of Grandma's gifts to Tommy was for him to build his own remote control Lightning McQueen. He loved it!
When he finished the lady helping him had him raise his car high as she announced to the store (well, at least to everyone nearby) that the birthday boy built his car.
Jake and I were able to sneak away for a few date nights, which was really nice. One night we decided to try the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity. I was skeptical that it would be worth $9, but it really was amazing. Jake and I didn't speak a word until it was devoured.
On our way back to our apartment that night we heard loud music and figured some kind of party was going on. With it being a nice night we decided to check it out. As we approached the concert we asked a security guard what was going on. He said Elton John was playing. What?! You mean THE Elton John?! So we ran over to catch his last two songs. So awesome. There are some things that I just love about living in New York City.We caught a little bit of Muppets Take Manhattan on another night. That is our apartment complex behind the screen.We got invited to a friend's birthday party and when my friend found out Tommy's birthday wasn't too far off she invited us to celebrate Tommy's as well. So I provided balloons and candles and Liam and Tommy each got to blow out 3 candles on top of their delicious costco muffin and then ride the carousel at Bryant Park. It was a big hit! In fact when it was time for his real birthday Tommy replied, "I awready did!" and "I had a birthday last year...that's what mother gospel says" (from the movie Tangled, which we've now watched at least a dozen times).We continued to enjoy the beautiful weather that day by heading up to Central Park to do the boats.And then dinner at Alice's Tea Cup, because we just love this place!On our way home Rachel noticed a lady sitting next to her reading a book. She went right over, practically laying in her lap and started reading, despite the lady telling her that it wasn't really appropriate for kids. Oh Rachie.The Transit Museum...aka Tommy Heaven. Of course, Rachel really enjoyed it as well. Tommy loved running in and out of all the old subway cars. It was really difficult to keep up with him.
Easter Sunday. Sadly, we lost my mom's camera and it had the pictures of the kids in the Easter dress as well as the Easter Parade, which was a lot of fun. We saw some pretty elaborate and some pretty crazy "bonnets." Hopefully her camera turns up and I'll post them then.

We did our little egg hunt not too far from our building. It was kind of funny trying to keep people (kids and adults) from taking our eggs and candy.
I just love this cutie pie!
And she just LOVES going through Grandma's purse.
A holiday wouldn't be the same with my mom if there weren't sugar cookies involved :)
I liked Jake's bearded bunny :)
She was really proud of her decorating
We had one day that almost reached 80 degrees!!! I honestly thought I would never see this kind of weather again. We took full advantage by going to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden Cherry Blossom Festival. Absolutely gorgeous!


Kate's first time touching grass
Afterward we found this great diner called Tom's restaurant. I love this picture because we told him to wait before he drinks his chocolate drink so that I could get a picture...that must mean prayers.
Sadly, Rachel was feverish and really sick for a good three days of her break. She had me a little worried. It was her second bout of strep this month and it was much worse this time around. Poor thing went through the works. There were a couple days where her nose was running like crazy. She went through tons of toilet paper. That mountain there was probably not even a tenth of it. Good thing it was cheap one-ply stuff from Costco.
Jake ended up getting really sick as well and was out for the count on Tommy's birthday. I'll try and put up pictures from that soon as well. I'm glad I had my mom here to help me with the celebrating. Unfortunately we sent my mom home a little sick as well. So, sorry mom, but we sure had a blast with you here. Rachel definitely misses you! Thanks for everything!!!