Spring Break - Friday

It's SNOWING!!!!!

What a fun surprise to wake up and see snow! We were excited to get out soak up some of the cold white flakes. I don't think anyone was planning on the spring snow storm that was in Mother Nature's plans. 

Since Papi's dad and brother work at Olive Garden in Times Square, we thought we should drop in and eat. They hooked us up with an awesome view and a small family discount. 

Then it was off to the Upper East Side to see the Met. Do I sound like a New Yorker yet? ;) After transferring trains in Grand Central Station we walked out to see that the snow beginning to pile up. A small loud snowball fight may have began which I'm sure made doormen and residents of Carnegie Hill roll their eyes. Well, maybe not the doormen. 

Finally we made it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. WOW! Did you see the architecture? Amazing! I could have spent all day here. My kids though we're going crazy to get back out in the snow. And they immediately thought their mom was crazy for taking them here when we got off the elevator and walked into the Greek and Roman art, aka naked statues. 

Not a good first impression. But after dragging them around to see the Picassos, Klees, Mondrions, and Rockwells, American, Native American Art and the armor they couldn't handle another minute of being indoors.

So I had to skip the European art floor that I really wanted to see so we could play in the snow. I guess now I have a good reason to go back. And next time I'll go by myself and plan a whole day there. It is huge and there is that much to see. 

We snowball fought and snow angeled all the way through Central Park to catch the #1 Uptown train. 

The recently fallen untouched snow combined with the sounds of my children laughing and the sight of their smiling faces was the best art there is. 

We may look like like we are freezing but I don't think anyone felt the cold because of how much fun they were having. After making our tracks in the snow in Central Patk we slipped and slid our way through the streets of New York, knocking off ice sickles and jumping over large puddles sometimes not so successfully. By the time we made it to the train we were soaked, coats, boots, hats, gloves and scarfs.  And Stella was turning into Olaf's girlfriend. 

Thursday - New York City

Thursday started with a trip to Lady Liberty. Thank goodness for the freezing cold that kept the crowds away and gave us lots of space to play on Liberty Island. 

We admired the Statue and listened to her history. AJ learned that she's made of bronze and that she wasn't always green. 

Alexandria got the perfect New York Skyline picture for her Instagram. 

And Stella got to feed the birds which was almost as fun as Isabel and DJ feeding the squirrels in Battery Park. 

Then it was off to the financial district where we walked down Wall Street. 

And had another more recent history lesson at the 911 memorial. 

It was a beautifulemorialbut even more beautiful is that they are building new World Trade Center Towers that will once again tower over the skyline of NYC. 

Take that terrorists. You can't keep Americans down! :) 

At the end of the day we had to enjoy another round of pizza because we are in New York and there's a pizza place of every corner. 

Spring Break 2015 - NYC

It all started late last night. Well, I take that back. It actually started a couple of weeks ago when Papi was searching for plane ticket to New York for Spring Break. His parents haven't seen our children in 8 years. Abuelo has never even met Isabel or Stella. So we needed to make a trip. While he was searching on Priceline his "accidental" offer was accepted and so the trip was planned beginning with a red eye from Phoenix to JFK. Our children were professional travelers back in the day. But our last plane ride was five years ago and you would have thought that this was their first plane ride ever.

They were that excited and amazed. I even caught Alexandria sneaking a picture of the valley right after take off. Four short hours later we were in a chilly 30 degree New York City. Having only about 8 hours sleep combined between the 7 of us we decided to take a nap as soon as we got to our destination, Abuela's apartment in the Bronx, NY. After a much needed nap we were ready to tackle to big apple. We traveled on the subway to meet the family that our children never knew they had.

Then headed over to Times Square and Rockefeller Center.

The boys adventured to the Lego store while the girls visited the American Girl Doll store.

We checked out St. Peter's Cathedral that has beautiful, intricate architecture with arched ceilings and stained glass windows that draws you in.

And admired the Cinderella themed windows of Sak's Fifth Avenue.

I'm not sure what the highlight of the day was.

It could have been watching Felicity, Isabel's doll get her hair done at the American Girl Doll Salon or making Lego men for DJ.

Maybe it was seeing the ice skating rink or eating New York style pizza.

Or maybe it was meeting their Abuelo and riding the subway. Whatever it was I hope we are making good memories that they will always remember.

Citrus Memories

The weather is perfect. The sweet scent of citrus blossoms floats through the air. Plants are starting to come back and life is being renewed. But the best thing about this time of year is sitting with Papi on the swing underneath the citrus trees, smelling the delicate white blossoms while Papi peels and slices the most juiciest oranges you have ever had. Then eating citrus until you're tummy is full. They think they're just eating oranges but I know something even greater is happening. They're making memories. 

Monkey See Monkey Do

"Sometimes I like to hang here, eat a banana, and think." -AJ

Wardrobe Malfunctions

This is what we get when Papi lets Stella pick out her own clothes. Red Minnie Mouse leggings matched with a floral orange shirt and blue converse. 

Little Dancer

I forgot how fun it is to have a little ballerina home that wants to dance in her fluffy tutu all day. 

Holes in the Soles

We play a game.  It's called "How Well Do You Know Me?".  And it goes something like this.

Alexandria asks,"What's Alexandria's favorite color? a. turquoise, b. silver c. pink d. red"  Then we all answer "c. pink" because everyone knows that pink is Alexandria's favorite color and has been since before she could talk.  After a few more questions it's DJ's turn.

DJ:  "Who does DJ look up to? a. Michael Jordan or b. Papi"  This better be b. Papi, I think to myself as I yell out "B".  Correct! DJ lets me know.  I'm relieved that his Dad is his role model and not some athlete.  Oh wait, does Papi count as an athlete?  He asks a few more questions and I learn that DJ likes oranges and that his favorite sport is no longer football.  Now it's basketball.

Then it's AJ's turn: "What is AJ's favorite animal? a. bird, b. cat c. dog"  Easy one, "A" we all yell.  He begged me for an Umbrella Cockatoo with PTSD for months until we got Yodel.  It was in the bird store jumping up and down in its cage and squawking its cute crazy head off.  His next question, "What's AJ's biggest fear? a. spiders, b. the dark or c. wearing ugly clothes" I'm proud to report that my boy is not afraid of spiders.  The dark is nothing for my brave son.  But wearing ugly clothes scares him to death. "C", we all yell.  "Man, you guys know me too good." AJ admits.

I guess that's why he will wear the same pair of shoes until the soles wear off.  This kid will do anything to look fabulous.

Stolen My Heart

They had their first basketball game of the season this morning. Their team was on fire, winning by over 20 points!! DJ ended up passing the ball to the other team just to help them make a basket and add some more excitement to the game. They made baskets, passed the ball, and stole the ball. Then smiled at me and stole their mom's heart.