Saturday, May 1, 2010

Lady Liberty Needs to Be on Your Bucket List...

We had the most amazing day. The Crown will be open for another year or so and then it is closed for renovations. With our 'Crown Access' tickets (not many are doled out each day, so you must reserve way in advance), we had the quick line, and the entire statue practically all to ourselves. We were the only ones in the crown for a full 5 minutes. When we bought the tickets we were warned that climbing up to the crown (since there is obviously no elevator) was a 'strenuous and enclosed climb of 344 steps' not recommended for children under 10. I worried that Daisy would not make it. But they didn't factor in that City kids walk a mile to 2 miles every single day of their life, and this was nothing for them. They practically ran up, with Daisy leading the charge. If you ever come here, you must brave the crowds and climb the crown. I don't know if it would be worth it otherwise.


After that we went to the Tribeca Film Festival Family Fair in our 'hood and spent the rest of our afternoon playing in the street. This definitely makes you heart NY after such a long and drawn out winter.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Proud Moment...

I just let London walk to her friend's house around the corner, on Broadway - all by herself! She is 9.75 years old. I felt absolutely 100% comfortable letting her do that. What's worse, she was 100% comfortable as well. Didn't skip a beat.

(I probably won't let McAllister do that 'til he's mature enough, so we've got a bit of a wait for that little guy.)

Of all my kids London is benefiting from our surroundings the most, in confidence, happiness, and contentedness.

Friday, April 16, 2010

We Made It!

SPRING IS HERE!

This is when NYC kisses you full on the mouth. You forgive it for winter. Life will be so blissful for the next 6 months that you will completely forget what you had to put up with to live here.

I love living here because my attention to the seasons is such an integral part of my life and therefore a great source of gratitude. Just ask Daisy:

She Loves Me, She Love Me Not...

Jason is always referring to NYC as the hot girlfriend in High School who you were so lucky to be dating but who always had you A) guessing if you were good enough for her B) acting paranoid about how long the relationship would last before she dumps you c) wondering if she really liked you, and then finally D) wondering if you really wanted to date such a high maintenance chick.

Wouldn't the sweet girl with the nice smile from the back row in Math glass be just fine if not better? At least then groceries, transportation, education, storage of any kind would never cross your mind. You could look forward to summer, not dread it, wondering how on earth you'll find access to a swimming pool. Worst of all, you'd not wonder on a monthly basis if you're doing right by your kids.

But then you'd never cross the street on the way to the hardware store and look up at the Empire State Building you can see up 6th Avenue from 50 blocks away. Jay-Z wouldn't be rapping about your neighborhood. You wouldn't watch a movie and exclaim all the time, "hey, that's [insert NYC neighborhood you were just in the day before]!" Your kids wouldn't open a book or watch a TV show (such as Little Bill, Sesame Street, or anything Dr. Seuss) that didn't take place or refer to NYC.

We've had several friends visit us in the past month, and for the first time as I talked about living here I realized that how I was doing it wasn't strange to me anymore. But realized it was to them. Taking your car out once a month? Normal. Buying groceries only on a 'buy what you can carry' basis? Sure. Excited to be paying $420 a month to park a 7-year old minivan, because that rate is a steal? Naturally. So the question is, have I given in? Or given up? I'm fighting it less and less- I've stopped crying foul at what it takes to live here. It is so complex, yet so much easier. I am happier and more content with yet another resolve to dig my heals in and do my job. My family needs me, more than ever. NYC feels like a good fit.

I will say that going away and seeing how everyone lives is becoming more painful, because it is the last memory I have of how it used to be for me. I've blocked it out of my day-to-day thinking in order to be happy here.

London was the first to go (thankfully, since she sets the tone for the others). One afternoon she said, "Mom, you know what I hope for? Maybe one day we can have an apartment with outdoor space. Wouldn't that be great?" No more bitterness at the loss of our yard. She's pining for 10 square feet of sky. I

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

To Post Under Things Better Left Unsaid...

(Which of course I posted on FB)

Top 3 ways NYC has changed my driving experience while vacationing in TX:

1. Kids are baffled by the sudden necessity for seatbelts

2. Daisy demands, "why didn't you honk at them?!" when seeing a slow-moving car in front of us,

and best (or worst) of all, 3. Someone lets me cut in and my first thought is, "sucker!"

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Celebrating the 100th Day of School

We went to Wollman Rink, all 430 Second- and Third- graders from P.S.234. It was a great time and I wasn't even offended that Tass ignored me the whole time and skated with his friends.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Coming out of his shell?

McAllister was excited to do the 2nd grade Chorus/Dance Show at school. The kids sang variouls NYC songs (that was the theme- it's not just me who remains in awe of this city!) and his class' dance song was 'Rockaway Beach' by The Ramones (cool!). He's the one in the mohawk and grey hoodie. He loved that mohawk and was stoked to be on stage!

When the Family's Away...

...The Mom will paint a piano.
We are in the process of redoing our entire living area, new furniture, rugs, lighting, paint. Oh, ok, by 'living area' I mean entire apartment. Listen to me, as if I have more than one room to live in (bedrooms too small to count)!
We had your standard (free) brown wood piano that I had been wanting to paint. At first it was to be 'taxi yellow' but then I didn't want it to be the focal point of our entire kitchen/dining/play/living/office spaces, so we went with 'radiator grey'. Jason took the kids to Arizona for February Break for a week and I watched the Olympics and regained my sanity. It was great. As for the piano, 4 coats and a trip to Mood for the fabric later, *voila'!* understated polish. The play storage furniture next to it is on the chopping block, to be replaced April 2 when our new stuff is delivered. Pictures to come...

Taking Hybernation Literally

Ok, so I've been a bit negligent in posting. I think I felt I had nothing to say, peppered with so much to say that I was overwhelmed at the thought of publishing it. So I'm going to work backwards and say that life, finally, is good. Actually, it was always good, I just have finally gotten around to recognizing it again.
I'm pretty sure I suffer from that winter seasonal disorder, so at my bluest moments have plotted my suicide via Whole Foods' lemon Vitamin D gummies. At my best moments I have been grateful, proud, and strong. Crisis averted, spring is here!!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Jason

In the past few months Jason resigned from his job, got a physical trainer (hello six-pack and happy body/mind!), went to Hawaii to learn to surf, got a new job, and turned 40. Whenever I say 'Life Is Good' it is directly because of this man. I am so lucky! My love for Jason comes out in my Buttercream frosting. Underneath that perfect fondant exterior is more buttercream than I've ever put on a cake before. :)