Mommy takes Manhattan

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with friends. We ventured out at 6am and hopped on a bus that would take us to the beautiful crazy city of NYC.

As a little girl I had big dreams of living there. Entering the city I could feel my heart beat a little faster. Some people dream of a home by the water, or traditional suburbia, but for me there is nothing like the energy of a big city. I was content!

Our first plan was lunch. One of my friends got a recommendation for a restaurant called Gazala Place. It offered Druze Cuisine, say what? Druze Cuisine is a cross between, Greek and Turkish food. We feasted on a heavenly pie called a Bureka, and sampled Babaganushm (grilled eggplant with Tahini Sauce), Labanee Homemade Goat Cheese spread with olive oil, Falafel, Grape Leaves stuffed with Rice and spices, and plenty of fresh pita bread for dipping.

Bellies full we ventured to Times Square were we got a peak at Naked Cowboy (Only in NYC). Then it was time to see the theatre production of Avenue Q.

The show was fantastic, funny and politically incorrect...I loved it! The best part was there were puppets, and no this show is not for kids:)

Because this was an Off Broadway production my friends and I were able to enjoy a cocktail. I had a Hairy Monster, my other friend had a Fuzzy Monster.

After the show we didn't have much time before the bus picked us up, so we feasted on a NY hot dog and hit the Crumbs Cupcake Bakery. We sat on the steps of St Patrick's Cathedral filling up on sugar and people watching.

Such a fun filled day, I can't wait to go back.

Momma needs a new pair of shoes

E was so excited to surprise me with Breakfast in bed. The night before she made sure to tell DH to wake her up. I told her I don't think you have to worry about waking up before Daddy. She is still getting up between 5:30 and 6, LOL:)

This morning my girls and Hubby brought me my favorite breakfast. An English Muffin with PB, but they were shaped like hearts. E said it's because we love you so much Mommy.

In addition to the great breakfast I received a gift card to DSW to buy some much needed shoes. Earlier in the week my naughty child (Boo) ruined some of my favorite sandals.

So I had my 3 girls snuggled with me (Boo included), breakfast, a great cup of coffee, and Momma will get a new pair of shoes!! What more could a Mom ask for:)

Happiest of Days to all you beautiful Mothers

The Days of Our Lives

My MIL kept a journal of her days while Neal and I went to the Bahamas in February. It's funny to read...Now that so much time has gone by:)

Day 1
5:30 Elise up
Puppy got in make-up bag and left a trail for chewed soap scrubber, nail file, razor, ear plug ect
Elise had diarrhea 5 times (I know this is TMI, but I didn't write it)
Corinne has a cold and threw up on a new area rug
Took girls to the mailbox & puppy ran away
Puppy tried to eat poop during a diaper change

Day 2
12 inch of snow -No school for Elise today
Played in downstairs
Kids Helped with chores and cleaned refrigerator
Puppy ate crayons

Day 3
AM took girls to the Mall. Went to Disney Store and Dunkin Donuts, Mall rides.
Puppy pooped twice in the house, Grampy stepped in it with his socks.
Puppy urinated on the carpeted stairs
Called poison control center for Elise- glow stick leaked on hands and she touched her eye which became irritated (no I didn't know about this).

Day 4
Elise up 5:45 Corinne 7:30 (Elise is 5 and Corinne 2)
Elise had school today 11:45-2:30
Corinne napped
Grampy went to Lowes
I washed hair for first time in 4 days and made soup
Puppy ate crayons
Puppy ran away when Elise came home from school
Grampy organized cabinet today and girls helped with household repairs
Puppy chewed insulation at the front door. Now we use a pillow against the door to keep the draft out.
Puppy is possessed (Not true-Boo is a PUPPY)

Summary
Motherhood is hard work
Neal and Janice's house is too big
You need a Nanny or a Mother's Helper

My Summary
This made me laugh written down, but it's pretty accurate on how our day goes. Two young girls and a puppy can be a little chaotic. We get through it with a lot of laughs, caffeine:)

My MIL gave this to my DH and I to read as she let us go out to dinner. We are very fortunate to have family around. It helps to break up that ORDINARY DAY:)

Earth Day

Today the girls and I spent Earth Day at Tower Hill Botanical Garden. N and I were married there so it's always been special to us. It was a beautiful day filled with sun and daffodils. Our family is becoming Greener. Which really means going back to what I grew up with...Simplicity. We had a great time walking, talking and playing in the flowers.

Home on the Range

We are currently visiting my parents. Most of you know I'm from the Mid-west. Coming back home after living on the East Coast for 10 years is culture shock.

Even though I live in a traditional suburb there is what I like to say a lot of stuff . Restaurants, Malls, and of course in New England a Dunkin Donuts on every corner.

The Mid-west is wide open spaces. You can drive miles without seeing anything but trees and corn fields. A different way of life. It's nice, but I think I've grown to accustomed to my life of modern conveniences. That would explain why DH and I are now at McDonald's using free WiFi:)

It's nice to come home though. The people are friendly, the food is greasy, and the best part of all, seeing family and friends.

There is No Place Like Home.

New Traditions

Easter was wonderful this year even though I was dreading it.

You see for the past 10 years I have spent it with my BEST friend, husband(now ex-husband) her daughter , and finally her boyfriend.

I miss her dearly, but there is nothing I can do. I'm done with saying I'm sorry. My life is about being the best wife, mother, and friend I can be. I have always been her biggest cheerleader, but my priorities are with my family.
It's been hard these past months without her, but actually I'm more at peace. I took on all her problems, and mine took the backseat, or I just didn't say anything.

All conflicts aside I miss the friendship, and wish her nothing but happiness, whatever that may be for her and her daughter.

So my DH knew I would be sad on Easter because he is Jewish and doesn't care. He actually suggested inviting all my friends that didn't have families in the area over. I of course jumped at the chance. I invited 3 families and all excepted. Each family had 2 kids so we had a total of 8 adults and 8 kids. It was a lovely day filled with food, egg hunt and more food.

So I guess at this stage of life we are still starting new traditions. Even though scary you just have to jump in.

I do miss the old traditions, but sometimes you just have to move on.

I will always have wonderful memories though.

Vacation

Recently DH and I went to the Bahamas. N made his sales number for the year so his company has a trip at a tropical location.

The week leading up to us leaving was not going well. It was school vacation week in Massachusetts. The girls were off schedule, and we all had colds. E also decided this was the week she started acting like a teenager with hormones and attitude.

The worst part of the week was when I brought my car to get it's yearly inspection and it FAILED! It failed for two reasons

1. Exhaust pipes rusting out= Lot's of $$$

2. Front license plate needed to be replaced= Need to stand in line at the RMV...are you kidding me?

I took the car to be inspected on Saturday. Which meant they couldn't fix it until Monday. I would also have to wait until then to go to the RMV. This is exactly what I want to do the day before I'm leaving on vacation.

A friend suggested going to a more remote RMV location. So Monday morning I packed some snacks and toys. I loaded the girls in our questionable loaner of a car, and headed to get the replacement plates.

I told the girls if they were good, we could go out to lunch. I was sure it wouldn't take that long. I should have know the way my week was going the way this story would end.

I pulled into the parking lot and saw nothing but cars. I got the girls out the the car and the line was out the door. I overheard someone saying I have never seen this place so busy. GREAT! Luckily I had filled the paperwork out so I got a number right away. 20 minutes later our number was called. We get to the counter and the lady goes to get my new license plates and asks for $20. I pull out my Master Card and she says "Cash only." I immediately start to panic. I'm not getting back into line, and E needs to be at preschool at 12pm. The tears start to come but I'm trying not to let the girls see I'm upset. I beg the lady to make an exception she grunts and says there is an ATM machine at a hotel across the street and one down the road. Okay I can do this. I walk the girls across the street and we get to the ATM. I look at it and it says OUT OF SERVICE. @#@!!$$!! Of course all these obscenities were in my head because I never swear in front of my children:) We then have to walk back across the street get in my car and drive down the road. Finally we get the $20 we need, and I get my new plates.

I look at the time and realize that leisurely lunch I had planned wasn't going to happen. E needed to be at school in less than 30 minutes. So I did what any Mom would do in a desperate situation. I stopped at McDonald's! E and C wolfed down their lunch in the backseat as I drove to Preschool drop off.

Through all of this the girls were surprisingly good. I know there were a couple of times I was about to go postal.

The next morning N and I were off to the Bahamas for some R&R. It's hard as a SAHM to remember what my life is like without kids. It was a nice change to travel lighter. No sippy cups, juice boxes, or diapers. Just my Ipod and Book.

The trip forced me to relax. I read a book, ate/drank way to much, and the biggie SLEPT LATE! I didn't even need coffee on the trip, but there is nothing better then sipping a big cup on the beach with only the sound the waves.