New York (week 4)

The last week was fun for a lot of reasons. First Boston started solids and he finally started sleeping better...finally! Second we moved to another apartment for the last week we were there and it was great to check out another neighborhood.  And third, we were able to go home....home sweet home! Don't get me wrong, we had fun and it was a great experience, but living in a place that is not really yours gets kind of really old after a while.  Especially when you still have to live like you're at home – dishes, cleaning, laundry, etc. – but we had a great time and it gave us a great perspective on where to live, how we like it, and what will be best for our little family.  So in some ways we were sad to leave, and in others we were excited to get back to our low key little town and simple life and enjoy our last year of easy student life. 

Sweet potatoes were a hit. We decided to give him what we gave Solana for the first time as well.  But I am excited that I get to start making baby food again. It's so easy, cheap, and pretty fun.

He kept shoving the spoon in his mouth. He was so hungry! And his growth spurt was killing me slowly. 

The C Wonder scooter was a hit with Solana. We were in the huge "fitting room suite" and they had this parked in it, along with a sofa, ottoman, and separate changing area within the suite - it was blast! Have I mentioned how amazing this store is?!

Headed down to Washington Square Park. I was surprised how much I loved it down there - it had such charm that I wanted to walk around everywhere.

So I figured while I was staying in the biggest city, I would find some things to do that I could only (or more easily do) in the city.  So I found a website that posts where all the shows and movies are being filmed each day.  So when I saw that my favorite show Elementary had started filming again, I hustled down the location.  It was so much fun to see all the happenings, I kind of felt like a stalker, but when you see other people doing the same thing, I guess it makes you feel a little better... but I was pretty bummed I didn't bump into Lucy or Jonnie, oh well... maybe next year! 

Hanging out our last day in the city.  She has been such a trooper, sleeping in odd places, living in the stroller, hearing Boston cry all night, and having to be super quiet while he naps (the apartments were very small) and only having x amount of her toys with her. And she got so picky about her clothes that 2 of her dresses became uniforms on her. This one was one of them. But we had a blast, and I loved being on this adventure with her. 

We watched too much TV for one summer.

Hanging out at the park.  I can't believe he is 6 months now. And even though he became such an awful sleeper (pack n' plays are not meant for sleeping) we still had fun with him. He still melts my heart with his precious smile and bright blue eyes. I am one lucky lady in so many ways.  

New York (week 3)

Once the heat wave was over (and boy, let me tell you, a New York City heat wave is misery), we were more excited to head outside with a smile on our face.  

 A little fort building is always fun.  Especially in a small apartment. 

Doing laundry was a new adventure, I had to get used to paying (an arm and a leg) for laundry, but at least it was in our building and on our floor, but still a pain. But Solana thought it was pretty fun and she became my laundry buddy. 

I love this glamour shot I caught of her, lol.  She was just laying on the sofa relaxing and I hurried and grabbed the camera because it was so darn cute.

They have lots of free concerts in the park, and if its free in the city then its worth it. So one evening after Adam got off work, we ventured out to the park and had so much fun! It was not as hot and so beautiful.  Adam's office is out of the picture, but just a little bit to the left.

The Central Park Zoo was fun, but I'm not going to lie... it was not worth paying much money for.  You know its bad when you toddler is complaining about the animals.  She was bummed she didn't get to see any animals that she wanted to.  Both she and Adam felt deceived by the movie Madagascar, which, if you'll recall, very prominently features a lion in the Central Park Zoo, but in reality, there aren't a lot of big animals.  If it was free you could go all the time, but to just see some birds and some seals is not my idea of a zoo, but then again, it is in Central Park, so I suppose they can't go all out with the wild managerie. 

Adam wanted us to come down to his office and meet the folks he works with.  He sent a car for us, which felt so fancy and fun! Plus I love getting driven around in a nice black car rather than a dirty cabby.

Solana and Boston had so much fun playing and hanging out, but it got a little crazy with Adam trying to work and entertain everyone.  But it was fun to meet his co workers and see his future environment.

Date night shopping at Columbus Circle (again) was so much fun. 

Fete Paradiso

Fete Paradiso was the highlight of our trip! I mean, a vintage Parisian carnival in NYC...yes please! It was something straight out of a movie and I cannot believe we got to go do this.  While I was living in NYC I followed lots of mommy NYC blogs so that I could be in tune to all the happenings in the city. So I read about it place and had it on my to do list, but then a friend had gone and told me that if its the only thing I do this summer, I need to go to Fete Paradiso.  So Saturday came and we packed up the stroller and headed down to the most amazing carnival ever!  What is it exactly? Well you can read about it here and you will be blown away.  

Seeing the actual rides from France and being able to ride them was like truly stepping back in time.  It was also on Governor's Island, which is a beautiful old island that has old military housing and lots of open park space, but that is really it.  It is a really fun contrast from the city, because it has been designated a historical site and is just like a large island park a short ferry ride from downtown Manhattan.  I hope they continue to have this next year or at least debut it somewhere else in the states.  Here are the highlights of the most fabulous carnival we have ever been to.

My little swan princess

I decided I want to collect old carnivals rides while I was there :)

Apparently the folks back then were smaller, because I did not fit in this little ride, like at all!

I could watch my boys interact all day long, they are so cute together.

The swings actually had real red velvet seats, oh I was in love!

She named her horse Ariel. 

First shot we got....

And the second one...phew glad we took two.

two little cuties!

I thought this bus was the coolest!! It was seriously such a cool little mini bus.  The kids fit so perfectly in it and all the details were so precious.

"oh Mommy please let me drive it.."

Riding her chariot.  She went on this ride over and over and over again.

Some of the rides were unavailable to ride, but I was so happy to see them displayed and was so blown away by the fun colors and intricate details of each piece. 

Walking around the island. So much fun to be around all the water and have the best view of the city.

The view from Governor's Island, notice the new One World Trade Center building on the far left, isn't it gorgeous! It's almost done :)