Last hurrah in NYC

Winding down our time in New York with Shay's 6th birthday:

Jermaine's graduation dinner:

NYC BBQ festival at Madison

square park:

One last trip to a friend's house in Brooklyn:

Some impromptu harmonica playing:

Enjoying outdoor movies:

A graduation party with family  up in Harlem:

& having an early birthday party for Mila with her New York buddies:

Oh, and finishing up at our jobs and preparing the kids and all of our belongings for a 3,000 mile trip. California, here we come!

View of the Empire State Building from the kids' bedroom window...

Winter 2015

We've been pretty much hibernating all winter; our main weekend excursions have been to the library. We did have a chance for some sledding and snow fun here and there.

Kids also had crazy hair day at school (well, Shay did and Mila wanted to do it too).  We did one test run, then Mila was sad on actual Crazy Hair Day that I wouldn't put more green in her hair.

Shay just had his Spring school concert. He sang 'Good day sunshine', 'rainbow connection' and 'edelweiss'. There were a few more, but I was distracted by Mila singing along and taking off her boots. She was most excited to give Shay his flowers after the performance.

End of 2014

Ever since school started in the fall, it seems like we have been on autopilot. Mostly just day to day work and school, but we've had a few highlights:

Halloween - Power Ranger & Spider girl (with tsais) and Shay wearing Mila's dinosaur costume from school

Visting the Queens County Farm with Grandpa Rob

Goodbye summer; hello, kindergarten!

We managed to get to some festivals and travelled to Virginia before starting back to school in September.

Kids festival in Harlem:

Rented a car and drive out to Virginia to visit friends; it was weird to see so much nature! We got to feed fish and pet a potbellied pig.

Then off to kindergarten for Shay. He's so proud and excited.

Summer and a new apartment

Hard to believe I haven't posted anything since Shay's birthday. Since then, we've celebrated 4th of July, Mila's birthday, and moved. Whew! Been a busy summer, but not too hot so far. Kind of rainy, actually. Looking forward to Shay starting kindergarten next month!

Dressed up for the 4th:

Mila's birthday was a weeklong celebration complete with visits from Nana and Grandpa Rob, and a huge chocolate cake!

Mila also got a bike for her birthday; elbow pads might need to be next! 

Enjoying some family friendly activities at our new complex: