A Merry Christmas & Happy 2014!

Somehow this didn't upload before...better late than never!

We had a nice Christmas with just the four of us; a big contrast to the usual hustle and bustle when we are closer our extended family. Everyone sent wonderful presents for the kids; they were so excited and couldn't even open everything in one day!

We also had a food filled holiday. I made my first attempt at rum cake and Jermaine made his traditional new year's lemon meringue pie. 

Hope everyone is having a warm and safe 2014 so far!

Winter wonderland - sort of

We've had some really nice days, some snowy days, and some really yucky weather days so far this winter. The kids don't have to think about what to wear or making sure that they are warm enough, but it can't be stressful on parents to figure out the appropriate level of bundling. The kids actually love wearing their winter gear, though we have to strip it all off once we get to their school, which is over the building's steam room (in other words, it's like summer in there all the time - not fun when you come in wearing a down coat!). But we end up having fun no matter what the weather is like!

Mila in a raincoat from Aunt Joan:

Winter wear:

Out on the plaza:

On the way to school:

Overdue Halloween post

We had quite a few Halloween events. The kids always have fun dressing up!

Food-o-ween at Shay's school. They all made costumes of their favorite foods. Can you guess what Shay is?

Tried on some costumes in  preparation for the big day:

 

Went to a Halloween birthday party:

Attended the Halloween festivities at our apartment complex (as ninja turtle knight and doctor (?)):

Summer into fall in NYC

We continue to find lots to do, and are getting out and about as much as we can without a car. The East River ferry is still a good method of transportation for us; easy access to Long Island City (just across the river) and Brooklyn. 

Kite festival in Brooklyn. Not much wind, but got to make our own kites!

Fishing demo at nearby Solar One. Some people actually caught some fish!

 

Music and art at Madison Square Park. Kids project mimicked the newest art installation at the park.

 

 

 

"Pumpkin patch" at the farmers market in Long Island City. It was small but the kids had fun. Also checked out a new park with a cool water element. Probably the last water play of the season.

Exploring NYC: Central Park and Bronx Zoo

Another fun outing was visiting Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Great views, climbing spiral staircases, and street musicians made it a memorable trip.

 

I guess we are really New Yorkers now; we have library card and NY drivers license (at least, I do) and now a membership to the Bronx Zoo (which comes with guest passes and entrance to other NYC zoos and aquariums if anyone wants to visit!). This was Mila's first zoo trip, unless you count when I was 7 months pregnant with her and took Shay to the San Diego zoo. She had a really fun time, and even took a nap so we could have a little time to enjoy some of the animals alone with Shay.