Friday Activity

Our new Friday morning routine includes swimming at the Downtown Community Center pool.  A long swim in the pool makes for an even longer afternoon nap, which, in turn, makes for a very happy mama.

Thanksgiving 2010

We began our Thanksgiving this year at the Steel's annual Thanksgiving Parade party. They have an apartment on Central Park West with a great view of the parade route and have been hosting this party for 40+ years. After our late start (Lyla and Mark have taken to sleeping in pretty much every day Mark isn't working), we arrived at the Steels and planted ourselves in front of a window to watch the parade. Dina, Rich and the boys came into the city for the party and saved us a spot. We also got to see Dylan and Dennis and all of our Florida cousins, including the newest addition, Baby John.












Aunt Phyllis got this dress for Lyla and all the girl cousins last year...so expect to see this dress again in a few years when she gets Dylan's hand me downs!


Rich decided this window was the optimal viewing spot.


Balloons. They were so incredibly close.

The Dora and Boots float. We only got to see her back.


Santa Claus!


Baby John slept through the whole parade. Aunt Karen said he is soothed by noise so she bought him a dirt devil for Hanukah :)


After the parade, we headed for the subway to the train to continue our Thanksgiving in Long Beach. Four adults, three kids, two strollers and way too much stuff for an overnight trip. The trip was a bit of an adventure, but you know me, I love an adventure :)




There is always time for a hug...even on a subway platform.


We had fun with stickers on the train.




Back in Long Beach, my mom cooked a delicious Thanksgiving feast and showed off her master carving skills.




Nicolas was ready to eat...


...But Lyla settled on a banana for Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my wonderful little family, who give me new reasons to be happy each day. Even though on this particular day they both decided to sleep late and now we are running late for the Steel's Thanksgiving Parade Party.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

State Champs!!!

On Saturday, we were very lucky to have the opportunity to see Julia and her Oakdale Bears win the State championship in soccer. I am so incredibly proud of Julia and we feel so fortunate that we were able to head down to Maryland to see the game. Julia is incredibly dedicated and hard-working. She has made so many sacrifices for her soccer teams. It's so awesome that her perseverance has paid off. She is one amazing girl.


Now, on to the game...First and foremost, we got there in time for a little non-alcoholic tailgating!


The game was a real nail biter. They tied 1-1 in regulation, went into double overtime and finished 2-1 after penalty kicks. What is even more amazing is that the school is only a few months old and the team is all Freshmen and Sophmores. According to the Frederick Post, "With just freshmen and sophomores on the team, the young Bears sent shock waves through the county public school system, becoming the first county high school to win a state team crown in its first year." You can see their slideshow here. The pictures are much better than mine, reinforcing something that I already knew -- that I will never be a sports photographer.


Our girl

A very nervous Mama and Bammie at the end of regulation




For Lyla's part, she was actually really good during the entire game. I went in fully expecting to have to keep her occupied, but she was perfectly content to sit in the bleachers, clap and scream when we did, shake her Bears noisemaker and generally keep herself busy.


We took away her bottle cold turkey a few days ago, so we cut her a little slack on the paci all weekend.


Go Bears!


And when there was a little break in the action, everyone kept busy reading and checking emails :)


And then...VICTORY!












After the game, we went back to the high school to congratulate the girls. Here is Lyla and her bestie Kell waiting for Julia outside of the locker room.


Julia and her friends (Sean had State champions t-shirts made up before the game!)


Lyla did not want to let go of that award.


We are all so proud of you, Jules.












Finally, we all went to dinner. I didn't take too many pictures but I love this one of Lyla and Laurie each texting away...sharing the good news :)