The boys and I had a big day across the lake today. I parked over in the French Quarter and walked around a bit with the boys. I managed to take a cute picture or two of them in front of Jackson Square before catching a cab to The Roosevelt Hotel for the Teddy Bear Tea. The decorations in the lobby were simply breathtaking. I could have stayed for hours looking at everything if I were by myself. We had a huge group of nearly 30 people and tried out a kids table this year! That was awesome! Theo sat next to me at the adult table but Jack and his friend, Dean (the only boys in our group) were in heaven together. They poured tons of cups of hot chocolate and dined on cookies :) Mrs. Claus read The Night Before Christmas and then I took the boys to see Santa. Jack rattled off his list and Santa was quick to tell him that he might not be able to bring everything ;) We told the boys that they could only ask for three presents, just like Jesus got from the Wise Men. I think Santa was just playing it safe.

After the tea wrapped up I rode with my friend, Celeste, and her girls to The Miracle on Fulton Street. There are tons of Christmas trees and lights and every hour they have "snow" fall for a few minutes. The kids go wild when it "snows" (really bubbles) and just had the best time. We also checked out the huge gingerbread Superdome there. That was neat! We had dinner right there by the decorations before heading back to the car. It sure was a great day with friends and one that we look forward to every year!!

The Big Apple!!!

My friend, Dawn, made me an offer I couldn't refuse a few weeks ago. She had an accounting seminar in Manhattan and asked if I wanted to come stay with her! Umm, yes! So my awesome husband and in laws shifting responsibilities so I could take my first trip to NYC. I'm so thankful they did because I had the MOST amazing time. Dawn had her meetings most of the day so that left me with lots of time to explore. I think I walked a million miles in the 2 1/2 days I was there. I went just about everywhere and at least snapped a picture (which I hated to do because I tried really hard to "blend" and act like a native New Yorker) :)

I was able to meet my friend Jackie in person for the first time on Monday! She is part of the board I've met up with twice but has never been able to attend. Jackie got us tickets to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular and it was just that. She also treated me to lunch at an awesome hot spot for lunch. That is definitely one thing I did on my trip........... eat well. Very well. Too well maybe? I did walk a TON so hopefully all that good eating won't haunt me too much! Ha. Jackie also walked with me back to her office on the Upper East Side right near Central Park. And Tiffany's (conveniently). He he. I made her take the obligatory picture in front of the Rockefeller Center tree. It's beautiful in person!

Dawn and I met up with Jackie for dinner on Monday night and had an amazing time together. I seriously covet Jackie's red Dooney and Burke purse. A lot. I rode in my first NYC cab. It was clean and didn't smell unpleasant! It was nothing like the shuttle I took to and from the airport. I feared for my life several times! Those drivers were crazy. How no one gets killed on the streets or cars don't clip each other on the streets is beyond me! Wow.

Dawn helped me navigate the subway yesterday so that really added how far I was able to go! I went all the way down to Battery Park to see Lady Liberty from afar and then paid my respects to the WTC site. That was emotional to say the least. I also ducked in to Trinity Church which is very close to the WTC site. Hollowed ground, for sure. I saw Wall Street and then ducked up to Macy's and rode the old-fashioned escalator. I also rode the subway about 50 blocks up to the Natural Science Museum to check out the dinosaur exhibit. That was super, super cool. I can't wait to show these pictures (and about 20 others) to Jack. I'll save you all the excess :)

Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible! I really had the best time and LOVED every second of being in New York. I can't wait to go back with Dave one day. Maybe the kids as well. When they are much older ;)

"I said Cheeese"

That pretty much sums up what Theo shouted at me when I took this picture at the mall. Darling, isn't it? :) He enjoyed himself on the train at Santa's village and I have 8 more rides to use for when Jack can come.

Storyland at City Park

My Mom's club traveled over to City Park today to take the kids to Storyland. Theo was in heaven seeing all of the Fairy Tale characters and going down all of the slides. The weather was perfect and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. What fun!! Notice his new Christmas shirt (Jack has a similar one). I got burned on Halloween shirts to I ordered these from Etsy.

Mischief

Eli is back at our house and has really whipped the boys in to shape! Just the threat of Eli telling Santa of bad behavior has be deterrent enough (so far, so good). Eli has also been getting into mischief at night. He hid in Jack's candy bowl from Halloween and flew to a new spot with some loot from the bowl. The boys were tickled to death this morning to see him snacking on Sweet Tarts.

Here is my mantle with the new garland and mesh and the stockings all hung. I hope Santa brings me a new phone. Please, Santa!!!