Christmas outings...

We had a few fun Christmas outings with friends.  We went to Grand Central Terminal where we got to see the train displays at the NYC Transit Museum Store and poke around some other shops as well.  

Another day we went to Bryant Park to see the tree, watch ice skaters and of course, ride the carousel.  And then we topped the day off with a delicious stop at Dillon's Candy Bar.  Yum!

Winter's Eve

Sayer and I went on a date to Winter's Eve.  I felt bad that the whole fam couldn't go, but Asher had school early the next day, and I couldn't justify letting him stay up late for it. :(  But Sayer sure had a blast having some one on one time with mom... getting to see the Christmas tree light up in the Lincoln Square area, having some yummy dinner with friends, watching street performers, having hot chocolate while watching an ice sculptor in front of the church, and just enjoying the festive atmosphere.  

Origami Tree and Parade floats

The day before Thanksgiving, Nate and I took the kids to the Museum of Natural History to see the Origami Tree and then to see the parade floats, which get blown up right outside the museum. This has been a fun tradition since we have been in the city. It was a really nice family outing, which of course included a few moments of mild annoyance, but for the most part, we had a fun time. We ended the night with dinner at McDonalds. Classy, classy.

Lookin' foxy in front of the origami tree babe!!

The boys were being really silly

This was the best we could manage

Nate had better luck...

 

  

  

Ice skating in Bryant Park

Back in November our old neighbors, Debbie and Peter, came into the city for a visit. We LOVED playing with them again. We headed down to Bryant Park and caught the end of a story time,  and then took the boys ice skating. We were kind of cheap though, I rented one pair of skates for my boys to switch off with, and then Debbie and I traded off skates as well. It was awesome. The boys had an absolute blast. I thought for sure Asher would try and start falling down and then say he didn't like it, but man was he determined to get it right. Sayer was more inclined to throw in the towel after one round. :) So while Peter, Asher and Debbie kept at it, I took Sayer and Bart to ride the carousel. Fun times were had by all!!

Story time

This guy was awesome!

Excited to get out on the ice!

Debbie and I got an arm workout, holding those boys up.  They got better and better each time around though.  It was pretty amazing.

Fun on the carousel!

All by himself!

Radio City Rockettes

My mom and I went to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular when they were in town.  My brother in law Duffy, and his wife Tessa, also came in town for a few days, so they joined me and my mom.  It was a fun show, and the whole time all I could think was how much my boys would have loved it.  Oh well.  Another time I guess. 

This Christmas tree shaped chandelier was amazing!!

;

Duffy and Tessa

Intrepid

Back in November when my parents were here for the marathon, we took the boys to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum. It was actually a lot of fun. They have some things in the lower deck that you can play in and they loved that. They also loved the gift shop, but what little kid doesn't. :)

Startin' the season off right

I've got the tree up, the window trimmed with boughs of (fake) evergreen, my 2 nativities are in place, the stockings are hung, and I've got little Christmas nick-nacks here and there around the house.  It looks beautiful!

...Unless, you happen to look anywhere that isn't a Christmas decoration.  My house is a mess.  All day, everyday, and there is nothing I can do about it.  Sure, I could clean it up, and I do.... occasionally, but for what?  For it to just get messed up again?  And again.  And again.  And again.  You get the picture.  Then I just get all upset and annoyed.  Plus, I am always tired.  Who has the energy to clean up 4 times a day?  Not me.  I try to get it cleaned at the end of the day, but I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't always happen.  It sounds so easy: Clean up the house once a day, after the kids go to sleep.  But actually doing that takes so much more energy than I am willing to exert at that particular time of day.  Most days.

Any-hoo, I actually managed to get my act together last night... I straightened up, did the dishes, wiped the kitchen table off for the first time in a couple days (don't judge), made a delicious AND healthy dinner for the fam, did some more dishes and put the kids down.  Having a clean kitchen inspired me, so I turned on a Christmas movie and got started on some english toffee.  

Yummy! (said in a high-pitched sing-songy voice) Both batches turned out scrumptious, if I do say so myself.  I think I am going to for-go the peppermint bark this year because, well, have you been reading this post??  I just don't think I have it in me.  But I am going to try this delicious looking recipe this weekend, so that's something, right?

All joking aside, I absolutely LOVE this time of year, and am trying not to waste a minute of it.  We are talking a lot about Christ in our home this season, and focusing more on the true meaning of Christmas.  Which should be easy to do, since I am already done (DONE!) with my Christmas shopping, so I don't have to think about that anymore.  Today we are making these when Asher gets home from school.  I'm sure it's not going to go as smoothly as I invision it in my mind, but I am fine with that.  The kids will have fun, we will be able to talk about the baby Jesus, and eat candy.  Doesn't get much better than that!