Over April break Brian had to travel to New York City for work, so the kids and I tagged along. How could we pass up a paid ride and hotel room. On our way down we headed to the Bronx Zoo. The rest of our trip would include a trip to FAO Schwartz, Times Square, riding the subway, seeing old friends and the Museum of Natural History.
There was a great butterfly garden at the zoo. The kids weren't that into it but I was!
I love these two pictures........Liz the bug!
Wandering Peacocks.
The giraffes were a big hit.......although we thought their space was a little small for being such a big animal.
We all rode the bug carousel together.
Pretending to be gophers. They're hired!
Before we left the zoo, after seeing all the important things like lions, we zipped through the children's zoo. Minus the petting zoo part, thankfully.
Patrick, always a boy, climbing away like Spiderman.
Patrick already has great hearing, and nosy ears. He doesn't need these.
Too cute :)
We promised the kids we would go to F.A.O Schwartz. And that they could get a toy. They loved it. Liz especially loved the Barbie fashion show.
I couldn't get Elizabeth away from the Barbies. We designed one ourselves but didn't buy it because it was $45.00........that is a lot for Liz just to strip her naked and lose all the accessories. She picked out a cheaper Barbie in a box.
Patrick chose to get some Star Wars stuff......but had to check out the animals too!
We could have saved a lot of money and just let Liz ride the subway all day. She loved it!
Everyone is thrilled to pose for a picture in Times Square!
We went out to dinner with my oldest friend in the whole world, Mary. Patrick thought it was really cool to hear stories of us when we were little, and that we have been friends since we were three! Lizzie charmed Mary, of course. They were excited to tell her about Disney World and get advice, because Mary is a Disney expert. They each even got $1.00 to save towards a treat......Thank you Mary!
Attempt #1 at a group photo. A true Lizzie face.
The kids didn't cooperate, but atleast Mary and I look good :) I just loved seeing my oldest friend! We picked up right where we left off. I wish we lived closer.
Patrick and Liz were, for once, excited to stay in a hotel room. The loved playing on the beds. I think they thought they were going to get to watch TV while they fell asleep, and that is why they were so excited!
Stunts between the beds.
The hotel is always fun.
A LION!! Look at how excited this boy is. Even though it is stuffed, he doesn't care. In our travels through the Museum of Natural History we discovered there is even a rare Indian Lion. We thought there were only lions in Africa. Pat couldn't wait to tell Dad.......he was really upset that I wouldn't let him call Dad during his meeting with the news.
Before the tiger attack!
Gosh, I really want him to stop growing. Who has the potion to make them small, innocent and curious forever??
A must see. Rexy. Patrick is in all his glory. Even though Patrick likes super heroes and Star Wars, a good dinosaur, wooly mammoth or lion always bring him back to being two. It amazes me that he can be so into something, from such an early age, all this time.
After being at the museum for a little while we were joined by more friends, my good friend Joanna and her little girl Alya. The kids loved looking all around at the mammals and ocean creatures with Josey and Alya. And, I LOVED catching up with my old friend.
After the museum we all went to lunch together. I really wish we lived closer so this could happen more often.
Patrick was really great with Alya. He was talking with her and showing her his new toy.....a Jaguar from the Museum of Natural History. Patrick really liked it that Alya shows an interest in Star Wars.......when she gets in a elevator she says, "Elevator, Darth Vader." That just made his day. Her little voice saying it was too cute also.
Liz and Alya were definite buds. Elizabeth just loved her. She really would make a great big sister......
Wrong chronology, but cute anyway........Elizabeth loved being on the stage for dress rehearsal for her recital. When she was all done we were in the back of the auditorium talking with another mom. She went running down the aisle, to talk with another little girl I thought, but to climb the risers and watch the other dancers. It was too cute.
Dying Easter eggs is serious business. We all had our game faces on.
Being careful while insisting on putting the eggs in the dye ourselves.
Elizabeth made some intense pink eggs!
The finished product.......after so many broke. Oh well. Dying eggs is fun.
Brotherly/sisterly love :)
The Easter bunny feels bad that the kid's birthdays are so close to Christmas and the they really only get gifts once a year........so the Easter bunny spoils them every year.
Patrick's loot.
Elizabeth's loot.
Looking through all the good goodies the Easter bunny left...........
and sneaking chocolate bunnies at 6:00 am! Yes, 6:00 am. The kids were super excited about the Easter bunny and were up early.
The highlight in Patrick's Easter basket were TWO light sabers. Now he and Dad can have some serious battles......which you know Dad is just as excited as Pat is about.
The Easter bunny spoiled Lizzie with a new bike.....Hello Kitty. Now she will be able to keep up with Patrick.
The Easter bunny also left a pretty great egg hunt.
The kids were excited that in addition to their awesome baskets from the Easter bunny and the egg hunt her left for them, they also had cards from Pop Pop and Grandma Clare........with cash inside!
Ms. Lizzie Lou, posing away in her pretty Easter dress and bonnet.
Two Cutie Patooties.
Patrick just loved posing in his nice clothes. Actually, there was minimal complaining.
Dude and Dad.
Girlie and Dad. She just loved that hat. She didn't want to take it off at all.
Me and my kiddos. How I love, love, love them!
And there were free hotdogs and soda.
Elizabeth wasn't interested in the fishing. She turned the fishing derby into a hotdog eating derby!
Sarah Jane was the fishing champ. They had to let her know that there was a three fish limit in the competition.
Patrick wasn't having the best luck, so Uncle Mark focused his energy on helping Pat. It worked.......he caught a fish.
I would have loved to have Patrick in the picture with the fish that he caught, but he was afraid of it!
It measured in at 13.5 inches.........enough for a big prize. Pat chose an Ironman ball. It was a great morning!!
