New York, New York

The best way to share the highlights of our trip to New York is through the pictures . . .
On Wednesday, August 19th we left on the airplane for New York in the morning and arrived there in the evening. It was a long 5 hour flight but I was a good girl on the plane. I watched movies, had lunch and some snacks, and even took a nap.
Thursday, August 20th - I had pizza and ice cream with Mr. & Mrs. N, Mrs. N gave me this big Mickey doll and we had a fun time rocking in the little chair. We went to the Nautical Mile for dinner and I played on the boat outside the restaurant.
Friday, August 21st - Time to see the Atlantic Ocean, we went to Long Beach and took a walk on the boardwalk and found a playground for me. This is the day I had my first big fall - right on my little nose. It was all scraped up and hurt a lot. Friday night, while mommy and daddy went out with some friends I stayed in with Mema and Aunt Deb.
Saturday, August 22nd - Uncle Eric took me out on his sister's boat into the Long Island Sound. We attempted the ocean but due to the hurricane it was really rough.
Takin' the wheel of the boat. I loved wearing my new "coat" (mommy and daddy were so happy I liked the life vest).
Saturday night it was dinner with daddy's friends. There were lots of new and exciting things - Scarlet the bird, movie theater with popcorn, piano, and a doll house.I played the piano with my piano fingers (everyone used to tell me I had piano fingers).We got to meet a former Mrs. United America and try on her crown.I didn't care for the crown so much but Mommy sure did have fun posing with it.
Sunday, August 23rd - Today was my birthday party at Mema's house. I got to meet all my aunts, uncles, and cousins in daddy's family. I had so much fun opening presents, playing with Molly B., and eating cake.Giving Molly B. a "sip" from my big Princess cup that she gave me.Giving my new Minnie doll a big hug.Mema and me clapping while everyone is singing "Happy Birthday" to me.Hanging out with cousins Jack and Anthony.
Monday, August 24th - Auntie Deb and Mema took me to Adventureland. It was my first time to a theme park and I had a blast! I went on some of the rides all by myself. Mommy was kind of scared to let me go alone but I showed her what a big girl I am now.Driving the Sheriff's car - let's hope I'm never in the back!Riding the pink motorcycle - making daddy proud!Driving the yellow NYC taxi - the ride was so much fun I had to do it again.Taking a break with Mema and Deb.Having a good time on the catapillar ride - I chose the front car.
Tuesday, August 25th - Today we met Elaine, Michel, Elise, and baby John at the Long Island Game Farm. After we visited the farm and watched a cool tiger show we all went to lunch and then did some shopping at the outlets. These are friends of mommy & daddy's from before anyone had children. When I met Elise it was like my long lost friend, we were best friends from the time we met in the parking lot. In fact, I still talk about her whenever Mommy says we are going to meet some friends. Elise showing Lexi the way into the farm.Petting the baby deer.Best friends - Lexi's first long distance friendshipRiding in the tea cups with Elise and her daddy, Michel.We went back to Elise's house for dinner and she showed me all her toys. We went swimming in her pool and we had matching Little Mermaid swimsuits. We drove the jeep together, played with sidewalk chalk and finished the evening with a bath together. I really miss my new friend Elise.
Wednesday, August 26th - It was off to the city bright and early this morning. We took the train from Long Island into New York City. Riding a real choo-choo train was probably my favorite part of visiting the city. We visited a lot of places when we were there: Today Show plaza, Rockefeller Plaza, American Girl store, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Tiffany's, Disney store, FAO Schwartz, The Plaza hotel (where Eloise lives), Central Park carousel, Tavern on the Green, Late Show with David Letterman, Times Square, M & M store, and Penn Station.
Mommy wanted to meet her friends Matt, Meridith, Ann, & Al from the Today Show. We did miss them doing the back to school set but it was still fun to be out on the plaza.We made a stop by the original Tiffany & Co. - they gave me my very own little blue bag!My favorite part of the FAO Schwartz store was where they were making the muppets.I love "mnms"!Wednesday night cousins Fran & Chrissy and Aunt Stephanie invited me over to visit and surprised me with an ice cream birthday cake!
Thursday, August 27th - Today, was the day to spend some time with my Uncle Russ, Auntie Robin, and Molly B. We took Molly B. on a long walk around the pond. I even got to walk her on the leash all by myself. I love chasing Molly.Giving Molly a treat in my new Minnie jammies.Uncle Russell picks out the best cakes - he picked this special one for me!
Friday, August 28th - Today we spent some time with Mema in the morning and then in the afternoon we got ready for cousin Christine's wedding. We were very excited to be able to help her celebrate her special day. There was lots of good food, drinks, and dancing.The cousins on the dance floor with the bride and maid of honor (cousin Fran).Dancing with cousin Julia.
Saturday, August 29th - Tom, Patricia, and family hosted a bbq and invited all of daddy's friends so that we could see everyone and they could meet me. Dan, Roberta, and baby Evan. I like Evan but I don't like mommy to hold him.The New Yorkers know how to eat and no one leaves hungry. We had a full and delicious meal and then came the buffet of deserts. I didn't mind - I love cake, ice cream, cookies, and chocolate!Here's the whole group - what a fun bunch of good friends. Wish we could see them more often.
Sunday, August 30th - Time to go home to our own beds. In the morning, we went to church and then out to breakfast with Tom, Patricia, & family. We made one last stop at Jones beach to get some fresh sea air before we headed to the airport to catch our plane.Watching the planes land and having a little snack before we board the plane.
It was a wonderful trip, we wish New York was closer so we could see all our family and friends more often. Thanks to everyone who hosted us and made our trip so enjoyable!

"Plane to see Memaw"

We're leaving tomorrow for New York to visit daddy's family and we'll be back the 1st of September (with lots of photos, of course).
Before we go . . .we need to call "me-maw" to make sure she remembers to pick us up at the airportand "fix it Elmo" (elmo stopped talking and she has been trying to fix him ie. change the batteries). See you in September!

it wouldn't be summer without . . .

ice cream on a hot summer night

"Look mom, I'm not holding on!"

L-O-V-E

Our Sweet Little Family!
(just a glimpse of a few shots from our photo shoot)

23 months old - a month of new beginnings

There are a lot of new things that have been happening this week as Lexi turned 23 months old on Monday, the 3rd, and we only have a month to go till the Big TWO!The biggest excitement so far in month 23 was that last night I asked her to go potty before I put her in the tub. While I was running the water and preparing her bath she went and sat on the potty (our usual routine). Well, I asked her if she was done and she said "uh-huh" and then came waddling back to the tub with her cute little bottom. So I put her in the tub and went to check the potty - much to my surprise she actually went pee-pee in the potty. I was so excited - this is a first for Lexi (she usually just sits there and then waddles back to the tub and tells me she went potty but the potty is empty). I was praising her and telling her what a good job she did. So then I ask her, "Did you go pee-pee in the potty?" And the little twerp says "NO". Of course, that is the answer I get to every question these days. The potty training will officially begin the beginning of next month, when we return from our vacation in New York. For now, we will be happy with the few surprise incidents when she goes in the potty.
Everyday, Lexi is learning a new word. I can pretty much understand what she is talking about when she talks to me by making out just a couple of the words in the sentences. She loves to sing and dance and it is funny how she gets the tune down and I can tell what song she is singing. A few favorites she likes to sing are: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; Abcs; Itsy, Bitsy Spider; Round Ball; Where is Thumbkin?.
Lexi runs everywhere, all the time. A few bumps and bruises have started to appear.
She has an infatuation with Mickey & Minnie Mouse. She refers to them as "Mimi" and "Mice". I had to stop her the other day from almost tackling a child at the library who had on a Minnie Mouse t-shirt.
Her favorite activity is to "cook" in her kitchen. She will play for an hour without any interruptions. Here she is playing in the kitchen at the museum on Thursday. She likes to set the table for her babies to eat. And the baby gets a bottle non-stop during the day. And we always tuck the baby in the cradle at night.
The new things she doesn't care for are clowns and mommy holding other babies. I was holding my girlfriend's newborn baby boy and Lexi was MAD. She wanted "up" and screamed and stomped her feet. Lexi has always liked dressed up characters when we have seen them places and usually won't leave their side. But, on Wednesday we went to see Ronald McDonald at the library and she wanted nothing to do with him and especially not a picture beside him. This was as close as we got to Ronald.

Weekend Fun in the Sun

We started our weekend bright and early Saturday morning with a photo shoot for the Mended Little Hearts group. A professional photographer donated her services to our organization and the photos will be used for public relations material for our group and her company. Let's just say it was a little to bright and early for Miss Alexis. If the photographer got one good shot of her or us she was lucky and a good photographer. We, however, were able to capture a few shots of our own.

Kisses for Daddy!Mommy & Lexi sitting inside the "LOVE" sculpture.

After the photos, we had a couple hours for Lexi to take a quick nap to get re-energized. Then it was off to Giavanna's birthday pool party. Alexis loves to swim/play in the pool. She was also quite excited about the "Dora" theme.Going for a dolphin ride.Daddy had lots of fun splashing with his little sweet pea!Lexi and Gia playing in the sprinkler.The little kiddos eating their pizza on the picnic table.