Holiday in NYC

Last week we spent our annual holiday week in the city.  Savannah and I arrived on Monday and spent 2 nights with our good friends, the Austin family, out in the burbs.  Savannah either immediately remembered LoAn or else she warmed up very quickly to her.  Kieran on the other hand took his time feeling out both me and Savannah.  We had so much fun playing at their house, the children's museum, and KidsU.  Our other friends, the Woolsey's, even came over for a pizza party on Monday night.

lunch on the plane to NYC 

waiting for LoAn and Kieran at the airport

this is what you get when you attempt to have 2 toddlers pose for a pic

Savannah loving on Kieran

having fun at KidsU

waiting for her lunch at a local deli/cafe

driving the school bus at the Children's Museum

buckle up!

Savannah loved trying to float the ball above the cone

cooking in the kitchen

LoAn drove Savannah and I into the city on Wednesday afternoon and we checked into our hotel, The Pierre.  That is now my new favorite hotel in the city.  It has an awesome location---directly across from Central Park on 5th Ave and 61st St.....so perfect for me and Savannah!  We went for a run every morning in the park and would then stop in the zoo to visit the seals and penguins.  The Central Park Zoo is really the best bang for your buck in all of the city----only $12 for me and free for Savannah.  On Thursday afternoon we grabbed lunch at The Shake Shack (sooooo yummy!) and visited the Museum of Natural History.  Savannah loved seeing the dinosaurs, animals, and fish.  After a long walk back to the east side, while Savannah slept I window shopped.  I love seeing all the holiday window displays.  New York City really gets into the holiday spirit.

the view from our room at the Pierre

all ready for our run in the park

our daily cool down at the zoo

she loves polar bears

watching the seals

these seals were such hams :)

at the Museum

Dinosaur shark!!!

a blue whale

On Friday, Savannah and I went to the Plaza to check out the Eloise zone.  I think this was Savannah's favorite part of the entire NYC trip.  She had so much fun playing the pink piano and having a tea party in the tea room.  And the fact that everything was pink, pink, and more pink made it all the more exciting.  After the Plaza, we visited the American Girl Store for about 3 hours where we bought her newest baby, George (yes, she named him), and we even ate lunch in their cafe.  Soooooo incredibly cute!!!

checking out her form

she's pretending to be Shout from Fresh Beat

tea time

at the American Girl Cafe--she just woke up from a power nap

Savannah helping little George into his high chair

enjoying a yummy dessert of chocolate mousse

By the time we finished there, we relaxed in our amazing room for a little while before meeting up with Oscar and my friend, Elina, for dinner at Sarabeth's.  It's always nice to catch up with Elina and hear the current news on all my former coworkers.

watching her new Eloise movie

On Saturday we headed over to Macy's Herald Square to meet Santa.  I totally goofed on the time it opened because by the time we got there, there was already a line.  Fortunately it was only a 20 minute wait because I've heard it can get up to an hour and a half at times.  Savannah was so excited during the whole Santa Land experience up until she saw Santa.  At least there were no tears this year :)

Savannah and George about to enter Santa Land

family pic with Santa

outside of Macy's

 After Macy's we walked up to Rockefeller to take a picture in front of the tree, take a quick peek inside Saint Patricks, run into FAO Schwartz, and head back to the room to finish packing.  We passed our bags off to valet and grabbed a quick and yummy lunch at Seraphina's.  Then back to NC we go.

no ice skating this year for us

at the Rockefeller tree

such a happy city girl

lunch a Seraphina

I love our weekly holiday trip to NYC so much!!!  I hope it's a yearly tradition that never ends :)  

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

I love everything about Christmastime----the wonderful smells, the joyful carols, the holiday cheer, the beautiful decorations, the cheesy movies, you name it...I love it!!  I try to plan something festive every weekend for us to do as a family.  Unfortunately Oscar was gone the first weekend and most of the first week of December so the first official event occurred on Saturday, December 10 when we took a carriage ride through downtown Chapel Hill.  Our old horse, Bill, went a little slow for Savannah but we still enjoyed the leisurely stroll through some neighborhoods that we had not seen before.  

checking out the decorations at the Carolina Inn

quick pic in the courtyard

"Mom, this one is way better than the ones we make!" (be sure to enlarge photo to see S's expression)

"Let's get going, Bill."

"Thanks for the ride. See you next year."

On Sunday the 11th we took Savannah to her first Disney on Ice performance.  She absolutely LOVED it!!!!  Oscar totally spoils us with rockstar seats so not only did we have the best view, we also had free food and drinks brought to us before the show.  The best part was the Tangled segment.  It reminded me a bit of Cirque du Soleil with all the flying through the air on Rapunzels long golden hair.  And of course Max was there so Savannah was more than thrilled :)  The final scene included all the Disney princesses along with Mickey and Minnie.  My little girl amazes me with her recognition of all the characters even when they're not wearing their typical dresses.  

quick pic after church in our matching dresses

all ready for the show

S learning the art of the self pic

checking out her souvenirs

yes, another turney light up thing

she was captivated the whole time

Rapunzel and Max

The following Monday, Savannah and I headed to NYC for a week.  That's a post all by itself that I'll be posting shortly.

We returned from the city on Saturday the 17th just in time to have brunch with Santa at the country club on Sunday.  Unfortunately her excitement with Santa is beginning to waver.  She wanted absolutely nothing to do him so we were not able to get a picture of them together this year.  Oh well, maybe next year.  That evening Oscar and I volunteered to help serve at the Morovian Love Feast at church.  It's definitely one of my favorite services of the year and this was our first year to help out.  I'm glad we did it but I'm looking forward to just sitting back and enjoying it next year.    

"It's Claus!"

"He's not going to come any closer is he?"

"I said "NO NO NO NO NO!!" I don't want to see him!" 

my sweet girl back at home

On Tuesday the 20th we went to the annual Santa Train at the Museum of Life and Science.  I hate to say it but we (referring to me and Oscar) were slightly disappointed with this years Santa display.  It looked more like a sleigh wreck where Santa and Mrs. Claus were abandoned by the reindeer.  I didn't faze Savannah and she had a great time anyways so that's really all that matters.  I even almost convinced her to have her face painted but she backed out at the last minute.  And yet another.....oh  well, maybe next year :)    

Here comes the train.

the sleigh wreck

Wednesday the 21st was my 31st birthday.  The morning started with a run outside and a class at the gym--my favorite way to spend a morning.  Harlan Jr. and Mark arrived that afternoon to spend Christmas with us at our house.  That alone is a great present especially since I had anticipated spending Christmas with no other family expect my little family of 3 and 2 dogs.  Now we've got a family of 5 and 4 dogs :)  Oscar and Savannah gave me a fabulous new purse for a birthday present and then we all went out to dinner and had my favorite cake back at home.  Overall, a fantastic birthday :)

the only picture taken all day of the birthday girl

The next day, Savannah and I went to the Teddy Bear Tea with Mrs. Claus at the Carolina Inn.  That was such a cute event and one that I intend to do with Savannah for as long as she's willing to go.  She brought along her favorite bear, Lucy, and we snacked on tea sandwiches, cookies, fruit, scones, hot chocolate, and tea.  Then Mrs. Claus gathered all the children and read Christmas stories.  Soooo cute!!

quick pic before the tea

Savannah and Lucy

the teddy bear and Mrs. Claus 

On Friday I finished up some more baking and Savannah and I put together our annual gingerbread house.

she found the M and Ms 

"Where does the man go?"

one for the cookie and one for Savannah

busted with a mouthful of candy

"What do you mean "no more"?!?"

And now it's Christmas Eve and I've already stayed up way too late just to finish catching up with this blog.  I'm off to bed to catch a few hours of zzz's before the most exciting day of the year.  More to follow......