NYC TV

Going to NYC has made me want to rewatch 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, and Unbreakable Kimmie Schmit. 

NYC Day 2

Most of today was spent in Central Park. On our way there we stopped at the New York City Public Library which was absolutely gorgeous.

Them we went to the Central Park Zoo. 

We had lunch at the boathouse. 

And stopped to watch some street performers. Then we made our way to Grand Central Station. It's about this time (3:30) that we realize we've seen pretty much everything we really wanted to see And that we we were tired of walking but that we still had 4 hours until our bus. So we wander through Macy's and even stop at a Dunken Doughnuts before grabbing some delicious bagels for dinner at Brooklyn Bagels. Now we're in the bus back to Philadelphia and we are pooped. 

Sunrise

The sun rises a lot earlier here than in west Georgia!  Wide awake because the sun is up. 

New York City, Day 1

We didn't have any trouble with the various forms of transportation this morning. We arrived around lunchtime so our first stop was Momofuku where we had amazing buns and ramen. We walked nonstop for the entire afternoon- Nintendo World, Rockefeller Plaza, Times Square, FAO Schwarz, the Disney Store, the Lego Store. We had pizza at Grimaldi's for dinner before heading to our hotel, The Paul. We are exhausted but really enjoyed exploring the city on foot.

Oh, and here's the view from our hotel room.

NYC!

We are leaving early tomorrow morning for a brief side trip to New York City!  I'm a little nervous about navigating the public transportation systems (NJ rail, Philly bus, Megabus, then NY subway) but I'm really looking forward to this adventure with Nate and Korra!

I'm a Daddy

Both Clark and Korra are wearing their dad's shoes and walking around the living room saying, "whoa!  I'm a Daddy!" So silly!

Historic Philly

Walked around downtown Philadelphia this morning. Went past (but not in because of lines or ticket prices) lots of historical places like the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin's grave, and Betsy Ross's house. We had lunch in Mac's Tavern (from Always Sunny in Philadelphia).

Rainy Day

On this rainy day we watched Finding Nemo, colored, and played with homemade play dough. 

Hoagies for dinner tonight followed by board games after the kids go to bed. 

Historic

I feel like today is going to be one of those days when you remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. 

Cousins

Please Touch

Went to the Please Touch Museum (the kids had a great time!) and then had lunch at Reading Terminal Market and dessert from Federal Doughnuts. Korra loved the carousel. She named the kitty she rode Beans and cried when she saw another kid riding it. 

Inside Out

Decided to take a chance and take all 3 kids up to the movie theater to see Inside Out (since the power was STILL out and it is raining). The first theater we arrived at was sold out. In the next theater, the movie cut off right after the previews and stayed dark for over 10 minutes. Our luck changed though because the kids were good during the movie, Korra and Clark stayed awake and enjoyed the whole thing, AND the power was back on when we got home. Hurray!

Playground

Helped Laura take her kids to the pediatrician for their check-ups in the morning and then took the kids to a playground for the afternoon. 

No power all day, despite 4 utility trucks stopping by.

No Power

Power's still out. Thankful for cooler temps, a house with good cross-breezes,  and a fridge full of ice. 

The Shore

We were already planning to go to "the shore" today but our morning was complicated by the fact that there was still no power. We had to get ice for the refrigerator before we left and then had to stop frequently for directions since there was a Verizon outage over the whole state and we couldn't use Google Maps or even call each other (we had to take 2 cars). We finally arrived in Ocean City and realized that a) it had cost us about $60 between beach tags, parking, and toll roads and b) none of us actually like the beach. We had our hot, sandy picnic and then played in the surf for about 2 hours, all while complaining about the lack of a place to change into your swimsuit, the sand, how crowded it was, how much we hate the feeling of sunscreen, and how crazy expensive this beach is. We walked the boardwalk for a bit, getting ice cream and crabfries before heading home where we are hopeful there will be electricity. We are also making contingency plans in how to eat everything in the fridge before it goes bad. 

"Basement Camping"

Really bad thunderstorm and a power outage have lead to some post-dinner "basement camping."  Glow sticks and a beach tent and the kids are perfectly happy. 

Water Blob!

Niece!

Cutest paperweight around. 

Philadelphia Airport!

We're here!

Today!!!

Flying to Philadelphia today!  Going to be with my sister and meeting my niece tonight!  So excited!

Father's Day Picnic

Thankful this church, our neighbors, and these great dads. 

Happy Father's Day

Cousin Day

While Nate and his brother go to some video game thing and to a Weird Al concert, Genevieve and I have had a fun day with the kids. Pancake breakfast, a walk to the library, a trip to the pool, and now we're eating popcorn and watching The Incredibles. And after Korra and Jude go to bed, Princess Bride and dessert for the us grown-ups!

Me Moment

Stopped to eat breakfast at Panera ALONE. 

Phone Voice

I'm at Jubilee (Danny's internship), spending the night, and then driving back in the morning. Nate and Korra called to say goodnight and I realized its the first time I've ever heard her voice over the phone.  She sounds so grown up and so tiny at the same time. 

That was disappointing

The judge was not satisfied with the attempt to contact Danny's dad so he rescheduled for the beginning of August. When our lawyer said we were requesting Danny to stay with us since he could not return to Guatemala due to poverty and gang violence, the judge said, "We have those here in the U.S. too." Not encouraging but at least we know his mindset now so we can be prepared. 

Court

Going to court tomorrow afternoon. Please pray that the judge is helpful and that we take some great strides forward in getting legal residency for Danny and legal custody for us. 

Family Movie Night

All 4 of us, watching Indiana Jones and eating ice cream. It's nice having Danny home, even if it's just for a day. 

Busy Little Trip

Leaving after lunch today for Athens. We're going to a friend's ordination, meeting up with some other friends for dinner, spending the night at some other friends' house and then picking up Danny  the next afternoon before coming home. 

To Help Me Remember

Things about Korra I want to remember:

She is very imaginative. Every day she pretends to be someone else (Daniel Tiger, Elsa, Anna, Katarina, Dr Korra). She likes to play with her dolls, mostly feeding them bottles, taking them to the potty. She makes up songs and sings often. She loves puzzles. She wants her blankie and to suck her thumb when she's tired or upset. She's still not fully potty trained but we're on the path. She loves playing in water in any form. Her best friend is our neighbor Ayda, but she also loves playing with all the other neighbor kids. She has skinned knees. She eats a wide variety of food pretty happily. Her favorite color is green.  She likes to "write" and "draw" but it's mostly scribbles. She loves "reading" her books, many of which she has memorized. Her favorites at the moment are all the mice books by Kevin Henkes (Lilly, Chrysanthemum, Penny). She knows all her letters and their sounds. She can spell "no" and recognizes it on signs.  She can throw a pretty serious temper tantrum (though only does it about once a week) and she can be pretty whiney when she's tired or frustrated but in general she is sweet and pleasant. She is funny and smart and beautiful and I love having her in our life. 

Exhausted

Cut bushes and tree branches (and then raked all the debris to the curb) for almost 3 hours this morning.  

Korra, who watched cartoons while we worked, was as exhausted as we were. 

Nate's 2 Loves

Korra and otters

Birthday Picnic

Headed to Columbus to celebrate a friend's birthday with a picnic.  Hoping the river breeze keeps us cool on this 97 degree day!

Proof of Love

Nate and I had to do a drug test today as part of the process to get legal custody of Danny. That drug test included peeing in front of a nurse. Like in the bathroom with you just a foot away. Now that's dedication. 

Potty Humor

Korra made her first poop joke today. She sang a verse of "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands" that went "He's got pee-pee and poopy in His hands..."

Anniversary Date Recap

Zip-lining was amazingly fun, dinner at the French restaurant was disappointing, the jet tub and the breakfast at the B&B were fantastic though the host (and the almost forced socialization) were a little much.  All in all, a great way to celebrate 10 years!

Bellies

3 years ago... 

Today...

(Korra wanted to put her baby in her belly like Danielle!)

Baking Buddies

Korra and her MoMo making cinnamon rolls. 

Anniversary trip

Leaving for the cabin to spend 2 days with Nate's parents and than traveling to my parent's house to spend the weekend with my parents and brothers. Then on Monday Nate and I are going on our anniversary date (10 years tomorrow, can you believe it?). We're going zip-lining and staying the night at a bed and breakfast (my first night away from Korra!)

Cousin Time

Korra gets to spend the next couple days with her cousin Jude!