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Posts Tagged ‘Living in Manhattan’

Wordless Wednesday: The Beauty of Sara D. Roosevelt Park

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This past weekend after A’s band performance it was such a beautiful day we decided to go for a walk. We soon found ourselves at the top of Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Sara D. Roosevelt Park stretches all the way from East Houston Street down to Canal Street. As we walked along the park to the south end to get to the super fun playground I was amazed by all the different activities taking place. There were literally hundreds of people out enjoying the incredible weather. We saw games of soccer, football, catch, handball, chess, poker, polo on bikes (!), basketball as well as bird feeding, people watching, napping, families picnicking, lovers snuggling, buskers busking, panhandlers begging and daydreamers dreaming. It was truly a slice of NYC life coming alive and enjoying the spring like weather. Here are some pics! Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Polo, on bikes...

so incredibly cool!!

The guys playing handball are so freakin' fast.

Daffodils, my favorite, popping up all over the city =)

A little game of round ball.

Chinese dragon under the sun.

Up close they are beautifully made from recycled materials.

At last, the final destination the SUPER packed playground 😉

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I’m With The Band

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 13, 2012| 1 Comment »

One of the things that I have loved about moving to NYC is all of the amazing experiences that our children are exposed to and are able to be involved in. Our oldest daughter has always had aspirations to be “famous”. She loves to perform and her future plans since she learned to walk and talk have gone something like this: “Mommy, when I grow up I want to be an astronaut, rockstar, actor, teacher, okay?”. Um, okay, sounds like she will be busy. This school year she has been involved in an amazing extra-curricular program with Stephen Jacobs and Kids Creative called Come Join the Band where kids and pro musicians form bands together creating and playing both original and professional music. She LOVES it. Through this program she has been able to write songs, sing and begin to play both the guitar and keyboard. One of the coolest things about this program is that they meet and work in professional sound studios in midtown. How cool is that? I am alway scoping the people on the elevator for famous types or future famous types 😉

My little rockstar!

This past weekend, all six of the bands had there very first “gig” at the Bowery Poetry Club. A real pub! Now, it was a Sunday afternoon and I think Ron was the only one that had a beer but that aside, the venue was extremely cool and the bands rocked it out like true professionals. For their next show they are working on selling merchandise and they even have their own website, Come Join The Band.  The whole experience is beyond awesome and I was one proud rocker mom =)

The "Let's Go" Band

As I sat in the audience I was a little bit starstruck by the incredible children on stage, my fearless daughter and once again by NYC, the city that never ceases to amaze with it’s opportunity, wonder, energy and rockin’ attitude.

You GO girl!!

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A Very Happy 40th Birthday To You!!!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on February 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Today I am using my blog to wish my incredible, amazing, fantastic, wonderful, spectacular husband a very happy 40th Birthday!! I know it is like a cliche from a romantic comedy but Ron really does complete me and means everything to me. Each and every day he continues to amaze and inspire me by just being him. I adore, cherish and love him. So, bear with me today, as I pay tribute through some pics and publicly wish him a fabulous birthday and send wishes for the upcoming year! Love you sweetheart, always and forever, forever and always.

Such a cutie!!

How YOU doin?

Football Stud

Ron & Ken

You're Married!

The Bo-Man

Ron and A on Canada Day 2004

The Sexy Couple- Hallowe'en 2004

Proud Papa

Ron and R- hiking in the Gatineau's

Ottawa Winter 😉

Fishing with his girls

Hanging out with a furry friend

Ron, Scala & Allen

Reading to the kindergarten class

Grabbing a nap in the park

Running in the New Year

Hanging with the girls

Birthday dinner at il Mulino xoxo

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Wordless Wednesday: Downtown to Uptown and A Few Stops In-Between

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on February 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Here are some pics from our latest family adventure on Saturday. We started downtown at J&R Electronics and then meandered up to our final destination, Artisanal for dinner. Hope you like the pics! Happy Wednesday 😉

Freedom Tower, almost done. Beautiful.

Looking through the trees and way up to New York by Gehry

Love the architecture downtown

Looking towards City Hall

A Beauty

Park view with buildings in the background

More park wonders

Love the mix of the sky and landscape

Broadway and Canal- a whole lot of crazy!!

The Flatiron Building with the Tiffany Clock in the foreground

The view above Madison Square Park

Empire State Building proudly wearing red, white and blue

Looming over Madison Ave.

And finally, chocolate fondue for dessert at Artisanal- divine!

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Staycation- NYC Style!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2012| 4 Comments »

It is that time of year again- Winter Break. Although, I feel funny even saying that because I really don’t feel like we have even had winter here in NYC. The kids have worn their snow boots twice!! It has definitely been a crazy year for weather! Anyhoo, enough about that. This is the February school break week for the girls. Even though it really hasn’t been that long since the Holiday break, I really feel like everyone needed a little bit of change of pace and scenery. Case in point, on Sunday both girls stayed in their p.j.’s until mid afternoon and were totally content to hang in the apartment watching movies, reading and playing with their toys. They didn’t ask to go out once. They just needed some well deserved down time. I know how they feel.

Ron and the girls snuggling on the couch =)

There is something about February the shortest month, that seems to drag, wear on our patience and generally pull people into a funk. If the crap is going to hit the fan it usually happens in February 😉 So, on that note, it really is nice to have a bit of a breather right smack in the middle. While most New Yorker’s jet off to far away destinations or at least escape the Island, we have decided to enjoy a little staycation in one of the best cities in the world!! Ron is super busy at work right now and I have to admit, I am just enjoying NOT having a schedule to adhere to. I am sure by the end of the week I will be going a bit stir crazy, I am already missing my running group, but right now I am loving the flexibility. I also love exploring this incredible city and finding cool places to take the girls to.

NYC as our playground!!

Yesterday we decided to play tourist. The girls begged me to take them to the Times Square area because they really wanted to go to ToysRUs and American Girl Place. I was a little hesitant since it was a holiday and I did not want to get stuck in crowds and crowds of people. But, I gave in and we had a great day. We started off at the Empire 25 movie theatre on 42nd St. Over a healthy lunch of popcorn we watched the movie “The Secret World of Arrietty”. It was a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it. An enchanting, magical and thoughtful story. Each of us gave it two thumbs up!! After the movie we headed to ToysRUs. The girls had a specific “Barbie” that they were looking for and moved through the crowds like pros. I swear you would think those two had lived here since birth. I am often in awe of their confidence and resilience.

Striking a pose in Times Square

From ToysRUs we headed over to American Girl Place where they were eager to finally spend their gift card that Chantal had given them at Christmas. Again, they manoeuvred through crowds with comfort and ease. Not really sure what I was worried about, maybe MY sanity 😉 We topped the day off with a Magnolia cupcake. Yep, totally touristy and we loved it. Especially the part where it was just a short walk home through Central Park to crash in our warm and cozy apartment.

Today, we enjoyed a leisurely morning, followed by a manicure for the girls (another gift certificate from Christmas) and then a shopping trip to Trader Joe’s. We are getting ready for a friend sleeping over tonight where we will be making chocolate chip pancakes for dinner in celebration of Fat Tuesday.

A little pampering 😉

The finished product

And what does the rest of the week have in store for us? Who knows? I have a few ideas in the back of my head. My good friend Rebecca of Beccarama told me about The Museum of The Moving Image for the Muppet Exhibit, I know the girls would LOVE that. And then when they get home they can review it on the incredible Kidzvuz site (if you have kids/tweens and they haven’t visited this site yet, what are you waiting for??!!) There is also The Bronx Zoo, The Brooklyn Museum and of course, there is a Carlos Cake Boss mug that I have to replace… Really, a NYC staycation has endless possibilities!! We are looking forward to our next adventure. Oh, and February isn’t ALL bad, there is Ron’s birthday and on Friday we will dine in style to celebrate his 40th. By then, I will definitely need a drink or two 😉

*Some other great resources for kids in NYC are: NYCity Mama, Mommy Poppins, Time Out NYC Kids

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10 Miles in Central Park- Hell Yeah!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on February 6, 2012| 6 Comments »

Today I ran 10 Miles. This is the longest run I have ever done, in my life. For my Canadian friends that is 16 km. I am feeling like a rockstar. A tired, sore and hungry rockstar but a rockstar none the less. If you had told me a few months ago that I would be running 10 miles by February, I would have laughed at you. On my bucket list of things to do around 40ish, I had always said that I wanted to do a 1/2 Marathon. I guess I should be careful what I wish for because my name was pulled in the lottery for the NYC Half and well, that is what I have been training for. I am very fortunate to be training with an incredible group of women who continue to inspire and push me daily. There is always someone to run with, talk to, commiserate with and most importantly laugh with. I definitely would not be running this often and for this far without them. Thank you, my running ladies 😉

Today was an absolute perfect day for a run- sunny and cool. For me, running is mostly about the mental, if I am not careful I will psych myself out. We chose a great route today. A full loop around the park (6 miles) and then another partial loop (4 miles). My brain needed to be tricked this way- get the 6 done and then it is our easy 4 mile route home. At least that is what I kept telling myself 😉 I have to say that I really enjoyed the run today. I felt strong. I took the time to look around and enjoy the beauty of Central Park. With all the pounding on the pavement, I really feel like I am getting to know the roads and all of the little (and not so little) hills and turns. I have to admit, I am still in awe that I train in freakin’ Central Park!! I hope that feeling never goes away.

So, I am not sure yet that I LOVE running. I love how it makes me feel afterward and the sense of accomplishment. I love running with my fabulous group of ladies. I love being outdoors. I love the health benefits. I love pounding negative thoughts and stress into the pavement. Although, there WERE a few times today where I was caught up in the beat of the music, the rhythm of my own body and felt that certain high… Running we are definitely at the “I like you very much” stage, I am just not sure yet if I can commit to the “L” word.

Hope you all have a wonderful day and can find some time to do what you like/love for you!

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Wordless Wednesday: February 1st In Pics

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on February 1, 2012| 2 Comments »

Hello All- Happy February!! Wow, time sure does fly when we are all crazy busy! Hoping to find some time to actually write this week but for today decided to take some pics of how I spent my Wednesday. Have a good one 😉

The girls having a peaceful breakfast- NOT normal 😉

Stepping over sleepy...

Dogs!!

Ron packing to head out on another quick trip

Standing up grabbing a quick bite while checking email, Facebook, twitter...

Heading to school

The insanity of morning drop-off

Run time!

Post run stretch

The view down Central Park West

Well, good morning 😉

Ahhh... sweet reward.

On my way to the apartment

Laundry and...

More Laundry!!! (where is the fairy that puts the clothes away??)

Catching up on emails and squeezing in a phone call with an old friend- love you Kel 😉

Taking the boys out for a little "relief"

Sometimes you get lucky and see a few firemen on the way!

Getting groovy with the Wednesday Warriors at Soul Cycle

Enjoying the beautiful day at the park after school

Homework time!

Not nearly as impressed =)

After a dinner of leftovers, I look forward to some couch time, my aching muscles need it- LOL!

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Wordless Wednesday: Up A Tree In Central Park

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on January 25, 2012| 1 Comment »

A big shout out to the crew working in Central Park today. They are literally climbing trees, checking out the health and safety of all of the beautiful limbs that line the walking paths in the park. I have to admit I am a bit jealous, how cool would it be to climb one of the tallest trees in Central Park? Can you imagine the view from up there?! Thanks Parks and Rec and Central Park Conservancy. As New Yorker’s we are pretty lucky to have such an amazing backyard!! Have a fabulous Wednesday 😉

The Crew

Spotted From Afar

Hanging out in Central Park- So Cool!!

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Snowy Saturday

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2012| 1 Comment »

SNOW!! The kids were beyond excited when they woke up and Manhattan was finally covered in a blanket of the white stuff. They have been feeling a bit homesick for wintery Ottawa weather lately and I can’t really blame them. It has been an odd winter, weather wise in NYC with incredibly mild temperatures and no snow in sight. Finally today we awoke to big soft flurries falling from the sky. The kids couldn’t wait to get out and play in it. Their enthusiasm was infectious and pretty soon we were rifling through the closet looking for our buried snow pants and boots. We headed down to Riverside Park where tons of other families had the same idea and were seeking out hills for sledding. There really is something beautiful about freshly fallen snow. It makes everything fresh and clean.

I know that in a few hours the temps will rise and we will be trudging through slush and sleet but right now I am enjoying looking out my window at the gently falling snow that seems to add a little softness to the concrete jungle 😉 Hope you are enjoying the day.

Good Morning NYC!

Taxi!!

Catching...

Snowflakes!

Gearing up for a little snowball fight 😉

Street View

Walking the dog

Here...

We...

Go!!

Woohoo!!

Even Daddy got in on the fun 😉

Full hill

Red & White

Winter beauty

Peaceful landscape

Winter Walkway

Doorway

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Chasing Away the January Blahs

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on January 17, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Ho, Hum, it is January. Right now in NYC it is damp, gloomy, sort of winter like but not really. It is raining/sleeting and it seems that mother nature doesn’t really know what kind of weather to give to us. Our temperatures have been up and down. One day barely wearing a jacket and the next day freezing. A bit of a change from last year where we were bombarded with tons of wintery white weather.

Remember This??!!

It is at times like this, post holiday, depressing weather and a growing to do list that I find the January blahs creeping in. I know they are lurking when all I really want to do is crawl under the covers and hibernate. It gets especially bad when I think to myself “I have nothing to do”. Um, hello, I live in NYC, how could there possibly be nothing to do??!!! But alas, it is the January rut and it looms large. The blahs make every task seem daunting and grouchy mommy threatens to sneak in and nobody likes grouchy mommy 😉 So, I have decided that I am going to do my best this year to try and ward off the January (and ya, I see you February) blahs.

1. First of all, I am going to continue with the running and spinning. No matter how much I would rather just sit my butt on the couch, I will drag myself to the park and run. Thanks to my ladies who motivate me and of course, the hot chai latte that dangles like a carrot at the completion of the run! My Wednesday Warrior soul cycle is a real pleasure, a true full body workout as well as a boost of energy for the spirit. Thanks J!!

2.  I am going to continue to seek out and find cool spots to explore in this amazing city. My first stop is the New York Historical Society. We went there as a family a few weeks ago and the newly renovated building is amazing. I can’t wait to go back on my own so I can really delve into the history of New York. It is not to be missed and is a perfect solution to a cold day!!

3.  Retail Therapy- The other day I finally ventured out to Barney’s. I had never been before because I have to admit I was a little intimidated to walk through the doors. Well, a couple of girlfriends took me along and I had tons of fun browsing through the racks of beautiful designer clothing. I am no longer a Barney’s virgin. Manhattan has some amazing shopping experiences and I think the dreary winter weather is a perfect time for a little wandering through the aisles. Tip- leave your wallet at home and just enjoy the scenery 😉

And I may have bought a little something- VERY on sale 😉

4. No matter what the weather, get out of the apartment!! It is a perfect time to explore the city. All of the holiday tourists are gone and NYC is largely back to normal. I am using the next bright sunny day to my advantage and am getting out there and hitting the streets. After all, I do have Canadian blood running through my veins, I should not be scared off by a little cold weather. And, there is a Starbucks on almost every corner for heat seeking moments.

My little Sktrgrl doesn't care how cold it is, she wants to get out!

5.  Hope and pray for a snow day! Nothing makes the city come alive or seem a little brighter than a big dusting of the white stuff. My kids are wishing for some snow and who can really blame them, it does make for tons of fun. Plus, this city seems brand new and clean for at least ONE day.

Fun in the snow (last year)

6.  I have decided to spend a little less time on the computer and iPhone (we shall see) and get back to one of my true loves- reading. After seeing the movie “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”, I immediately started reading the second book (“The Girl Who Played With Fire” Stieg Larsson) and have just finished it, moving on to the third book “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest”. There is nothing better than getting wrapped up in an amazing story to chase away those winter blahs.

Helps if you have a friend to warm your feet.

7.  And finally, I am going to surround myself with positive people. It is hard to chase away your own Blahs if you are constantly surrounded by other people bringing your down with their negativity. So, I am hanging out with the friends who encourage, suggest fun things to do, support you through the dreary to do list and offer a glass of wine when those blahs get a little too close for comfort. I hope you find the things that chase away your blahs too. You can always resort to daydreaming of beautiful beaches and warm sunny destinations. Good luck =)

Wish I was here...

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