Adventures in New York

I have never regretted taking a trip. Not once. I truly cherish the unique experiences that travel allows, and those memories that can only be made in special settings. Our weekend in New York still makes me so happy to think about. I am incredibly grateful we had the opportunity to go, and that my in-laws were willing to watch the boys. We hadn't left those kids overnight in over two years, but knowing they were in good hands with people they love kept us from worrying. They had so much fun with their grandparents!

We left Ohio Wednesday afternoon, spent all of Thursday visiting Joey and Kim in Kentucky, then got up at 2:30 AM Friday to make our eeearly flight out of Nashville.  This helped the bags under our eyes really "pop" that first day. But I never felt tired - it was so exciting to step out onto 42nd and 8th and really be there - this city I've seen so many times. We dropped off our bags at our tiny hotel room (which we actually loved, really cool place), and set off to see the sights.

View out our hotel window. The rooftop would be so cool in the right weather. 

Started our walk through Times Square.

 I am currently obsessed with Jimmy Fallon. He is so humble and hilarious. Wish we could have seen a taping of The Tonight Show - the wait extends for months right now. 

Had lunch at the Shake Shack and I seriously think it was the best burger I've ever had! When Andrew was in New York for this conference last year, he tried to go twice, but it was packed and the line was out the door. We had to split a bar stool, but miraculously were able to order with no wait at all. One of many small blessings I want to remember about this trip.

Next stop, Central Park - where Spring is still unsprung.  Grass or no grass, still so amazing to see it...the place is HUGE!

Home Alone 2 rocks

 Columbus Circle

 Trump Hotel and Tower. The dumpiest room available is $900 a night. I hate that we didn't bring any stolen credit cards! Here is a photo gallery to oogle. I mean, can you even imagine?

And then the Manhattan temple springs up out nowhere.

 Julliard

 The Met

The Plaza Hotel - another Home Alone 2 moment

 The front steps where Kevin hops into the limo. So yes, we love Home Alone and referenced it a million times while we were there.

Inside the lobby - so beautiful!

They we walked across the street to FAO Schwartz. Their candy floor was nuts.

Statue of Liberty made entirely of Legos.

Then we strolled down 5th Avenue...

Stopped off at Rockefeller Plaza and visited the Today Show set. Did I mention how cool it is to see things in person you see on TV all the time? Maybe that sounds dumb - you wouldn't think seeing something famous would affect you much. But when I made eye contact with Elizabeth Vargas on the street, I was so caught off guard I just sort of gaped. What if she had been Jimmy Fallon?! I can't even...

So as we headed back to our hotel, I was SHOCKED to realize seeing all of these sights had only taken us two hours. Time warp? Knowing we couldn't really buy anything? Keeping up with Andrew's notorious speed walking? Whatever the cause, we were able to rest a bit, then walked over to the Javitz Center see the International Vision Expo - the real reason for our visit. 

I was amazed by how elaborate some of these displays were. Everything glittered - even the walkways were covered in plush white carpet. Samples and freebies at every turn. Every designer and large company had an area, and there was live music and free champagne. I scored a Diet Coke and some M&Ms. Andrew scored an iPad.

Here is Andrew trying on Google Glass. Have you ever heard of it? One of those "oh snap, the future is now" inventions. Here's a brief snapshot of what it can do.

That night we fulfilled my long-time dream of seeing a Broadway show. Definitely the pinnacle of the trip for me, and maybe my life. Just kidding. But really...we saw Newsies, and I was on cloud nine the entire time. The talent was so spectacular...I am giddy just thinking about it. Andrew loved it too.

The next day Andrew had official business to attend to, so I SLEPT IN (a thousand thanks, Joey and Kim!), then explored the city on my own for a while. The rain that so kindly held off for us the day before decided it was done doing favors. But I was geared up, and had a good time just walking around and seeing places that had made my list, but not Andrew's. I think being a mom with little people to always look after has made alone time feel extra exhilarating. Sometimes getting in the car to go somewhere by myself gives me a total rush; so you can imagine what this day felt like.

I was too scared to get any closer

Dylan's Candy Bar  - this is their flagship store, and it has three levels and every sweet imaginable.

 I wished Asher was with me and at the same moment felt very relieved he was not. 

No "Asher" or "Preston" bars...think the names will be ever be popular enough to keep them from being disappointed every time?

So this was kind of cool - celebrities fill these boxes with their favorite candies and then autograph them. Kelly Ripa likes red Swedish Fish, and Cindy Crawford is a caramels girl. 

Sprinkles Cupcakes was next...I've always wanted to try them!

 

This is the free one I got for waiting in the rain a few minutes. One of the best things I've ever tasted, hands down. 

Bought a strawberry and milk chocolate iced vanilla for Andrew and I to share later.

[Can you imagine what this paper bag looked like after traveling an hour in the rain with me? I was clutching the soaked and tattered piece of trash to my chest like a homeless woman by the time I arrived at our hotel.]

Trying New York style pizza for the first time. It was amazing. Super light, crisp and flavorful. I am crying big, gluttonous tears now knowing it is so hopelessly out of reach.

THAT NIGHT.....we had a fun, dress up party to go to at the Paramount Hotel. It was a fantastic night to be indoors, because the forecast looked like this:

On our walk over - these city lights at night just dazzle you, don't they? Sometimes as you walk, you get a big waft of sewage, which snaps you back to reality. Thankfully the sights of the city photograph much better than the smells, and quickly help you forgive the unpleasant.

It was a blast to finally meet all of Andrew's friends and colleagues he's told me so much about! They were a really fun group from all over the country, and it was so nice to stand around talking and laughing while being served drinks and appetizers. The fact I had a Carter's diaper bag on my shoulder masquerading as a purse kept me grounded, lest I feel too fancy. 

 Our trip lasted only 48 hours (even though reading this has taken 47 - sorry), but they were some of the very best we've ever had together. So grateful I chose this sweet man to share my adventures with! Until next time, NYC!

NYC on a Shoestring

My burning desire to see the place intensified with every magazine picture, movie and TV show. Is it just me, or are they all set there? It feels very strange to constantly see a place you've never actually been. Going would be easy with time and money, but we're students with small children. We don't get out a lot, and when we do, it's with gift cards.

But when Andrew had a conference scheduled in NYC last week, with a company covering all major expenses, I was thrilled to come along. Springtime in New York? It sounded so....You've Got Mail. Thanks to my sweet in-laws, the boys were in good hands. With 48 hours and a shoestring budget, we saw and did everything on our long list. More on that later. 

We found that with the right plan, seeing the iconic city can be done well, even for those light on time and money. Here are our tips for maximizing both while still thoroughly enjoying the Big Apple.

Buy your flight at the right time. A recent study reports that the optimal time to buy your ticket is usually 54 days before departure ("When's the best," 2014).

Choose accommodations wisely. It is important to consider all the costs when looking at New York City hotels. Do they offer free wi-fi? A continental breakfast? Is the location so far from what you want to see it will require paying for additional transportation? You’ll need all the facts to make a true “apples to apples” cost comparison.

Arrange for transportation in advance. A cab from La Guardia to Upper Manhattan can cost around $60 one way. JFK and Newark are even more. By booking a shuttle service online before departure, we each secured a round trip for $23. Not too shabby, and totally hassle free.    

Pound the pavement. Walking is great exercise, the cheapest way to get from point A to point B, and helps you get up close and personal with the sights of this larger than life city. So chart a course. Know the things you want to see ahead of time and take along a map. A smart phone is a great tool, but using the GPS function drains battery life quickly - battery life you’ll need for snapping photos and keeping in contact during your long days out. I often opted to take screenshots of the map to our next destination. Also, grab some gel insoles and your favorite pain reliever...sometimes great exercise hurts.

Choose your splurges. Know ahead of time what means the most to you then find the most economical way to experience it. For example, if you want to see a Broadway show, consider using the TKTS discount booth in Times Square - it offers 40-50% off box office prices. If there’s a restaurant you’re dying to try, perhaps go during the lunch hour where many of the same entrees are less expensive. Save your budget in other ways - drinks add up fast and taste the same in New York as they do back home. Take a water bottle with you to refill - you’ll need to stay hydrated with all the walking you’ll be doing.

Seeing New York is a singular experience, and can be done even with tight schedules and a bank accounts that have yet to blossom. Most of the city's sights, sounds, and smells are completely free (granted, you may wish for a return policy on some of the latter). So take it all in and embrace even the small details of your journey. If you're like us, you'll find yourself enjoying the trip well after it is over.

When's the best time to book a ticket? here's what our data has to say. (2014, January 24). Retrieved from http://www.cheapair.com/blog/travel-tips/when-should-you-buy-your-airline-ticket-heres-what-our-data-has-to-say/

German Village

On the South side of Columbus lies an incredible historic district called German Village, and it is full of the most charming European architecture, and so many excellent shops, parks, bakeries and cafes. Here are some images from a little walk-about I took this week.

                            

Everything is bricked!

Pistacia Vera macaroons are to. die. for. Like crisp chewy clouds of sweetness and perfection. They are $1.25 a piece, but I'd pay more. Seriously...if I could land a private sponsor, I'd spend my calories only with their baked goods. I still might start living there part time for the free smells.

 

The book loft is the largest privately owned bookstore in the country, and I've never been anywhere like it. There is a side courtyard full of books, and inside is a multi-level maze of small rooms and tiny nooks filled floor to ceiling with every kind of book imaginable!

Every detail of this place gives off the rich feel of history. I absolutely love it and cannot wait to go back when the gardens and courtyards are in full bloom!

Right Now

Right now...

Andrew is taking his board exams. 8 hours today, 8 hours tomorrow. This will arguably be the most difficult and important test of his life (parts II and III of boards will likely be less challenging), and I have been here at home all day thinking of and praying for him and his classmates. I am so grateful for that sweet, dedicated husband of mine. He works so hard for our family. He is always so helpful, so involved and hands on. He let me sleep in until after 9 yesterday, even though it was his last study day. I love him.

Right now, we have two little boys napping in their beds.  I am (was) working on school work. Toys are littered about the floor, but they are in no danger of being picked up until closer to bedtime. An "I love you, dad" card is resting on the table. There is a blend of 10 herbs and spices made up on the counter in preparation for blackened tilapia - Andrew's favorite. We're headed out to grab ice cream for him after nap time. He seemed a bit disappointed I came home from the store last night without any (one of those little "why didn't you read my mind?" moments...any one else have those?). 

Right now I am feeling not anxious, but hopeful. I have so much faith in Andrew, his preparation and abilities. He has never made me pester him to study. I am so grateful for a husband who always pulls through. Still, I will be so happy when Wednesday night comes and this stress is behind him. The man deserves a break! 

Right now, life is give and take for us. We help each other in any way we possibly can. Our roles are blurred. There is no keeping score, only picking up slack. Today is a day we wish we could give more to a man who gives so much. 

Good luck, sweetie! We're rooting for you!

Expressions

Recently, Preston has gained a reputation around here for making hilarious faces. His expressions being completely independent of societal norms make for a lot of fun. Or embarrassment, when in line at the grocery store and the nice lady behind us is trying to get him to smile, and he just scowls. Seriously, he has a special grimace reserved for kind strangers. When he misbehaves at home, I'll sometimes get right in his face with raised eyebrows and pursed lips - "Preston, we do NOT hit!!" He often makes the face right back to me, but mistakes my purse for a pucker and plants a giant kiss on my mad-turned-melted face. Mama's are such suckers for that sweet crap. 

While he was hostage in the bathtub the other night, I took out the camera in an attempt to capture a few of those Prestonian expressions. It was mostly a failed attempt, but here's what I got.

When Asher noticed I was taking pictures, the little goofball plopped down and started showing me his funniest faces too.

These boys. What would we possibly do without them?

Month of Love

28 days have slipped away, and I've yet to document any of February. Our month of love looked suspiciously like a month of study, stress, and sickness, but we've felt tremendously blessed too. I am temped to list our highs and lows, but life just isn't that clear cut. Some of what has been hard we are really grateful for or have had a lot of fun laughing about. So here's a synopsis instead:

Andrew takes boards March 18th and 19th, so he has been in constant study mode. I am taking a pretty work intensive organizational ethics course, which means our child free time together is almost exclusively spent in the company of our books, notes and computers. Speaking of which...Preston broke our laptop a few weeks ago so Andrew and I have been sharing his little notebook which is old and slow, but does the job. Our day of rest has become something we've really grown to appreciate and use, and we look forward all week to our relaxing Sunday ritual of folding laundry and watching Downton Abbey. 

Asher is loving preschool and his Sunbeam class at church. I love peeking through the windows into his class and seeing him engage with others. Although he is aware I am not around and may act differently...a few days ago, he told me, "I said 'butt' at school today because you weren't there." Not in a menacing way, just innocently informing me of the facts.

Asher wants to chase and play pretend at home all the time, and in the past week alone, has played the roles of Mike Wyzowski, Dusty Crophopper, Gru, or "Deskipable Me," "a bad giant", a bus driver, Superman, Batman, a polar bear at the zoo, a cat, a daddy, a delivery man, the list goes on. When he watches movies, he takes on the role of the title character and imitates their every movement, and memorizes their lines. When the need to be Asher arises, he performs a Beauty and the Beast-like transformation, hand by hand, foot by foot, then says, "Look - I turned back into your little boy!" Like I told Andrew, I think we have a lot of school plays in our future. Andrew is thrilled - bringing up a show boy has always been his greatest dream. 

Preston started the month as a giant stinker, but has seemed to improve over the last couple weeks. When I say stinker, I mean hitting, biting, pooping his pants 6 times a day, head butting, fit throwing, spitting out half chewed food on the floor, tearing tissues into 300 tiny pieces, emptying utensil drawers, dropping tooth brushes in the toilet, etc., etc., etc. And I know so much of this is par for the course, but I really don't remember Asher being quite so stubborn. But I also don't know a sweeter, happier, more affectionate kid. He loves mama, but has a special place for daddy, and it melts my heart to hear him yell, "Dada!" when Andrew walks in the door. 

This month was extra cold and snowy, so we embraced the art of the cozy snow day together. Here are some images of one from a couple weeks ago.

My sweet little superheros. These pictures remind me that I live in heaven.

Then our neighbor brought us a HUGE bunch of balloons for "Valentime's Day", as Asher calls it, and the kids had a blast playing with them the rest of the night. 

When we did venture out this month, we went to the library, Target, mall and Chic Fil A play places, play dates and cookie decorating with friends. Mommy enjoyed her basketball games, Young Women's activities,  and a fun Valentine's Exchange with friends. I also began watching a few kids for a great family, and the extra income has been nice.

We were so excited for Andrew last week when he won the Ohio State School of Optometry Student Bowl! He was one of three nominees who competed in front of the students and faculty, and he performed exceptionally well. Who would have guessed that boy knew a lot of eye trivia? He will now get to represent OSU at the national bowl in Philadelphia this June. So proud.

This season of life is a busy one, and there is a lot we wish we had time for. I'm not going to lie, entertainment is one of those things. 1 hour a week of mindless TV watching together is not enough for me! There are also a couple books I'd like to read with Andrew before the movies come out (The Monuments Men and Unbroken). Since this is a lean phase of life, it's not like we could really go out on the town much anyway, so school together kind of works. Still, looking ahead with eager anticipation to more real date nights in a year or two!