Central Park Boats

For Grandma Susan's birthday this year, we took her down to the boathouse in Central Park and rented some rowboats.  We had to get two, so Allie and the girls went with Grandma and Matt&I went with Caleb (who was not too fond of his life jacket).  The weather was chilly, but so so beautiful- not a cloud in the sky and the trees and flowers were blooming- a perfect spring day.  We followed it up with brunch at Good Enough To Eat.  Happy birthday, Mama!

Easter Sunday 2012

Here are some photos from Easter Sunday.  Grandma Susan found these lovely dresses for the girls and I tried to coordinate Caleb.  After church we took the train to Grandma's, so these pictures are in her neighborhood.  We loved the blooming trees.

We did an egg hunt in Grandma's living room- Uncle Chris hid all the eggs- and some were well hidden!  even Caleb got in on the fun.

Everything goes in his mouth, of course....

And that's the end of the photos.  Ella hurt her neck while hunting for the egg and it was so sudden that I kind of freaked out.  We ended up in the ER after calling the pediatrician because I have some meningitis anxiety (I've known a couple of cases) and because her temperature was increasing a little and she had intense neck pain and was acting lethargic I wanted to be sure she was okay.  Turns out there was a meningitis case in White Plains just 2 days before.  In the end, she just had a strained neck muscle and a little bit of a sore throat (they suspected strep, but tests were negative). None of the doctors made me feel like I had overreacted.  In fact, they all said better to be safe than sorry and even though it was Easter Sunday, we got wonderful & swift treatment.  The ER doc spent some time going through more detailed symptoms of meningitis, which I appreciated.  At least we had already eaten the delicious dinner that my mother had prepared.  It was a sad way to spend Easter, but Ella was really not herself at all and it had me worried- because even when she gets hurt at the park or something, she tends to walk it off and get right back to playing.  Not this time- all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep.  So weird.  Anyway, she's fine now, thank goodness.

Easter Egg Hunt

We participated in the annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt again this year.  There was quite a turn out!  Alexis was technically too old to "hunt" this year- she was pretty disappointed to hear that.  I suggested she help set out the eggs for the littler kids and although she was reluctant at first, she ended up having a great time spreading them around on the lawn.  When it was time for the 5+ year old, the organizers told her she could hunt with them- they had hidden eggs in a different section of the park so that it was a real egg hunt- not just eggs spread on the lawn like for the little kids.

There was also face painting, crafts and a bake sale.  We ran into lots of friends and had a great time!  The weather was a little cool, but the trees were starting to bloom and it was a lovely spring morning.

School

It's always fun to see the girls playing together.  Here they had set up a school with some of their animal friends and Ella was reading them a story.

A Divine Dining Experience

One of the things we love most about NYC is the amazing food that is so readily available. We made a rule soon after moving here that we were not allowed to eat at any chain restaurants- and although we have occasionally broken that rule to take the kids to McDonald's or grab a quick sandwich at Subway in our neighborhood, we have largely followed it.  The downside to dining out is that our budget really doesn't allow for us to try some of the most amazing places very often.  We've probably only been a handful of times to a more moderately (not even expensive) priced place.  But since Sheridan had WON her trip to NYC, she had been provided with a nice amount of spending money and decided she wanted to spend it dining with (and treating!) some friends.  We were so lucky and honored to be a part of that small group.  We ate at JANE on West Houston Street.  And we are already saving our pennies to go back.

First up were the appetizers- Jane is known for their gnocchi and have been featured on the Food Network because of it.  So we had to get an order of that.  It did not disappoint.  I mean, we were all salivating after we had eaten it and tempted to ditch our main dish orders for more gnocchi.  By far, it is the best gnocchi I have ever had.  Divine.

Also, a flatbread with mushrooms & cheese.

And a roasted beet salad.  Who knew I loved beets??? I didn't!  But I do! I do!  So delicious!

Me & Sheridan between courses. 

Oh! And the homemade sodas.... so delicious also.  I can't remember the flavors, but since we don't drink alcohol, we do love to indulge in a "fancy" soda and these did not disappoint.

Roasted half chicken (Sheridan)

Pumpkin Risotto (me)

Steak and fries

The group with our main dishes... (Amanda, Alicia, Matt, me & Sheridan)

And then, even though we were already stuffed, we simply could not pass up dessert!  Matt got three cookies with ice milk.  Oh yes... that is a large scoop of ice cream IN the milk.  Just how he likes to do it at home.  And those cookies?  They were warm and gooey and amazing. And huge.

Profiteroles for me!

A caramel something something.... also amazingly delicious.

The whole dessert spread from above.

A chocolate cake with whipped cream (sheridan)

warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream

And..... we're done!  Can't fit another bite in.  So amazing.  Can't wait to go back.  And THANK YOU to Sheridan for being so generous with her spending money.