"Home" for the Holidays

Tomorrow marks the 5 month mark for us living in Pennsylvania - it is really is hard to believe it is passing so quickly, but also feels like we have been here longer too!  It is feeling like home to us more and more each day -  Sidecar is doing well and Hubby is very pleased by the progress they are making on the sales front.   The girls have really settled into their surroundings and are starting to use "northern" phrases when they talk.   Like "cart" instead of "buggy" and "soda" instead of "coke" - check out this map if you have time!   And I am enjoying some new friends and getting a little girl time in too! 

There are a few things that will take some getting use to...such as lack of sunshine!!  Even on the days the forecast call for sun, it is just party sun!  And the fact that the sun sets at 4:30pm - M always says that A gets off the bus around bedtime.  Oh and still haven't found Sister Schubert rolls.   I was never expecting to find Duke's mayo, but no Sister Schubert???

But there is plenty to enjoy here -  we have found the people to be super, super welcoming and nice! Granted, my family doesn't lack in small talk or in being outgoing, so strangers have no choice but to talk to us!  And the scenery and small town feel of the area is fun to enjoy during this time of year.   For instance,  Malvern Victorian Christmas - our little borough of Malvern hosts an adorable kickoff to the season with a weekend of activities to help celebrate.    Lots of residents dress in victorian - style clothing, the town tree is lit in the park, churches put on various plays and nativities, and the shops are all lit and decorated beautifully.   For the girls, the highlights were riding in the horse-drawn carriage around town, seeing A's music teacher and students from her school carol in the streets, and watching the nativity and choir at St. Patrick's Church.   And of course, no celebration can be complete without a visit from old St. Nick.    It was a charming weekend and really helped get us into the holiday spirit.

And of course, the proximity to NYC is great and allows for some pretty cool day trips, such as the past weekend.    Going into the city for the day is pretty easy from here and we were amazed when we parked right by Bryant Park and didn't hit a bit of traffic!  We took in the Christmas sights such as the window displays around 5th ave, Rockefeller Center and the highlight was seeing the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular.   The Christmas Spectacular was just that - spectacular!  It was quite magical and a very good production that the girls really enjoyed.   A has been practicing her high kicks ever since :)  

Did I mention that we chose the weekend of Santa Con to visit NYC???  At first, it looked like the Santa Pub Crawl that hits Midtown ATL each December.    There were so many Santas, naughty elves, scantily clad Mrs. Clauses - lots for the eye!  However, when I saw that Justin Timberlake was tweeting about how the lower east side of Manhattan was covered with Santas,  I realized this much much more than a neighborhood pub crawl!   As Hubby always says "Good for them" :)  I think he was somewhat jealous he wasn't in on the action.

I started this journey by counting down the months until we return back home....now, in just 5 quick months, I am thinking about what we will do next Christmas here.

 Enjoying Rockefeller Center

M's reaction when I said no to waiting 3 hours to skate!

Waiting for the show!

Tis the Season

There is so much to see and do around this time of year in Philadelphia - especially if you are new to the city and seeing it all for the first time.   I imagine my posts over the new few weeks will include lots of holiday activities and today marks the first one!   I really can't get enough of the sights and sounds that accompany this time of year, so we are going to take in as much as we can before we are exhausted and someone starts bah humbugging.

Hubby had to go into the office on a Sunday today so we tagged along and saw a few of the sights that Philadelphia has to offer.   We took the advice of a few local friends and started with lunch at Reading Terminal Market, where you can at one time be both excited and overwhelmed by the vast array of vendors selling and tourists eating.   It is a landmark that has been around since 1893, so you just gotta see it.  And or course, sample some of the food!

After we fueled our tanks, we popped into the Macy's, which is located in the historic Wanamaker building and features a huge organ that is used for concerts twice a day.   It is pretty cool hearing an organ play while doing a little shoe shopping.  But today, we came to see the light show and then to visit the Dicken's village.   The village comprises of 26 scenes from the Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol and spans over 6,000 square feet.  And at the very end is good ol' Santa.   Here is a video recorded by some random gent, but does a good job of showing you the last few minutes of the lights and just how large this Macy's really is!

Hubby then headed off to work, so the girls and I made our way to the Comcast Building for their Holiday Spectacular - which is movie that displays on the  3’ x 25’ Comcast Experience video wall in the Comcast Center lobby, which is the world’s largest four-millimeter LED screen with incredible resolution that’s five times that of an HDTV.    My pictures do not really capture how cool this wall really is so check out the video I linked out to so you can see for yourself.    The best part, according to A & M, was when they made it snow indoors with some fancy bubble machines.  

It was a great day and we are just getting started exploring how PA celebrates the holidays!   We have stuffed lined up every weekend and through the New Year.  I hope I can make it :) 

Photo op at the entrance to the Dicken's Village

one of of the scenes - Ghost of Christmas Past

HDTV wall at the Comcast Building

Southern Comfort Zone

I am in LOVE with the Brad Paisley song "Southern Comfort Zone" for many reasons:  I love Brad Paisley, love country music, but most of all it is somewhat near to my heart these days.   My life is not nearly as extreme as the lyrics and actually there are some similarities here that make it easier and easier to call PA home now.   But still - there are things -yes, "things" - that just are not the same.  Cue the white noise because I have sung this song before so I know you are tired of reading about it.

Anyway, it was so relaxing to be at home over Thanksgiving and around familiar sights and sounds.   Nothing is more comforting than hearing a good southern accent on others besides myself or feeling the hug of a loved one.    I cannot put into words how these things just put me at ease.

We had a whirlwind trip and felt a little like gypsies - starting off our journey by visiting Hubby's sister and family in South Carolina.  Then off to see dear pals in East Cobb, where we managed to have a little party for M's 5th birthday and her birthday twin, Mr. J!  After which, we headed to spend Thanksgiving with my loving family in Newnan.   And to top it all off, we were hoodwinked into staying in town a little longer and go watch UGA beat up on those Yellow Jackets!  I cannot turn down an opportunity to watch the Dawgs play in Athens - worth sticking around for and to spend a little more time with friends!

It felt so nice to be back and know where everything is...you easily take little things for granted like which bakery for the best birthday cakes in town and those cute little boutiques and gift shops that you only hear about via word of mouth because from the outside you really can't tell what they sell.   Yeah - I miss that, but have met some great people who are steering me in the right direction up here.  

So now we are home and I must admit I am enjoying sleeping in my own bed and getting back to a routine.  But I do miss that Southern Comfort Zone!  Enjoy a few pics from our visit down south!

A, Cousin D, and M

Best Pals

Birthday girl and her best pal E

Gotta make time for the Santa at Phipps!

What Are You Trying to Tell Me?

I am posting this and will more than likely live to regret it.    There is a YouTube video entitled "Sh%T Southern Women Say" and it has now been sent to me several times in the past two weeks.  I mean directly to me with comments like "This made me think of you" and "I have heard you say several of these" and the best being "I think you might know the girls in this video".    Anyway, I am posting here for you all to see that I am aware this video exists and you do not have to send it to me anymore!     It is pretty funny, especially if you are really from the South.    While some of these are pretty much stereotypical, there are many that I have heard come not just out of my mouth, but from the pieholes of my friends and family - bless our hearts!    And for my new northern friends, Sh%t is a two syllable word back home!

And when we visit Georgia next week, you can bet I will be picking up some Duke's mayonnaise!

Enjoy and you might not want to share this with the kids :)

Sh%t Southern Women Say

Halloween with a Hurricane

"Hey girls - we are going to sleep in the basement tonight".  To which A responded, "Why? Are there tornadoes up here, too?" 

Yep, I really thought our basement sleeping days were behind us or at least reserved for the rare instance or a northern tornado.  Little did I expect our first major weather system in the north to be one from a hurricane and nor'easter colliding.  However, when the weather channel predicted the winds to be in the 60 - 80 mph range, we were taking no chances with all of the large, old trees around us.   Especially since we have had friends with trees falling through their homes from past storms and that leaves quite a impression on the kids and myself.

Thankfully, we managed well and can't complain when a 4 hour power outage and tons of rain and wind were the worst of what we saw at our home.  Well, and the kids being home from school for two days!  I am feeling blessed especially when there are trees and limbs down all around us and still many without power here along the Philadelphia area.   Not to mention the complete devastation of towns along the coast up here.    Mother Nature can sure rear her ugly head.

Halloween had quite a dramatic buildup and was really the last thing on the minds of many.  A few of the townships around us have even postponed trick or treating until this weekend and when power can be restored to many of the home.   However, our township kept it going!  We enjoyed dinner with our fantastic neighbors, then the kiddos all hit the ground running to collect some loot!  I was quite surprised by how much chocolate was given out - well, surprised and saddened.  My favorite part of Halloween is going through the girls' bags once they fall asleep and taking my fair share of Twizzlers, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids.   But there were none!  None!  Just lots of Milky Ways, Twix and Kit Kats and I am not really a milk chocolate girl.   I guess God was looking out for me in other ways than through just the hurricane :)

We hope you and your families are well!  Enjoy a few pics until next time...

Even Lucy got in to the spirit!

Loaded on carbs from Anthony's and ready to go!

Oh So Busy....

It has been a while since I posted and mainly because we were without our laptop for a week.  My love of photos really ate up our memory and space, so had to get a little upgrade to keep on going.  Now that the MacBook is back in the house, we are up and running again.  I do love my iPad, but it really does not replace a good ol' computer!

Life up north has really taken shape and we are settled into a good routine now.   Using the GPS less and less each day and even managing to find shortcuts to avoid the dreaded Lancaster Ave - which is really a lot like Johnson Ferry but much longer and with more traffic and lights.  Avery is rounding out the last few weeks of cheerleading, while Madeline will continue on with gymnastics for a while.  The volunteering with events at the girls' schools has kicked in and we are finding ourselves plenty busy.   It is starting to feel like home and that is both wonderful and scary!

The highlights of the last couple of weeks have been visiting with family and friends we haven't seen in four months.   My parents came for a long weekend and we enjoyed the many sights, sounds, and tastes of Pennsylvania.   It has been really nice and mild for the most part up here, but they did manage to come into town the weekend we had some super cold and windy temps.   My parents thoughts were mainly "It is so beautiful up here.  We could live here IF it wasn't so cold".   Sadly, they didn't even experience a smidge of what it could (and most likely) will be like in a couple of months!  None the less, we had a great time and it filled my heart to be with my parents for a few days.

Then, this past weekend I celebrated my birthday present from Stan by flying to Florida to seem some of my favorite people from back home.   It was a laid-back, sun-filled, girls' weekend and I couldn't have been happier to have the time with my dear friends.   And of course, it was even better with none of us hearing the word "Mommy" for three whole days!!!   As if my heart wasn't full enough from my parents' visit, this time with my gals really put my happiness on overflow!

We have a busy few weeks ahead before we head back home to Georgia for Thanksgiving.  More visitors coming before it gets too cold for those southern souls :)  Looking forward to sharing this beautiful state with our company - the fall foliage up here is spectacular!  Hope you all are enjoying the changing leaves youselves.

Until next time - hugs and kisses!

Beautiful Valley Forge in Autumn

Reality Check

Well, we built our first fire last night.  I am pretty sure I could hear people laughing as us "southerners" bought wood and lit a match to warm our trotters.   However, it was cold yesterday and again today!  I think the Indian Summer is behind us here in PA and it is officially time to don our jackets, mittens, and boots for the year.

I am realizing that we aren't in Kansas anymore!  Some noticeable differences were when Costco had an entire section devoted to "snow survival gear", including snow blowers, shovels, seat warmers, flannel and fleece sheets sets, and snow suits for the entire family.   It actually put me into a frenzy and I quickly started to panic and crazy thoughts invaded my head - "Oh my goodness!  Do I really need all of this"  "What happens if it snows and we don't have any of this?"  "Buy! Buy! Buy!"  Well, my rational side took over and I left it all on the shelves, but did have a frank conversation with Hubby regarding what all we need to have and be prepared for up here.   I was told it snowed as early as Halloween last year!!  Oh my!

And the corduroy!   It may be in all the stores down home too, but I am pretty sure I was on fire just thinking about it, never really owned much.   But now I am thinking it is necessary and I see why Banana Republic, JCrew, Loft, etc. are carrying loads of it up here!  Not to mention wool sweaters, pants, etc.   I will be prepared for what mother nature brings my way.   Going to buy Uggs knowing my feet won't sweat in them like they did in Georgia :)

Oh, I am a big wuss - I know this.   It isn't even really cold - yet, anyway.   I just can't help but look at the 5 day forecast for my new home and compare it to my old - like a 20 degree difference.   One positive to the cold weather - haven't had to worry about a pedicure lately :)  To much info???

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Surprise! Surprise!

Last week was so much fun and filled with some great surprises.  My dear Hubby never ceases to amaze me when it comes to celebrating my birthday, which has been termed "birthday extravaganza" for many years now.   Simply because it always seems that my birthday lingers on for about a week instead of a day.   And that is exactly how last week went for me and I couldn't have been happier with it!

It all started with what I thought was the best birthday surprise - a plane ticket to spend a weekend in Florida with some of my favorite friends in Georgia.   I was estatic, as I miss C, C, and L so very, very much!  Mentally,  I am already on the beach with drink in hand and sand between my toes.   I couldn't have asked for more...

Until Thursday rolled around and I got another huge surprise!  I really wasn't expecting anything else - ticket and some new perfume from the girls was plenty enough.   So on Thursday, two days past my birthday, I really was taken off guard and by surprise when my sister and cousin W flew in from Atlanta to spend the weekend with me!  I mean seriously - when I thought it just couldn't get any better!

So we spent the weekend touring Philly and the surrounding areas - the leaves are starting to change and give the slight hint of color and it is just beautiful this time of year.   We ate some great food, drank some delicious wine and did a lot of chatting! Just perfect!  I think I wore them out by the time their visit ended.

To end the weekend and after all went back home, we hit the ball field to see the Phillies host the Braves.   We had been warned by many a Phillies fan to be on guard if we were to wear our Braves' gear to the game.   And we did - I mean I have to root for my home team!!  And by pleasant surprise, the Phillies' fans around us could not have been nicer and so full of advice for this southern girl.   Besides the Braves' shirt, it was a dead give away that I was a foreigner to this land when I ordered my cheesesteak with provolone cheese.   Big No No - only Cheese Whiz for the locals and the only way to go!  And then to visit and eat one from Steve's - apparently the best in the city!

Let's Go Bravos!

There really is no better gift than to be with family and friends.   While not everyone in my family could be here on my special day, I still heard their voices on the phone and am anxiously awaiting for their visits really soon.  And of course, the girls' trip in a few weeks ...  I am one happy girl!  Looking forward to a fun, busy October.

Golden Girls

"Thank you for being a friend...travel down the road and back again"....  I can't help but think of that song when I think about my childhood friends.   When you have been friends with someone for 30+ years, you can hardly think back to a memory that doesn't involve them in some way.   Those friendships are hard to come by and I treasure them!  

So this past weekend we headed south of the line to visit my old pal "I" and her sweet family who now live in Maryland.  I have known "I" for so long - I mean so long!  We met when we were around 4 & 5 (I am a wee bit older) and it was so neat to see our girls playing and hard to believe we were around the same ages when we first met!  Her hubby "D" and I met in middle school, so there are plenty of memories there for us too!  Needless to say, the three of us can pick up right where we left off!  There is nothing like reminiscing of the good times and life before wrinkles, bills, and babies!

It was a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed a gorgeous boat ride around the Chesapeake Bay and had a fabulous meal at Cantler's in Annapolis.   "D" and Hubby filled themselves with lobster and I can't even tell you what other seafood came with their feast, but it took them an hour to eat!  "I" and I stayed with the infamous Maryland blue crabs and enjoyed some of the best crab cakes to date!  We ended the day back at their home watching some good ol' Georgia football!  It was one of the best fall days I have had.   And "D" appeased Hubby and let him fast forward through the Tech game some, too.   Both teams winning was just icing on the cake to our terrific day!

Since we were enjoying our time together so much, we stretched our visit on into Sunday night, completely overstaying our welcome!   So hard to break away and say goodbye when having such a great time together.  After a few months of being away from old friends, it was so relaxing and heartwarming to spend time with them.   And making new memories with our girls together is pretty neat - we are looking forward to them visiting us here in Philly next month!    But for now, I will smile fondly when I think about the fun we had this past weekend and the warm sun that was on us as we boated around Annapolis.  We are most certainly inviting ourselves back to their place.

Love our friends!

Why is getting all 4 together for a picture so difficult?

Only works if you tell them to make funny faces!

Fall in the Air

I love the fall!  Everything about it, minus the fact that I turn a year older during the season! However the pumpkins, apples, fall veggies, leaves, cool air, football - I could just keep on going - take the pain away of another wrinkle and gray hair.    So it is especially nice that our new surroundings love to celebrate fall too!

There are signs everywhere for fall festivals.  You simply cannot drive down the road without seeing one for each township or park, not to mention the surplus of farms up here that have things going on all season long.  So why not start the season with a visit to pick apples and pumpkins, plus a little festival action - which is exactly what we did this past weekend!

lots of plants

Our "goods"

We started by visiting Linvilla Farms in the nearby town of Media, PA.   We set out to just pick apples.  But upon arrival, we were amazed at the veggies that were there ripe for the picking.  Hours and many pounds of produce later, we left with more apples, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers than you could say grace over!  And of course, no trip is complete without picking up a pumpkin.  Growing up around my parents who love to grow their own food, my girls are very comfortable picking veggies and eating right from the garden.  Therefore, I shouldn't have been surprised when M took a bite from what she called a "mini red bell pepper" only to find out it was a scotch bonnet and learned a lesson the hard way.   Do not eat something unless you show mommy first!    Needless to say, she ate around 3 apples immediately to try and put out the fire that was in her mouth!

Sunday was just glorious up here and we opted to head outdoors for around 2 hours of hiking in Valley Forge, lunch, then onto a festival at our favorite park - Okehocking Preserve.  All we had to do was mention face painting, ice cream, and a hay ride and our girls were on board!  It is such a beautiful place and so full of wildlife - ending up being quite an educational experience for the girls as they learned a lot about the wildlife in the area from the park volunteers.   Throw in a little live music and you have a cute little afternoon!

The beautiful old home on the property of the Preserve

Digging the face painting

 If this is an indicator of what the next two months will be like, then I am thrilled!  Granted one hayride a season is plenty enough for me, but the rest I could handle every weekend!   Finally, I am throwing in a video of A cheering for the Conestoga Generals at their first game.   She just loves it and they are too cute!  I don't have any pics of M from soccer because her first game quickly became her last game as she pitched a fit on the field and announced to all that she wouldn't be returning.   At least she knows what she wants, right??  She has decided that gymnastics is all for now!

Hope y'all are enjoying the cooler temps and the fun of the fall season!

                              Here is A in action - 2nd from right in front

Labor Day Vacay!

 This past week was pretty action packed for us and a glimpse into what the school year week might look like this year.   As the two girls get older and into more activities, our time during the week just sails right on by us.   It has only been one week into the school year and I am already exhausted.   By the time Friday rolled around, I was excited for our little vacation to the shore.

A started her first day of 1st grade last Monday and we couldn't have been prouder of how she handled her self.   I was a wreck, but she managed to get on the bus and take this whole new school scene like a pro!  The school day here is much later - she doesn't even get on the bus until 8:40 and then off at 4:00.   I was completely anxious for the bus and couldn't wait to hear all about her first day.   Her commentary on the day was pretty brief, but I did manage to get a quick "It was good" and "I really like my teacher" from her - which was reassurance enough that she will be just fine.   Why I would ever doubt that, I don't know - she is so outgoing and really has never met a stranger.  Of whom does that remind you??  You know the whole apple/tree thing :)

M adjusted well without her sissy - she is a whole different kid without A around.   She will shop and run errands with me, help me clean and fold clothes - but not enough to consider keeping her home a few days a week from preschool.  No sir - she is going five days a week starting Monday!   But she did help me get our stuff packed for the beach.

Finally Friday arrived and off we went to Cape May, New Jersey - which is a quick 2 hours away from our home.   It is a quaint beach town at the southernmost point of New Jersey and kind of reminded me of a cross between Charleston and Seaside - lots of families on the very clean beach surrounded by beautiful old Victorian-style homes.   The girls had a blast and it was a nice little break for Hubby, who has been working hard at Sidecar.  Cape May gets the thumbs up from us - can't wait to go back! 

Since Labor Day pretty much marks the end of summer, we find ourselves gearing up with busy weekends from the girls' activities.  We have been told that fall is great up here, so we are excited to visit some places a little closer to home on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Until then... GO  DAWGS!!

Happy girls at the beach

Great waves mean lots of board time!

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

So, I never spend long sulking and when we woke up Sunday morning and it was gorgeous outside, we decided to take off for a day outdoors.   The state parks in PA are all free and have some pretty good hiking trails.   We tried out a new one Ridley Creek State Park, which has a gorgeous old mansion on the property, as well as horse stables, so there was a lot to see besides just the plants and wildlife along the trail.   I have included a few pics of the beautiful water lilies from the reflecting pool on the property.   

After we worked up an appetite, we took our neighbor P's recommendation to visit the Chester Springs Creamery on Milky Way Farm for some homemade ice cream.   Of course no Deak girl can turn down some ice cream on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!   The farm was so pretty and quaint - much like everything we have seen in Pennsylvania so far.    

The Matthews Family owns the farm and the girls enjoyed meeting "Farmer Melba", the owner when we took a tour of the grounds and spent some time with the animals on the farm.   M is fascinated with farm animals and really wanted to milk a cow!  Since this wasn't going to happen yesterday and robots do the work for them,  Melba helped explain how the cow - milking process works by a visually using only her two hands (let your imaginations run wild here) and that seemed to satisfy M.   And to top it off, we left with some fresh milk and eggs!  

The ice cream was delicious, the farm was beautiful and it was a perfect way to send such a beautiful day!  Minus the fact that Hubby kept commenting on how cold it is going to be this winter.  I am not sure why he feels the need to keep mentioning this, but I got it!   Maybe it was because I actually had chill bumps sitting in the shade eating my ice cream yesterday.   Also, the recent prediction of this being an "above-average" snowfall year for the northeast might have him a little concerned....   Later, friends!

It's Not All Roses....

When I started crying in Wegman's today, I really wasn't surprised.   I knew a breakdown was coming...it was bound to happen.  The best part is that I really don't think today was it - just the beginning of what might be a couple of weeks filled with tears.   I am missing home - badly!

It all began earlier this week when we visited the Philadelphia Zoo - the girls and I much enjoyed it, but couldn't help be reminded of some of our trips to the Atlanta Zoo with our best pals.   Then the girls asked to eat at Chick-fil-A for lunch and play on the playground there.  Not an impossible task here,  just very out of the way on the day that they were asking for it and it is in a mall, so no playground.   My car has needed a bath for a while, so I was hoping to swing through a drive-thru car wash.  However, I couldn't find a drive-thru car wash anywhere around me.  Not a big deal, right?  Just go to the full service place with the girls and have it done - which we did.   And to add on to it, we went to open house at Avery's school and she and I both felt like the new girls, which we were.  So, when the tears came pouring while buying her school snacks for this upcoming week, I embraced it and let them roll down my cheeks.   I know that with her starting school on Monday means that the house gets a little quieter. Then Madeline will start a few weeks after and I will be left alone with my thoughts and emotions - scary!  I don't think this lump in throat is going anywhere for a while.   I miss my Woodlawn Chick-fil-A, BP car wash, Publix diet sweet tea, sitting in church traffic going to and from the little yellow church I adore - and more than anything, I miss my family and friends!

My wonderful neighbor, E, has been a God-send.   When she invited the girls and I to a picnic at the park this past week with some of her friends and then to the movies Friday afternoon with her and another fellow southern belle, it was music to my ears.  I needed to get away from my self and my "bah-humbugness".    It reminds me of the song I learned as a young girl - "Make new friends, but keep the old...One is silver and the other gold".   Just those few dates with other ladies and kids are helping me tremendously.   Seeing the girls laughing and playing with new pals reminds me that they are happy and adjusting well, which is so important.  And girl talk for me is much needed - saving my sanity these days!   To say we hit the neighbor jackpot is an understatement!

Not to make this all a pity party for myself - I mean I did have a choice in this move!  Just hearing the girls laughing while Hubby is playing with them and watching them sit outside in the afternoons, awaiting his return home from work are reminder enough of why we are on the roller coaster!  Having us all together helps me wipe away the tears and get on with things.

Is it Thanksgiving yet??????  Can't wait to come home!

The Big Apple

Personally, I think the proximity to NYC is one of the coolest things about living in Philly.  I adore the city and haven't been since the girls were born.  So when a friend mentioned that there was a Pinkalicious musical in Manhattan, I was all over it!  Sounded like the perfect excuse to get in the car and head to the island.   Our next door neighbors offered to dog sit Lucy, so we opted for a day trip just to test out how it would be taking the girls.   The drive is just under 2 hours and couldn't have been easier - parked close to the Holland tunnel for an easy exit and cabbed it around all day.

Since Pinkalicious was in a theatre near my fav section of town (SoHo), we enjoyed walking around and a little shopping before show time.  And I mean a little shopping - must come back without the kids (and even Hubby).  We found a quaint little lunch spot called The Smile, which seemed fitting since I had a huge one plastered on my face.   Finally... showtime!  A is getting to the age to where she "acted" like she was too old for it.  But believe me, she enjoyed herself just as much as M.   After the musical, the cast met the girls in the lobby to sign autographs, take pics, then enjoy a cupcake, of course.

Madeline and Pinkalicious

The day ended up being gorgeous, so we opted to take advantage and enjoy the views atop the Empire State Building.  The girls were momentarily amazed, but really had the American Girl Doll store on their mind.  So our time up top was pretty brief, but we managed to take in the beautiful views and point out the big landmarks to the girls.

Looking downtown NYC

After hours of asking, we hailed a cab to the mecca of doll stores.  No trip would be complete without experiencing this store.   It really was an amazing store and the girls were swept away by everything inside.  Even though I wasn't really the doll-loving little girl myself, I got wrapped up in it too and was shopping for cute outfits for their dolls.   I do believe Hubby was trying to take himself to his happy place of beer and football the entire time, but he was a good sport and loved seeing the smiles on the girls' faces.  And crazy enough, we even managed to run into some new Philly friends while in the store!

M's "Ella" doll getting her hair braided

A with Lainey and her hairstylist

After hours of walking, we ended with dinner back down in Soho  - a terrific little taqueria named Tacombi which serves tacos from inside a VW van that came from the Yucutan.  The girls thought that was pretty cool and frankly, the atmosphere was just as great as the delicious fish tacos!  You know I love my tacos!

It was a great day in the city - a repeat trip for sure! M will tell you she loved riding in the cabs without a booster seat the most.  And if you ask A what her favorite part of the day was, she will tell you it was seeing the torch lit on the Statue of Liberty as we headed back home.   This affirms that they are not too young to appreciate the sights and we may NOT have to go back to American Girl next time ;)

Shore Enough

So we took a little adventure to the Jersey Shore this weekend...it didn't quite live up to my expectations, not because of the geography, but the weather.   We knew there was a chance of rain - 30% before we left the house.  Living always glass half full, that meant 70% that it wouldn't right???   And it always rains at the beach :)  So we set out for some sun and fun! It took about an hour and half to get there and we spent a whopping 3 hours there before turning around to head home!

Ocean City, NJ was filled with families and had a boardwalk, which is something new for us.   It was pretty neat to leave our stuff in the sand and visit the boardwalk for some food and shopping.  This was especially handy since the rain and overcast skies kept us from enjoying time in the water.   However, the boardwalk didn't make up for the fact that it was only 73 degrees outside on Saturday and the water was only 72 - I think I am just now getting the feeling back into my legs!  The girls really wanted to build sandcastles, so we toughed it out.  But after an half hour of sitting in the rain, while wrapped up in beach blankets, Hubby and I called it quits!   It just wasn't our day at the shore.  That 30% chance quickly turned into 100%, with some thunder and lightening to boot.  We shall try again another day.

Not too many pics for ya - the weather wasn't so friendly for photos!

Avery was freezing, but a good sport for a photo.  

Ocean City Boardwalk  - before the rain!

Lessons Learned: Part 1

You learn alot about yourself when you move - some things make you feel proud and some things disappoint.   I titled this Part 1 because I know I will learn much, much more about myself over this journey.   But, I thought I would share a few with you for now:

1. I have a Southern accent, so much so I have been asked to repeat myself - a few times.
2. I am not a very good driver - okay, I am bad!  I am sure to find a few tickets in the mail any day now because I have ran so many traffic lights!  Every one of them has a camera up here!
3. GPS is not perfect - actually has been wrong many times and I rely on it a little too much.  Yes, I updated the map before we left Georgia.
4. I can still talk to a brick wall and really don't mind striking up a conversation with a stranger.  Nothing new to learn there, I guess ;)
5. My kids are amazing and have some great coping mechanisms - they inspire me!
6. I am actually a little scared to hit the Jersey shore this weekend :)  After watching RHONJ and Jersey Shore, not sure I can live up the expectations.
7. I love to Vox!  If you don't know what this is, download the Voxer app on your iPhone and have fun.  Thank you, CLP, for getting me hooked.   It is nice to hear my family and friends' voices when texting.
8. Listening to country music brings tears to my eyes.  However, there are two country music stations up here - little shocked by that.
9. I am missing Duke's mayonnaise and Coke products in the restaurants up here.  Can't I get a little Coke Zero with my burger??
10. Scubbing bubbles CANNOT be used to clean a stone shower!    

OOPS!  These streaks appeared AFTER I cleaned!!  Please email if you know how to make them go away!

Happy Thursday!

Going Green

A little geography for today... we live in Willistown Township, which is a part of Chester County, PA. Within the township, there are a few towns to make it up and one of which is Malvern, our town as of now.   Willistown Township is 75% open space - meaning that there is just open land and green space all around us.   To be on the edge of Philadelphia, you would almost think we where in the rural countryside.  There are lots of historic, old buildings in the middle of large, open green pastures - quite beautiful to say the least.

One of our neighbors (whom I met while he was playing the bagpipes in his front yard - how random is that!!!) recommended we visit Okehocking Perserve - an 180 acre wildlife preserve that has around 5 miles of trails and is leash-free for Lucy.   Since we haven't visited churches yet, we decided to spend our Sunday morning yesterday enjoying some of God's creations and set out to explore this land.

The park was beautiful and we had a great time walking (sometimes hiking) through the trails and watching Lucy roam without a leash.   We met several other doggy families and Lucy made a few new friends.   To finish off our hiking, the girls and Lucy enjoyed splashing around in Ridley Creek, which runs alongside the preserve.    We all agreed this place will become a regular visit for our family - it was just too pretty of a spot to not enjoy frequently!

Starting on our hike 

The woods cleared and we found an old barn!

Ridley Creek

Okehocking Preserve

Dirty, wet shoes mean a good time!