Milestones

Even though it seems like all we think about these days is our move it was important to me to really make sure the kids have a good adjustment and end to our time here. Over the last couple of weeks we have been such lucky parents. In such a short time we have had a birthday, a preschool graduation, piano recital, preschool musical, tap recital, 2nd grade "publishing" party and end of our three year run at Public School 199 :)
I know this is just the beginning of so many events to come in the next 18 years and I know every parent is as proud as I am, but I realized that I was not the only one that had a life here. The kids will miss their friends and be missed in return.
We are so blessed...

Our Terrace Topper

This past warm and breezy Saturday night our dear friends here in the city gave us a beautiful send off. A little over twenty friends joined us on the Ireland's terrace for a perfect combination of delicious food, great cocktails, and amazing company. It was fabulous and I am so incredibly thankful for each person that came. It occurred to me once again how lucky I have been here and how each person can touch your life in a different way. I don't think I saw Jim all night, but I know he feels the same when I say we are truly going to miss it here.

Hopefully more pics to come...

Samantha

When did I become old enough to have an eight year old?
This weekend Samantha had a birthday and all that it entails:)
Here's a short summary...
pool party, 6 girls (seems small right?) the level of noise is indescribable,
one ice cream cake, three pizzas, one plate Jello Jigglers (per Sam's request) and some watermelon thrown in.
one baby brother following every move, the other baby brother wide eyed and exhausted
a perfectly calm husband/dad that cleaned up too! I know!!!!
It was a great five hours...
Then on to Sunday, the "real" birthday.
And lucky Samantha, since it was Dad's day too they went to a Broadway show, "Young Frankenstein"
I consider it a job well done and better get ready for next years bash
(which in New York isn't to soon :)

thank you holly

It seems as of late we are trying to squeeze all things New York into our schedules before we depart.
My good, great, wonderful, true friend Holly took me to The Plaza (yes Eloise's abode)
for afternoon tea. It was all that we wanted and more. We sat and chatted without one interruption, it was divine. Then we ventured out and did some damage on 5th Avenue because we would never enter these stores with children and strollers...we could hardly bring ourselves to go home.

Late Night and Update

Tuesday afternoon Jim and I ventured out and saw a taping of David Letterman. His studio is near Times Square so it feels very "New Yorky"...standing in line, watching tourists get so excited, and buying a mug after as a keepsake :) It was a fun afternoon date. Can you see me under the marquee?

I also thought I would share an update on our move (that's why I started the blog in the first place :)
We are in the process of making some major decisions right now. Our place has been on the market for about 2 months and while we have had MANY people see it, no offers yet. So instead of being anxious and worried we have decided to set a move date and get to Cali some time in July. We will rent there until our place sells. The market is slow everywhere and we know that in time we will sell ours (easy to say, hard on the nerves)
I guess the biggest change that has happened is that we decided to move closer to family and the beach and not to Claremont, closer to the school where Jim will be. He will have to commute (40 minutes?) but we thought if we are moving clear across the country we wanted to be by the beach, or at least near it, in a place where we have always wanted to live - Newport Beach. So now all of the excitement has returned for me. We found a couple great schools for the kids and we will be so close to family and friends it makes the move bearable. We have really been sad as we have pictured leaving our life here...but the beach is calling! :)

Our fun trip

We have been home from Texas for 5 days and this is the first chance I have gotten to actually sit down, think, and share some fun from our trip. Every Memorial day we go to Gonzales, TX. It is about one hour outside Austin, it is hot, dusty, and buggy...
But we love it! The kids get to swim, ride on the tubes, and best of all play with their cousins and friends from California. It made me more excited for our move which is drawing closer.
One highlight for Samantha was the BB gun that her Mimi bought her. She's a good shot, were we impressed or terrified? :)