The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

I've been hearing about the consistently SOLD OUT Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze for years now so as soon as tickets became available this year, I quickly booked to see what all the fuss was about.  If you haven't heard about it, it's an elaborate walk-through experience in Sleepy Hollow Country that has 7,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o'lanterns.  First let me start off by saying that it's roughly a 90 minute drive (from downtown Brooklyn) for a 30-45 minute experience, so I strongly recommend to plan a day out of it --maybe hiking or some other outdoorsy activity?  Unfortunately, we had other plans that afternoon so we got to Sleepy Hollow just in time for the event (6pm).  We were done in less than an hour and with the help of our dear friend Yelp, found a nearby sushi spot. The girls LOVED the sushi in Hudson Valley and insisted that we have to come back there again and that it's much better than any sushi place in Brooklyn.  This just goes to show you that kids have no clue what they are talking about. I did order Ramen, for which I always have very low expectations, possibly due to my love of Cup O'Noodles soup.  The Ramen didn't disappoint. In any case, it was cool to see bridges and houses and dinosaurs made from pumpkins and while I wouldn't do it again, I am glad I got to see what all the fuss was about.  My suggestion?  Skip the Pumpkin Blaze and enjoy some Cup O'noodles on the couch.

Mom and Dad get to have fun too!

Gene got the gift of Beer on his Birthday this year.  To be more exact, our friends booked us a NYC brewery tour.  What a great excuse to get to drunk in the middle of the day!

 Beer and Snacks

Visibly Drunk

Prima Ballerina

Violet is no longer interested in ballet but Ivy is still a big fan. A professional photographer comes once per year (up until the kids are 5 years old) and takes beautiful pictures of the ballet group.

Bahston....A Wicked Good Trip Eating Chowdah and Lobstah

Violet and Ivy finally reached an age where we can take impromptu trips with minimal planning. It was late Thursday night when we decided to go up to Boston for the weekend so we can check out Boston University with my brother.  I can't believe my baby brother is going to college! Where did the time go?  While he didn't love the school, we still had a nice time exploring the Boston Public Garden, Museum of Science and taking a Duck Tour around Boston. The girls even found time to do a little shopping while the boys went on the school tour.  It was nice to get away. 

Spoooookyyyyy

The ever changing room...

 From babies, to toddlers, to big girls.

PS 29 for All!

I have been waiting for this day since I found out I was pregnant with Ivy.  Both kids are in the same school.  But, not just any school, a GREAT public school that's 5 minutes away from our house.

 First day of school went smoothly.  Ivy ran into her classroom without even saying goodbye. Violet was shy for about a second before finding a spot at an arts and crafts table.

I have grade school children!!!  How did this happen??  I am only 24!

Happy Birthday Blog! You're 7 today!

Fun with Snapchat

Our Favorite Person in the World!

 Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day to the greatest husband and dad on the planet!  We love you and are lucky to have you in our lives!  Thank you for being you!

Crazy Hair Day

Getting ready for Crazy Hair Day at school

Memorial Day Weekend--Kicking off Beach Season!

 First attempt at making Shakshuka (or as Peter calls it: Borsht)

 Post Beach Snack

Ice cream season is upon us

DIY Face Paint

What happens when the line at the street fair is too long?  Mommy takes matters into her own hands! 

Luckiest Mom in the World

My sweet girl is 6!

Same shirt, a year and a few months earlier but what a difference!  My sweet, compassionate, kind and day dreaming child is 6 years old.  Holy cow how did it this happen so fast?

Ummm, should I be nervous?

Haircuts. Twins?

The hairdresser asked if the girls were twins.  I can see the similarity.

Vermont Vacation

We packed our suitcases full of winter gear, ready for the single digit temperatures in Ludlow, Vermont. It was the first trip where both kids went skiing. Actually, let me clarify, Violet skied and Ivy spent 15 min outside before dragging her instructor back in. On the second day, we were smarter and gave her into daycare. Violet kicked some major bunny slope butt. I was so excited to see her go down the hill unassisted and break when getting to the bottom. A proud moment from someone who has been trying to ski for the last decade and is still unsuccessful. The trip overall was great, with good food and tons of activities, even for those of us who don't venture too far away from the bunny slope. We went tubing, ice skating, sledding, and spent most evenings at the pool.

Snow boots: check!

5am car ride excitement

View of the mountain from our room

Ivy warming up after ice skating

Group selfie

Violet is ready for ski school

Ivy looks ready, but looks can be deceiving

Splashing in the pool

Windchill was -8 that day #noskinshowing

This duo is coming to a Cirque du Soleil near you

French Onion Soup--one of the many soups I had on the trip. Not pictured here but equally delicious was the New England clam chowder, in a bread bowl.

On the way up to tubing. After going down the hill, Ivy said that it made her heart hurt. 

Driving back home and enjoying the beautiful views