Day 3

We began day 3 by taking the subway down to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. We just saw it from here instead of taking the boat out to see it. We then traveled back uptown and visited Macy's and went to the American Girl Store. Courtney,Brandy, & Casey got things for their girls. It is a precious store. We then met Tess & Ron & his sister to eat at the Carnegie Deli. Tess was already coming in town to spend the week in Jersey with Ron's family...so it was neat we were there the same time. The deli was very yummy.

Afterward we took a 1 hour ride through central park with 2 guys from Turkey as our tour guides. It was very nice. The park is just beautiful!

Afterward we went to Bloomingdale's & shopped a few minutes. It has 9 floors!!!

We then went back to Central pArk...found us a spot...and enjoyed the rest & relaxation...and the people watching ofcourse:)

We ended the day by visiting Grand Central Station...during rush hour...WOW:)

We then headed home ....

It was a great trip....one I will treasure always. Once you become a mommy...its hard to find time & $ to do things out of the ordinary. I am glad I went. I am glad I was able to spend valuable time talking and laughing with friends. It was fun. We needed it. I missed my boys tremendously...but it was so much fun just to be in charge of me for a few days:)

Thank you Courtney for following through on a dream 2 years ago...it was AMAZING!

The Statue of Liberty from Battery Park....

The view at Battery Park
Brandy & Casey at Battery Park The girls at Battery Park

Me & Tess at Carnegie Deli

Me & Tess

About to ride through Central Park

Brandy & Casey on their ride....

In front of the Boat House in Central Park ( on 27 Dresses:)

After our ride through Central ParkAt Grand Central Station

Day 2

Well we started Day 2 by headed out to the Today SHow at 6:30. Courtney made us a great sign. We heard the American Idol winner & runner up sing and we even got our picture made with the winner Lee....(its on Casey's camera so I'll have to post it later:) He also signed our poster! Courtney smiled at the camera man long enough that he finally zoomed in on us & we were on the show:) YAY!!! Afterward we headed over to Top of teh Rock after that and rode up 70 floors to see AMAZING views of the city!

We then were ready to board our Tv/Movie Bus tour. They took us great places including the Friend's apartment building & The Cosby Show house. They showed us hundreds of different movie places shot in NYC! We had a great piece on pizza at Ben's famous pizza for lunch and then it dropped us off near central park. We shopped in FAO schwarz and then to H & M. We then toured a little of 5th ave. before heading back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.

We ate at Carmine's for dinner. It was GREAT!

Afterward we shopped around Time Square. We ended the night a little earlier around 10:30 and caught up on a little rest.

Me & Casey waiting at the Today Show....

Brandy & Courtney at the Today show!

We were on the filiming of the Today show:) Thank you Courtney for making our poster!

American Idol winner...Lee Signing our poster:)

Lee Dewyze at the Today Show

Casey & Brandy ready for the tour

Getting on the Movie/Tv Bus tour

Courtney & Casey

All the girls at Top of the Rock

Me & Brandy on Top of the Rock

In front of Friend's apartment building

On the stoop of The Cosby Show house

On the piano at FAO schwarz

Casey & Brandy at dinner

Me & Courtney at dinner...

Me & Casey in Time Square Night at Rockefeller Center

Day 1 in NYC

Well....about 2 summers ago my friend COurtney said lets plan a trip to NYC. I said ok...wondering if we would ever do it....we just got back!

We had so much fun. Our friend's Casey & Brandy also went and I could not have asked for a better trip or better girls going with me.

So I am going to post it by days...

Day 1

We flew out very early Wednesday morning. We arrived in NYC around 10:00 am. We dropped our bags at the hotel & headed to Chinatown. We ate lunch at a chinese place with hanging meat in the window...this was a challenge for me. It was good though. We then went on a VERY shady purse buying expreiece that led us following foreign people down streets ...avoiding law enforcement...and finally Brandy getting a VERY cute Louis Vuitton purse:) It was a lot of fun to experience. After that we headed over to the Brooklyn Bridge. After a little subway mishap..we finally arrived. Those trains can be tricky! The view was gorgeous and interesting as snipers lined all the buildings around us. We heard the VP was in town and that was what the security was for...but neat to see anyway. We then walked FOREVER and a day & found a discount ticket place where we chose to see Mary Poppins. We then walked to wall street and pipe-dreamed for a moment:) We saw a beautiful church and then visited the World Trade Center site which is nothing but construction right now. Afterward we hopped a subway back...got quick showers( all of us ready in 1 hour...it was amazing) and made our dinner reservation at Becco. Very yummy! We then walked through Time Square and headed to our show. Mary Poppins was fantastic!!! Afterward we were exhausted & after getting some pretzel M&Ms and touring the M&M building...we crashed a little after midnight. It was a very fun-filled day. We slept a little less than 5 hours & day 2 began.....

At Birmingham airport...very early:)

Waiting to load the plane...

About to ride the subway

Courtney & Casey on the Subway...

It was a little crowded:)

Taking a little break....

Brandy & Courtney on Brooklyn Bridge...

Me & Casey on Brooklyn Bridge Me & Courtney on Brooklyn Bridge The wonderful show we saw that night! It was awesome!

Time square on our way to dinner.....Below- Me & Courtney eating at Becco

Me & Casey as we wait to eat......

Time Square at night.....

Summer Time....

So tomorrow is my last day of the school year...WHOOOO HOOO!!! I am so excited. I had a fabulous class and wonderful parents...but it is time for summer vacation. I lost the kids around April & have been counting it down! 182 days is really WAY TOO MANY for 5 year olds!....well 30 year olds for that matter! I am also so excited b/c the guilt of passing my child off to a daycare can now subside for a little while. he is finally all mine:) You may need to remind me that this is a good thing a few weeks in...I'll try & refer back to this blog! We have lots planned including the beach...Alabama Adventure passes....the zoo...splash pad.....and pool time! I can't wait to get started! Being a teacher is a hard job.....I work long after 3:15....its stressful...underpaid....and under respected...however I love it and would never chose to do anything else. I feel its a calling. I love teaching 5 year olds and its not overwhelming to be in a room with 23 of them everyday for hours...some people would consider that a nightmare...but its right where I want to be. 5 year olds are really amazing little people and they are much smarter than we ever give them credit for and they love without boundaries.....I couldn't be surrounded by better company. I say all that to let you know... I lOVE MY JOB....but I also LOVE my summer vacation. Its a time to rest & replenish......then I am ready to jump in and do it all over again. So for the next few weeks...its just me & my favorite boys.....awe....summertime!

Rodeo Time...

St. Clair County High School is hosting the Rodeo again this June 4th and 5th! We had a blast last year! This is their big fundraiser to help those boys eventually get a football stadium at their school! They really deserve it! We definitely want Cole to play in it one day so we are big supporters of the Rodeo! The tickets are $12 adult $10 child on presale & $14 and $12 at the gate. Please come out for a GREAT time with your family & it also helps support our football players...cheerleaders...and band members! Our babies will be out there before we know it:)

Come and join the fun!!! I promise it'll be worth it...now and in the future!

Ashton's graduation

Well my niece Ashton graduated preschool!

I can't believe it! The program was just precious & she did a great job! We are so proud of her!

She is so smart & is SO ready for BIG school! She is going to do great! It is bittersweet though. She was our first baby. It seems like only yesterday she was toddling around and now she is smart & sassy & as girly as it gets! We blinked and she grew up.... but I know there are so many more fun things to look forward to! She is very special to us and we are so blessed to have her in our lives!