......the Grinch made a pitstop on 88th street in NYC today.....and let me just say that he didn't land in my lap......
......I had this overwhelming, yet crazy urge to go to Rockafeller Center today so the girls could see the tree.....I made the decision last night as Stefan and I were preparing to turn it in for the night.....Am I crazy to take the two girls down there in the freezing cold and crowded streets all by myself?.....and he assured me I was not crazy and that the girls should get to experience the touristy part of NYC too.....plus, you have to see the tree if we live here and you'll do just fine alone.....
.....that's my encourager....
.....so I bundled them up, loaded them in the stroller, Elsie hopped on the new kickboard she stands on in the back, I grabbed the snacks, the camera and we were off in the frigid, sunny day to swallow up some more of the holiday spirit.....usually, I would tackle a feat like this with friends, but no one was free.....and because I am on a Christmas high, there was no stopping me today.....not even two.....er, how should I put this?.....spirited toddlers.....
......and for the record, the pictures are off center because I was laughing so hard when I took these.....I didn't even try to get them to smile....I quickly determined that I was going to document the day as it was....and there was some Bah, humbugy moods happening between the sisters....
.....when we hopped on the bus towards midtown, I knew then that I had my hands full.....
......Elsie told me the whole way downtown that she didn't want to see the tree.....she wanted to go home.....and anytime a polite stranger would come sit in the empty seat next to Callie, she would scowl an enthusiastic, NOOOOOO at them.....she scared off three people.....
......and after the bus, throughout the 20 minute walk due west, Elsie quite possibly told me 100 times she was cold.....I can't blame her....with windchill, it felt like it was in the teens today.....
.....and after a wasted brie and turkey sandwich and a loaded cup of potato soup, the girls whittled me down to obliging to a lunch that consisted of potato chips for the two of them......ok, maybe the sandwich and soup didn't go to waste.....I ate for three of us today.....but the warm underbelly of Rockafeller Center and some potato chips may have done the trick.....the girls were excited to stop by the angels and snowflakes on our way out.....
.....and when I announced this was the last picture and it was time to head home, Elsie was bummed out that we were leaving....
.....and because the reprieve from two babes who may have seen the Grinch this morning only lasted for a few moments, I opted for a cab home to see if a nap could help sleep it off......
.....I, on the other hand, am feeling like I could whip up some Christmas cookies and hail Hark the Herald Angels Sing from the rooftops.....oh, the highs of second trimester pregnancy mixed with the anticipation of Christmas time are euphoric......
.....however, it's been quite the festive week and the girls have been running on full speed for several days....
.....like times last night when I unexpectedly announced that Uncle Chad was coming to visit us.....he had a business trip in the city and did not think he would have time to stop by, but the instant Elsie heard that he would be here in 10 minutes, she was bouncing off the walls to see her uncle......
.....he's always a for sure thing when it comes to rough housing.....
.....and rough housing, combined with the adrenaline that comes from seeing one you love, all mixed together right before bedtime makes for a late night.....
.....but worth every minute of lost sleep.....
......and we can't forget the back to back birthday parties this weekend that kept us laughing, giddy and sugar infused......
......my friend, Sara, had a great idea for her son William's third birthday......being the creative and fantastic photographer that she is, she bravely decided to do a group shot of all the kids in our building with their party favor, I LOVE NY tees....well, not all the littles.....there were several tykes that opted for cupcakes or juice boxes rather than sitting still for 10 minutes......but she got several of them.....
.....and although these are my grainy shots and not hers, I am sure she captured a picture perfect glimpse of what life was like for her son when he was three.....and little William is pretty adored around here.....
.....and Caitlin's Momma, another creative and crafty one, had a music birthday party with the kids after they made their tambourines.....
......and music parties are always wild after chocolate cupcakes......
......and after all that, we decided to carve out time to pick out our tree.....
.....a quick saunter to our corner and there were Spruce Pines and Douglas Firs galore.....Daddy was set on a small tree, but his girls had other things in mind.....
......and the five ornaments that were broken during our cozy tree trimming could not dampen the spirits of our two enthusiastic little helpers.....
.....and because there is only one star and two babes, Daddy decided that Elsie got to fit the star on top.....
......and then Daddy could trim the top branch just right so Callie could place our star on top to stay.....
.....and then a few adjustments to get the ornaments spaced just right.....
.....and wallah....we were done.....
......all of us feeling jubilant, merry and ready to down some egg nog......
.....so I'll chalk up this morning's Christmassy adventure with a bit of the Grinch making his appearance to a busy, lively week filled with more fun than sleep.....and more sugar than food from the healthy pyramid categories.....knowing that after some long naps, some sweet lovin' from Momma, a hot chocolate steaming in their little cups next to our beautiful tree, my girls will be back to their delightful and agreeable selves.....
......ready to join me in some Jingle Bells or Silent Night on the roof tops.....