Tuesday, December 21, 2010

.....pinkalicious......

.....many of the wonderful contributions to this keepsake of a place that has become my blog have been the amazing photos that my friend, Sara, has taken of our children living, breathing and enjoying life.....not only do I feel forever endeared to her for the gift she gives us of capturing such pure moments, but we also benefit from her photography achievements.....

.....it was a random, spontaneous day when we traveled to the terrace of the Natural Museum of History for an afternoon of fun this past July......one of the photos she took from that hot, balmy day won a summer splash photo award  that placed us in 7th row seats at Pinkalicious, the musical, this past weekend.....and because my girls were in the photo with William, Sara invited us to join them.....and my girls love any day that includes time with their beloved William......


......so we bundled the babes and hit the express bus stop to head toward Union Square....


.....and they were thrilled to start their adventure.....jumping, squealing, laughing.....I didn't mind that the bus took some time because watching them enjoy each other was warming me from the inside out on such a blustery, cold day.....



......and the bus ride was a little chaotic and long due to Christmas traffic in NYC, but it worked up a good appetite......


.....and yes, those two huge slices were mine and I finished them both.....I am eating for two, after all.......

......and as we trailed to the theater, Sara and I strategized on handling the three toddlers during the play.....we thought William and Elsie would both sit through Pinkalicious and that Callie may need some gummy bears, animal crackers or hershey kisses to stay put the whole duration of the play......


......all three kids amazed us.....they sat quiet, wide eyed and engaged the entire 50 minutes.....Callie only needed 3 gummy bears during the last few minutes......my baby girl is growing up.......


.......the only time the three littles got wild was waiting to meet the Pinkalicious characters......in their defense, we were last in line and there was an entire theater to run around and explore......I can't blame them.....Sara was able to carouse them into one place and distract them with their new wands while I saved our spot in line; moving three jackets, three hats, three pairs of mittens, two diaper bags, 5 programs and a 2 pound baby in the belly with each step that got closer to the crew......but Sara had the tougher job by far.....


......it took a moment to warm up to the crew when it was finally our turn to say hello......


.....but by the time we got to Pinkalicious and her little brother, we were all smiles.....




......and Pinkalicious is wearing yellow because by the end of the story, she has eaten all of her green vegetables; which turns her back to her normal self after spending a day being completely pink from head to toe as a result of eating too many pink cupcakes.......so it only made sense to end our day in our favorite bakery......







.......and just as pictures from Sara are a gift, so is the gift of experience and friendship.......Violet was the baby that was born the day before Elsie three years ago.......her Mom, my friend Davian, and I made a pact during the birthday week for the girls, which also busily coincided with Thanksgiving festivities......no presents to each other.....I love that pact.....

......we traded in presents for a late lunch date this past week at Alice's Teacup and I will take those two hours with our sweet girls over anything that will end up scattered across the house or tossed in the goodwill pile in the months to come.....and the girls were giddy with delight at the chocolate mousse that they split after grilled cheese, apples smothered in peanutbutter and buttermilk scones......



......and although capturing a picture of the two of them celebrating their day together toasting their tea cups was not in the cards, we loved every minute of it.....and I love one on one time with my girl......



.......and these past two days the week prior to Christmas have been lovely.....we ended school last week with a party that jolted some more sugar in the veins, but Christmas break has allowed time to relax and ease away from the schedule of normal routine.....play dates with neighbors, outings with schoolmates who have become friends, more time to bake, more time to wrap presents, little day trips to museums.....it's all been savory......but Elsie still talks about school......my girl loves school......




......and I love the simple fact I'm blessed to stay home with my girls and observe and inhale everything they are experiencing these days of their lives.....there is nothing sweeter.....


.....savoring every minute while loving every minute....