.....my friend Sara is the one person I know who says yes to any idea I have about an outing in the city......she is a for sure thing and I know if she is free, I can always count on her.....I appreciate her adventurous side immensely because the two of us have done some high and mighty things on this little island....rain or shine.....wet or dry.....snow or bitter chill, we have tackled a lot of must dos in Manhattan.....
....as many Mommas know, outings with toddlers that require planning and effort are never easy....the night before or morning of, usually in my case; we are packing snacks, filling water bottles, refilling diaper stashes, packing up cars or in our case, strollers.....the day never seems to go exactly as planned, although plan B always delivers.....one or two children are whining or crying, asking for something that you forgot to pack....strollers don't roll down subway stairs; so in our case, heavy lifting and physical labor is required that is indescribable.....boo boos happen, inconvenient requests to use the potty are inevitable and all of the children sprinting away simultaneously while one Momma chases them all while screaming freeze, red light or stop is a hands down, happens every time occurrence.....
.....but we do these crazy and fun adventures because at the end of the day when your skin hits the sheets you close your eyes knowing all of that effort, all of that work, all of the hassles were worth the memory of the occasion......because each big event has always been one that is remembered and discussed for days and months to come.....and the big days of exploring Manhattan must sees are seared into my memory, as I am whole heartedly aware there will be days in the future I think back and wish I could relive just one of these explorations.....
......so Sara and I decided that the last official weeks of summer deserve some good old fashion packing, lugging, planning, lifting, feeding, soothing, chasing and exploring before all of our babes are in nursery school and these summer days are a distant memory.....
.....adventure #1- Chelsea water park and The High Line, NYCs park in the sky......
.......did I mention that outside of all the toddler gear, Sara also packs her camera equipment so she can document these special days......
......and her pictures certainly tell a story......
.....our adventures are usually timed very well.....I can think of several occasions when we have gotten to our destination, enjoy the fun and beauty that it has to offer and then the crowds swoon in and we say to each other, wow, we got here just in time.....the water park wasn't an exception.....we had a good chunk of the morning for play before the sea of green shirts came toward us.....the summer campers were taking a day trip and we were getting out just in time......
....and the High Line, a park perched above the streets of Chelsea is an oasis of relaxation, resting spots, picturesque views of the Hudson, and the sky line.......it also provides a place to observe the calming effect of watching the clouds use the blue sky as their canvas......
.....and as much as the children danced, explored and played......
....we still had a few of those moments that make a Momma think back to the day and say to herself, I can't believe we did that.....and when I say those words to myself, it is then that the memories sear even deeper into my mind.....because at the end of a day that has been a big outing and I check on my babies just to watch them sleep for a moment or two with an ever so slight grin still on their face, well that just does it for me.....I am reinvigorated for the next round of, where are we goin' next?
......because just like labor, we soon forget about the hard and painful parts......
....and we are left to remember the endearing and extraordinary parts.....
.....Sara, looking forward to the next big day.....may our children find friends in their lifetime that want to explore and seek adventure so they too can relish in unforgettable experiences.....
....and for the record, Brody's fussing was just because he popped his first two teeth this past Friday.....four and a half months and his gummy grin will soon be gone forever.....they grow up too fast.....we can't even blink for a second in our house......
.....because they're growing way too quickly and because you never know where Callie may sprint off to.....
Disclaimer: There were three adults present as we loaded her and seat belted her into the cab.
.....and a quick shout out to my own Momma who is celebrating her birthday today.....
.....you have always inspired me to find joy in everything.....thank you for your zest for life and enthusiasm for adventure.....you have always made us feel so very loved.....happy birthday, Momma....
