NYC....kid-free

You read that right.  I met the hubs for a very quick weekend in NYC a few weekends ago.  He was working in New Jersey and I flew up Friday.  Thanks to my sweet friend, Jen and Chris' sisters, Erin & Ally, for making it all happen!  We did have to miss Bennett's Christmas program but we had a great time and bought the DVD. :)  Friday we went to a bar at the Edison Hotel (where the girls and I stayed our senior year in college) and then luckily grabbed a cab as we were walking and went to Cook Shop in Chelsea for dinner.  After dinner we took a cab to Rockefeller Center so I we could see the TREE.  It is huge.  I mean bigger than I thought.  How in the world do they get a tree that large?  Funny enough on the way home I sat next to a very nice Captain & flight instructor for American.  He lives in NJ and commutes to DFW.  He told me that this year the tree was purchased from his neighbors' tree farm and it was quite a chore to get it to Rockefeller Center.  Chris asked him about the new aircraft AA is supposed to be releasing.  Thank goodness they are going to start retiring those MD-80's! ;)  Anyhow, Saturday morning we were the ultimate tourists in New York City.  We walked down to the Empire State building and met our double decker bus.  I, of course, wanted to sit on the upper level so I could take pictures.  Let's just say it got cold and windy.  We were freezing!  I never thought I'd be "that" person/tourists and the only reason we did the bus was to get the 9/11 Memorial passes but it was actually really neat.  I have been to most of the spots in NYC but this was just a nice scenic drive with a little history and photo ops!  I got some neat pictures.  Over the short weekend Chris and I did not get one picture together.  After we got off of the bus my legs were so cold my thighs were numb.  We got off a stop early and walked up a couple blocks to the Memorial to try and warm up.  The Memorial is neat.  It isn't quite complete.  I'm sure once the museum opens it'll be even better but they have done a really nice job.  AFter we left the Memorial we started walking towards SoHo and grabbed pizza and then ended up walking all the way back to Times Square, over three miles.  We were so tired.  I almost didn't wake up from my nap in time for dinner!  We had an early dinner at Gallo Nero which was very small and good.  Then we headed to the Gershwin Theatre for Wicked.  Oh my, it was awesome!  I loved it and Chris did, too! We had a quick trip but it was really fun!

Next month we're off to LA for my Half marathon.  Please start praying if you haven't already because I don't know how I'm going to do it!!!

Some pictures from NYC:

Trying to get to dinner Friday night this was a big inconvenience! 

The Tree

Times Square at night

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Empire State Building

View from the street corner - one tall building!

A neat building

NYC streets - might be my favorite picture

A fire had taken this cafe and building early in the morning - so sad.

Washington Square Arch

Santa

Oh, little blog of mine it seems like I have forgotten about you.  So much has happened since I last wrote. I just can't keep my head above water these days!  Instead of trying to catch up I'll just tell you about today:
It's a few days before Christmas.  Ella's friend, Ava, spent the night last night even though Ella is getting over strep throat.  They played all morning and we had our neighbor, JR, come over, too.  Whew!  Late this afternoon Chris and I took the kids to see Santa, finally.  At Watters Creek there is no line.  It's so fast.  We've been three years now.  This is also the first year we didn't have a Santa birthday party.

This year's picture:

I'll try to be better and post pictures again soon!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Spidergirl and Spiderman ( take 2)

About six weeks ago we pulled out Bennett's Spiderman costume from last year.  He tried it on and it fit.  Ella said, "Why don't you be Spiderman and I'll be Spidergirl?"  He said, "O-tay."  I thought...this is too easy....only buy one costume.  So, I waited a couple weeks, but they kept talking about it so I finally ordered her costume.  I decided against telling Ella that the costume package read: Spidergirl - Spiderman's daughter.  Ha, I thought she'd tell me to send it back!!

We had a few events to go to in costume this year.  That's always nice to get your money's worth out of a costume!  We went to the neighborhood carnival which was pretty fun but Ella was sick.  Ella got to wear her's to ballet, our neighbor's have an annual party then to choir and Halloween.  There were more options but that was enough for the kids this year!

This was taken on Sunday before the party.  Her fishnet tights ripped at choir.

Ready to trick-or-treat!

My favorite pic of them :)

She looks like she's ready to take flight!

Our trick-or-treating group

Spiderman, Bethany Hamilton, Spidergirl, Abby Wambach & Lily the shark

 We had a great night!  Tuesday I went through their candy and took a bag up to the school.  A local dentist paid $1/lb and they ship to to the troops through Operation Gratitude.  Less for me to nibble on!!

Happy BirthWEEK

Yep, that's right Happy BirthWEEK.  Ella had a whole week full of birthday celebrations.  She's one super extra special lucky little girl!!  Thank you to the all the Crawfords for coming over to celebrate the weekend before her birthday.  We had fun hanging out and eating fajitas.  She sure loves her gifts from everyone!  Her actual birthday fell on a Thursday which is soccer practice day.  As soon as she got home she wanted to open her presents but had to impatiently wait for daddy.  If I'm not mistaken as soon as she got the green light his boss called so he missed it all. :(  Off we went to soccer with cupcakes to share.  Then back home for the dinner she requested: ribs and corn on the cob.  Her favorite dinner!  Then on Saturday we had some really great seats to the Rangers game (thank you Scott and Laura) and finally on Sunday, her much anticipated ALL girl bowling party.  She plans her parties a year in advance and had been asking for a bowling party for a year so bowling it was.  When it came time to actually plan it she asked for it to be all girls.  I guess we're at that age.  Then of course the week after school starts and invitations are going out she asks, "Mom can I invite Collin?"  The printed invitations say "The girls are going bowling..."  Sorry sweetheart!  I'm pretty sure the party was a hit for all the girls.  Everyone seemed to have a great time!  However, I think we'll do something on a smaller scale next year like maybe a slumber party with just a few girls!!

the first celebration

On her actual birthday she apparently wore the same dress with a different top.

Julie's (American Girl) dogs

After soccer blowing out a candle on her real birthday

Let's BOWL

Pizza time

Ella and Georgia with Ava in the back

The cake!  Ella picked this out online and I had a lady make it.  The top was strawberry and the bottom vanilla.  It was yummy.  The favors were matching sugar cookies.  

Sweet Wylie!

Ella and gifts

Dancing to the card from Taylor!  

Happy 6th birthday to my BIG girl!

Boosterthon 2011

Kindergarten is full of firsts.  Today was another first for Ella!  She participated in her first Boosterthon fundraiser at her school.  This is a great way to raise money for schools without buying anything!  The goal is to run 25-35 laps in a set time and ask for pledges.  Ella made some calls and then made a poster that I emailed to ask for the rest. :)  The money raised goes towards technology and new playground equipment.  I think they are wanting a facelift to the current playground.  They had all kinds of challenges and received prizes, like balls, water bottles, sun glasses, etc (all things to keep them moving).  The kindergarten grade level was in the lead for the most pledges as of the end of the day yesterday.  Her class  has earned slipper day, crazy sock day, pajama day, movie/popcorn day.... These kids are so excited.  She really does appreciate all the support!  The principals have to be the best sports.  They come to the race in costumes and cheer on the kids and then something about getting duct taped to the walls.  I'll have to hear more about that tomorrow when I'm in the library.  This year they came out in Angry Bird costumes!!!  It was such a great event and so fun to watch all the kids.

Oh, yeah, Ella ran all 35 laps!!!!  She even had a few minutes to spare.  She is definitely a Crawford and making her daddy smile from ear to ear!

FYI: 1 lap = 1/16 of a mile
Ella ran 2.19 miles
I think she might run the Tinkerbell instead of me!!

Enjoy a few photos I took....

Angry Birds!

Classes lined up listening to Dynamite Dave's instructions... 

 Walking their first lap (Ella has the pink ribbon - only for about two laps)

 There she goes...

 Coach Mandy marking her shirt - they had to have their shirts marked after each lap.  Ella really didn't want to slow down though.

 Keep it moving, girl!!

 Loving it!

Water break - he had them slow down and skip, walk, etc every 5 minutes or so.

Getting pink cheeks

 She found Ava, briefly.  She had to keep moving.

Getting pretty sweaty.

 "Put your hands up" dancing to the lyrics

 Final lap!!!!!

Cooling down with time to spare :)

Ok, so maybe more than a few photos but isn't she too cute!  Such a good sport.  How could I stop?!?

Way to go Ella!!!