Today is beautiful so we are going into the city for the afternoon. On days like this, I want to sing and dance the following song as I go out into the city, except Eva would probably scold me saying, “NO SINGING!” like she did a minute ago when I played this music video:
Have a good Monday!
A friend of mine told me at least a year ago about the Staten Island Ferry and how I needed to do it someday. It’s free and takes you close to the Statue of Liberty. I’ve wanted to do it ever since but finally did last week! It was really neat. It was a relaxing activity and something different than we had ever done before in NYC.
Eva would not give me real smile. Thanks a lot, Eva!
We had a great time!
We went to Coney Island on the 15th to see their Sand Sculpture Contest. Since we went to Coney Island last year for the Mermaid Parade, I knew it could be quite packed. It turned out to be pretty busy over there, but not as bad as last time we visited, so that’s good. But that place. It’s strange. You’ve got to go at least once in your life just to experience the atmosphere and to check out the boardwalk, but there are so many crazy people and the beach is pretty dirty. It’s pretty much the complete opposite of Spring Lake. That being said, we still had a fun time. Put me on a beach, and I’m a happy girl.
After spending the afternoon at the beach, we walked down on a pier and watched the fishermen for quite some time. Then we met up with T.J.’s friends from BYU at Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano. It was soooo good!
Not a bad day!
This Summer, Bryant Park had a Broadway series each week. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about it until the last week… but I at least got to go to one! The week we went, they did clips of the musicals Mamma Mia, Matilda, and Motown. All three were so good, particularly Matilda. Those kids can sing. Holy cow. We’ve got to see that musical!
We brought a picnic and enjoyed the show on the lawn. The kids danced to the music too, which was adorable.
August is almost over and I feel like we have really made the most out of our time. Last week we had cooler weather and it gave me a little Fall itch for a second. It got me excited to spend that season in the city. I was trying to remember what type of things we did last Fall, then T.J. reminded me we rarely went in the city with Eva because that was the time when Eva HATED being in the stroller. I am SO glad we’re past that phase. And I’m so excited about walking through the city during the Autumn season! Remember on Gossip Girl, they say:
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m still enjoying summer and would be fine if it never ended! Here are a couple recent instagrams.
Trying to swim as often as we can since the pool closes next week. I told Eva it closes soon and she instantly screamed/cried, “NOOOO ASHLEY’S POOL… NOOOOO!” I think Eva will be the most disappointed.
More frozen meals… I’m kind of obsessed.
Our computer broke (and since was fixed for free under Apple Care… phew!) and so I had to trek around the city with Eva to the Apple store and another computer store one Monday. They first told me it was the hard drive and that it could cost up to $500 to retrieve our data since we hadn’t backed it up. Thankfully it was NOT the hard drive and everything got fixed promptly. As soon as we got it back, we backed it allllll up! It was a rough day though. The computer, and then a smoothie spilled all over the stroller and my diaper bag which was really gross and stinky. But my child was great that day and we treated ourselves a bunch so I wouldn’t have a breakdown in the middle of Manhattan.
We walked around through Central Park this weekend. I’ll never get over that place. It’s so gorgeous and absolutely charming. I know I’m turning into my mom though because I kept singing and dancing to songs from Enchanted. How can you not?
This is from a month ago or so, but I forgot to post it. We went to Central Park one Saturday and just played on the lawn all day. It was perfect.
Panera recently opened up in our mall (woohoo!). I tried going the day it opened but it was too busy, so I went on Saturday morning before the rest of the mall opened. Ashley was there doing the same thing! We had a good laugh about running into each other.
I made tiny sandwiches for Eva to get her to eat her lunch. Worked for a day, but since then she hasn’t been excited about the idea.
More blog posts coming up of the Staten Island Ferry, Coney Island, and Broadway in Bryant Park!
I’ve had something on my mind a lot lately. In Utah, it was never an issue, but since moving to the NYC area, it comes up almost every time I’m out in public and talk to a stranger. Let me paint a scenario for you:
(Eva and I check out at the grocery store and the cashier and I make friendly chit-chat)
Cashier: (Looking at Eva) She is so cute… how old is she?
Me: She’s almost three!
Cashier: Wow! So… (I see her trying to calculate the numbers in her head) are you her nanny?
Me: hahaha, no, I’m her mom.
Cashier: Oh, really? You look to young to be a mom.
Me: haha uhhhh yep!
At this point in the conversation, depending on the day and what mood I’m in, we will either finish the transaction in awkwardness or I will say (this is my most popular reply as of late even though it’s complete BS): I look younger than I really am. Which, who am I kidding, nope… I definitely look my age, which is 25, which to most non-mormons is young.
Anyway, like I said. This happens all the time. At least once a week. At the park. At the mall. In the subway. They may not ask if I’m the nanny, but most of the time the person tells me word for word, “You look too young to be a mom.”
I’ve told a couple people about this and they said I need to take it as a nice compliment because they’re just telling me that I look youthful.
Well, it would be a nice compliment if I was old and they thought I looked youthful. But here’s the deal, guys. I AM young, in the world’s eyes (especially in NYC’s eyes). I am in my mid-twenties. I am not the normal age of a mother out here. And guess what. I know it may seem BIZARRE to the rest of you New Yorkers and Jersey Folk, but I CHOOSE THIS LIFE!
I just want to explain myself to the blogosphere, because I can’t fully explain it to the cashier at CVS or the man sitting next to me on the subway giving me a judging glance with my kid who apparently could be my baby sister.
I chose it. I wanted it. There are times that are hard and may not seem like it’s worth it to the outsiders. But to me. To my loving husband. It is exactly right. And you know what, we love it.
We love it. Honestly, how could you not? Look at this darling girl! She is everything to us!
So, why? Why is it looked at so differently out here? I don’t know if it’s necessarily looked down on but I know it’s definitely strange to most people! Sometimes I feel like people my age in NYC are looking at me like, Bless your heart. (Which we all know really means… You’re out of your mind and I’m not sure why you thought this was a good idea.)
When I see those people, I just want to stand up in the middle of Madison Square Park and scream… You just don’t know! You really don’t. Because motherhood… chasing my child around the park, changing her diaper in the stroller, singing Row Row Row your Boat a hundred times, all this that looks like craziness to you, this right here… has changed my life.
Maybe I should print this blog post out and hand it to people when they tell me I look too young to be a mom. What do you think? No… they will just think I’m even crazier! Haha! I’ll never win these NYC people over!
PS-I’m not saying everyone needs to be a young mom! Heck, I’m not saying everyone even needs to be a mom. What I AM saying is that becoming a young mom was the right decision for me and I know it is a huge blessing!
Have I talked about my love of the financial district to you all before? T.J. says it’s “too shiny” whatever the heck that means. Well, I think it’s perfect. I’d love to live down there. A two bedroom down there is about $7000/mo. though, so until the CEO of Johnson & Johnson hands the company over to T.J., we’ll just have to settle for visiting that area. Fortunately, it’s just a hop away from where we live and so we do visit that part of Manhattan quite often. I had heard about the new Brookfield food court from a couple of friends, so we decided to go there on our date last weekend. I got a burger and T.J. got sushi. We sat and watched the sailboats on the Hudson as we ate… perfect. Next time you visit NYC, go to Brookfield!
Afterwards we went and saw the new movie 100 Foot Journey. It’s about an Indian restaurant that sets up shop in a little French town. It was clean, beautifully shot, funny, and charming. One of my favorites for sure. Go and support the movie! It’ll make you want Indian food, though… I had to make curry for dinner that weekend! Delicious.
Friday was our last full day with my mom. In the afternoon, we pushed Eva on the bike all the way over to Hoboken which was about a mile and a half. Ate lunch, looked through Anthropologie, and got free 7/11 slurpees!
Eva was a champ with the bike that day! I was certain she’d get sick of the bike and I’d end up having to carry her the whole way home. But she pedaled the whole time! And when we got home, she wanted to keep riding around the apartment.
We met T.J. in the city for dinner at Bare Burger and then walked around Washington Square Park. Eva wanted to throw in all the coins we could possibly find. Good thing I didn’t have my laundry quarters with me or I’d be in trouble! How can you say no more coins to a girl who’s that cute?!
Well, that wraps up the Nana Series! Clearly, we had a great time and Eva keeps asking me where Nana went. I so wish my dad could have made it this trip but hopefully we will be seeing him later this summer or fall! Now the other Grandma and Grandpa need to visit too 😉 !
Wednesday, we went down to the financial district to buy some half price Broadway tickets! We totally scored some tickets for Phantom later that night on the 7th row! Eva splashed at the Imagination Park next door, then we site saw a bit. It was fun to show my mom Seaport, Wall Street, Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Church, and the 9/11 Memorial. I love that area of NYC so much!
Later that evening, my mom and I headed back into the city to see our show. But on the way, we walked through Bryant park and then stopped by the library so she could see the ABC exhibit.
I’ve only seen Phantom of the Opera as the movie that came out ten years ago and listened to old soundtracks but I had never seen it on Broadway. It was SO incredible. The cast was excellent… I still am not over it. Ah! So great!
I’m going to copy Danica by writing down my summer bucket list. July is in a WEEK… WHAT?! Wasn’t I just watching another snow storm blow in? Where is this year going? Anyway, that being said, I want to make a list of all the things I want to do this summer. We may not be here next summer (probably will be, but you never know) so I’ve got to live it up!
Here’s a little throwback Thursday photo for you. This was taken about a year ago. Eva looks like a little baby!
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