Dia De Los Muertos.

Dia De Los Muertos is becoming easier for me to celebrate. I love that I can remember our loved ones on this day. Particularly my mom and Joe. Including those who I was closest to growing up. My ofrenda isn't big at all and I don't go all out on making one. And that's okay. It's probably a good thing because that shows how many deceased people I know. I miss my mom everyday and think of her all the time. I cry for her at random times and sometimes they are happy tears and sometimes they are sad. But at the end of the day I want to celebrate her life and not be in mourning all the time. It's still hard though. Especially when her birthday creeps up and mothers day comes. Those are the hardest days. Not to mention the holidays. She LOVED Christmas and it is almost here. But I will remember her as the woman who did her best in making our Christmases special. We didn't have many, but the two I remember I will always cherish them and keep them etched in my mind for always. 

Summer Solstice in Times Square!

It has been one heck of a first six months into the year and some days I lack motivation to do anything with all that is happening in the world. I haven't had the will to blog or share anything online lately which is why I'll be sharing some the things Ive done to keep me sane from the last two weeks of June. 

Yoga....

Dia De Muertos In Times Square.

 

Dia De Los Muertos in Times Square. This day hit hard and so differently compared to past Dia De Muertos. Mourning my mom is still ongoing. Grief continues to sneak in on me but at the end of the day I celebrate her memory knowing that she is with me. Two of the most important and amazing people in my life have left this world. I miss them both so much but happy that they are together again. The offrendas were exquisite and elaborate. So beautiful. I love this tradition and will continue to remember those who have passed on. But especially my mom and Joe.

Summer Solstice!

 

Yoga in times square has become a summer solstice tradition and tonight Jon and I did the last class and it was quite a workout! I absolutely love yoga and need to do it more often than once a month! I love how it calms my mind, body and soul. Jon and I both really needed this time tonight for ourselves, for our minds, and our bodies. But most of all for our mental health. Jon loved it so much that he is going to reserve this day for us and take summer solstice off every year. And Noah has agreed to come with us next year too. Chelsea is my yoga girl but she isn't here so of course I dragged Jon along and he was so into it! Cheers to a wonderful summer ahead!

That One Time There Was a Ferrris Wheel In Times Square!

Last summer was the best and I swear we ventured out all over the city more than actual traveling. That's what happens when you live near a city where there is so much art, pop up shops, installations, museums, parks, playgrounds, and great places to eat! While walking through Times Square we stumbled upon this Ferris wheel on the day we took our family photos and it was worth every dollar! It was so cool to see the views of times square from above and just the ride itself was relaxing. So far this summer we've done a bit of adventuring and hope to travel more too. Maybe stay close to home. It's nice to experience so much but at the same to it's nice to relax and not feel the need to post, or share too much of what we do online. So don't be surprised if you don't see my blog or Instagram squares with our life! 

Summer Solstice - Yoga In Times Square!

 

20 years ago yoga in Times Square started out with three people and today there were at least 100 or more people (and a ton of onlookers) LOL! They gave out free yoga mats and smart water and although we were laying on the dirty streets of Times Square it absolutely was the best and so fun! (thankful for the yoga mats!)

Great way to start our summer solstice with experiencing yoga in the city with my Chelsea girl on International Yoga Day! And as you can see from these photos she is more of a pro and is a lot more flexible than I am. Ahhh...to be a teen again! 

"Come From Away" And A Little Date In Washington Square Park!

Oh how I've fallen in love with Greenwich. I don't care how much reefer I smell while walking through Washington Square park. I think positive thoughts all the time and just walking through New York city streets I feel nothing but bliss. I am always reminded of the movie August Rush when I walk through the arch. Jon can see how much I love this city and how I treat it. I treat it with love and give her the confidence that I have built to have. Especially at my age with grey hair and all! Love it love it! I love that New York is filled with hidden gems and I don't mind having our date nights in this area. Like all the time! With the weather getting warmer (although pretty windy on this day) the streets of the city are alive once again and it's bring everyone outside. I mean if you look at these pictures you'll see why I prefer date days and nights in the city as opposed to my hood in Jersey! 

Stranger Things Pop-Up Store In Times Square!

For Noah's 12th birthday we had a little celebration in Times Square where a slice of chocolate fudge  from Juniors was his "birthday cake" and then we explored the Stranger Things pop-up store. It was the coolest installation and all the merchandise they sold took me back to the 80's where I wish my kids would experience that era. They had an arcade where Noah played old school video games that reminded me of my childhood and after leaving the store and re-watching the series stranger things for the third time I feel that the kids are hooked on the 80's. The Upside Down was pretty cool too! You can watch a little video I made on Tiktok here. It was the best and cheapest gift for Noah and he had such a fun time. We also had dinner at Hard Cafe per Noah's request and it was tasty. We hadn't been since Noah was a baby so it was nice going back to a nostalgic, familiar, touristy place from when we first moved here. Such a fun evening and I wish it didn't end. 

May All Our Confetti Wishes Come True!

 

It's hard to believe that the year has pretty much come to an end. This year has certainly been an emotional one filled with highs and a zillion lows but I know this. We can be optimistic on what the new year brings and remember all the wishes that were made while writing them down on confetti paper. So thankful for this moment knowing that NYC went through so much at the beginning of the pandemic. Here's to better times in the new year and for all our wishes to come true! Thank you Times Square for making it possible for everyone all over the country to make a wish. We may not be present when the ball drops but we know that all our dreams, desires, and wish will be floating in the air in hopes that miracles and dreams will come true! Happy New Year's Eve everyone! 

Gulliver's Gate.

We thought we could brave the freezing temps when we went to the city the other day, but boy were we wrong! It's a good thing we did the whole Rockefeller tree/seeing Santa at the plaza walking around the streets of New York before this arctic mass hit! Nonetheless we always make the best of our day in the city even when it's bitter cold! 

Visiting Santa At The Plaza, & Other Christmas Festivities!

Durign the holidays we try to fit in as many activities as we can especially since Noah is getting older but then I realize that it's the simplest things that matter. As much as we'd like to see "Elf" or "the nutcracker" there is so little time, and not enough Saturdays in the month of December. Jon's work keeps him extremely busy during the holidays especially when it gets closer to Christmas but I've gotten used to it which probably isn't a good thing, but at least we have our weekends to venture out to enjoy some of the Christmas festivities---especially in the city. 

Light The World '17

The Light The World campaign has been a huge blessing in my life, and in the lives of our children. Especially when one has had a rough year. Luckily we can clean it up and finish the year off with lighting the world not only for our families, but for others as well. There are so many people out there who can use some light in their life, and it's not too late too start. I love the scripture that is written for that day as well, and I have to admit when I watch the videos I tear up a bit!

Kellogg's NYC In Times Square.

It seems that the only time I'll take pictures around Times Square is when I have company visiting me, but because it's been a while since I've taken any with the kids I decided why not! They are getting older, and it's nice to see photos of them as they grow throughout the years. Especially in a city we absolutely love. We've been there so much that I feel it's unnecessary to capture every New York moment especially in a place that is so touristy, but because the Kellogg's store is located in the middle of times square we decided to venture out, get some sugar in our tummies, and take in some of the sights. 

Free Hugs In The Middle Of Times Square.

The day before Sierra decided to take off we went on a spontaneous trip to new york, and made the best of the little time we had left to spend with her.