Snow Day On The Beach!!

Last Friday we had a snow day off from school and it was the best! Noah was in heaven because this was the second snow day in a week! He is realizing that the older he gets the more tired he becomes especially when he goes to bed late waiting for dad to come home. 10:30 isn't super late but it is for an 8th grader and he needs his sleep! He's starting to realize that classes will be more challenging in highs school which means lack of sleep will increase. He loves sleeping in and is so different from his sisters. The girls would wake up on their own but I have to wake up Noah. He owns a smartphone that isn't hooked up but regardless if it's not hooked he needs to use it as an alarm. I don't mind waking him but he is going to be 15 later this fall and he needs to start being more responsible in waking up on his own, but these past snow days were a blessing for him! And for me too as I love spending time with this kid!

Noah's Winter Concert.

Time certainly flies and Noah's 8th grade winter concert was last week. Luckily there will be one more concert this spring and then that's it. I believe that my time for attending choir concerts in the future are over because Noah mentioned not wanting to do in choir in high school. To be honest- it's okay and although I'll miss my kids singing in front of an audience it'll be nice to not attend so many events in the next few years. On top of all the other things that I know high school will give him including continuing Boy Scouts, choir is his least favorite thing to do. He'd like to play a sport in high school. Particularly golf (not tennis insert tear here) and continue to play his guitar but I'm not that mom that tells him to be involved in every single club! Oh no I am not! I want him to enjoy high school and not feel stressed out. I'm also getting up there in age and need my rest too! LOL! Don't we all no matter what age!

A Day In Washington Square Park.

By now all of the trees in New York city have come down but oh lucky we were to have seen some of them. I know the Rockefeller tree gets all the hype and that's the main tree that tourists want to see but there's so many more trees in the city that one can see. I love the tree in Washington square park. It's always a must to see that tree one last time before they take it down. Noah and I had the chance to see it and then afterwards went to Madison park where we spend time eating shake shack and listening to playing jazz music. They were pretty good by the way. I love coming to the city this time of year when the crowds are gone and the weather wasn't too cold! Always a nice day spent with this kid. He's so simple and chill and if we lived here we'd go for walks everyday here! 

Taking Out The Tree.

I think this tree could have lasted as long as it did but on the second weekend of this month we decided to take it down and just barely put it out this past week for recycling to come pick it up. It's always so sad when this happens. There's something about Christmas tree lights that just brighten up the room let alone your whole life! Especially during long dreary winters but luckily I find other ways to light up my life and this kiddo who is still with me in the house lights up my world and helps me whenever I need it. He's the one that took out the tree outside. The snow does brighten up the mood and it was nice to be outside for like two minutes. It's freezing cold out! We were so lucky to have gotten a tree for free this past year and the size of it was perfect for our little home. So long tree (we didn't name it Lol) Until next Christmas.

Snow Day At Normandy Beach.

I forgot how it felt to be cold or shall I write freaking freezing cold!! Like BRRRRRR! We hadn't had a good snow storm or any winter storm for almost two years! So this week has been a clear reminder that old man winter is definitely here! We had a snow day and a delay in school this week so Noah and I went for a drive to Normandy beach to see if there was any snow on the beach. When we arrived it was all gone and the snow turned into rain but we were lucky to have had a break in between the rain to get down and capture a few photos...in black and white. The day was dreary and was in a black and white picture taking mood. I personally loved how they came out. I sure do miss film and taking pictures with a camera but I shot these with my iPhone and I loved every minute of these freezing moments! And so did Noah! 

Birthday Girls Celebrate Birthdays Together For The First Time In Five Years!

This past Monday Lexie and Chelsea celebrated their birthdays together for the first time in five years! It is so nice that they're both going to the same college, live about 10 minutes away from each other and that they celebrated their birthdays together. Such a blessing and by the looks of their Instagram story looked like they had a fun time getting their nails done and just celebrating it in the simplest way. Love their relationship in sisterhood and how thrifty they are. I did teach them you know! The special part of their birthday is being born on the actual day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I wrote about their birthdays here  when I first started this blog in 2011. I'll just rewrite what I wrote to them then on here again...

"Born on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday you two have resembled all of his characteristics, and I believe that is why y'all were both born on his birthday. You both are very strong willed, and are not afraid to use your voice. Especially you Chelsea! You two have the chance to wish upon something so great in your life that you'll hope it'll come true. The best part of living this life is that you can dream anytime, and anywhere. Dreams are what make our life interesting, and sometimes those dreams become your life. I don't ever want any of you to give up on your wishes, or on your dreams."

So grateful for these two lovely girl of ours. They sure have come a long way in what their goals are and hope that they achieve them in the future. They deserve only the best. 

Cheers to turning 19 and 24! May all your wishes and dreams come true girls! 

Happy 2024!

 

A little late wishing everyone a happy new year but here's to making more memories and relishing every moment with our loved ones. More adventures and not taking the little things for granted. Noticing the simple pleasures of life without documenting them online! Being offline more! Only certain moments should be shared! Nothing but positive vibes this year! Cheers to 2024!

The Last Week of December 2023!

There were so many grateful moments of my life this year but I have to say that this past week was the best and a great ending to 2023! 

I had all my kids home together and not only did they all catch up on sleep but we also had fun playing lots of games and just spending quality time together. We did manage to eat at canes, play chess, take a lot of BeReals, and Noah played his new guitar for us. He's getting better and better. He's been wanting a new one since he started lessons three years ago and I'm so happy that his big sis Sierra & Sawyer gifted it to him. There are a few more moments that I captured as you read and I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year ahead! May 2024 bring you nothing but joy and happiness! 

"What Will NY152 Say Today, I Wonder"

 

One thing for sure is that I'm really going to miss fall. Winter has arrived and I'm enjoying the temperatures because it hasn't been too cold...yet. It's been a great December so far and can't believe we have two days left in the month. I hear that we are going to be blanketed with a ton of snow this year. Last year we got zilch so maybe we will get hit hard this winter. I hope not but I honestly have kind of grown out of the snow phase. As my kids have gotten older along with me I just can't deal with too much cold. And because I'm going through menopause right now I get extremely hot so maybe winter this year won't be too bad for me. LOL! It's been a great December so far and can't believe we have two days left in the month. I do appreciate all the seasons especially when that first snow hits and grateful to live in an area where we get all four but it's nice to go outside with just a sweater on with no coat, and sit on the steps of Kathleen Kelly's brownstone and watch the city as people walk by! 

Christmas Morning.

 

I’ve never been so at ease than today knowing that these kids are all here at home with us happy and safe! That we can all be less stressed and sleep soundly for at least 10 days without any worry. And that is the best gift ever! Hearing the laughter and joy from them. Having my girls especially my youngest run towards me as I opened the door only to receive the biggest hug mixed in with immediate tears. And I cried too. I love, love this times of year and appreciate all their hard work that they do while they are away at college. And that makes me one heck of a proud mom. I wish they can all go to school close to me and not on the other side of the country, but I'm grateful that they have opportunities to experience life out of their comfort zone. I am extremely grateful that they all arrived safe and that they are all for the rest of the holiday season. Truly one of the best Christmases ever.

Christmas Eve Sunday.

Christmas this year has indeed felt a little different. Bittersweet different. This past Sunday we had one kid with us at church. Our girls flew in on a redeye Sunday evening and arrived early on Christmas morning. It was a beautiful time in spite of missing our three girls but we still kept this tradition of going to the Washington D.C. temple to see the Christmas lights. And they were beautiful as always. I love that we have temples close by so that we can have opportunities like this. They are constant reminders of the Savior and a wonderful refresher as to how we can start out the new year. Going to the temple truly renews the soul and helps me to live my life a bit easier. The spirit is wonderful and I'm so grateful to Him that plays the main role during the holiday season. Jesus is the reason for the season! Here's hoping y'all had a wonderful Christmas with those you love.