I Hate Leaving New York.

The city still continues to surprise me every day. 

How you may ask? 

A city like New York, where everything is moving all the time at this constant driving pace right?

It’s like a living organism breathing and changing, and overtime your relationship to it becomes like this incredible romance. At first it’s intoxicating, irresistible and then slowly it becomes comfortable and safe. You have this cellular connection to it, as if you’ve known each other forever. Like your oldest happiness, and sometimes you’re on the outs, and sometimes you’re making up. And every now and then you catch yourself in this transcendent moment where  you think to yourself, “oh my God, I’m madly in love with you. And I always will be.” 

And I think that’s when it surprises me.

I may not live here on the daily, but these are my sentiments exactly! I Hate Leaving New York. 

Miracles Do Happen! Harry Potter and The Cursed Child On Broadway!

When Noah and I walked into the Lyric theatre to have the usher direct us to the seats in the orchestra section we couldn't believe our eyes as we were walking closer and closer to the stage. Our jaws dropped when the usher said, "it's the last two seats in the front row." I was in shock and Noah sat down all chill while I was still trying to take in this moment at how close we were. We were lucky to have sat together because I heard when you win lottery tickets that chances are you won't sit together but the Gods were on our side and we were together and laughed and sat in awe as we watched this magnificent show. We made eye contact, saw how all the magic tricks were played and even saw spit and all! It was the best evening with my handsome boy and the best Christmas miracle gift ever received! 

A Disco Christmas At Industry City!

Can't believe we are already 12 days into December! Where has the time gone! Especially since I haven't blogged since the end of November. That just shows that I'd rather be offline taking in the moments of the Christmas season and just chilling. I love to write and journal but there are days when I'm just not in the mood and when I do journal/blog I have a lot of catching up to do. Plus, my hands begin to ache after typing for so long so eventually there will come a time when I most likely won't blog anymore. Who knows! But I do love this time of year and couldn't let time pass without blogging about my favorites in the city. We venture out so much in NYC that I love to take pictures of every art installation and epic Christmas decoration! On this day we went to industry city and the courtyard was all decked out with disco balls! Such a cool decoration. This courtyard in industry city always has the coolest holiday decor. Noah and I had a little photo shoot and it was the best!

Thankful For Novembers.

Can't believe this is the last day of November. Where did the past 11 months go! So much has happened this month. So many memories were made. It's amazing how fast time flies when you love the life you're in. Spending it with loved ones. Even when the season changes time goes by even faster. November was filled with so much goodness. From Noah's 13th birthday, to sticking with tradition by going to the Macy's thanksgiving day parade. 

96th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Not sure how many more parades we will attend in person but I'm hoping that we will continue to go even after the kids are grown up! Seeing the parade live in NYC is definitely a once in a lifetime thing to do especially if you are a New Yorker or live in the tristate area. People from all over the world travel to see this iconic event so anyone who lives close to the state of New York you have no excuse! GO! You will have so much fun and feel energized. Going to the parade despite our sleep depravation truly brings us joy and we always have a grand time cheering on those in the parade as well as making new friends along the way. It definitely is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

It's Thanksgiving Week!

Thanksgiving week has arrived here in NYC and we couldn't be more excited. Just looking at Tom Turkey atop the Macy's building in Herald Square definitely gets you in the holiday spirit and we are ready for it. But first, the Thanksgiving parade. We look forward to going and seeing it live. I'm sure the crowds will be crazy this year as opposed to years past but we've been going since 2012 so we are used to the crowds! I am so thankful for the blessing we have to be able to attend such an event and take in all the New York city moments while we are here. We absolutely love the city and cherish every nostalgic minute. Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving week whether your prepping for Turkey day, traveling or spending it with loved ones. Hope y'all keep it a simple and sweet-chillaxin' thanksgiving day!

When Fall Meets Winter...

 

Last weekend we explored Central Park and checked out the last of the fall foliage just in time before the leaves completely fell off. Fall is such a wonderful and beautiful season of vibrant colors yet it's very scarce. Just when you think you have enough time to get outside and check out the autumn leaves they are already pretty much greeting winter by slowly falling on the ground. Nonetheless we ventured out and walked and captured some fall moments. Even with the leaves on the ground Central Park in NYC is absolutely magical.

He's 13!!

Somehow our youngest and only boy is officially a teenager! I literally cried as I helped comb his hair this morning. There are days when he doesn't mind it but he had an alfalfa thing going on and couldn't help but to tear up a bit as he said, "Mom, I got this!" Ahhh! He has seriously grown up and I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. Independent. Brave. Fierce. He truly is our magical being. My solace. Our last teenager to raise. And I want him to know that he can do anything in this world. I'm in awe as I watch him grow and figure things out while navigating in this world. It's remarkable!

Grateful for this journey together. May we continue to raise you better each day. May you share your love in this world for the greater good. And just be yourself every day of your life.

Had so much fun taking pictures with our Jersey boy! Happy 13th birthday kiddo!  

Forever Grateful For Falls!

Now that Halloween is over and the month of October has passed I can now focus on November that includes my son's upcoming birthday! Can't believe how quickly time flies and that he will be an official teenager next week! So thankful for a new month that helps us to refresh and regroup. In spite of living in a time where there is STILL so much turmoil and despair in the world there is also beauty and light and so much to be thankful for. Family, fall foliage, the simple joys of life that include going on a walk. Happy November everyone! Let's hope the weather stays in the 60's for awhile so that the colors of fall linger a little longer!

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos!

Thankful for my ancestors who have lived and passed on and for this day in which we remember them. 

This past week there was a beautiful display of art done by Mexican artists celebrating Mexico week: the Dia De Los Muertos at Rockefeller Center. I went last year and it was so beautiful that I couldn't miss out on this years exhibit.

Such a fun and wonderful celebration of my heritage. To remember those who have lived and passed on and to know that they will always be a part of our memory even after they're gone. So glad I have passed this tradition on down to my children so that they can understand this day and reflect back on their loved ones.

Love all the sculptures here including this large jaguar sculpture (above photo) done by Cesar Menchaca. There's also an ofrenda, and a tianguis. This was the second year artists displayed their sculptures and if you happen to be in NYC next year please come and check them out. Each year there are different sculptures and they are indeed beautiful! So lucky to live near a sea of culture! And at the end of this post you can see a video of my daughter Lexie singing "Cielito Lindo" and this heartwarming video done by my oldest daughter Sierra.

Happy Halloween Witches!

Halloween week this week has been a little off but nonetheless the kids and I made the best of October. Despite our downfalls we've had whether it's with school or something personal we never let anything or anyone ruin our moment of family fun. This whole month has been fun venturing out to see all the wonderful halloween decorations in the city. Jon and Noah both decided to be Jason from Mortal Kombat (the game, not the movie) and we had so much fun walking around picking out different decorated stoops and town homes to take pictures. Sorry New Jersey but New Yorkers really know how to decorate! Plus-it's New York! I even did a little video in which you can see here on my tiktok.

Chelsea and Noah went out trick or treating and they brought home loads and loads of candy! One great thing about Jersey hoods is that they know how to distribute the good stuff! Candy that is! Although it began to drizzle around 7pm and then full on rain close to 7:30 the kids scored and we were home by 8pm. Not a bad Halloween evening for a tween and 17 year old. Now for some Halloween photos!!