v.2

So Tuesday afternoon we headed over to Lancaster. It should have taken 1.5 hours but I was a bad navigator and steered us the wrong way (google maps can be a little confusing). Since we made it in 2 hours, the misstep was not too bad. We stayed at the Fulton Steamboat Inn. It was very cute! They had a playground and a duck pond right in front and Sienna was perfectly content with playing in the playground. At this hotel they gave us an air mattress as their rollaway and when we saw that, we were both like DOH! Why didn’t we think of that? We have 2 at home! It worked out perfect until Yves realized it was deflating during the night. So she ended up sleeping in the other Queen bed in the room. We left the air mattress on the side of her bed in case she fell out (which she did on the last night although we are still not sure it wasn’t on purpose.)

We ended up at a Thai restuarant for dinner because I refused to go to Olive Garden or Ruby Tuesdays. I did not want to eat at chain restaurants that we can go to at home! It ended up being really good. Sienna was used to getting crayons at all the restaurants we’ve been to so when the hostess didn’t give her any, she looked a bit confused and told her, ‘crayons!’ Sienna actually ate her dish of chicken satay. We took a dip in the pool and jacuzzi later that evening.

Yeah I know, I didn’t get waffles but this was the best bacon, egg and cheese on a biscuit I have ever had!

Yves’ waffle

Sienna waiting for some waffle

Wednesday after a delicious breakfast at the Waffle House (I don’t despise all chains!),  we headed out to the Amish Village. Yves was very interested in learning about the Amish people and since I hadn’t been to Lancaster since probably college, I didn’t mind learning about it either. It started out with a tour of a typical house they would live in. Sienna was very good. After the tour, we got to roam around and we saw horses, chickens, rabbits and turkey lurkey! We learned a lot! Then I was really interested in taking an Authentic buggy ride. There were actually quite a few places advertised for that so I picked the place I had a coupon for, Aaron and Jessica’s. I was a little disappointed to see wagons but they did have a few buggys that we had to wait for about 30-40 minutes for! We ended up riding with one other family. It was cute although not what I thought it would be. We basically went around a block. A large country block.

At the Amish Village

Bunnies!

Aaron was our buggy driver

After about 5 minutes, Sienna was ready to get off the ride. LOL. It’s a good thing it was just around the block! We were going to head to lunch but then realized Sienna was super tired, it was 1:30 so we headed back to the hotel and she slept for almost 3 hours! We had an early dinner at the Family Cupboard (recommended by Aaron the buggy driver). We ordered off the menu instead of getting the buffet and it wasn’t bad. At least I got some PA dutch food. We went back in to the pool and jacuzzi later that evening.

There was some debate about whether we were going to stay Thursday night. I forgot that I had booked 3 nights in Lancaster and didn’t realize it until we got there. All along I thought it was just 2 nights and we were going to head home Thursday after some sight seeing. We decided to stay. So Thursday after another delicious breakfast at the Waffle House, we headed to downtown Lancaster. There was some advertising that made it seem like a quant little area but my main reason was to go to the Fractured Prune. Well, we didn’t get to explore very much as street parking was hard to find. The meters cost 25 cents for 12 minutes!! So I suggested getting some donuts for later and heading to the Strasburg Railroad, which I had wanted to do but they didn’t open until 11 so it worked out anyway. We took the 11 am train ride. I don’t know if we are just jaded New Yorkers but I was a tad disappointed in the ride. It boasts a 45 minute train ride through the Lancaster country side. Basically, it was 20 minutes 1 way, 5 minutes to move the engine to the other side, and then going back 20 minutes. So it was just a straight line. I always like trains and railroads so that kinda sucked.

The Lancaster countryside

We got the open air breezy car, which was exactly that so that was nice!

Sienna was more excited to ride this 50 cent train.

For dinner on the last night, we went to Cracker Barrel.  I don’t know why but I have this soft spot for Cracker Barrel. I think I’ve only been there about 3 or 4 times in my life but whenever I pass one or see a sign for one, I always get excited. Sienna actually ate the mac and cheese we got for her and my BBQ pork was pretty good. Yves got a chef salad as he was beginning to feel the weight of the vacation eating!

We left Friday morning at around 10, after a delicious breakfast at the Waffle House (again!) and made it home in under 3 hours with a quick rest stop. I know it may sound like I didn’t have a good time but I did and I’m glad we went. I wonder if Sienna will remember this trip?

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So the first part of our trip was Sesame Place. As I mentioned in the previous post, I was sick! I felt something in my throat during the drive down but didn’t think anything of it. It didn’t dawn on me until later that night that I was getting sick. GRRRR. We grundingly went to Chili’s for dinner as the choices for dining were limited to chain restaurants. The service was very slow and then food was just ok. The next morning we went to IHOP for breakfast and a quick stop to Walmart for cold meds and some misc. things we forgot. Since the park opened at 10, we weren’t concerned and we got there about 10 after. There was a big line! Several other families had the same idea of getting there at opening and there were a backlog of people waiting to get in. That was annoying and we must have waited about 20 minutes (although it felt longer.)

I went on the Merry Go Round ride first with Sienna. Then Yves rode the airplane ride. Those went well but then there were a couple of things she did not enjoy. This net climbing thing and this bouncy thing (I think only because she wanted us to bounce with her but we weren’t allowed or maybe because she saw Elmo and wanted to go see him.) Lunch wasn’t very memorable and Yves thought we should leave after lunch so Sienna could get her nap in. I was hoping to get more activities in to get our money’s worth but because I was also lacking in energy from being sick, I succumbed.

Sienna helps Yves push our crap into the Marriot hotel

We were concerned about where Sienna was going to sleep on this trip but the pull out couch worked out. Until the 2nd night when her diaper leaked all over her pj’s and she ended up in the king bed with us. It actually worked out ok even though she was edging us both out!

We made it!

It was hard to get a good shot of them on the ride!

Sienna did not like this thing.

Or this!

The 2nd day went well. The line to get in didn’t seem as overwhelming. Since I was sick I had to bow out of the water rides so Yves went on this water tube ride with Sienna. She loved it! But then she was shivering for a bit afterwards. It was warm but a bit breezy.So we ended up not going on anymore water rides. It just didn’t work out. Me and Sienna did go on this up and down ride that was really fun! Yves was hesitant and wasn’t sure if she would like it but she loved it! She wanted to go see Elmo again so we went back to the photo area. It was Abby and Elmo again like the day before yet she was still just as excited to see them as she was the day before. We also got to see an Elmo World Live show, which she enjoyed. We left around 2 to head to Lancaster and Sienna fell asleep on the way over.

Looking for Elmo!

Driving a fire truck on Sesame Street

At the Elmo’s World Live show.

Reading over what I just wrote, it sounds like I am complaining a lot and didn’t have a good time. Besides being sick, I did enjoy myself but I’m mostly happy that Sienna enjoyed herself. I feel she is still a tad bit young for the park and when we go back next summer, it will be a lot more fun. But I am glad we went!

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Water Tube Ride from Lisa on Vimeo.

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We’re back from vacay! I don’t have as many photos to look through (compared to other vacations) but wanted to quickly post up these “gems.” I’ll post more about the vacation later but in a nutshell, it was generally a nice time. I got sick with a cold the first night there so my energy level wasn’t at what I would have wanted it to be! The first half was Sesame Place and then we went off to Lancaster. I just wish I wasn’t sick! Blah!

She was excited to meet Big Bird but he had “to go pee” so she didn’t get to officially meet him. She did keep yelling out HELLO BIG BERD! But Abby came out to replace him!

But she was really excited to meet ‘DA MAN!’

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The moment right after this, the sand went into her mouth. UGH!

Since Yves had off on Friday, we decided to finally head out to the beach. I am not a big beach person (I get restless) and Yves is a beach snob (after being at the beach where he grew up in Jamaica, I can’t blame him!) But a few moms had recommended Riis Park, a beach I haven’t been to since probably high school when I rode my bike there! We decided to give it a shot since Sienna loves the beach and playing in the sand. It was fun! The water was a bit cold but you got used to it and Sienna loved running in and out of it with us. In between water excursions, we tried to get Sienna to build sandcastles with us (mostly so we can rest! HA) It wasn’t as easy to get her to do that. She would knock down any castles we put up and basically kept wanting to go back in the water.

We would definitely go back as it is so close to our house. It was a nice time although we didn’t see any showers on the boardwalk. There must be some there and probably just missed where they were. We spent about an hour and a half there and stopped by Golden Krust to pick up some patties for lunch. We left at the right time as a thunderstorm came just as we were getting home. It only lasted about 20 minutes tho.

Walking to the water

In the water

Running from the water

Sienna babbling away while building sand castles

No Sienna, we don’t put the shovel in our mouths! sigh…

Side by side play

Squashing one of daddy’s castles

Singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Trying to do a headstand in the sand!

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Twinkle Star at the Beach from Lisa on Vimeo.

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For Nico’s 3rd birthday:

Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba and an N pillow where his name is supposed to glow in the dark.

For Elanor’s first birthday:

An E pillow and my first ever stuffie, the Wee Bunny from Wee Wonderfuls

For some swaps:

A pencil roll for a July birthday swap for a 10 year old.

Embrace your Geekness day as part of the Wacky July Holidays swap. My partner loves bowling so I carved this from my clip art book. She also loves to play cards so make her this pouch for Stay Out of the Sun day:

This was for another birthday swap for Cancers:

She is a Texan living in Chicago so I thought it would be fun to print out these shots I took in Chicago with my holga. I bought her the funky purple fabric and included a card. I also made her a Mexican skull wristlet that I forgot to photograph but she has it on her flickr page!

And these were made just because:

Yves humored me and let me crochet him an apple cozy as he brings apples to work every day.

I’ve been wanting to make this crochet bead bracelet for awhile and finally sat down to do it. Summer is here and in the hot weather, I can’t stand to wear necklaces so wanted to compensate by wearing bracelets. I got the pattern from futuregirl’s blog. Her wrists are smaller than mine as I followed her instructions to the T and it was too short for my wrists. Since I already strung on the beads, the last few rows had to go beadless as you can see from the last photo. I don’t mind.

I also made a pencil roll for Sienna using Snoopy fabric that I haven’t downloaded from my camera and a new messenger bag that I haven’t photographed yet so there is still more to come! I just love making things!

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Nico had a birthday party to celebrate his 3rd year here on the 20th of June. It was to be in Owl’s Head park but the weather wasn’t cooperating. Geneva was kind enough to offer her house as an alternative. The kids played pin the tail on the donkey but I think they mostly enjoyed getting tattoos! Starr made birthday cupcakes and pizza was ordered. It was a nice day despite the rain.

Sienna and Phoenix playing ball and not minding the rain.

Phoenix showing off her tats

Sienna getting her 2nd tattoo by Diana, the ‘tattoo artist’

Sienna and Phoenix going to show off their tattoos to the pizza delivery guy!

The rest of the birthday cupcakes

And Nico opening some presents

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The Singing Frog from Lisa on Vimeo.

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Wednesday I had the worst moment as a mom in my 27 months as a mom. The worst! In the morning we were shopping at BJ’s with my parents to get the stuff for the BBQ. She was acting a bit whiney and a little clingy with me and would only spend a few minutes with my parents before running to me. Shopping took a little longer than I wanted it to so the whole schedule was off. My dad cooked lunch and we ate downstairs. When we were finished, me and Sienna headed upstairs and at the same time, UPS came with a big heavy package for Yves. So I was trying to hustle the box up the stairs, get Sienna up the stairs and get Skippy inside as well and since we were behind schedule, trying to do it fast. I asked Sienna to close the door for me since I had the box. Well, she was hemming and hawing (which she is known to do) and just playing around with the door. And I know she knows how to close the door, she’s always doing it when you don’t want her to! Well, I got impatient and told her to come in and I went to close the door. She started crying after that. I thought she was crying because she wanted to close the door and I ended up doing it (which she is also known to do). So I went up the stairs with the box and let her cry it out and told her she could close the door another time, it’s no reason to cry. Well, she just continued bawling and I was like jeez, she must be really tired! What’s her problem? She usually doesn’t cry this long when she finally came up the stairs holding up her left hand. Ended up I closed the front door on her middle left finger!!!! And what I feel the most terrible about is that I didn’t even know it! Here I am scolding her for crying over nothing when she most certainly crying over something! And something so painful! She had a cut on her finger and her tip was all black and blue. She probably got the cut from pulling out her finger from the door jam since I was so oblivious about it. I felt the worst I have ever felt! I couldn’t believe I dismissed her like that and I took her for granted. Sure I feel bad about closing the door on her finger but that was nothing compared to the fact that I ignored her cries. She cried for a good half an hour (at least), the longest she ever cried about anything. After I cleaned it up and put a band-aid on, I rocked with her in her room where she ended up falling asleep. Now with that idle time as I am sitting there with her, I was just replaying the whole scene and I just started bawling myself. Real gobs of tears because I just felt so bad about it. Thinking, how could I have done this to her? I bawled some more when Yves came home (turns out I was PMSing too!) She seemed fine when she finally woke up from her nap. She told Yves that Mommy was crying today. Awww.

I’m never going to dismiss her cries again, that’s for sure!

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I’m way behind on my posts once again. So I thought I would work on the current then go backwards. Saturday was the Toddler Take Over BBQ! I finally decided to go ahead and invite all of Sienna’s playdate friends over to our house. I always hesitate to do that since the majority of our playdates are in Bay Ridge so that means most of them would have to rely on public transportation to head over. But to my surprise, people were saying yes and before I knew it, 27 beings were coming over! (I say beings because the number includes adults, toddlers and babies). Initially I was in shock and started stressing about how we were going to fit all those people back there. And since they have never been over, I didn’t want them to have the incorrect notion that we had this big, beautiful backyard (which we so do not!) But Yves reminded me that these were nice, easy going people that go with the flow of things. Eventually I stopped stressing and got super excited about it. Eventually it ended up being less with some last minute cancellations so it worked out! The kids loved the kiddie pool and the sand/water table was a big hit as well as the sprinkler ball. All the guests loved the burgers (yay Bubba!) and hot dogs. I made homemade ice cream (vanilla with banana and strawberries), black and white cupcakes (in honor of Michael Jackson, solely coincidence!) with either chocolate frosting or butterscotch and blueberry slab pie. We have a lot of food leftover because everyone was so generous with bringing stuff! There was antipasto, guacomole and baked ziti from Geneva! Cole slaw from Starr, empanadas from Diana, fruit salad from Yan Ling, yummy veggie sticks from Michele…I hope I didn’t leave anyone out!

I shot film so I don’t have any digital shots but borrowed a couple from Yves.

Sienna with Phoenix, Nico and Ethan. Dakota, Sophie and babies Casey and Sylvie not shown.

Sienna enjoying her cupcake! There’s the blueberry slab pie!

Eating!

And here are some baking shots:

The Blueberry Slab Pie is from Martha Stewart’s baking handbook. I made the dough too! I had to do it in 2 batches because my food processor isn’t big enough to hold all the flour. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out but people enjoyed it. I think the biggest hit was the ice cream. I don’t have a shot of that!

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It happened today. The inevitable. Sienna climbed out of her crib during naptime. We came back from the Little Gym, stopped and had some pizza for lunch and true to form, she fell asleep in the car blocks from home. She usually wakes up by the time we get up the stairs. I play it by ear whether to put her straight into the crib (which usually doesn’t work) or let her hang for a few minutes before mentioning nap time. She was all whiney, tired whiney when we got up the stairs and asked for froggie and to take her nap. Great! No brain function necessary, nap it is!

I was in the computer room when half an hour after I put her down, I hear her babbling. Great, she’s up but I ignore her hoping she will doze off again or at the very least just tell her to go back to sleep. Next thing I hear is the air filter shutting off! I run over to the door and see Sienna running down the hall into the living room. With froggie. Sigh.

I tried reasoning with her and told her that if she wanted to get out, she should call for Mommy. I told her naptime wasn’t over and put her back in. I told her to lay down and close her eyes and she did and cuddled up with froggie. I went back on the computer but this time, I left the door open. Sneaky devil did it again but this time stayed in her room!

Sigh.

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I can’t believe I forgot to post about seeing Doves at Terminal 5 on the 4th with Joy and Pete! My photos came out on the darker side and at the time was lazy to fix them, which is probably why I forgot about it. The show was good. They have a new album out, that none of us have, so the majority of the show were new songs we weren’t familiar with. Of course the band and the crowd really picked up at the encore when they played a bunch of familiar songs. We got there around 9:15 and they were already playing. I’m pretty sure they just started. We walked out of there at about 10:45.

Prior to the show, we met up for dinner at a Mexican place called Tulcingo del Valle. It’s a small little place but their menu was pretty large. I got overwhelmed and ended up ordering mixed fajitas to get a little bit of everything. It was just ok. Paled in comparison to Joy’s and Pete’s dishes! Joy got tripe soup and chicken molé and Pete got fried pork skin in a green sauce. We also got an order of Texan style nachos that included delicious pickled carrots that were hotter than the jalapenos! (I forgot to take a photo of that!) Would definitely go back there and this time not order the fajitas! And you know it’s authentic when there is no sign of sour cream!

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