Sunday, 4 April 2010
Friday, 2 April 2010
Woo Hoo!!
Woo Hoo!! I have now had 100 views on my blog.
Admittedly, I think 92 of them are my m and d but it's a start.
Admittedly, I think 92 of them are my m and d but it's a start.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Here comes the sun!!
We have blue sky! Tuesday was the first day that we stayed in all day as the weather was horrendous. The wind was howling all night and the rain was trashing against the lounge window. All very dramatic. Yesterday we finally left the apartment and met Paul so we could go off and get my birthday pressie. Woo hoo! I also went to the busiest shop in the whole wide world ever - the M & M store- as I was on a mission for a friend (you know who you are!) I had no idea people would be so excited about chocolate. People were queueing to stand in a machine that would scan them and tell them their 'M & M' mood to tell them what colour to buy. Yes, they were actually queueing!!!!!
As you can imagine, it gets very busy here and navigating the crowds successfully is a talent. Navigating the crowds successfully with a buggy is an art form. I'm starting to get very cross with large groups of tourists who seem to gather on the street corners so you can't actually get up the kerb after crossing the road. My new tactic is just to walk right through them saying 'Excuse me' rather loudly in an uber assertive voice. Quite clearly I'm only confident enough to do this when I'm wearing my sunglasses. The other group of people are the dawdlers who work four across having a nice chat and seem unable to work in a straight line.
Today has been gloriously sunny and warm. Everyone is smiling. Manhattan just looks stunning with the buildings against a clear blue sky. I think I have found my spiritual home in the form of the 'Magnolia Bakery' which is near Radio City. They make all their cakes by hand on the premises (you can watch them) and you can buy a whole range of cakes, slices and the most beautiful iced cupcakes. I ended up with a slice of choclate cake with vanilla buttercream icing, key lime cheesecake and a double fudge brownie for Paul so he wouldn't feel left out. The most satisfying bit is that they put each bit of cake in paper in it's own little box. How satisfying is that? Happiness is definitely the Magnolia Bakery and I'm going to go there often as I can!
Boy Wonder and I have had two trips to the playground today (and he is there again right now!!) and I nearly made a friend but she had quite bad body odour so I had to move away. Boy Wonder loves going to the playground as it's full of small children. He spends the whole time pointing out the helicopters and aeroplanes to the children. He is becoming quite socialable and now waves at everyone whenever we leave a lift!
Really looking forward to the weekend. Paul has a half day and we have nothing planned for the whole weekend other than enjoying the sun. We are going to spend my birthday in Central park and Paul has even booked us a table for lunch. Can't wait! x
As you can imagine, it gets very busy here and navigating the crowds successfully is a talent. Navigating the crowds successfully with a buggy is an art form. I'm starting to get very cross with large groups of tourists who seem to gather on the street corners so you can't actually get up the kerb after crossing the road. My new tactic is just to walk right through them saying 'Excuse me' rather loudly in an uber assertive voice. Quite clearly I'm only confident enough to do this when I'm wearing my sunglasses. The other group of people are the dawdlers who work four across having a nice chat and seem unable to work in a straight line.
Today has been gloriously sunny and warm. Everyone is smiling. Manhattan just looks stunning with the buildings against a clear blue sky. I think I have found my spiritual home in the form of the 'Magnolia Bakery' which is near Radio City. They make all their cakes by hand on the premises (you can watch them) and you can buy a whole range of cakes, slices and the most beautiful iced cupcakes. I ended up with a slice of choclate cake with vanilla buttercream icing, key lime cheesecake and a double fudge brownie for Paul so he wouldn't feel left out. The most satisfying bit is that they put each bit of cake in paper in it's own little box. How satisfying is that? Happiness is definitely the Magnolia Bakery and I'm going to go there often as I can!
Boy Wonder and I have had two trips to the playground today (and he is there again right now!!) and I nearly made a friend but she had quite bad body odour so I had to move away. Boy Wonder loves going to the playground as it's full of small children. He spends the whole time pointing out the helicopters and aeroplanes to the children. He is becoming quite socialable and now waves at everyone whenever we leave a lift!
Really looking forward to the weekend. Paul has a half day and we have nothing planned for the whole weekend other than enjoying the sun. We are going to spend my birthday in Central park and Paul has even booked us a table for lunch. Can't wait! x
Monday, 29 March 2010
Out and about
Saturday was rather exciting as I was able to zoom around a few shops without the buggy. I went up and down all the escalators and squeezed myself through narrow gaps. The only thing I bought was a magazine to take to the theatre.
It was rather lovely going to the theatre on my own. When we lived in London, I went through a stage of going to the cinema alone on Saturday afternoons while Paul played football. The first film I saw was the 'Blair Witch Project' which looking backwas a bit of a random choice to watch alone. The second film I saw was 'the Sixth Sense' and I walked all the way home crying. After that I stopped going alone. However, I was more than happy at the theatre alone with my magazine and packet of Starburst.
The play ('A View From The Bridge') was absolutely fantastic. Scarlett Johannson was amazing (and gorgeous) but it was the man man, Liev Schreiber, who stole the show. If you are interested in what it was about you can google it but it left me with a lump in my throat. Luckily, I was able to compose myself before I walked back. The next theatre trip planned is with my brother in a couple of weeks when we are off to see Denzel Washington in 'Fences'.
Yesterday, we were going to explore part of the north of Long Island before going to spend the afternoon with Paul's boss and his family. Paul had been very organised and booked a hire car with a child seat through Hertz which we went to collect in the morning. They gave us the keys to the car and it was only when we found it we realised the child seat was loose. I spoke to the lady who said that they aren't allowed to fit the child seats anymore so we had to fit it ourselves following the instructions. Well, the 'instructions' turned out to be a sticky label on the side of the car seat. Now, both Paul and I have many talents but neither of us is particularly useful when it comes to being practical. We ended finding a member of staff who apparently was allowed to tell us what to do. That was when we found out that the car we had been given didn't actually have the correct fittings for the child seat. It took Paul a while to get the booking lady to realise that it wasn't unreasonable to assume that we would actually want the child seat to be fitted in the car so finally she offered us a different car. After being there an hour, the chap actually fitted the child seat in the new car just to get rid of us. The new car was the size of a bus. Paul filled me with confidence when he said, "Oh, I've never driven a car this big before." Oh good, I thought. The rest of the trip was more successful as we looked at a couple of potential places to move to, Great Neck and Port Washington. Boy Wonder was given a compliment by some people in a restaurant for being so well behaved and he spent the afternoon chasing after the cutest little dog ever.
Boy Wonder has learnt to say 'Wow' and says it at every available opportunity. He also does exaggerated 'Mmmm' sounds whenever he is eating. I'm thinking this may be to make me feel better about my cooking. He has a rather nice blue spotty tea set from Early Learning Centre and has been making tea for his teddies for a while now. He has now developed this skill further by pouring his water from his beaker into the cups and putting a cup of 'tea' on each of the bedside tables in Paul and I's room. Next week we are teaching him how to work the kettle.
You'll be pleased to know it's not all glam and fast living over here. It rained heavily today so I got as far as the supermarket and back and even had time to go down and do the laundry. It's due to rain again tomorrow so I doubt we will go too far. The weather is due to clear in the middle of the week and the temperatures going up. The forecast at the moment is 78 degrees in time for my birthday. Woo hooo!!!! I may just have to go shopping as the only clothes I have here are my winter ones. That makes shopping for new clothes a 'necessity' as opposed to a 'want'. And apparently that makes a difference ...... xx
It was rather lovely going to the theatre on my own. When we lived in London, I went through a stage of going to the cinema alone on Saturday afternoons while Paul played football. The first film I saw was the 'Blair Witch Project' which looking backwas a bit of a random choice to watch alone. The second film I saw was 'the Sixth Sense' and I walked all the way home crying. After that I stopped going alone. However, I was more than happy at the theatre alone with my magazine and packet of Starburst.
The play ('A View From The Bridge') was absolutely fantastic. Scarlett Johannson was amazing (and gorgeous) but it was the man man, Liev Schreiber, who stole the show. If you are interested in what it was about you can google it but it left me with a lump in my throat. Luckily, I was able to compose myself before I walked back. The next theatre trip planned is with my brother in a couple of weeks when we are off to see Denzel Washington in 'Fences'.
Yesterday, we were going to explore part of the north of Long Island before going to spend the afternoon with Paul's boss and his family. Paul had been very organised and booked a hire car with a child seat through Hertz which we went to collect in the morning. They gave us the keys to the car and it was only when we found it we realised the child seat was loose. I spoke to the lady who said that they aren't allowed to fit the child seats anymore so we had to fit it ourselves following the instructions. Well, the 'instructions' turned out to be a sticky label on the side of the car seat. Now, both Paul and I have many talents but neither of us is particularly useful when it comes to being practical. We ended finding a member of staff who apparently was allowed to tell us what to do. That was when we found out that the car we had been given didn't actually have the correct fittings for the child seat. It took Paul a while to get the booking lady to realise that it wasn't unreasonable to assume that we would actually want the child seat to be fitted in the car so finally she offered us a different car. After being there an hour, the chap actually fitted the child seat in the new car just to get rid of us. The new car was the size of a bus. Paul filled me with confidence when he said, "Oh, I've never driven a car this big before." Oh good, I thought. The rest of the trip was more successful as we looked at a couple of potential places to move to, Great Neck and Port Washington. Boy Wonder was given a compliment by some people in a restaurant for being so well behaved and he spent the afternoon chasing after the cutest little dog ever.
Boy Wonder has learnt to say 'Wow' and says it at every available opportunity. He also does exaggerated 'Mmmm' sounds whenever he is eating. I'm thinking this may be to make me feel better about my cooking. He has a rather nice blue spotty tea set from Early Learning Centre and has been making tea for his teddies for a while now. He has now developed this skill further by pouring his water from his beaker into the cups and putting a cup of 'tea' on each of the bedside tables in Paul and I's room. Next week we are teaching him how to work the kettle.
You'll be pleased to know it's not all glam and fast living over here. It rained heavily today so I got as far as the supermarket and back and even had time to go down and do the laundry. It's due to rain again tomorrow so I doubt we will go too far. The weather is due to clear in the middle of the week and the temperatures going up. The forecast at the moment is 78 degrees in time for my birthday. Woo hooo!!!! I may just have to go shopping as the only clothes I have here are my winter ones. That makes shopping for new clothes a 'necessity' as opposed to a 'want'. And apparently that makes a difference ...... xx
Friday, 26 March 2010
Family Dating
Family Dating. That was what they were discussing on the 'Today' show yesterday morning. At first I thought it was what you did if you were a single parent and wanting to meet a new partner who also had a family. Then I watched the short video and it was all woman talking so then I thought it was something to do with single parents wanting to meet a same sex partner. But I was wrong. Apparently, 'family dating' is what I should be doing!!!! It's when you actually 'court' another 'mom' with children and spend time together seeing if you get along and if your children get along. That is actually the language they were using. You 'court' each other and it also gave tips on how to deal with 'ending your relationship'. Holy Moly - I'm going to have to give this a little more thought. I mean, what should I wear to the park? Will I look too forward if I make the first move? Do I say 'I'll call you'? What if they don't call me back???
Yesterday morning Boy Wonder and I found found a fantastic playground in Central Park complete with huge sandpit (which we have since bought some toys for). Central Park is like an oasis of calm in the middle of the madness. For some reason it was even more busy than usual down Fifth Avenue. I have a new game which is called 'Spot the English Person'. They are the ones with a complete set of bags from Abercrombie and Fitch, NBA and Hershey's.
Unfortunately, the sunglasses haven't stopped weirdy beardy approach number 2. I was waiting at the traffic lights with a whole crowd of people when a man started rambling away to my left. Like everyone else, I just ignored him. Then all of a sudden he leaned into me and said 'I'm talkin' to you.' So everyine turned and stared. Thankfully, the light changed and I power-walked ahead. Brilliant, I thought, I've lost him. Now, those of you that have been to New York will know the roads are on a grid system and as soon as you get caught at one set of lights you will be stopping the whole way down. So there I was, making my great escape, until I was caught at the next light with rambling man rapidly approaching. You would have been very proud as I did a swift turn to my left and crossed the other junction instead. Maybe I should be wearing a hat as well as my sunglasses. Any more tips anyone (from anyone other than Sam D!)?
Talking of great escapes, we nearly had another one this morning. Normally after Paul leaves for work I turn the latches in the door. This morning, Boy Wonder was up earlier and sitting on my lap having a cuddle when Paul left and I forgot about the door (you can probably see where this is heading...) After breakfast I went in the bedroom and then I heard a noise. 'Oh, that sounds a bit like the door' I thought to myself. Panic immediately set in as I went in the hallway to see that, indeed, Boy Wonder had made a great escape. I opened the door to see him charging down the corridor with his little legs wobbling about in his nappy and stripey pyjama top. My first thought was that he did look quite cute. My second thought was that I was actually quite impressed that he knew how to open the door and the thought process behind his great escape. Of course, my last thought was that I am a slummy mummy and I've learnt a lesson there.
We had a quiet day and mooched around Bryant Park where Boy Wonder found a ramp to run up and down. We then went on a carousal where Boy Wonder made loud 'woo woo' noises and rather louder noises when he needed to get off.
Really pleased it's the weekend. Off to the theatre tomorrow. Can't wait. Might stop me thinking about the girls at Book Club on Sunday xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yesterday morning Boy Wonder and I found found a fantastic playground in Central Park complete with huge sandpit (which we have since bought some toys for). Central Park is like an oasis of calm in the middle of the madness. For some reason it was even more busy than usual down Fifth Avenue. I have a new game which is called 'Spot the English Person'. They are the ones with a complete set of bags from Abercrombie and Fitch, NBA and Hershey's.
Unfortunately, the sunglasses haven't stopped weirdy beardy approach number 2. I was waiting at the traffic lights with a whole crowd of people when a man started rambling away to my left. Like everyone else, I just ignored him. Then all of a sudden he leaned into me and said 'I'm talkin' to you.' So everyine turned and stared. Thankfully, the light changed and I power-walked ahead. Brilliant, I thought, I've lost him. Now, those of you that have been to New York will know the roads are on a grid system and as soon as you get caught at one set of lights you will be stopping the whole way down. So there I was, making my great escape, until I was caught at the next light with rambling man rapidly approaching. You would have been very proud as I did a swift turn to my left and crossed the other junction instead. Maybe I should be wearing a hat as well as my sunglasses. Any more tips anyone (from anyone other than Sam D!)?
Talking of great escapes, we nearly had another one this morning. Normally after Paul leaves for work I turn the latches in the door. This morning, Boy Wonder was up earlier and sitting on my lap having a cuddle when Paul left and I forgot about the door (you can probably see where this is heading...) After breakfast I went in the bedroom and then I heard a noise. 'Oh, that sounds a bit like the door' I thought to myself. Panic immediately set in as I went in the hallway to see that, indeed, Boy Wonder had made a great escape. I opened the door to see him charging down the corridor with his little legs wobbling about in his nappy and stripey pyjama top. My first thought was that he did look quite cute. My second thought was that I was actually quite impressed that he knew how to open the door and the thought process behind his great escape. Of course, my last thought was that I am a slummy mummy and I've learnt a lesson there.
We had a quiet day and mooched around Bryant Park where Boy Wonder found a ramp to run up and down. We then went on a carousal where Boy Wonder made loud 'woo woo' noises and rather louder noises when he needed to get off.
Really pleased it's the weekend. Off to the theatre tomorrow. Can't wait. Might stop me thinking about the girls at Book Club on Sunday xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
These boots are made for walking...
We have had a lovely couple of days and are started to feel more settled each day. Boy Wonder sleeping for 13 hours (!!!!) the two previous nights has probably had something to do with it. This morning was the first morning so far where I haven't woken up with a minging headache so fingers crossed it stays that way.
Paul got very excited on his way to work yesterday as he walked past a viking exhibition in Times Square. I think it's something to do with promoting the new 'dragon' film. I told him that I would take him to see the vikings if I had time as Boy Wonder and I had more exciting things planned. Toys R Us!
When you enter Toys R Us there is a huge ferris wheel and staff that take your 'welcome' photo. We managed to avoid them but then Boy Wonder got quite taken with a person dressed in a large giraffe costume who was apparently called Geoffrey. This was another photo opportunity so I found myself trying to make Boy Wonder smile while standing next to a six foot waving giraffe. Now, as you know, I happen to think Boy Wonder is rather gorgeous and he has the funniest laugh in the world. But only on his terms. When someone is trying to take his photo and saying 'Smile', he starts to look a bit like Les Dawson. Hence, our occasional nickname for him which is 'Chops'. After about five minutes, the poor photographer gave up trying and let us get on our way. Boy Wonder particularly liked looking at the ferris wheel, as one of the cars looks like the yellow and red 'Little Tikes' cars that he is obsessed with, and also waving at the large moving dinosaur.
After that we went to Fifth Avenue via the Rockefeller Centre. I can feel a slight obsession with the Rockefeller Centre coming on. And this isn't just to do with the toilets (rest rooms!). It has only taken a couple of days but I now have a route planned where I know where the toilets are where I can fit in with the buggy. Toys R Us. Rockfeller. FAO Schwarz. Now just need to find some when I head downtown. Some of you may not appreciate how important this finding is. But trust me, now I'm trying to blend in with the NY yummy mummies, complete with bottle of water permanently on the go, it's a necessity. (Paul says my new sunglasses make me look a proper NY yummy mummy and I am now recognised in the local corner shop so hopefully blending in) I seem to be walking miles and still haven't quite worked out which subways have lifts so I can get the buggy down. There are lots of parks dotted around so Boy Wonder can let off his steam and wear himself out (so he continues to sleep for 13 hours a night ;-) )
Have been pleasantly surprised at how much attention Boy Wonder gets over here. All of the staff here make a huge fuss of him and people smile at him all of the time and even ruffle his hair. A really old man helped me down some steps with the buggy today and I was slightly concerned he would injure himself. Luckily, Boy Wonder has perfected his waving, if not his smiling. Today, we met Paul in Bryant Park and Boy Wonder played near the fountain with a little girl the same age. He was rather taken with her and kept showing her his moves. This involved marching, bouncing, pointing at the water and sort of jumping. I was very proud.
I am still struggling with the supermarket. We have a store a couple of blocks away which seems to stock a wide range of stuff. However, most of the brands are unfamiliar and I'm finding it difficult to work out which is the healthy option or not. All of the tins seem to be HUGE. I have found the US equivalent of Sudocrem which is called 'Butt Paste' which amused me for hours.
Anyway, it's going to be a nice day tomorrow so heading off to Central Park. With my sunglasses. Now off to join Paul watching 'ANTM'. xx
Paul got very excited on his way to work yesterday as he walked past a viking exhibition in Times Square. I think it's something to do with promoting the new 'dragon' film. I told him that I would take him to see the vikings if I had time as Boy Wonder and I had more exciting things planned. Toys R Us!
When you enter Toys R Us there is a huge ferris wheel and staff that take your 'welcome' photo. We managed to avoid them but then Boy Wonder got quite taken with a person dressed in a large giraffe costume who was apparently called Geoffrey. This was another photo opportunity so I found myself trying to make Boy Wonder smile while standing next to a six foot waving giraffe. Now, as you know, I happen to think Boy Wonder is rather gorgeous and he has the funniest laugh in the world. But only on his terms. When someone is trying to take his photo and saying 'Smile', he starts to look a bit like Les Dawson. Hence, our occasional nickname for him which is 'Chops'. After about five minutes, the poor photographer gave up trying and let us get on our way. Boy Wonder particularly liked looking at the ferris wheel, as one of the cars looks like the yellow and red 'Little Tikes' cars that he is obsessed with, and also waving at the large moving dinosaur.
After that we went to Fifth Avenue via the Rockefeller Centre. I can feel a slight obsession with the Rockefeller Centre coming on. And this isn't just to do with the toilets (rest rooms!). It has only taken a couple of days but I now have a route planned where I know where the toilets are where I can fit in with the buggy. Toys R Us. Rockfeller. FAO Schwarz. Now just need to find some when I head downtown. Some of you may not appreciate how important this finding is. But trust me, now I'm trying to blend in with the NY yummy mummies, complete with bottle of water permanently on the go, it's a necessity. (Paul says my new sunglasses make me look a proper NY yummy mummy and I am now recognised in the local corner shop so hopefully blending in) I seem to be walking miles and still haven't quite worked out which subways have lifts so I can get the buggy down. There are lots of parks dotted around so Boy Wonder can let off his steam and wear himself out (so he continues to sleep for 13 hours a night ;-) )
Have been pleasantly surprised at how much attention Boy Wonder gets over here. All of the staff here make a huge fuss of him and people smile at him all of the time and even ruffle his hair. A really old man helped me down some steps with the buggy today and I was slightly concerned he would injure himself. Luckily, Boy Wonder has perfected his waving, if not his smiling. Today, we met Paul in Bryant Park and Boy Wonder played near the fountain with a little girl the same age. He was rather taken with her and kept showing her his moves. This involved marching, bouncing, pointing at the water and sort of jumping. I was very proud.
I am still struggling with the supermarket. We have a store a couple of blocks away which seems to stock a wide range of stuff. However, most of the brands are unfamiliar and I'm finding it difficult to work out which is the healthy option or not. All of the tins seem to be HUGE. I have found the US equivalent of Sudocrem which is called 'Butt Paste' which amused me for hours.
Anyway, it's going to be a nice day tomorrow so heading off to Central Park. With my sunglasses. Now off to join Paul watching 'ANTM'. xx
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Three things that have me burst with excitement today
1 A 'Cookie Bouquet'! How exciting is that? You get lots of different flavours and they are beautifully wrapped like lollipops. We are sitting here eating them now.
2 I have discovered the US version of 'Deal Or No Deal'. Noel Edmonds has nothing to fear but you do get to see the Banker (in silhouette in a shady office!!!) There isbv a lot of squealing and the contestants are standing on steps with suitcases.
3 I have found Simon Cowell on American Idol. And it's on again tomorrow! Woo Hoo!
2 I have discovered the US version of 'Deal Or No Deal'. Noel Edmonds has nothing to fear but you do get to see the Banker (in silhouette in a shady office!!!) There isbv a lot of squealing and the contestants are standing on steps with suitcases.
3 I have found Simon Cowell on American Idol. And it's on again tomorrow! Woo Hoo!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
