Holiday Fun

It started so nice....decorating the tree....Ryan watching football.  The kids having fun.  Short lived happiness...I told Jackson's godmother not to be surprised if he arrived in a Fed Ex box for the holidays.

Jackson quickly found it was more fun to throw the ornaments...and attempt to hit them off the tree than to hang nicely.

Then he plowed over the nativity scene...with his train.  Literally Mary went flying....

He did stop in his tracks to yell touchdown when Ryan's team scored.....we sent the boys to do errands while the girls finished the tree.

Hard at work....

We headed back to PA early...between the travel and some late nights..everyone was pretty beat,  Today was great all around.  The kids have been excited about getting a tree, so we did that this afternoon. After 7 loads of laundry and a trip to the grocery store...we were ready to tackle the tree...

Our first attempt at a picture...not so much.  We just put lights on and tomorrow we will attempt the ornaments.  We also broke out our Elf on the Shelf.  Hopefully that will lead to great behavior for the next 5 weeks.

So much to be thankful for...

Of course I am writing this attempting to stay awake so that we can hit some of the stores that open at midnight.....ahh my one late night a year!

We had a great Thanksgiving in NH.....full of family, food and fun!  The kids had a blast with their cousins and will certainly be disappointed when we head back to PA tomorrow.

Uncle Barry started a new tradition...the driveway race...it was a hit...check out the start line

You might also notice...that he is conveniently out in front with his son...not that I am calling CHEATING by any stretch of the imagination...but it sure look suspicious.  No joke...he does not let kids win. 

Next year we will have race bibs and snacks at the end...and we might have to make an adult division...so one of the kids can win (cough cough BARRY)...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wowza

It has been a whirlwind since I return....nothing like going from 0 to 90 with jetlag!  I returned to 3 healthy happy cherubs and plenty of Thanksgiving and preschool commitments to keep me running for most of the week.  I also began training again so that coupled with the jetlag has left me in bed with the kids most nights.

We did have some awesome weather earlier in the week!  I love fall and was super happy to be back outside running.  I missed most of the cooler fall weather.  Here are some pics from this week.

Hong Kong Final Thoughts

We are in the lounge waiting for our flight home.  Ryan rocked and upgraded us both to business class!  Perks of traveling so much.  We went over to Kowloon to check out the good shopping.  We did not find too much.  You really have to know where to go, otherwise the bargains are not that great.

You really can't see but the Chinese Banyan trees are HUGE.  It provides great shade against the heat.  We met up with another couple that Ryan works with over here.  They took us out for our final night in Hong Kong.  They have spent most of their lives alternating between North America and Asia.  They currently live near Stanley, which is another popular expat community.  This was our view from dinner.

I found it fascinating to learn about their adventures in Asia.  They have two children and have lived in Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong...as well as Chicago and Toronto.  The shopping in Stanely was fantastic.  Ryan got a great winter coat, that I get to haul back to the US for a steal.

I am excited to see the kids...but greatful that I was able to have this experience and see Asia.  Onto the US!

Victoria Peak, Aberdeen and Triathlon!

We went to the top of Victoria Peak...it was neat.  You can see the city and all of the surrounding islands below.  It has not been really warm here like I thought it would.  We have worn jeans and long sleeves most of the time.  This morning the sun came out for the first time since we arrived on Tuesday.

Ryan worked most of yesterday, so my mom and I took off in the morning to Aberdeen.  A smaller fishing village known for floating restaurants and more typical Hong Kong lifestyle than the hustle and bustle of the big city. She had been there 40 years ago and we interested in seeing the changes.

We ate at the SAME restaurant that they did when they were here.  It was neat to hear her describe the changes and all of the developments since then.  It sure has grown!  We ate dim sum, which is popular here, a combination of small appetizer dishes cantonese style. 

We headed back to the central district for the afternoon.  One thing I have also been trying to figure out is how people train for triathlons here.  It is very hilly and the roads are narrow, with little room for error driving let alone biking.  Jen had let me know that she coaches another athlete here.  I was able to connect with Michaela for coffee and to chat.  She did indeed confirm that there is limited biking routes but the scenery is beautiful.  There is outdoor swimming ALL YEAR ROUND, which would be a great change.  I was able to run outside this morning so I know that is an option almost anywhere.  The smog can be a problem so that would be a change as well.

It was great to hear another perspective from an expat. She said that there are some great races in Asia and the season really runs opposite the US.  We then met Ryan for dinner and I was done with asian food for a while.  We picked up slices of pizza and then walked around Lan Kwai Fong.  This is a young area that gets pretty busy with bars and restaurants.  We head to Kowloon tomorrow and then we are meeting uo with some of Ryans coworkers in the afternoon.

Repulse Bay and the Expats

Since we arrived we have spent most of our time in central Hong Kong.  Today my mom and I met some friends who used to live in the States and now live in Hong Kong.  Ryan and Brian work together now and they were recently relocated from Singapore to Hong Kong. 

It was great to be able to see Erika and hear a little about the expat community in HK.  They live about 20 minutes outside of the central city in Repulse Bay.  This was a view from their apartment.

 

The roads to get here were long and really narrow.  You ride right along the coastline and their seems to be little room for error...no biking for sure.  We ate lunch at the American Club and then headed over to see her place.  They have three kids and it was interesting to hear about the day to day life here.  One challenge is that space is a premium and you live in much smaller spaces than the US.  In addition, it is normal to have live in help here.  So all apartments and houses come with accomodations for live in help.    Ryan would certainly have to cure his cereal and Mt. Dew habit though as cereal is over $10 a box and Mt. Dew is found no where.

Repulse Bay was beautiful.  There is a beach below their building where the kids can swim...no one was swimming here though since it is winter.  In the building, there is a grocery store, preschools, little shoppes, playground, and drs offices.  There seem to be a lot of expats within this community so it makes getting to know people much easier.  Public transportation is really good throughout the island so you are able to get to and from places easily,

There are a bunch of other little islands off of Hong Kong..this was taken from the American Club where we at lunch,  We are headed to Victoria Peak, which is the tallest peak in Hong Kong.   

Wan Chai, Victoria Harbor, and others

This is pretty cool.  We took a ferry this evening over to Kowloon, and watched the largest light and laser show.  We spent most of the day exploring Hong Kong central.  Navigating our way through the subway, tram and ferry system.

There is just a MASSIVE amount of people here.  It really does resemble NYC in a lot of ways.

This morning was rainy and overcast so we took the opportunity to see some inside shopping centers and and temples.  We saw the Man Mo temple where you can purchase incense and it can burn for 2 to 3 weeks depending on what you wish for.

We have eaten mostly at the hotel since Ryan is staying here so long it is included in our room.  They have a variety of traditional foods as well as some Western food.  Tomorrow we  are looking forward to exploring Aberdeen and possibly some other Hong Kong suburbs.

Hong Kong

We have arrived.  No pictures yet since I forgot the little adapter.  16 hours of flying and a 13 hour time change.  Whew...we barely made it to dinner last night without falling asleep.  I learned a couple of things so far.  I am certainly taller that 99.9 % of the population here.  This morning after my run, I went to get in the shower and needed to duck to wash my hair.  My shoes also do not fit in the little compartments on business class.  Apparently the average woman does not have size 12 sneakers.

We are staying in Causeway Bay which is pretty close to central Hong Kong.  It is relatively mild...70s and HUMID...everyone is talking about this winter weather that they are having...it is winter here as well.  Today we are going to head out and see a couple of different areas of HK and do some shopping.  Ryan arrives this afternoon and he will be able to nagivate the city for us a little easier.

Hopefully I can post some pics soon.

Happy Birthday Brianna

Admist of of the chaos this weekend....someone turned 4....

Brianna wore her crown all weekend and she had a blast.  We had friends and relatives fly in from Alabama and Iown and she thought that was great...that they were all coming just for her birthday!

She wanted a Cars Party...her request was a movie and a pinata.

Tomorrow morning I leave for Hong Kong with my mom.  Ryan will fly out on Tuesday. I am looking forward to some warmer weather and a little rest.

On cupcake overload

It seems like this time of year, we are drowning in sugar.  Today was no exception.  Brianna celebrates her 4th birthday tomorrow at preschool.  She is SO excited.  I asked her what she wanted to bring to school and of course it was cupcakes.  Then I asked her what kind...

the ones with dirt and worms....really mom I like those.


So after Aly went to school this afternoon and Jack went down for a nap....we got busy.

We are ready to celebrate!

Happy Halloween

We just returned from sugar fest 2011....actually it was not too bad.  This is when I am glad my kids are still little.  We got to a few houses, but the meltdowns started not that long into our journey.  We still had plenty of fun and sugar!

Jack was content to ride in the wagon after the first house.....with a lollipop. 

Nature vs nuture....

So I posted this picture on Facebook this afternoon.  It was taken before Aly and Brianna left for the church halloween party.  They are old enough to decide what they want to wear for costumes so I pretty much left it up to them  This pretty much sums up their personalities PERFECTLY.

Each day I am amazed how differently our children are wired.  When we first started to talk about Halloween, we talked about costumes....Aly sat down and made a list of all the things she would need to put together the perfect fairy costume.  She spent A LONG time picking out accessories, jewels, hair ribbons, and such for this costume.  Tonight she asked for makeup before leaving so she would sparkle like a real fairy.

How did Brianna decide what she wanted to be?  She went to the dress up containers, picked out the iguana and said here it is...this is what I want to be.  There was no process or thinking involved she just did it and moved on. She really likes iguanas and loves going to Aruba and seeing them all around the pool so in reality it made sense. 

What I don't get though...how did they get to be SO different?  Minus the 6 hours a week of preschool and kindergarten, they are home with me all day long.  They play very well together but I spend a lot of time talking about it is okay to like different things.  Right now that is hard for Aly, she cannot grasp that Brianna would want Mader at her birthday instead of Rapunzel.  I just keep telling Aly, not all girls love princesses....but she is just not there and all her little friends at school love Cinderella and the works.  Meanwhile, Brianna is busy playing trucks and chasing the boys...she will be my little soccer player I think.

So onward I go...this parenting thing can be HARD...to navigate the different interests and I know it will only get harder as they get older. 

Getting Ready.

I realized this afternoon....I have 48 cupcakes to make, 3 dozen sugar cookies, snack bags, and a cheese and cracker platter all before Friday.

I better get moving right!  So tomorrow I recruited a couple of friends to get the job done....4 and 5 year old helpers...oye my kitchen is going to be ONE.BIG.MESS.

The best news is that I am back on the bike....with no pain so far it has been a great day!  Hopefully back running next week!

Halloween is COMING!

Weekend Fun

Another week of travel in the books....and I am glad that the travel season is almost over.  Ryan came home from Cambodia yesterday and there is possibly only one more trip this year.  In November, we are both going to Hong Kong!  Ryan has been several times and really enjoys it (like wants to move there ASAP enjoyment) so I am going to see what the hype is all about. 

While he will be over there for the better part of two weeks...and working long hours while there...we thought it would be a great opportunity for my mom to come with us.  Super excited that we will be returning to a place they used to live!

I think the best part of him coming home was I got to swim this afternoon instead of getting up in the wee hours...I went to the pool and he brought the kids a while later so we could swim for a while.  Aly is really motivated to swim the 25 yards so that she can go on waterslides...we got the rotary breathing down tonight now just a little more work on the endurance and we should be good.

On the training front, I seem to be making progress with my hip.  After 4 solid weeks of ART and PT...I am ready to move OUT of the pool.  The workouts have been good but I am anxious to get back on my bike and the road.  It will be a while before I get out running I think but even biking would be nice.

Last weekend we had some family pictures taken at a park....

Jack looks so big!

Hello Estrogen

Poor Jack...in a house full of women for the past week....

Resulted in a LOT of PINK and girl time...

While Ryan is in Cambodia, my mom came to stay for the week.  The girls had FUN FUN and Jack just went with the flow...he is good like that.  So my freezer is full of yummy meals and applesauce and she made some hats for the kids.

I think we are all sad that she is flying home tomorrow..the good news is that both my parents are back in two weeks and the we are leaving for Hong Kong! 

Fall Fun!

Upon our return to PA we hit the Fall Festival on Sunday am.  The weather has been awesome and the kids had a blast at the farm.

Since my mom is here for the week while Ryan is in Cambodia...we got a great start on winter freezer meals.  She made a huge pot of veggie chili and applesauce!  Yeah for great winter meals.

The wedding

This weekend we were in CT for the wedding of one of my college friends.  I can't remember the last time I was this nervous....maybe at Mooseman.

Seriously, your wedding day is an important one....and Kristine had asked both of our girls to be in the wedding.....two wild cards I tell you.  We headed up on Thursday and spent Friday getting all decked out for the day.  Aly was in LOVE with the spa, the nail polish, the glitter, you name it.  Brianna could care less.  When it came time for the rehersal...Brianna came through.  She danced down the aisle...Aly was hiding under the pew....she was NOT about being the center of attention.  Finally after letting her know we would have to return her dress which is also part of the Halloween costume she did make an appearance.

Enter the wedding day...up at 6 for hair appointments.  It was going to be a LONG day.  The ceremony was at 10:30, so we did not put dresses on these girls until we were getting in the limo.  Brianna was my big concern.  Not getting down the aisle but what she was going to do during the ceremony.  I hid lollipops in my bouquet and off we went.    Everyone made it to the alter...Kristine lit a candle in honor of her mom and now I was on damage control with Brianna...no joke the girl CANNOT stand still.  

I located my college friends in the audience and made eye contact with Angel and Kelly so they knew they were on call.  Brianna headed immediately towards the lit candle...and almost set the church on fire.  I yanked her back and told her if she sat in the pew I would give her a lollipop.  She wanted to stand in front of the audience...so I gave her the lollipop in hopes of avoiding any near catastrophes...she stepped out and began to wave to everyone in the crowd..

I thought there is no way we are going to avoid making a scene....here I am in church praying furiously that Brianna would not make a scene...Angel looked at me...she got it...we tried to see if she would sit with her but she wanted the stage..

FINALLY the ceremony was over...and she could get moving again..

Onto the reception....  you see the candles behind Jackson...those lit the head table....when Brianna came down for her introduction..she blew them out...told me that she was practicing for her birthday.  

I lost count of the number of people that told me that my hands must be full or simply Good Luck.....

The best part was the photo booth....I think we came home with about 100 strips from that booth...Brianna ran around like crazy had a blast and wanted to stay.. we dropped Ryan at the Newark airport for his flight to Cambodia and she stayed awake the entire trip home to Philly.  Some random fun pics!