9-11

RESERVED AS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

This is how they stood at one time........... beautiful and bold

(http://www.ussartf.org/world_trade_center_disaster.htm)

Due to an act of terrorism our whole way of life has changed for everyone. 

Including those, like my two littlest one, who were both born post 9-11.

Plus my other two babies were just tiny toddlers.

They all have to live a life never knowing what safe meant. 

How we remembered.......

Instead they grow up having to endure check points, pat downs, and open bag checks as a way of life. 

Because that's how its always been for them.

They don't remember how it used to be.

Terrorism, Terrorist, 9-11 are words they grow up hearing.

My heart and my soul hurt to have to explain to all FOUR of my children what happened and to teach them what it means and to try to possible explain why they did it.

As the years progress they have questions.........

But it must be heard and it must be retold and it must never be forgotten.......

the act

the lives

the heros

the strength

the rebuilding

the American history 

(http://www.911memorial.org/)

Ariel view of the September 11 National Memorial in the financial district in lower Manhattan

Over 2,997 people lost their lives but thousands more are left with the first hand trauma and loss.

We need immediate international policies that prevent, protect and respond to acts of terrorism. 

We must all work to find diplomacy.
 A priority to peace-making and human rights should be absolute.

This is how we teach

This is how we learn

This is how we grow

This is the future

This is what my children know............

So long, farewell, Au'voir, auf wiedersehen

Today we say goodbye to Grandma-Great, Dobbs Ferry and NYC until next year.

We had the time of our lives....... growing, loving and nurturing the bond between family.
 We love and cherish every minute we got to spend with Grandma-Great.
We loved every adventure and opportunity we experienced getting here.
 It was great to see our friends and making new friends along the way.
We hold close to our hearts the laughter, the advise, the stories. and especially the hugs and kisses from our Grandma-Great.

(Here's a fun good bye video I found---too cute to pass up)

We'll miss her as we say good bye with great big tears in our eyes, we'll begin our journey back home.
But we will be back soon.....

As we start on with our road trip we stock up our coolers with a final trip to Stew Leonards in Yonkers, N.Y.--the best family grocery store adventure. (www.stewleonards.com)

On the Saw Mill Parkway to "the city"

From the window of the van we say Goodbye to New York City

On the George Washington bridge heading West
(http://www.nycroads.com/crossings/george-washington/)

Leaving New York and entering New Jersey we stopped by to see my sister and her family in North Bergen to say "hey". 

Fattest Cat in New Jersey

Auntie Honey invited us for dinner......while catching up on our lives since we last seen each other......it got late..... so she invited us to spend the night.
It was fun playing catch up with Auntie and Cousins.
But we must move on....

"Nu Yawk Sitty"

We LOVE  exploring the Big Apple and we'd love to show you a few of our favorite adventures of the day......

10 ft. Solid Lego Apple

China Town / Little Italy

China Town and Little Italy are full of delights for your eyes, your wallet and your tum-tum!
Some of the best exotic fresh fruits and veggies are available for very reasonable rate.
The tastiest authentic Chinese and Italian food you'll ever eat is here.
 We also had the most divine cup of gelato ever.....

FRESH Peking Ducks on display frightens Sweetheart

"Two pounds of Lychee berries and three dragon fruit, please"
--the vendor appreciates my girls attempt at speaking Chinese--

Mmmmm....

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee)

NBC studios / Rockefeller Center
Today show, Radio City, Letterman and Saturday Night Live.......all at Rockefeller Center
(www.radiocity.com) (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30012397/ns/today-toyota_concert_series/t/want-fan-pass-today-show-concert/) (http://www.nbc.com/tickets/) (www.nbcstudiotour.com

Concert ready.......

"This is Fifi reporting live from the NBC News Studio"

"Mommy, can we come back for Christmas to see the famous Rockettes?"

 Manhattan's Fifth Avenue American Girl Store

My girls are absolutely in heaven here!!
(http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_ny.php)
 From the itty bitty babies to the historic story doll collection.
The dolls, clothes, accessories, hair salon, cafe, photo studio and doll hospital are absolutely over the top.....................every little girly girls dream come true!

"I love American Girl, Mommy!!"

"Mom, they all look like me!!"

"Mini me"

"Can Kaya and her pets come home with us?"

Lego Store in Rockefeller Center and Nebulous NYC

Bam loves building with lego (seems like since birth) so a stop to the world's largest Lego Store is a must see.

(http://stores.lego.com/en-us/New%20York%20City/LandingPage.aspx)

Then it was off to Midtown Comics and Nebulous NYC at night.

(www.midtowncomics.com)

At Nebulous, Bam entered a tournament  and got to duel with some NYC guys.
So cooool.....

 imagination at work....

These cards are enormous!!

Cookie scratched at the window and it didn't even break their concentration
-Can you see Bam with the blue backpack?- 

packing and posting

Oh geez!!
We're getting ready for holiday.......... can you say, ROAD TRIP!!
There is so much to pack for five................the clothes, the swim stuff, the electronics, the cords, the cooler, the snacks, the water.

Oh my!!

 My mind is frantically running in all directions.....trying to make sure I don't forget a thing.
Plus it doesn't help that the ice in the cooler is melting so QUICKLY......
It's a SUPER HOT DAY today
My packing efforts are closing in.....our van ready!!

Bam, Fifi, Sweetheart and Cookie have their bags, blankies, pillows and stuffies.

I think we're ready to go!!!!!!!!