East End Park

We spent most of Saturday trading out all our summer clothes for the winter wardrobes and getting the apartment clean and organized.  Rodney and I had a sitter come on Saturday night and we got away for a nice dinner and we saw Chicago the Musical on Broadway.  It was a really nice evening for us, it had been awhile since we had hired a sitter for a non work function.  

On Sunday, we had church followed by a nice walk to the East River where we watched the boats for awhile.  Then we played at a park right next to the river.  We spent at least two hours at the park. 

Here are Rodney and the kids discussing the passing boats and where all the bridges lead to.

 Avery LOVES taking a stroll. As we got ready to go she was so excited.  See the video...this is her new noise that we hear often:

By the time we made it to the park, she was sound asleep.  She is very used to all the street noises and nothing wakes her. She still loves her ear of corn toy Grandpa John.

 After watching the boats we walked towards the playground and stumbled upon a dog costume contest.  Carly was SO excited about this!  So we watched for a little bit.  It really was amazing to see what people dressed their dogs up as.

 She wanted up on Rodney's shoulders for a better view.

 Poor doggy....

Blake got this rocket toy from Jump Rope For Heart last year.  We take it to the park, Rodney shoots the rockets up in the air and the kids try to catch them.  The rockets are like nerf foam.  The kids love it and you wouldn't believe the crowd it draws.  Kids come running to ask for a turn, luckily Blake and Carly don't mind sharing a bit.  Rodney turns into a sideshow attraction...

 Now the random kids asking for a turn...

 Avery got to swing for the first time today.  I stuffed a blanket in front of her so she didn't fall out.  Carly came over to push her for a bit.  The kids are so proud of all of Avery's "firsts".

 Rodney and Blake of course had to play catch before we left.  Blake wishes he was playing fall baseball this year....we promised to get him signed up for the spring league.

 It must be in his blood because baseball is by far his favorite...he wore his mitt all the way to the park.

 Carly had to get in her turn on the swings.

 Avery is getting really good with a sippy cup.  She is very entertained with a cup of water.  I often give her a sippy of water during a conference call I am on to keep her quiet.

 Some crazy "rocket" thing they thought was so funny...

 On our walk home we saw a few of the costume contest participants.  Carly asked to have her picture with this princess pup.  The dog's owner was dressed in a coordinating outfit, minus the tutu.

 At dinner, Blake all of a sudden said. "WHAT, you have to be 21 to drink???  I am going to be thirsty!"  I enjoy this innocence...

 Blake and Carly get along really well.  They do argue with each other but for the most part they do well together.  Here they are walking home.  Blake always watches out for her.

After dinner the kids requested ice cream.  Blake is crazy about ice cream...he gets it honestly...his Grandpa John has a bowl nearly every night and Grandma Susie has been known to be a little crazy for ice cream too.  I think Blake is on a mission to try every brand in the city.  Tonight we tested some PinkBerry.  The kids both wanted to give Avery a tiny taste....she liked it.

The kids were both complaining about tired legs and feet on the way home.  We really had taken quite a hike.  Rodney can give Carly a shoulder ride but Blake at 62 pounds (he grew 3 pounds and 1 inch just last month)...is too heavy for shoulder rides.  I gave him a one block ride on my back but he couldn't hang on very well since I had to have one hand on the stroller.

We are enjoying some brisk fall weather.....we will be so sad to see it turn to winter I am afraid.
Next weekend I am meeting some girlfriends in Indianapolis for a long overdue girls weekend.  Rodney is going to be here in NYC with the kids on his own....say a prayer for him!