ILoveNY

"Next year, let's stay one more day." - upon reaching holiday traffic at the border.

This line sums up our trip.  We did it.  It was awesome.  So awesome, we'd do it again.  Annually.  I'm so excited, I can't wait for next year!

But first, let's go through this year.

It was awesome.

We started by driving through pouring rain.

Rain

Of the 11 hours it took to get there, it rained for about 9, and about 4 were monsoon-like conditions.  Not the best vacation weather, but better in the car than walking on the street.

We parked overnight in NJ and took the ferry across the Hudson.  Not only did we save almost $50,000 in parking, but the boys got to ride a FERRY!

More Rain

After a bus ride to the hotel and immediately scarfing down the city's best pizza (with a glass of wine for mommy & daddy - we made it!), we hit up Times Square.  In the, you guessed it, rain.

Loving It

Times Square was 16 blocks from our hotel.  We walked it.  Fast.  And the whole time, I kept asking them if they were too wet.  They adamantly said NO.  Then after this picture, they begged me to take the subway back to the hotel.  I happily agreed.

Performers

We ran into some street performers when we got off at Penn Station.  To say the boys were enthralled is an understatement.  They absolutely loved it. 

The next morning, Steve ran out to get a NYC staple.

Coffee & Bagels

Then we hit the street for our first tourist adventure.  The Top of the Rock.

Rockefeller Center

The weather was GORGEOUS!  We totally lucked out.  We didn't luck out in the ticket department, though, so we had to kill an hour before traveling to the top. 

I could have pre-purchased tickets online, but I wasn't sure if the kids were going to be up for everything I planned to do.  So although we had to wait for this attraction, their disinterest in other attractions saved me hundreds of dollars.  I win.

Legos

What to do when you have to burn time with 3 littles?  Lego store.  They were so into their Lego keychains, they completely missed out on the bronzed statue in the plaza.  Kids!

But they loved the climb to the top.

Made It

George stayed in his stroller (thank god), Henry refused to hold anyone's hand while creeping in and out of crowds behind us, and Jake kept saying "I don't feel so good right now." 

Empire State Building

I snuck George out to get a good view of the Empire State Building, though.  He found it in the sky everywhere we went all weekend long.

Then came the time when we split up.  Steve took George back to the hotel for naptime.  And I took the big boys out for a few hours.  I don't know who lucked out more.

City Kids

In His Element

Steve's mom calls our boys her "City Kids."  Bang on.  Their refusal to hold my hand at all times -because we're in NEW YORK CITY, gosh darn it, and anything can happen, you know!!!!- led to me just letting go and trusting their eagle eyes on me.  It worked.  We came home with three kids.

Saturday was our shopping day downtown.  Jake got the new shoes he was obsessing over.  Henry got Skylanders at the Toys R Us with the ferris wheel inside.  And I got to walk up Lower 5th, my old 'hood.

Love.

If there was a better weather day in the city, I don't remember it. 

Friday vs Saturday

Saturday was also amazing because we got to see old friends.  There's nothing like reminiscing about the good old days before you had kids...at a dinner table full of crazy kids (ours, not theirs). 

Gelato in Little Italy!

The next day, after I started obsessing about moving back to NYC, we spent the day doing only half of what I planned and all of what the kids wanted to do. 

Playground...

...Playground...

...Playground!!!!!

We took the subway up to Steve's old neighborhood to visit the Museum of Natural History.  After trying to corral the kids unsuccessfully to read them the riot act before entering the building, I decided to ditch the tourism and go for the nature. 

Best $0 I ever spent. 

George in a Bubble!

Turtle Pond

I can now officially direct anyone to all playgrounds in Central Park.  We hit them all.  Nonstop.  Well, stopping only for bubbles, turtles and all street performers.

SHAKE SHACK!

We did, however, sneakily wind our way back to the Upper West Side for daddy.  He loves burgers.  And Shake Shack delivers on the best burger in the city (when you have kids with you), hands down.  I snagged Jake to wait in line for 1/2 hr with me, while Steve and the little two snagged a park bench across the street.  Worth. It. 

At naptime, I managed to get a little tourism in. 

The Blue Whale

I shouldn't have gone with the "extra exhibition" tickets.  These guys have zero attention span.  Lesson learned: General admission = Blue Whale = Full Stop.

Then, after naptime, we hit the...park.  Again.  Why mess with a good thing?

They Are Up There Somewhere

Best Playground

We found the very best playground for all three of our boys, aged 9, 6 and 3.  Just inside the SW corner of Central Park, at Columbus Circle, was this enormous play area with regular slides, swings and climbers...but more structures integrated with the natural rock, too.  It was mostly enclosed, so you could let your kids go free in some areas.  But there were open enough spaces so you could man your kid without getting in everyone's way. 

You're It

I may have gone down that slide myself during a game of tag.  I was it, and the kids loved it. 

Um, Hello.

But the best part was the fact that we were there.  In it.  NYC.  And loving it.  

We hit up a chocolate store before heading back to the hotel...and took a ride in a taxi.  How can you visit NYC without riding in a taxi? 

Tired #3

Tired #2

#1 Is Just Getting Started

While the ride home was a little longer than we expected, and LOTS longer than Google expected, we loved the trip.  I can't wait until next year. 

Dreaming of Summer

I can't talk about it.  I've forbid myself to discuss it.  No more complaining, whining or groaning.  Summer will come when it's ready.  And until then, I'm ignoring this crap weather.

Yes, all of my attention is toward the best season of the year.  And they say it's gonna be a hot one.  I love it!! 

But if there's one thing that having three kids has taught me, it's that thinking about summer in the middle of winter is a must.  Having a baby = hard.  Managing a toddler = hard.  Dealing with bored 6 and 8 year olds who then pick on the 3 year old = REALLY HARD.  So when those March/April/May summer camp deadlines roll around, you need to have a plan. 

Our plan this year is mostly out of town, with Steve joining us here and there.  We're gonna soak up tons of family time, as I'm planning to go back to work in the fall.  So we're calling it the last hurrah.  And what a hurrah it will be...

Home Base

The house I grew up in is our home base.  We get to spread out, the city kids get a taste of suburban life, and my parents spoil the boys silly.  Who could be happier?

In between swim and sports lessons -that I'm in the middle of signing them up for from afar, fingers crossed- we're gonna take full advantage of those special summer events.

Parade

Fireworks

They're dual.  It's the 4th of July for them too.  They even know almost all the words to the Star Spangled Banner, dangit.

He's Ready

So Am I

The infamous pool at my brother & sister-in-law's house.  It isn't summer without it.

Go Brew Crew

Living 20 minutes outside a B market city has it's perks.  Miller Stadium is 20 minutes away.  The sausage race during the 7th inning stretch is a bonus.

WI State Fair Cream Puffs

Milk Chug Contest

Other perks?  Living in the dairy state.  No shortage of beef and multiple servings of calcium everyday. 

We're Going Again!?!?

But the best perk is visiting the biggest small town in the state.  Green Bay, WI.  The mecca of football. 

It will be our third visit to the Packers Training Camp.  And this year, we're bringing our littlest.  He missed out on the first two trips since he was just too young.  But there's no holding that 3 year old Packer owner back (we bought him a share when he was a baby), so this year is his inaugural trip. 

So get ready, family.  If that thing I'm not thinking about ever goes away, we'll pack up our swimsuits and shorts and head on down!!

Spring Has Sprung

Someone recently asked me, "what's your next project?" and I drew a blank.  Then one day, all the snow and ice melted. 

I think we all know what the next project is.  But there's some waiting involved.  As in...let's see what wasn't destroyed when the fence went in.  I already know of a few casualties.

As for what comes back?  There are many possibilities.  Before our two renovations, I fell in love with gardening.

April 2009

We tried so many different things back here, but what stuck was following the shadows.  And embracing shade. 

May 2010

Grass in the sun, garden in the various shady border areas.  Heavy shade on the left, light shade on the right.  And don't plant anything that says "Full Sun" no matter how pretty it is.  I learned that the hard way...there were so many beautiful casualties...

May 2012

2011 is missing because that was the basement reno.  The garden collected piles of garbage from old pipes and rotted wood to bags of concrete and plastic tarps.  I couldn't believe it rebounded in 2012 like nothing ever happened. 

So we'll see what happens in 2014.  Because the beating from the renovation of 2013 was much, much worse...

2014

Here's the state that it's in today.  Not pretty.  But the potential is there. 

I pulled all the rocks, bricks and pavers into the middle so the perennials can grow.  But until things come up, nothing's for sure.  Grass gone?  Adios firepit?  No blooms, texture only? 

It's all up for grabs.  It's just gotta be inexpensive and low maintenance.  Game on!

Start Spreadin' The News...

We're not moving and I'm not pregnant. 

Though we talk about each.  The latter discussion always ends abruptly with Steve saying, "You can have another baby, just not with me." I guess that's what happens when you get a V.  The former begins with dreaming of an address in the US and ends with the agony of leaving friends, his family and our new old house. 

So instead, we'll just scratch the itch and travel south.  With kids.  To New York City.

Lady Liberty

This lady's on the list, but we won't actually see this version of her.  She's at LaGuardia.  We're driving.  Yup, driving.  I heard you gasp.

Steve and I used to live in Manhattan.  It's where we worked, where we met and where we got married.  When we left for Toronto, we promised returning to the city would be an annual trip.  Then we had kids. 

We did make the trip with one of the three. 

18 mos

Who now looks like this.

8 years

Yeah, it's time. 

But...5 airline tickets is insane.  Then add accommodations.  Totally insane.  So we asked Google.  Apparently, it's 1.5 hrs less than our drive to WI.  Bingo!

I know it won't be the same.  I'm used to NYC getaways with the husband.  Filled with this...

Eat

Drink

Culture

But since Jake doesn't have a sportcoat, and Gramercy Tavern won't seat us without, we'll just have to find other things to keep us occupied...

See

Go

Explore at Night

It's more than a month away, but we're already reading library books about the Big Apple.  So far, the requests are "visit the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty", "see dinosaurs" and "see monkeys, not gorillas." 

I think we'll hit everything on the wish list...and then some.  Excitement!

Because You're Worth It

Our decision to renovate was based on our decision to make this our forever house.  So when we considered finishes and function, the choices we made were what best suited us.  Not resale.

But when people ask us what were some of the best decisions we made during our renovation, the top two answers are less about us or pretty finishes...and more about taking care of our investment.  Because it's worth it.

And funny enough, neither were in place at the end of the renovation.  Both were installed shortly after the "end".  Let me explain...

1) A Surge Protector

When we dug out and finished our basement in 2011, we kept the electrical panel where it was.

Look to the Left

There it is!

Forgive the bad iPhone pic.  I am not a professional photographer. 

It's on the wall next to the TV, but the simple doors painted the same color as the wall help to make it "disappear".  Yet it's totally accessible.  I'm happy we kept it accessible, because we've needed to have access to it far too many times than I wish we did.  I'll explain...

Access

Same place as always, but upgraded during the big dig and finish.  Which was great, because during the even bigger renovation last year, we utilized that capacity.  But what we didn't do was this.

Surge Protector

Back up to the middle of July.  Renovation complete.  So many details, all executed.  So happy. 

Less than a month later and out of the blue, there's a surge in the hydro transformer across the street.  I'll spare you the gory details.  But one detail I missed was to make sure we installed a surge protector.  Of course. 

We lost our microwave, sump pump, basement bar fridge, many many potlights (not just the bulb but the whole can) and...the brand new range oven.  Dear God.

Luckily, there's a happy ending.  The range was new, so it was serviced for free and saved.  Wal-Mart was having a sale on microwaves.  And our contractor is amazing and replaced the brand new blown electrical....and installed a surge protector. 

I'm told electrical surges, like the one we had, happen less frequently than someone you know winning the lottery.  But for a few hundred dollars, that cute little box can save a whole lot of headache.  And if there's ever a surge again, I'll be happy to replace the protector instead of half the electrical items in my house.


2) A Furnace Humidifier

Our old house had laminate.  Our new old house has hardwood.  And lots of it.  Combined with a long, cold, dry first winter, you get this.

G A P S

Silver lining?  I could get rid of some runaway paint.

I'm a glass-half-full kind of person. 

But to be honest, the gaps really were freaking me out.  Then, my contractor stopped by for a question I had and I think the gaps freaked him out, too.  I was in contact with his HVAC guy within the hour.

I lived with laminate floors and wood trim with 20 coats of paint for over ten years.  What did I know about swelling and contracting wood during winter?  I know a lot now.  And that humidifier is currently working overtime.

Humidifier Thermostat

This is on the front of the furnace.  It's cranked up to 45% because the humidity level in this house is sooooo low.  How to know when to back it off?  Look for condensation in the corners of the windows.  This sucker has been in place for 3 weeks now and I have yet to see any.  Yikes.

From Behind

It's hard to see the actual unit, as it's on the back of the furnace.  But it's directly connected to a water supply.  I'm crossing my fingers the humidity will make the boards swell up soon.  These gaps are making me crazy....

So there you have it.  Two of the best decisions we made during our renovation.  Which together cost less than a half of a percent of the total cost of our projects. 

Because they're worth it.

How To Survive March Break

I don't remember Spring Break in grade school or high school.  I remember it in college...but the week never overlapped with friends at other schools. 

Here?  Everyone in Ontario is out at the same time (well, except University students - what I still call college - but we're not in that realm yet so it's not on my radar).  And since everyone's out, most people are away.  And by that I mean Steve's co-workers. 

So we stay home.  Always have, probably always will. 

With two in full day school now, and one in preschool, I'm used to a schedule with a speck of freedom.  But March Break means no school and no preschool.  So I reminded myself of that good old Weight Watchers mantra: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  I kinda did both.

Here's my guide to surviving March Break with three little boys....at least day one.

1) DO NOT show up to an Honest Ed's event without expecting a line up. 

Make that an insane line up.  Honest Ed's was having a sign sale.  My dad loves this store and we needed something to do, so why not check it out.  Why?  Because everyone else in Toronto was thinking the same thing.

The line wrapped almost completely around the entire city block sized store.  Needless to say, we aborted mission after the line moved about 15 feet after 15 minutes.  (My friend was #700 in line, just past the Mirvish Alley on Bloor, and got in after 5 hours of waiting - score!)

2) DO go to a diner for lunch after visiting Dollarama to make your own signs. 

The meltdowns at Dollarama meant we actually got Easter chocolate instead of sign material, but the goal was to make it out alive, which we did.  The diner paid off because the boys woo'd the owner and got free fries.  And I didn't have to make lunch.

3) DO indulge in child labor.

I run a tight ship, or I would be overtaken by these boys.  They are smart, strategic and like to stick together.  Even though I have a rule about eating only at the table (or island), with placemats, keep your head over your plate, two hands on your cup, use your napkin.....food gets on the floor.  A lot.  This week, it's their responsibility to clean it up.

4) DO NOT forget to check voicemail.

While we were at Honest Ed's/Dollarama/the diner, we got a call from St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club.  Jake was the first on the waitlist, and there was an opening for him to join the (incredibly cheap) March Break swim class.  Yes...!!!!

With Henry already registered for his level, we have 2 out of 3 in the pool at the same time all week.  This mom of 3 energetic boys couldn't be happier.

5) DO check books for the missing sock.

I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off searching for George's sock when we were getting ready to go to swim class.  It was on his foot all day.  Even through nap.  Then suddenly, it was gone.  Just one.  Couldn't explain it.

Just before bedtime, Henry picked up one of the 10 school library books we found in random places around the house this weekend.  He said, "Oh yeah!  I forgot I used George's sock as my bookmark!!"  Of course you did.


Thank goodness we made it through day one.  Day two, my parents come for a 5-day visit.  Which means at least that part of my March Break plan will not fail ;)

More Tree Insurance

Note to anyone in Toronto threatened by your neighbor's private (not city owned) tree: take care of it yourself. 

Trees are a tricky thing.  They are really tricky in this city.  Super tricky in our old, old neighborhood where the maples are 100 years old and reach 90+ feet high. 

And then you have an ice storm.

This is three streets away from us.  They are our school friends.  And that tree that uprooted and tipped over was enormous.  Thank goodness nobody was hurt, and she said they needed a new car anyway.

We have a maple tree that hangs over our house.  It belongs to our neighbor and is set back just far enough from the street that it is a "private" tree, not a "city" tree...meaning the city doesn't take responsibility for (read: prune) it. 

Pruned, April 2010

Pruned, May 2012

So we do.  We've pruned this tree out of our own pocket for 10 years.  The last prune was May 2012.  I consider it really expensive insurance. 

Then the December 2013 ice storm happens and we lose our our electrical mast for the 2nd time in 18 months.  Same tree dropping branches. 

Finally, a discussion with the neighbor that owns it.  Safety is number one concern.  There is ice storm damage that needs to be taken care of.  Tree is in decline, getting worse.  We say, let's consider removal and suggest helping with cost.  Lots of head nodding, but not much interest is shown.  Weeks go by and then...there's a really windy morning...

Drooping = Split Branch

Diamond = Large Split

...so I look up to see a really large branch swaying and twisting and splintering in the wind.  Above our car.  Just outside the front door.

Here's where I tell you I go a little crazy.  Maybe it's mama bear protecting her kids?  Maybe it's mama bear imagining no car and shuttling three littles in subzero weather?  Maybe it's mama bear picturing herself scaling the tree with a saw in hand and throwing the broken branch on the neighbor's yard? 

Take your choice. 

(The arborist may or may not have almost witnessed some scaling by this mama of three littles who use the front door after he said someone would be nuts to park or walk under the tree like that....ARGH!!!)  

5 very long days after that windy morning, the branch -and other dead, broken, damaged- came down. 

Before

After

Before

After

It's a point of contention for me.  I love our neighborhood for so many reasons, and the big, beautiful, mature trees is one of them.  But the less of this tree I see hanging over our house, the better I feel. 

I just don't feel good about the cost.  I've done some digging since the last prune in May 2012, trying to figure out where the responsibility for taking care of this tree lies.  The owner?  The neighbor?  It appears that if there is a hazard to the neighbor present, it is the owner's responsibility to mitigate that hazard.  The problem is the process of getting the owner to act.  The city moves quickly for nobody.

The owner doesn't live there.  They rent out the house.  Our urgent communication wasn't replied to for days and no offer to act was given.  So in this situation, we acted.  We couldn't wait.  

Instead, we're waiting to hear from them about our suggestion to share the cost...while we continue to monitor this poor tree and keep track of its decline (read: continued hazard) which may lead to removal. 

In the meantime, I will cringe just a little bit less with the next big gust of wind ;)