Christmas in the City

Christmas in NYC is pretty magical with the decorations being over the top and everywhere you turn.

We walked Fifth Ave. again this year to take a peek at the department store windows.

It was much easier this year with the crowds being lighter (perhaps because it was a weeknight?) and with Freddie on foot.  Not having to navigate crowds in the double stroller was nice, but sometimes the walks in the city can be a little much for Freddie.  My city boy easily logs a mile or more at a time, but he's always thankful for a lift onto Dada's shoulders.

The window displays are fabulous and do not disappoint.  What an awesome job it would be to create windows in the city especially during the holidays.  I really loved the windows at Bloomingdale's this year (sorry, no pictures!) but it was fun to have our picture snapped outside of Lord & Taylor as part of their holiday display, and then have it texted to us.

We also were able to catch the display projected onto the side of Saks.  Last year it was just too crowded to find a spot to watch.

The countdown until it begins…15 seconds

Walking through midtown meant stopping in to see THE tree!

It is so amazing to see.  Freddie, of course, requested that we skate at Rockefeller Center below the tree.  Maybe after Christmas when it's not so crowded, my dear.

A fun Christmas tradition for us, and perhaps one of my favorite things we do in the city.

The Christmas Train

Every Sunday in December the MTA rolls out old subway cars and buses and puts them back into use for the day.

This year we happened upon the train one Sunday but it was on the opposite platform so we weren't able to hop on.  After getting a glimpse of the 1930s train cars we decided we'd find the train and go for a ride the following Sunday.

The train cars are each from a different year spanning the 30s and 40s with the oldest being from 1930.

I tried to put the ages in perspective for Freddie by explaining that if Papi were a boy in NYC these would have been the subway cars he would've ridden on.

The train runs on the M line from Queens to downtown Manhattan, making all of the popular holiday shopping stops.

It was neat to see the old advertisements.

I especially liked the ceiling fans and exposed bulbs.

Maybe next year we'll find the old buses.

Lovin'

• Baking with the boys
• Celebrating with the boys an A on my paper and an A in my class with sparkling cider 
• Christmas magic
• Icing!
• Crafting with the boys
• Snow covered trees
• Snuggling on a big couch
• Wool socks
• Flannel sheets
• Christmas cards
• Little boys shaking gifts

Then and Now

2009

2013

Christmas Cheer

The cheer has been slow the last few days with a stomach bug in the house.  We're hopeful it has run its course and is out of the way before Christmas.

We're still enjoying the season with little boys.  We've got a few new ornaments for the tree which they are so proud of.

The Christmas countdown is in the home stretch and there's been lots of talk about Santa and visiting family and friends.  Love the excitement!

Let it Snow

Finally some snow that stuck….

but it wasn't sticking around for long.  Since it was going to warm and rain before the next morning and the snow would be gone when we woke up, the guys decided to head outside while it was still coming down and play for a bit.

Construction has taken over the sledding hill but the boys managed to find a small patch to sled down.

Best news of the season:  Hans likes snow!  He wasn't a fan last year.

Hoping for a few big snowstorms this season.  If it's going to be cold, it might as well be snowing!

(Thanks to Charlie for taking pics since Mama was inside SICK! And she's still sick.  Awful timing since there is too much holiday fun to be had!)