Putting it Down on Paper

I'm not as good of a blogger as I thought I would be.  Blogging seemed like it would be a great evening activity, a way to wind down at the end of the day and think about what has been going on in our lives.  The truth is that this past month I've been a little too overwhelmed at the end of the days to want to do more than play computer solitaire.  But I thought it was time to summarize the past month of fun, and stress.

Damian has been really into seeing all of the sights of NYC.  The first adventure was the UN building.  The website said kids under 5 aren't allowed, and I didn't really think it would hold their attention anyway, but we made the jaunt down there to see the flags and check out all the security guards anyway.  While strolling around we came upon a nice little plaza where a movie was being filmed.  While I was trying to figure out what the show was, Davin went ahead and fell asleep.  Getting into the subway or a cab would make him wake up, and once he's up he doesn't go back down, he just gets crabby.  So like any logical parent I walked the 43 blocks home :P  My butt did not let me forget  that for days!

The next trip was Central Park Zoo and children's petting zoo.  If you're reading this as a travel recomendation site, I don't put it on a top ten zoo rating, but it was a nice place to hang out for an afternoon, and being there also helped us hear about the big east coast earthquake (that we didn't feel)!  We tend to have more fun in Central Park picnicing and playing ball or playing on the playgrounds.

Our next trip was the big one; the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  Damian had been wanting to go for months, but they only sell so many tickets ahead of time so we had a 3 week wait buying online.  But being as it was just me with the two boys, the 3 weeks of waiting and listening to Damian beg was worth it to by-pass both the ticket line and getting to go to the front of the security line.  I am so bummed that our computer deleted the pictures of this trip when I tried to upload them. I had one shot of the two boys on the ferry about to leave for Liberty Island, and they both had the giddiest smiles on their faces.  All the stress and hassle of the day, and planning the day was worth seeing that look on their face.  Even though you all can't see it, I will picture that in my mind's eye forever.  Aside from a few tired tantrums from Davin (who couldn't nap with all the fun) the day was fabulous, albeit exhausting.  And it tickles me to hear Damian still tell people he meets that he got to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

And today we saw the Chrysler Building up close finally.  It was not our intent of the day, and I did not even notice it until my ever observant young son excitedly pointed out to me that we were there.  So we inadvertantly checked off the last must see place on Damian's list (for now)!  I am waiting to hear what is requested next!

What we were doing downtown today was (finally!) getting Damian a number from the Board of Education so that he can start school on Monday!!  I will summarize the short but frustrating tale of getting Damian into the school we wanted for him by saying that the psychologist didn't call us until the first day of school to set up an appointment to evaluate Damian for the program we were hoping to get him into for this week.  We were worried he might potentially miss the first two or more weeks of kindergarten (which bothers me a lot more than him).  But God has thankfully been at work (as He always is), and tomorrow we will register him and find out what supplies I get to buy him (very excited for this), and pick out his uniform attire.  Yes, he will be wearing a uniform, and yes I actually am happy about it.  Although I did buy his fall wardrobe on clearance last spring like I usually do, I am a fan of school uniforms so I'm okay that he will only wear the fun stuff I got him in the afternoons. 

Before I forget, I should throw in here my story about Irene.  Now I will admit that I was quite panicked about the prospect of going through a hurricane.  I am nervous about being on islands as it is, but the thought of having big squalls of water coming up around from all sides takes that fear to an irrational level.  I wasn't scared of dying from the storm, I knew better than to go swimming :).  But I have seen images of severe flooding with people getting rescued from rooftops that made me nervous.  But my biggest, and most rational fear was of the power going out for a week.  How on earth would I entertain 2 boys in the dark in an excessively small and hot location for more than 2 hours, much less a week?  Thankfully, I never had to face any of these fears.  Our power never even went out!  In all honesty, our windows look out on such a sheltered view that I kept waiting for the hurricane to come.  I remember reading online that the eye had passed and we were on the upswing and being a little bummed that I missed it completely!

Hopefully soon I will have an update to share on Damian and school.  I am so excited that he finally gets to start and meet his friends that I may not even cry quite as much as I would have if it had been the actual first day of school :).  God continues to keep blessing us, and bringing the randomest people into my day to stem away the tears that have times started to fall.  The novelty has started to wear off and adjusting to this routine has been harder than I anticipated.  But when I despair, God has shown me in so many gracious ways that He loves me and that He is still in control.