NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Seeing the Macy's Thanksiving Day Parade in person is something I've always wanted to do!  So, when the Mr. found out (last minute) that he would not have to work on Thanksgiving (for the first time in a few years!), we decided to take advantage of the opportunity, and drive down to NYC!  We hopped in the car Thursday afternoon and arrived Thursday evening.  How awesome that we can drive there in just a few hours!!

We were SO fortunate to be able to rent an INCREDIBLE top-floor 3 bedroom apartment just a couple of blocks away from the parade route!  It was a beautiful apartment, with 2 rooftop porches with amazing views!  We decided we want to live there!!

The front of the apartment:

The view from one of the bedrooms.

The living room (I let the children watch a show while I showered...)

Cool staircase inside the apartment (the apartment was 2 stories!)  We also had to walk up more than 100 stairs to get to the apartment - quite the workout!  Couldn't imagine carrying a baby carseat, or groceries, up that every day! :)

One of the bedrooms had the coolest loft bed - the children argued over who would sleep on the top bunk!

We left the apartment around 5:45 and walked about a mile to a good area on the route.  After sitting on some bleachers for quite awhile, and then being told they were reserved, we were worried we had missed our chance for a front row seat.  But fortunately, we crossed the street and found the perfect front row spot! We parked ourselves there and enjoyed our hot chocolate, fruit, and muffins.  This is from very early on when we arrived - closer to the start of the parade, the entire street behind us was jam-packed full of people, for as far as you could see!  I wish I had a picture - it was more people than I've probably ever seen in one place at one time!

The children entertained themselves with little toys they had brought along, watching several news reporter interviews,...

 ...and then playing some games with the families we met who were waiting next to us.  We had a great time! And I was so pleased with how well the children did - we had to wait for about 3 hours for the parade to start, and they didn't complain once!

It was quite cold - Wiggles was holding hand warmers inside her gloves to keep warm!

Playing more games...

There were balloons everywhere - and someone tied so many together, they went up higher than the buildings!

One of our neighbors was very proud of his unique turkey hat.

 As 9am approached, the excitement in the air was tangible!  Thousands of people packed as closely together as humanly possible, many dressed up in holiday cheer,, all anticipating the big event, created a truly amazing atmosphere.  I actually got a little emotional, upon the realization that we were there, experiencing something I've wanted to do for years!  (Warning: TONS of photos - and these are only a fraction of what was in the parade!  I was trying NOT to take pictures, but ended up with some anyway...)

Clowns on skates handing out balloons...

 Wiggles favorite balloon, of course!

These were hilarious - the large, inflatable characters were pedaling the bikes!

Hundreds of people holding each balloon!  It's amazing!

Enormous Statue of Liberty torch!

Mt. Rushmore! Wow!

 Whoopi Goldberg!  Not a huge fan of her since her ignorant comment during the election...but still, it was cool to see her!

Wiggles had the best seat in town!

Lots of people throwing confetti - and Angel and I took some in the face! :)

the Big Apple...

Another of Wiggles' favorites:

In case you haven't heard the story (because I hadn't, before seeing the balloon), this is Virginia, a girl who wrote a letter to the editor, asking if Santa Clause was real.

And last, but certainly not least, Mr. Santa Clause himself!  He was very animated and jolly, and reminded me of Miracle on 34th Street!

 He was so unbelievably jolly that I'm sure he must have been the real deal!  I've never met a more convincing Santa!

And then, just like that, (only, we had been watching for awhile!), it was over.  Magical. Wonderful. Joyous. It was incredible!!!

Drumroll, please....

Years ago, the Mr. decided he wanted to be a Sports Medicine physician - a doctor who specializes in the treatment (and prevention) of sports-related injuries.  He has worked very hard over the past 15+ years working toward that goal - undergraduate degree, master's degree, research, medical school and now residency, and today, the final step in his long journey commenced with his acceptance into one of the best Sports Medicine Programs in the country - Maine Medical Center.  (Each applicant is accepted into just one program through a system called "the match".)  This is a 1 year program, meaning that, 18 months from now, The Mr. will (finally) begin his career!!  (Or, I should say, start a new career - he's been very dilligently working at the difficult career of "student" for many years!)

While disappointed that we won't be moving closer to family, we are thrilled at the wonderful opportunity this is for his career, and delighted that this allows us to remain in our home, in the beautiful state of Maine we have grown to love.  We feel very blessed for his acceptance, as Sports Medicine is a highly sought after and very competetive field, and many physicians are unable to pursue this path.

All in all, it is a happy day for these Buchanan Mainers! :)  

Music

Wiggles adores music.  She is constantly singing, or at least humming - literally, constantly.  It's as if shse simply cannot be silent.  Her first favorite song was the theme song from "Tangled".  (watch the video here)  Then, this Christmas season, she learned the words to "Angels We Have Heard on High" - and we've heard it no less than 50 times per day (no exaggeration!).  She especially loves the "Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-rias".  It is beautiful and, quite literally, music to my ears.

This evening during family devotional, we were singing  "Teach Me to Walk In the Light of His Love".  After we finished, she very excitedly said, "I'll teach you how to walk in the light!  You just turn on the light, and then you walk!"  Her enthusiasm and zeal was SO adorable and the Mr. and I got a good chuckle.

The other two keep me laughing as well.  Earlier today, they were singing "Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer" when suddenly, Angel said "Hey (Grins), did you know there's another reindeer besides Dasher, Dancer, Prancer.....etc?  Her name is Olive!"  Grins asked, "What? How do you know?"  She replied, "Because the song says "Olive, the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names."  She was joking, of course, but it made me laugh!

My children are so adorable and funny!  There's never a dull moment around here - We have such fun together!

Since I don't have any great pictures, here's a video of Angel and Grins singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ANPjtzpsc&list=FLmuLSSsjiwFjq_wVWU-fHMg&index=5

USS Constitution

While in Boston, we decided to visit the USS Constitution.  Last time we tried to go, it was closed.  This time....it was closed again!  So we just took a look around the outside.

Boston

We have traveled to Boston many times, but typically just spend the day there.  This time, however, the Mr. had one interview Fri morning and another early Sat morning, so we decided to stay for the night!  Our hotel was next door to an incredible Italian restaurant called "Bertuccis".  Typically when we travel, we bring food with us to avoid eating out, but with coupons and special offers, I was able to score 5 pizzas, a bag of 20 fresh rolls, and 2 kids meals for just $10, so we couldn't pass that up!!

  

The children wanted me to take pictures of our pizzas, they were so unique (and DELICIOUS!!)

Shrimp Alfredo:

 Italian Meat-lovers, with salami, pepperoni, italian sausage, meatball and chicken

The kids chose plain pepperoni....boring - but still delicious!

Wiggles enjoyed the rolls!

Butternut squash and bleu cheese - SO good!

Sicilian - pepperocinis and salami

The children, kicking back and enjoying the dinner (we had just finished swimming!)

While the Mr. was out at his interviews, the children and I enjoyed the pool!  We were there for 5 hours one day, and they still didn't want to leave!!

Boston - Bunker Hill Monument

The Mr. had a couple of Fellowship interviews in Boston, so we decided to make a family trip out of it!  Since the Mr. had never been to Bunker Hill, the children and I decided to take him there!

Last time we went, the children walked up the 294 steps completely on their own - even Wiggles.  One woman was coming down while we were coming up, and rolled her eyes while commenting to her friend, "Um, I think this is a bit too hard for those kids - especially that little girl!"  Though she wasn't speaking to me, I said "Well, they've done it before when they were even younger.  And I think it's great exercise, don't you?!"  I get slightly annoyed when people comment on my parenting, or especially when they assume that children (or anyone) is not capable of something.

All 3 children made it to the top without a fuss - I think they had more energy at the top than I did! :)

The view from the top:

After enjoying the view (and a couple of deep breaths), we headed back down.  This time, Wiggles got a ride. :)

We LOVE being able to see so many neat historical sites!  We love New England!!

Wiggles Turns 4!

It is hard to believe that our sweet baby is 4 years old!!!

She was SO excited that it was her birthday that she awoke early and jumped right out of bed, shouting, "It's my birthday!!!"  She ran upstairs for some gifts and her special birthday breakfast (cereal of her choice - a family tradition). (She chose Trix.)

Of course, Angel was more than happy to assist in the gift opening! :)

....and all the kids were thrilled with the Trix!  

Aunt Hannah gave Wiggles some sparkly, fancy tape, and the kids had fun decorating their bodies with it!

Then Wiggles headed off to Preschool.  (I told her she could stay home, but she wanted to go, of course!)

That evening, we had carrot-cheese soup (at Wiggles' request).  Wiggles chose this adorable little cake that fits her perfectly - dainty, pink and sweet (with chocolate inside, of course!) :)

Grins suddenly finds it funny to cross his eyes during photos - awesome!

True to form, Wiggles licked the frosting off and discarded the cake.  She does this with everything - it's hilarious!

Wiggles insisted that her 'family party' was not enough, and expressed that she wanted a "Hello Kitty" party with her friends.  So we had a couple of her friends and their families over for dinner the following evening.  We played Pin the Nose on Hello Kitty (though the boys were 'too cool' to play  - see them all lined up on the couch!) :)

Then we decorated Hello Kitty cookies.  Of course, the boys were more than happy to eat the cookies, and simply decorated them into ninjas and action figures.

We had a LOT of fun!  Happy Birthday to our sweet Wiggles!!