NOLA 2014

Last weekend the entire Collins Clan spent the weekend in NOLA to see our long time family friend get married. It truly is rare that all 15 of us are able to travel together. We are usually missing someone because of work, travel, or other obligations. So it was really special for us all to be together for 3 days & 3 nights. 

We walked around town, shopped, dined, drank, laughed, cried, smiled, and danced. The kids had an absolute blast during their first trip and I fear for their return trips as they get older...lets just say they are rockstars in the making!

party girls!

We got a sitter for Friday night allowing the adults to eat dinner and have after dinner drinks uninterrupted. It was a blast!

Us with the groom

fireball shots courtesy of Taylor

I really enjoyed and will cherish the time we spent together in NOLA. The city has such character and fond memories for me over the past decade that its hard not to enjoy yourself :)

Collins demanding to push Adelaide & Aspen

jazz band

Cheers to family!

Adelaide's 2 Day Twos Open House

Last week we attended Adelaide's school open house. While I have gotten to know her teachers and classroom well, it was nice to meet the other parents and learn about the day in the life of a 2 year old.

The classroom is lined with arts & crafts projects that the kids create daily. They are working on an alphabet book that has a coloring page of each letter. The progress after just a few short weeks is amazing, and I can't wait to see the finished product.

Ms. Rosie & Ms. Carol shared cute stories of the kids from their first few weeks. This class is truly special and have really bonded with one another. And all of the girls seem to have a crush on little Bobby!

I love watching Adelaide grow and learn so much with such wonderful people guiding her!

The Legend Behind The Legend: A Mommy/Daughter Morning

The Historic Hudson Valley has so many wonderful fall events, all centered around family. Some are appropriate for the whole gang. Others are good date nights. A few perfect for some one-on-one mommy/daughter time!

Sunday morning Adelaide & I headed into Tarrytown for a shadow puppet show, arts & crafts, and picture fun with the headless horseman! We walked the grounds of Washington Irving's Sunnyside learning more about the "legend" behind The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

making tissue ghosts for her & her baby brother

I really enjoyed being able to spend some quality time with my sweet baby toddler girl. While each day I try to spend some alone time with each of my babes, it is usually between chores/errands/mealtime and is always too short. It was a real treat to have 100% attention on her and make her feel special. And she had an absolute blast. She loved having her mommy all to herself to carry her and tend to her every need right on the spot.

We can't wait for the next mommy/daughter date ;)

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchards: Pumpkin Pickin'

We went to Harvest Moon last September after finding out that we were expecting. I remember Adelaide wobbling between pumpkins and having to carry her most of the day...trying to imagine how things would be different at this time the following year.

Well here we are...one year later with a 5 month old baby boy to enjoy the sights & sounds of fall with too! Saturday we enjoyed a family morning at Harvest Moon in North Salem. Taking advantage of what will most likely be one of the warmer days this fall, we walked the grounds with gleaming eyes.

Adelaide quickly spotted the bouncy house and bouncy slide. She wasn't too thrilled about standing in line, but she managed to hold it together (sort of!). Next she found the goats and pony rides. She hopped up on that horse (with assistance of course) and never looked back. She is definitely a country girl at heart :)

We enjoyed the tasty cinnamon sugar donuts, the warm apple cider, and the amazing pumpkin cheesecake. We picked pumpkins and sat on the tractor for a family photo op. We saw puppies and friends on this gorgeous day.

My how so much has changed in just one year...