Holidays 2006, Part 1: New York City

We were once again in NYC at my aunt's place on the Upper West Side...  I made good use of the fact that my child is a total parrot and got her to declare "Em a commie!"  We generally hung out, walked in the park and around the neighborhood.  We went to Natural History with hsib and LauraZ on Saturday afternoon (the 23rd).  TRex loved them, of course, and the dinosaurs at the museum. 

We also saw Grey Gardens, which I still can't decide what I think about.  Christine Ebersoll was mind-blowingly amazing (as was Mary Louise Wilson) but...  the story just didn't work for me. 

( Spoilers for those who might see it but haven't... )

Matt Cavenaugh was cute, but his Boston accent was atrocious - way too much like Mayor Quimby.  I liked him much better in the second act as Jerry.  The music generally didn't do it for me, but I loved "Another Winter in a Summer Town".  All in all, though, what I really want now is to actually see the documentary.

Christmas afternoon we took TRex downtown to see the decorated windows - Saks and Lord & Taylor.   Saks was this wonderful winter fantasyland thing with a heartwarming story that I didn't read... I was busy taking pictures.  TRex really liked that one.  By the time we got to L&T it was raining - they had a cute Victorian-themed thing that was charming but not so appealing to the 2-year-old.  And I have to remember that if you want to catch a train to the Upper West Side you have to go to Port Authority, not Times Square (or go to Times Square and then walk underground to Port Authority).

Holidays 2006, Part 2: Williamsburg

We were home for 1 day between NYC and our New Year's trip... Just enough time to run some errands and do some laundry. This year's New Year's trip was to Williamsburg (because Josh has limited vacation time so we needed to stick close to DC). We flew down on the 28th, spent 5 hours in the parking lot that was I95 on the 29th, and actually started doing things on the 30th (my 30th birthday) - hey, I turned 30 on the 30th and didn't even think about it!

( Colonial Williamsburg )

( Jamestown )

( Living History Geekery )

Other than that, we went to First Night and saw some awesome groups - TRex loved the bluegrass and celtic music. She woke up during the fireworks and was "scared booms" which caused some problems... Also did a bit of outlet shopping - I got a couple of knives and a skirt, and we got some clothes for TRex (I was proud of 2 shirts, a skirt, and a dress at The Children's Place for under 10 bucks).

And now we're home again.

Oh, what fun!

I was looking for the redemption code for an Amazon gift certificate that I got for Hanukkah and discovered the notification for one that I got for TRex ages ago... it expires this month!  So I just ordered her three new gosling books!  We love the goslings in our house, we do.  And with part of my own gift certificate I got myself an armband for the new iPod.

I don't care if I post these links every damn day...

I don't think I've ever heard Keith Olbermann sound this mad...

Sarah

Sarah,
originally uploaded by srford.

Check it out - a decent picture of me!

Not necessarily unrelated observations

1. Some people are alive simply because it is illegal to kill them.
2. Academics really like to hear themselves talk.  Some, however, are worse than others.  In such instances, refer to observation #1.
3. My hair is wet.
4. I gained weight over the holidays.
5. I like cheese.  I also like beer.  And peanuts.
6. So far, The Other Boleyn Girl is a really good read.
7. Following the lead of relentlesstoil and samueljl, we packed up a big box of TRex's toys today.  She didn't even notice.  There are still obscene numbers of them all over our living room, though.
8. TRex's second-second-birthday is on Friday.  Maybe I'll bake something for her.  Like some "happy cake" (chocolate muffins).
9. Chocolate muffins might as well be cake.  Ah, the wisdom of toddlers.
10. I should go upstairs now.  Sex and the City is starting soon.