I love NewYork....let it be

Christopher and I are in fabulous New York City and loving every minute of it. I think it is the little things that make it so great.
Today as we got off the subway in Brooklyn, our ears were drawn to the melodic sounds of the Beatles classic "Let it Be" played on the pan flute performed by some street performers. We couldn't help but smile and dance.
The weather is perfect and the people are awesome to watch. We walked the Brookyn Bridge yesterday into Manhattan and toured the sights, saw some great mohawks and ate some big pizza. Today we hit the Marathon Expo, experienced times square and the subways for the first time. Later Christopher wants to go see the Bodies exhibit. (yeah, the gross no skin posed bodies, yikes)
I will keep you updated on our NYC tour.
Have a great Halloween!

A Beautiful Day for Bocce!

Today was one of those perfect fall days in Tennessee. Sunny, high 60's. We had a wonderful church service, great lunch, watched a Halloween parade (which, spur of the moment, Christopher and I were asked to be judges in the kids costume contest) and played an exciting game of Bocce ball!

I honestly forgot how much fun Bocce can be. For those who don't know, in bocce, there is a small ball or pauline that is thrown, then up to four players who each have two balls take turns trying to toss their ball and hit or get closest to the pauline. Whoever gets closest gets to throw the pauline for the next round. It may sound simple, but when you play with people like my dad who likes to throw the pauline on the side of a hill or other difficult spots it can make the game quite interesting. And there's Christopher who ended up juggling the bocce balls like a pro. (well kind of) ;) We introduced Ristow to the game and he seemed to enjoy it, more of course when he would win. But, none the less, it was a fun way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Bring on the Bocce ball!

Dr. Ristow?

Lately Ristow has been totally excited about bones. No, not the halloween skeleton kind of bones but bones bones. X-rays, medical book diagrams etc. He loves to tell anyone who will listen about your skull and vertebrae, it is pretty funny. And lately, he wants us to read a book at bedtime that is all about the Mayo brothers, you know the ones who founded the Mayo Clinic? He is pretty amazing. He listens intently and really soaks up all the information. Future Dr in the making?
Three is such an inquisitive age. I really enjoy that part of 3. Like the other night, Ristow asked Christopher where poop goes once you flush in down the toilet. (the important questions in life) After, Christopher's explanation about the pipes and a cleaning plant, Ristow wanted to see the pipes. So downstairs they headed, Ristow asking questions all along the way. I was just impressed that Christopher had as many answers for him as he did.
Anyway, I hope that Ristow excitment for learning stays with him throughout his life.
If only he was this excited about listening when I ask him to get dressed or put his toys away ;)

Superhero Birthday Party

Saturday we took Ristow to a friend from school's 4th Birthday party. It was held at a local gymnastics place and the kids were supposed to dress as their favorite super hero. Ristow has been very excited about the party for quite a while. Ofcourse last minute he decides that he doesn't want to wear his costume and pitches a fit. Anyway, after that it was great. The facility was wonderful and the staff was great with the kids. They bounced on trampolines and dove into big foam pits, zip lines and slides. Ristow had a great time and it was neat to see him interact with other kids that I don't normally get to see.

While there, we could totally see why Ristow got kicked out of his last gymnastics class. Yes, my son got kicked out of gymnastics, crazy huh? The instructor said they he had trouble waiting in line and staying with the group, which is dangerous with lots of other equipment and flipping kids around. At the b-day party, Ristow would run over to us after each turn and then something would catch his eye and he would want to run over and explore it. It was a very cool place with lots of big, new pieces of equipment. I wanted to run over and explore some of that stuff too. Maybe that is where he gets it from ;)

All in all it was a great time!

Date With My Husband

Last night I was able to surprise Christopher (thanks to my mom and dad for watching Ristow) with a night out. Nothing fancy, just a nice dinner at a restaurant we hadn't tried before and some shopping. It was funny how a few hours of interfacing does so much good.
I love going out to eat with Christopher, not just for the mere fact that I love to go out to eat, but because we sit face to face and have conversation together. At home we sit next to each other most times, but not really face to face looking in each other's eyes and talking. Or when we do sit and talk, we hear "mom!, excuse me mom! " as Ristow pokes his head in front of my face to try to get me to talk to him and not Christopher.
So a night out is a good thing. It gives you time to have fun with each other, to laugh, to remember why you got married in the first place. Christopher and I have so much fun together and sometimes stress and home and family can cloud that memory. A night out helps us to be better connected, improves our communication and all in all allows us to be better parents.

Next month we are joining a babysitting swap, we watch all the kids for one evening and we get four date nights in return. Granted there are 8 kids (for 5 families) and that one evening may be a handful, but I am hoping that the benefits of 4 date nights will more than make up for it. We will be rotating through 2 date nights a month. It looks to be promising. I will keep you updated on that one. I am sure lots of good stories will come out of that one!

Have a great weekend!

My Inner Ohioan

Yesterday after school we went to the Pumpkin Farm. One of Ristow's favorite places. They have pumpkins, of course, tractors, animals, a corn maze and all sorts of fun stuff. We really enjoy going there. But one thing got to me this year, the weather. Now, don't get me wrong, one of the reasons I love living in TN is the weather, but going to the pumpkin farm in 82 degree heat just seems wrong! My inner Ohioan seems to come out this time of year. I am ready for long sleeves, sweaters, hot cocoa; but all I get is extended summer with a few pretty leaves. I know soon enough the weather will be cold and I will be wishing for spring but it is hard not to miss the Ohio falls. The colors are a little more vibrant and the cool breezes kiss your cheeks on walks in the leaves. What great memories. No, I am not thinking of moving back, just enjoying reminiscing.

For all you northern folks, take a walk, breathe deep the smells of fall, take mental pictures and maybe I can live vicariously through you!

Raining Love

Today as Ristow and I were leaving school it was pouring rain. I was trying to figure out how to get us both to the car as dry as possible with no umbrellas. As I was stressing about getting wet, Ristow says " its not rain, its love falling from the sky!" How can you argue with that. We headed off to the car in the rain with little smiles on our face and didn't mind so much the love soaking our clothes. That boy makes me smile!

Wedding/Reunion

This past weekend my cousin Dennis got married in PA. It also happened to be a time for the Ristow Clan to reunite. (Ristow is my mom's maiden name for those of you wondering where I got Ristow's name). Ris and I flew up to Buffalo and then had a limo take us to my aunt's house. The guy picked us up in the airport and he even had a little sign with my name on it! I have always wanted to be that person that was being picked up with their name on the sign! I know its a bit silly but it sure was fun.

Anyway, my mom was able to spend a wonderful weekend with her brother, sisters and cousins. It has been a number of years since everyone was together. It was great! The wedding went wonderfully and my Aunt Lee was a supurb hostess.

Christopher met up with us on Saturday evening, in time for the reception. He had just finished a century ride with one of his best friends in OH. He had a great time and was a champ!

I forget how much good it does my heart to be with family. What a wonderful weekend.