Todd, Molly & Co: January 2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Christmas for 2 in NYC

Divorce and shared custody of our children is something Todd and I always describe as Bittersweet. There is nothing we would want more than to have our kids every day and every holiday, but that isn't possible in this new life of ours. The only thing to do is to find the sweet part of missing days with your kids. Often, the sweet part of our life is the time we get to spend as a couple. We both know how hard it is to take time out of a busy family life for dates and trips together, nevermind the logistics of arranging care for the children. When our kids go to their other parent's house and we have time for just us, we make the most of it. Todd and I cherish the time we get together and how it reminds us of the love that we share that gets us through the busy days. This Christmas, we decided to take a trip to New York City. We left on Christmas Eve and took the train to Philly with Tate and Avarie. We met their dad in the train station in Philly so they could go spend Christmas with him. Todd and I changed trains and headed on into New York. We arrived late in the evening on Christmas Eve and found a small Irish pub that was still open. We sat down, took a breath and toasted to the wonderful holiday season we had enjoyed, then crashed out of sheer exhaustion!
We stayed in Chelsea at a fantastic Hilton, ate some delicious meals, and enjoyed some sights and shopping. We really didn't do as much as most tourists might want to, but we really just enjoyed sleeping in, time together walking around and people watching. Todd had made reservations at a few restaurants that he had researched (I'm so lucky!) and we caught up with Todd's friend Anuj who moved to the city last year. The weather was PERFECT!

Christmas Mass at St. Patrick's Catherdral - breathtaking

Rockefeller Center - we didn't skate, just people watched

Macy's - I dragged Todd in here and we braved our way all the way to the top floor where we (!) looked at china of all things. We also went to Lord & Taylor, and looked at all the other holiday windows.

Dinner at Ca Va, a french restaurant near the theater district that was delicious! We both can't wait to go back so we can eat here again.

First trip to Tiffany & Co which Todd had arranged in advance. It was very fitting because it was the only day that it rained, just like it was the night we got engaged. Todd had arranged to meet with the gemologist so we could see the engraving on my ring - amazing! It was so special and we had a champagne toast! Another amazing coincidence, the engagement floor manager who sat with us, grew up in Denver! So we really felt the stars smiling on us!

My Christmas present from Todd to commemorate our first trip to NYC

We had an absolute blast and cannot wait to go back. It's so nice to travel with someone you love!

Christmas...a little early

Ava and Avarie with the nativity set that Nana gave us a few years ago - a Christmas favorite

The preview - in case it's hard to see - that's 3 bikes, 5 hand tied fleece blankets, 7 stockings, 1 giant Kitchenaid Mixer, and countless other items of joy!

The beginning of the morning - notice me with my coffee and two boys wrapped in fleece

Westin got a Redskins jersey, probably his favorite gift

The boys got the very coveted Skylanders which I thought Todd went a little overboard on, but then stores haven't been able to keep them in stock for more than 10 minutes since then. So, I stand corrected.

Nana and Papa got roller skates for the girls because we have the perfect air hockey table in the basement for them to practice around!

2011 was not our year for big Christmas morning because all the children were to be at their other parents' house for the morning of the 25th. We decided that it would be best to just do the whole thing a day early, so we went to sleep on December 23 after Christmas at the McCarty's and woke up to Christmas joy on Christmas Eve. It was perfect! Santa did not visit our house but that was ok because Harrison the Elf had already brought us so much Christmas magic. The kids slept in until 7 and then enjoyed every last bit of what they opened. These kids are truly the happiest bunch you'll ever meet and were so appreciative of everything Todd and I put into planning presents for them. I think they each got a few things they asked for, and they each got a few surprises that they didn't even know they wanted. Todd and I enjoyed watching them and opening a few things for them to play with. The girls were thrilled with their little white puppies that walk on a leash, closest thing we will have to a real dog for now. Todd and I got to enjoy some coffee and quiet time opening gifts together too...a new professional mixer for all these birthday cakes we make, some spectacular new jewelry, fancy headphones for my drummer, and most of all, the compete and utter joy that a happy family can bring you!
It was a quick morning because we had to get packed up, get Todd's kids to their mom and get my kids to the train to go to their dad. Next up, train ride to Philly and then NYC for Todd and I.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Christmas at the McCartys and Gavin's Birthday

This is one big fun FAMILY! I never in my wildest dreams thought that Christmas could be this much fun. We celebrated Christmas with the cousins and Todd's parents and Bridgette and Gavin on December 23 since our kids were going to be at their other home on Christmas morning. We had a blast - Bridgette made a delicious pasta bolognese for dinner and a wonderful cake for Gavin's birthday. We opened gifts with each other and let the kids be wild, but when are kids not wild two days before Christmas with all their cousins, all 8 of them? They were darling and so excited!