Jess and Si come to visit

We'd originally planned two nights out but after immigrationgate they arrived in NYC knackered and traumatized at about 9.45 so we had dinner in. Thank g-d they had the First Class pyjamas to put a lil smile on their face.

But we proceeded to have a FANTASTIC 24 hours with them in NYC. The next morning started bright and early with me showing them Ruby's school, the drivers, the mums in the gym gear etc. Then - we headed out for a day in NYC, no kids, sun shining. First stop - Soho for breakfast.

Followed by a mooch and a mosey round the shops and on to the Tenement museum. And lots of brother(inlaw)ly love.

An amazing lunch at Prune in the East Village, a mani pedi for Jess and I and on to the boom boom bar at the top of the standard for an apero, and more brotherly love.

And (almost) finally to Madison Square Garden for the Muse concert which was great. Standard concert fot..

Ended up at the parker meridien for a midnight burger at arguably one of NY's best burger joints before heading home. A very special day.

Spring

Ruby as tinkerbell having just had her hair blow dried (post cut, there was a reason). It was quite fun, the two of us strutting so happily out the salon with pin straight hair.

Normally her hair is more like this.

It's starting to get warmer - so dresses are on

And we're living in the park.

Ruby went on a field trip to Central Park Zoo with the class

I didn't go. More focused on helping with Eben's transition into a transvestite.

Working on a number of looks. Say whaat.

Luckily, Ruby has a 6th grader called Prudence for a reading buddy and looks out for her everywhere she goes.

More pictures of mum to come - one of the multiple ice cream sessions during her trip.

A few more spring snaps

This boy. Totally edible.

And lastly - the class hatched chicks this week. We were not allowed to take one home over the weekend because of what happened to the Hermit crabs.

5 at school

She turned 5 on a Monday and they did some sweet stuff at school. Begun with decorating a crown for her which she wore all day. Then at the end of the day - me, Al, Eben, Janet and Samoya went in to Ruby's class, brought some brownies for the kids, and sat at the front with her whilst everybody sung happy birthday. The teachers read out a book the kids had put together during the day. Each kid had drawn a picture and sent Ruby a wish for her birthday. Based off 5 things they'd learnt about her that morning -  that that her favourite food is Spaghetti Bolognese, and that she likes toys, balloons and the colour red.

Best bit was how proud Ruby was to have us there.

Short and sweet vid of us coming in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVepQeY5GtQ

Ruby’s birthday book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAXbSzxqsAE

Ruby turns 5 and goes mad

Another bash. This time at the craft shop round the corner on 94th and Amsterdam with tons of Ruby's little mates from school and some friends w/ their kids.

Post-nap and pre-party Ruby and Eben

With Olivia

With Ellie

And bff Emma

Some other fots to remember the day:

It really was a GREAT party.  Here's a quick vid of happy birthday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dESzV1gy-fs

Party rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fmfm_jnIYI

And limbo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsjNrHGBD6k

CUTE pic of the boys/twins

Mini-break: Philadelphia

In our aim to try and adventure to as much of the U.S. as poss, we headed to Philadelphia for the night. Hired a car, drove 2 hours, stayed in a hotel in the middle of the busiest square ever - and had what I would describe as an ok time. Definitely a lot of value in getting out of NYC, but we didn't do enough research and ended up in quite busy commercial areas and a touch lost. 

Highlights included:

Seeing the Liberty Bell (that was the only answer to the question what shall we see in Philadelphia. We didn't actually see the famous cracked bell but we did see the building it's housed in and all the crowds lining up). 

We did move on to a very nice playground and carousel just down the road. 

That night for dinner, ended up in Del Friscos. We have one in midtown but we did have cheesesteaks there so there was a sampling of Philadelphia

By far the highlight was THE most amazing kids museum we've ever been to called Please Touch. 

By far the best bit for Ruby and why we chose the hotel was for the pool and the hot tub. 

Home snaps