The Great Outdoors

This park is absolutely amazing.  You could take pictures all day there are so many beautiful spots.

These trees soar

Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful 70 degree weather and enjoyed some time exploring the state park just a couple of miles down the road from our house. 
The leaves are starting to change and there was a cool breeze in the air. 
There are a lot of things to do outdoors here in New England. This state park is a great place for hiking, bike riding, swimming, bird watching, fishing, picnicking and taking in the beauty of the outdoors that CT has to offer. 

First Grader

Molly was all too happy to get in on the posing

Lily Grace on the first day of first grade holding a photo from last year's first day of Kindergarten

A gift for her teacher

The front steps of school

With her principal on the way down to her class

With her first grade teacher

Her new seat and a real desk now

Too cute!  She wore her new pink stethoscope to lunch and checked all of our heartbeats.  

This morning as Matt and I sat downstairs having our morning coffee, we heard a loud "Woooo-hoooo, I'm a First Grader!"  We knew that Lily Grace's alarm had gone off.  
She woke filled with excitement.  (Ok...some of that was due to the fulfilling of her back to school breakfast request, Prosciutto Cups.)
She couldn't wait to get her uniform on and get going.  Before leaving home, she was all too happy to pose for pictures and even informed me that she had some new "first grade poses."  
Once at school, we couldn't get her in the door fast enough.  I managed to hold it together (considering that the tears started hard the night before I'm not sure if that statement is accurate) until we got out of the room and then.........
Once in the car, through the tears were several words like Memphis, home, worried and the ultimate- My Baby!!  It was hard people.  I thought Kindergarten was a tough goodbye, but moving to a new state to a new school was hands down harder.  Matt listened like a trooper and eventually the tears did subside.  He and I ran a few errands to keep occupied and finally I realized that I had been praying for her and now I needed to let God take care of the rest.  
Lily Grace only had a half day today so we picked her up at lunch.  She said she had a good first day and wasted no time making new friends.  We were so happy to see her exit the building holding hands with a new friend she made in class and the excitement on her face as she called me up to introduce me to her.  They were so cute yelling and waving goodbye to each other after we had entered the car. 
Once all buckled in, she tore into a first day surprise Gran had sent her (a new doctor's coat and real pink stethoscope so she could play her favorite character, Doc McStuffin) and we were off to enjoy lunch down by the marina.  The weather has been unbelievably BEAUTIFUL today.  
Thank you God for always hearing our prayers.  Thank you for always taking care of our girl when we can't be there.  Thank you God for the blessing of Matt's job so that Lily Grace can attend Catholic school and freely talk and learn about you each day.  Thank you God for the blessing of the MOST wonderful first grader in the world!  

Surprise!

Waiting on the train with Ivy in hand

One very excited girl

American Girl Magazine Cover Photo Shoot

Bitty Baby Area: Adorable

Adorable Decor with lots of Pink

Appetizer Course

Chocolate Mousse Flower Pot for Dessert

So much fun!

Each year, we give Lily Grace a "Special Back to School Day."  She gives ideas of what she would like to do to celebrate the beginning of a new school year and then we choose one.  Last year, she visited Sweet and Sassy for some hair and nail pampering and had High Tea at at a local tea room with dear friend Claire.  
This year, having moved so close to NYC and making a brief stop in American Girl, we had a pretty good idea what would top her idea list. 
This year, she requested a day at American Girl along with enjoying lunch in their cafe.  Matt and I woke her early and surprised her with the day she requested.  
Matt took the day off and we all boarded the train last Friday and headed to the city.  Lily Grace was absolutely beside herself. She brought along Ivy, who happens to be Julie's best friend and informed her on the train ride that she was going to see  Julie, so not to worry. Matt and I loved watching her excitement and hearing her share it with her doll.  
Once there, Daddy surprised her with Julie, the doll she has been hoping for.  Lily Grace was actually shaking as the clerk rang her up.  Once Julie was in hand and had been thoroughly hugged, off we went to the photo studio.  Lily Grace and her girls (as she calls them) had a photo shoot for their very own American Girl magazine.  SOOOO Cute!  As many of you know, Lily Grace has no problem getting her picture made and is all to happy to pose so this was quite the fun experience, especially with dolls included.  
After her photo shoot, we browsed the store for matching shirts and Lily Grace started a mental wish list.  (ok...not so mental as she asked me to take a picture of certain items she is wishing for in the future)  
Once 12:00 hit, we were off for our lunch reservation.  I must say, it was pretty unbelievable.  They thought of everything!!!!  The dolls were made to feel as special as the guest, right down to having their own chairs and a waiter bring them a cup and saucer place setting.  The food was equally as cute.  The decor was a little girl's fantasy and truly made for a fun and memorable lunch.  
After a few more looks around, we boarded the train for home and Lily Grace enjoyed time with her girls, brushing their hair, reading to them and eventually cuddling them up and falling asleep in my lap.  
It was quite the treat this year that we all enjoyed Back to School day as a family.  No doubt, this move has been a change for all of us and not the easiest on Lily Grace.  Those dolls have been her best friends and as soon as they arrived to the new house and were unpacked, she seemed to feel a little more at ease.  It was quite the blessing to be able to give her such a special day.  Matt and I truly enjoyed it as much as she did.  What a wonderful memory of our little girl, immersed in being just that...a little girl.  The world tries so hard to make her grow up so fast and as parents, we just want her to live in the moment of who she is.  This trip was just that.  We watched our little girl lost in the innocence of imaginative play and the excitement of friends who she gives a voice to.  Thank you God for the blessing of these special memories.  We pray that Lily Grace continues to grow at her pace and not that of the world or its influences.  Thank you for always being with her.
In two short weeks we will take our sweet girl for another special day, the first day of First Grade.  

Mary Poppins in NYC

Love the clocks in the train stations

Check out Miss Priss who insisted on taking her purse.  Do you think she has enough pattern going on?

On the train

Giddy over Apple in Grand Central (And yes, that would be both of them- ha!)

Grand Central Station: The ceilings and chandeliers are beautiful. 

Here with Julie who she is hoping to add to her collection.

Lunch in the city

Random city pics

Time Square

Amazing show

Wet from head to toe.  Matt took the blunt and gave us the umbrella until Gracie decided playing in the rain with Daddy would be much more fun.  

Living now just a short train ride from New York City, we boarded  this weekend to catch the Broadway Show- Mary Poppins.
Lily Grace has been beyond excited about this show.  Mary Poppins was the first movie we allowed her to watch and is still her favorite.  She was also pretty excited about the train ride and going to NYC.  I must say, we all were.  What a new experience, and right here at our back door.  
The train stations are amazing.  I love all the clocks and the ceiling details and Grand Central, well it was just that....GRAND.  We had no idea the extent of this train station.  It's huge and houses more than just trains.  There are resteraunts, businesses and even ....drum roll please...an Apple Store.  I thought Matt and Lily Grace were going to come unglued.  Hello...we've lived near an Apple store for several years, but each time they see one it's like the first time and then to have one in the train station made it even more cool.  
Once those two stopped drooling, we were off to do a little sight seeing since we arrived early.   First, we took Lily Grace for a little surprise stop.  American Girl doll store was in short walking distance as most things are in NY so we figured, why not?  She was in awe of the place. (I was a little giddy myself.  I was very much in to dolls as a little girl and this place was just amazing. ) It was definitely sensory overload with four floors of doll fun.  She quickly sought out Julie the doll she currently has her eye on.  We left empty handed but I have a very good feeling that we will soon be back.  
After a quick lunch, we were off to Time Square.  Wow!  That pretty much sums that up.  (However, quite the funny story there.)
Mary Poppins was AMAZING!!  It was the best show I have ever been to.  At the end of the performance, Mary Poppins flys through the audience and I thought Lily Grace may burst as she made it our way.  The smile on Lily Grace's face and her little hand waving nonstop, was priceless.  We all thoroughly enjoyed the show and watching it with her was just a cherished memory made.  
Once the show was over, we excited the theater only to be greeted by rain, and to be more exact, a downpour.  No worries though, because apparently when it rains in NY, magic happens.  All of sudden it seemed there was someone with a cart of umbrellas at every turn for sale.  And can I just say, that after we all endured a little wet fun, that was the best $5 spent.  
We enjoyed dinner at Grand Central station and dried out a bit before catching the train back home.  It was a wonderful day and wonderful memories made.  

Friends Near and Far

We've spent today hanging out around home and cleaning house.  
Lily Grace has used today to hang out with friends, both near and far.  She and Molly took to the floor to enjoy a show together.  
Later in the day, she and Claire proved that miles don't have to interfere with friendship.  They enjoyed Face Timing each other. During this time they shared favorite songs,  dolls, pretend play, laughs and tons of questions and thoughts.  They were too cute and just go to prove that friendship can overcome any circumstance.  So sweet!