On Loan To NYC: Moving, Movies, Yoga and Birthdays

Ok so its been a while but we have been busy little bees! We have now officially moved out of midtown Manhattan and are living in the suburbs, the suburbs being the City of Hoboken. The move itself wasn't particularly eventful although we still haven't quite settled in yet, probably to do with the fact that we have no furniture and are sleeping on an air bed (for those planning on visiting it is reasonably comfortable!). Ben and Katie are sorted though (as back home they didn't own anything anyway as it was all borrowed) and they both seem very happy in their new beds and are even sharing a room!

Were such gippos

So apart from moving things have been pretty busy. In work ive started on a new project while still working on my old one as well so that has added to my originally pretty full days but its going ok so far. Went out with a couple of the guys from work as well to the Liverpool Vs Man City match at Yankee stadium which was pretty cool. Match finished 2-2 and of course it being America that wasnt good enough so it had to go to penalties. Quite surreal seeing Lucas scoring the winning penalty and there being no celebrations of any kind from the players.

Leigh on the other hand is well on her way researching for her next book "Kiddie Parks of NYC" and i get countless pictures all day long of the kids on swings/slides/water features etc. etc. Looks like their having a ball which is great and i get to do my own fair share of parks in the evenings/weekends.

Hard work all this swinging!

Hoboken itself is a pretty cool place and there always seems to be things going on. This week alone on Tuesday we went to a kids party in the park starring Little Club Heads (ive no idea who they are either), Wednesday was Movies under the Stars and Thursday was free Yoga at Pier A.

The Movies under the stars was showing Despicable Me 2 and of course by the time we arrived Ben had fallen asleep! We did debate bringing a bottle of wine and then read on a website that it was prohibited, although when we arrived we seen another couple enjoying a bottle, impromptu trip to the Liquor store for a bottle and some plastic glasses! Thankfully we got away with it as a friend later told me the fine is $2000! Oops! It was pretty cool sitting on the grass with the Manhattan skyline in the background as the sun set and the moon rose. The film this week is "The Lego Movie" which ive been informed by Kelly is the worst movie ever and also that Ethan feel asleep during it (although im sure it was just cos he was tired). Im actually looking forward to it!

As for the Yoga i went on an "advisory capacity" and can advise that Leighs crab needs some serious work (that and lots of young hot women in yoga pants!......Ahem ;-) ). Ben spent the majority of the time throwing leaves about and laughing hysterically. All good!

Bums up!

Then of course on Friday was the wee mans 2nd Birthday! It was celebrated all over the world (see pics). Hard to believe hes 2 already but hes had a great couple of days. We staggered his presents over the past 3 days as all at once is too much and hes loved playing with all his new toys so muchos thanks everyone!

Choos choos from Granny and Grandad, while Katie reads in the background

Mega blocks from the Johnstons!

Mack from the Lyons (this was a godsend as it kept him occupied all day at the bar!)

Truck full of brooms from Mummy and Daddy

His birthday cake at the Flying Fisherman with Ethan doing the honours, Thanks!

Celebrations in Ireland

So in true Irish fashion to celebrate we took him to the pub all day Saturday :-). We had planned to head out with some friends from work and their partners so we headed to the German Beer House at 14:30ish and started into some very strong german beer in pitchers. It was nice to have some adult company and the kids were on their best behaviour (apart from Katie spilling 2 pints of beer, little grabber!) and everyone was lovely to the kids as well so we had a wonderful day (although i maybe drank a little too much and cant remember getting home (although i do remember spending a little more time than i would have liked in the bathroom when i got there.....hmmmm)) but Leigh cant talk as she woke up in the morning and had to go check to see if we had put the kids to bed!! I suspect they put us to bed! Ben was in the same clothes from the day before and Katie had a t shirt on! Hahahaha parents of the year!

The girls have a chinwag

Needless to say im feeling pretty ropey today and have just ordered pizza to cure me :-)

Special upcoming mention the other wee man in our lives is flying out next weekend! Cant wait to see him and hope he doesn't get too stressed on the flight. Love you wee man!......oh and Kelly and Michael are coming to but thats a distant second..... lol