Christiana and Ceara's surprise New York City Weekend!

So, Emma had this wonderful idea to surprise Ceara with a New York City Birthday Weekend! Of course I said yes when she asked if Christiana and I wanted to come along! Since it was a surprise, we put together little clues for them to open up along the way ... First clue ...
A little pillow! We're staying overnight!
The rest of the clues they opened up on the car ride. Once they opened up the red apple, Christiana said, the Big Apple, and Ceara said, we're going apple picking in Pennsylvania!
And we're off ....

Four hours later, we arrived at the Marriott!
With many more surprises ahead ...
Checking out the view ...
from our room on the 28th floor ...
After a quick unpack, we were off to 5th Avenue and The American Girl Place! More surprises as Ceara finds out she can pick out a new American Girl Doll ...

Priceless! Ceara's new friend ... Meet Nellie
New friends Nellie and Kit ...
and then ... Tea in the Cafe ...
It's pink and black and white and flowery! So girlie, so sweet ... yummy tea sandwiches and a special time as mom's and daughters.
Next stop ...
Rockefeller Center ...
then ... M&M World Store in Time Square!
So many choices!
The cherry ones were a bit different
Two little girls in Time Square! Tickle fights back in the room ...Emma won!
We quieted down for the night ...
City Night Lights ...

Up early the next morning ... interesting shots by Christiana on the way to the waterfront ...

Next stop ...

Build-a-Bear ... off to make new friends

Picking out a heart ...
Making a wish ...
New friends are stuffed and ready for love ... meet Pip and FlickaAfter our three hour trip to Build-a-Bear, we headed for Central Park and a carriage ride ... we checked out the renovated Plaza Hotel where Eloise lives, and made our way back downtown for a rest! Have you ever wanted to light up all the floors on the elevator? Stop at every floor? :) Resting before their big night out to see Mary Poppins on Broadway!
Okay, the last time we went to a show, I got in trouble for taking pictures before the show started, so we thought we'd give ourselves a little break and not tote the camera bags. When we got settled into our seats in the New Amsterdam Theater, you can imagine the shock on my face when we saw the ushers taking everyone's pictures for them! Oh well ... we don't have shots from the theater, but we had an amazing night seeing a wonderful Broadway musical!

Here's the link if you'd like to check out the show ---> http://disney.go.com/theatre/marypoppins/

We had an amazingly wonderful time this weekend! Thank you Emma and Ceara for sharing your special weekend with us... we loved spending time with you and laughing together!
Memories for a lifetime ... what a blessing!

Winter Storm Sky

The afternoon was sunny, and then the clouds started to roll in ...
A piece of sunlight was left in the sky ...

Whirling winds and gray hues took over ...
A reminder of the Creator of Heaven and of earth ... "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Kimberly's Roman Banquet

"Friends, Romans, countrymen ... lend me your ears;" ...

Each year, the 7th grade class enjoys a Roman Banquet as they present projects and reports on their chosen Roman History topic. Our Roman historian chose food and the feast as her topic ...

We learned that Romans reclined on couches at their Feast ...

Kimberly worked with clay and made a replication of the Triclinium - a Roman feast, including the food they ate and how the banquet tables were set.

She did an outstanding job with her presentation ...
And enjoyed the feast with friends ...

The Young Roman Ladies of the Banquet...
Well Done Everyone!

"O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you."

2 Chronicles 20:6