First Day of School

Here are Claire and Emily before school this morning! I will write a full post about the day later!

Back from NY. Highlights and such...

Well, we survived our first nationals. I would go so far as to say it was a success. Claire had a good time and dancing aside Jacob did too. We took the red eye out. This is Claire at the airport


On the first day, it was just Claire and me. We took the Staten Island Ferry. Here are a few pictures from the boat.




We also did a little shopping and watched some of the preliminary competition. Here is a picture of Claire with her big sister from Company:


The next morning Jacob and Alberto got there. Jacob did not want to sleep so we went on a little walk while Alberto took a nap. Then we all headed to Central Park.




As you can see the kiddos cooled off in the fountains. It was cool, there was a whole play structure that had water running through it!

Of course all this walking had the kiddos worn out for the day!



Another highlight of the trip was going to FAO Schwartz. Claire loved the Harry Potter section:


I think Alberto was sorted into Slytherin


The kids loved these "ugly dolls"


Toys for the whole family! Alberto was really happy about Superman!

I found my pirate kin.

They had a baby doll nursery and so here is Jacob holding his baby.


Oh no! The bear got Jacob!


The next day was Claire's big competition day. Her penpal from New Jersey drove down to watch her. It was really cool. Her mom was very nice too. Claire's group did great at competition. I was very proud of Claire.

The next day Claire started class so I ran around with my boys. Here we are on the Staten Island Ferry. (they weren't with me the first time.)

While Claire was in class we took Jacob to M&M world. It is his favorite candy afterall!

Here is Jacob later that day just being cute!


Here is Claire looking all Hollywood!


Jacob loves his Daddy for taking him to M&M world!

Claire and Alberto went to the top of Rockefeller Center (top of the Rock)

I went to the Today show and Meryl Streep, Micheal Cane and Morgan Freedman were there. Here is a picture of me with Matt Lauer. (LOL)

Alberto went to the All-Star baseball parade with our friend Kristin Muery. Here is a picture of a really old baseball dude that I am sure is famous.


On a more interesting note, while they were at the parade, I saw Danny Devito walking down the street!

We went to Toys R Us in Time Square and rode the ferris wheel in the middle of it.

After carrying Jacob around for four days we finally broke down and bought a stroller. He was as happy about it as we were. It was the best money we spend on the whole trip!

Here is Claire with her friend Emily at the competition's Junior Gala, when part of our team won Critic's choice.

Claire with one of her dance idols from So You Think You Can Dance, Travis Wall. Claire was so excited to get her picture with him!


We went to Greenwhich Village, which was so cool! Here is Jacob enjoy a slice of NY Pizza down there!

The fountain from "Friends."

Alberto chillin in The Village.

Here is Ground Zero. It affected me much more than I thought it would. There is contraversy over why the memorial has not be built yet. I was a little shocked to see how nothing is still there 7 years later.


Well even though this is a long post, it is really just the highlights of our trip. It was a great time. I hope we have more family vacations!

My little guy is three!

Finally pictures from Jacob's third birthday. He had a party at school, a party at Chuck E Cheese and a party at Grandma's. If you click on the picture below it takes you to the album!

Hall of Fame videos

Latin Energy-Small Group Jazz

The Bird-Tap

Rhasta-Hip Hop

Satisfaction-Large Group Jazz

Monster Boogie and Banana Phone

Here is Jacob's suit from the recital. He will also be wearing this outfit when he attends the weddings he is going to!

Claire's solo at HOF

Here is Claire's solo from Hall of Fame. I hope to upload it from Odyessy because she performed a little better there, but I can't find the DVD. :(

A bunch of stuff, including Mother's Day

I am so bad about updating my blog! School is almost out so it is a busy time of year for Claire. This week she has field day, plus she is getting ready for the school musical next week. In dance, the recital is fast approaching. The studio is separating out the ballet this year so we have to attend three recitals in one day! Claire is in the ballet and the evening show and Jacob will be in the afternoon show. I am a little worried about Jacob's show because as far as I know he has yet to actually do either of his dances in class. Don't get me wrong, Miss Jenny has taught them the dances, Jacob just won't do them...well...what can I say!

I also haven't updated on the European trip as promised. Today I am posting a picture of the Houses of Parliament. We went in and actually got to watch part of a session. It was great! They called each other names, but with their accents it still sounds dignified! Also, there were protesters camped out across the street.




Mother's Day was really nice. Jacob made me a candle at school and Claire made me a candle holder. It wasn't even coordinated! Jacob did not want to give me the candle though, he wanted to keep it and he told me he made the candle holder, not Claire. He did tell me he made it at Claire's school though. hmmm....should I worry he is such a story teller already. They also (with Alberto) got me a gift card to Caribou Coffee which is exactly what I wanted! We went to the zoo that day. It was so crowded but we had a lot of fun so it was worth it! Here is a picture showing that 11 Claire may finally be taller than a penguin! :) Jacob maybe taller than the little penguin. I think they are both in trouble height wise!