One Year (and some change)
Officially one year (and some change) in NYC and it feels so good to have a full year under our belt. I think we finally feel settled here in a way that doesn't feel possible until you hit the year mark in a new place, ya know? It feels like home and we are loving it. Michael and I were chuckling the other day about how the girls are so used to the subway and may never want to be in a carseat again. We'll cross that bridge when we get there, I suppose!
Our fall routine is in full swing -- Michael's been back at school for about three weeks now and is already back to the nonstop grind. I started doing some homeschooling with Lennon, and while we're still working out the curriculum we're using and how it exactly works into our week, it's been so good for both of us. She is very structured and LOVES the routine of it all - she even read some words on her own earlier today and I may or may not have cried a little (a lot). Georgie has been so eager to start ballet with Lennon this past year, but I couldn't manage a mommy and me class with Lennon and James in the mix, so the deal has been that when she's three she can start (since that's the age she can start doing it on her own at most places). Her first ballet class was last week and my mama heart almost couldn't handle how full of joy she was. She jumped right in, eager and excited and absolutely zero nerves. Again, may or may not have cried a little (a lot). We're spending Thursday mornings at ballet class on the UWS and making a morning of it -- popping into PlantShed while we wait for them to finish up (I can get my coffee + flower fix simultaneously, James can enjoy a muffin without sisters asking for a bite). I tend to love routines for a while and then start to feel trapped by them and abandon them altogether, then feel stressed because I'm craving routine... definitely my toxic trait, ha. Something I am proactively trying to work on! Presence, commitment, consistency, and the freedom that comes with consistent routine -- it's so much better for my brain in the long run. We definitely have lots of unscheduled time in our week for impromptu outings or stay at home days or whatever else may come up, though. :)
Fall is my favorite season in general -- obviously the change in weather, the leaves, the sweaters, all the things. Michael and my anniversary is in October, as is Georgie's birthday. The girls are obsessed with Halloween (they talk about their costumes literally all year long - I think we finally made costume choices that will stick!), so it just feels really special and fun. Fall in New York is a whole new thing -- maybe my favorite thing of all time. Not being dramatic. It's such a magical time in the city and I am so excited to experience it again. This time around we won't be so new to everything here, the girls are all a bit older, and we'll be able to enjoy it in a new way compared to last year. Planning to spend as much time in Central Park as possible.
We have plans to go to Waverly Inn for our anniversary dinner - we walk by it every Sunday since it's right around the corner from our church, and every Sunday we say "we have to go eat there." So we're making it happen! It has the loveliest courtyard and sits on the corner of Waverly and Bank, which is such a charming spot. So excited to check this one off our "to eat" list! Planning to have after dinner drinks at St Jardim -- we're suckers for natural wine and love this spot.
Georgie turns three in a couple of weeks and has been asking for months to have an Eloise birthday party. I'm having so much fun planning this for her -- this one feels especially fun since we live here in the city. May or may not be planning a visit to the Plaza for some tea... :)
xx