Christmas in NYC

Here it is JUNE and I am sitting here thinking about Christmas in NYC.  We had such a fabulous time last year for our destination Christmas trip and I never actually got around to blogging about it.  So as I sit here reminiscing about all the fun memories we made with our children last year, this one surely tops my list!

Although we have gone to New York City with our family many times we have never been during the Christmas holiday.  So as we planned out our Destination Christmas Trip we sat down and made the official decision to go to the big apple to experience Christmas in NYC.

Here are the fun things we did while we were out in the big city, and if you are going during the Christmas Holiday or considering a trip maybe you can use some of the fun ideas I am posting below.  

#1.  GULLIVER'S GATE

This was our first time to visit Gulliver's Gate which is fairly new, opening in April of 2017.  This is a itty bitty world full of landmarks from all around the entire globe.  It was simply amazing to see all the models of places, from NYC times square complete with Taxi cabs, and Fire Engines to Russia, Egypt and Niagara Falls.  The artists did a magnificent job designing down to the very smallest detail the over 300 scenes of all the different little  places.  

When you first arrive to Gulliver's Gate you are given a scavenger hunt form and a Metal Key on a lanyard.  The key can be entered into the keyholes located all around the exhibits to activate the movements of the sculptures.  The tiny cities come to life when the Key is entered and turned.  Fire Trucks race through the city, a passenger airline takes off from the airport, a bulldozer knocks down trees, Hot air balloons float in the air, and so much more.  It is absolutely amazing the tiny world that they have created inside this 49,000 square space.   

I personally thought the price was a little bit high, but almost everything is a little high in NYC in my opinion so expect to shell a little cash while visiting.  We took our entire family (including kiddos ages, 8, 12, 16) and I have to say it is very family friendly, but probably a little better for the older ones (10 & up).  My 8 year old wasn't as interested in the scavenger hunt and just wanted to run through and quickly look at the exhibits without much interaction.  I noticed this with most of the younger kids that were there.  It put a little damper on the experience for my older kids who were more interested in looking and finding the items on the scavenger list, turning each key to see what happened in the model, and taking their time going through the complex. 
Overall we gave it 2 thumbs up though!
PRICE:  ADULTS- $36     CHILDREN-$26   (Specials and discounts available online through the Gulliver's Gate website, also Groupon and other discounts sites)

#2 ROCKETTES RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 

I have to admit, I have never been too much of a Rockettes fan but Oh.My.Goodness this show changed my entire view!!! I always thought, "oh the Rockettes..."  (Insert eyeroll)  All they do is kick up their legs in unison.  I mean how much of that can you really watch right?  But we just couldn't go to NYC during the Christmas Holiday and not see the Rockettes Christmas show.  It was SPECTACULAR!!!  During each activity we took our kiddos with us, and everyone was purely entertained during their show.  The Santas, the singing, the Carolers, the ice skaters (ON STAGE)  and so much more!  It was just amazing.  If you are in NYC during the holiday season I highly recommend seeing this show!

Ticket prices vary (check box office for info)

#3 SNOWTUBING

We had the best time driving up into the mountains of New Jersey for Snowtubing.  It was a quick 1.5 hour drive from NYC and was so incredibly cold but fun!  I was a big scary cat and I just wasn't that thrilled about the idea of going down a mountain on a fluffy inner tube.  The boys on the other hand loved every minute of it.  We went to CampGaw Mountain where they have a snowtubing hill, ski slopes, snowboarding, and a small indoor cafe.  

They do require you sign a waiver if you want to enjoy the Snowtubes and you will have to slide on your belly for safety.  Don't forget to bundle up and wear your gloves and face covering.  It is cold cold cold coming down that mountain.  Another handy tool to have is handwarmers.  I am super glad I bought some all the way from Texas because we surely needed them.  I even passed some out to several people who were upset due to ice cold fingers.  

CAMPGAW MOUNTAIN:  SNOWTUBE PRICING- $26 FOR 2 HOURS (may be higher during the holidays, call for pricing)  I recommend purchasing tickets online before you go, they only sell a certain amount of tickets per time slot and you don't want to arrive to a sold out snow hill.  They also have ski lessons and snowboard lessons!

#4 OUTDOOR ICE SKATING

We are from Texas and it is pretty hard to find a REAL outdoor ice skating rink in our area.  My kids had put this on their bucket list and we had to make it happen.  I mean that's what these trips are for, making memories and experiencing new fun things.  Although they do have a fun and BEAUTIFUL skating rink at Rockerfeller Plaza, we opted on a local Brooklyn rink, and it did not disappoint.  The ice was beautiful, the eating area was great and the attendants were very personable.  I lasted on ice skates all of 3 minutes, my youngest hated it (especially after falling without gloves on) but my older 2 loved every minute of it.  They skated for hours almost until dark.  We went on a weekday, it was clean and not too crowded.  The price was affordable also!  I would take my kids back here again.

Lafrak Center at Lakeside   (Prospect Park Brooklyn NY)        Price: $7 Entry  $7 Skate Rental 

(Possible more during holidays and weekends) 

#5 Broadway Shows!

I truly feel no trip to New York City  is complete without seeing Broadway show!!!  We went and saw the Lion King during our Christmas trip.  This was a amazing Christmas gift from my aunt and it was one of our favs by far!  I have seen many shows in NYC and this one blew me away.  As we were sitting in our seats and the show began we looked up and there were actors dressed as all types of African animals walking down the aisles.  It was breath taking.  The time and dedication that they put into this show was jaw dropping.  

But no matter which show it is just see a show while out in NYC!  They have a great little ticket shop that sells discounted tickets in Times Square, we scored a pair of Phantom of the Opera tickets for $51 for Orchestra, we sat in the 4th row!  Every single show I have seen has been amazing and well worth my time.  

Every trip that we take I always look back, and realize how all the little sacrifices we make have been so worth it to take our kids and family on these so super fun experience trips to make memories.  We have chosen not to buy many toys and electronics,  we don't drive super fancy cars, or have a bunch of things that we don't need.  We have each other, we have the bond that we are building with our kids, and we have the memories that they will hold on to forever and for that I am grateful.  

Memorial Day, Watermelon, and 13 Years old!

I am going to pretend like it hasn't been nearly a year since our last blog update.  This has been a crazy whirlwind last couple of weeks.  If you have been following my blog for a while you probably have noticed a slight change in the layout, and how things are set up.  I am in the process of combining all of my blogs into one.  This will allow me to have everything in one place and not have to log into several accounts to update.  

We just finished our school year, and it was a busy one!    I have had to get on my A game (AKA Pinterest Game)  I was a busy planning fool before the kids got out of school.  Because we all know once they are out, the craziness begins!  My kids go BONKERS when they are home with me.  I have to #1 have plenty of food, and #2 have plenty of activities.  So this week we did tie die shirts, it was a total FAIL, and we did a watermelon volcano with my preschool class, and of course a lot of swimming.  When I cut the watermelon in half and scooped out the middle for the watermelon volcano the kids thought it would be funny to put it on their head and be a "watermelon head"  it was hilarious!  I will have to put the video up later.  

We have been in full celebration mode at the Herrera House since school let out May 23rd!  First was Memorial Day weekend, we had a party every day that weekend.  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We had the pleasure of seeing some super special friends and people in our life!  Friday we went to a baseball party, we are like a great big family.  The kids played and swam, and ate.  We just had a great time.  Saturday we went to a crab boil at another super special friends house.  We had such a fabulous afternoon eating, drinking, chatting, and the highlight of the day was the water balloon fight!  That was so funny!  I will post all of our videos soon, once I reformat them.

And the best thing of all the last few weeks have been celebrating the birthday of this awesome guy!  I can not believe that he is officially a teenager.  The time flew by right before my eyes, and I just wasn't ready.  But isn't that how life goes.  We blink and it flies by, if we aren't careful we will miss some truly important moments.  I try to enjoy all the little things.  For his birthday this year he had a few friends over for swimming, pizza, a homemade cookie cake, and fruit.  Then on his actual birthday we had a family party complete with confetti poppers.  

Live, Laugh, Love
~Cammy~

July 2017

Oh July, You have been so hot!  Summer in Texas can be brutal, it has been very  toasty this year. 

But we have managed to have some fun non the less.  We found a cool little toy at our local toy store (Sockmonkey Junction) they are called Boinks.  If you haven't tried them yet they are fun little toys that squish up and when you let it go it flings forward.  You can visit the site below to find out more. But we loved them! A fun non electronic toy that just keeps ya busy. 

Boinks <<<(Click Here)

We have been to Six Flags & Hurricane Harbor and let the kids ride a few rides.  Of course they go to the craziest new rides that will surely make someone my age sick.  I kept the bench warm during the last few adventures out the the amusement parks, too hot and too much spinning for me.  

We made sure we kept with tradition and went and got our Free Slurpee from 711 on 7/11.  Mainly because I like free stuff!  You can't go wrong with a free cool drink on a very hot day in Texas!

There has been lots of swimming, it's summer so we take full advantage of the pools!!!  We love having a pool walking distance from our house.

 Snapchat.  Need I say more?  If you aren't on the snapchat bandwagon, don't do it!  It is highly addictive and the kids love it.  We are usually cracking up at some of the filtered photos.

4th of July was our normal.  We met with our friends that we have done 4th of July with for 4-5 years at least.  We go and watch fireworks down the street from our house and the huge celebration that our city puts on.  Then the next day we watched the Macy's 4th on TV cuddled on the couch.

You guys know how much I love finding things to do with my kids and make family time together?  ALOT 

JC had been begging to make slime since the last week of school so we finally got out all the stuff and got to mixing.  I have been making slime for over 15 years with my preschool kiddos, and now it is this HUGE craze with all the kids.  I actually find it kind of funny that the big kids are so into it.  

But anyway, we made slime and they loved it!

July has been a great month for us!

~Cammy~

Summer, Summer, SUMMERTIME!

So as we jumped into summer there were so many fun little things that we have done, and some big things!  Rick's good friend from San Diego came to visit us, we always love when he comes out and spend some time with the family.  He stopped only for dinner as he was passing through, but it is always a great time.  

At the beginning of the summer we jumped on a plane and went to NYC.  As always New York is always a fun time.  We love visiting with family, and seeing cool sights.  This time we decided to do a few things that we have never done.  We went to the Freak show, surprisingly the family really enjoyed it, we went to some of the usual hit up spots like Times Square and the candy stores that the kids love going inside of.  Rick and I had a chance to go on a kid free date while there and we had such a amazing time.  We ate at a little Irish Pub, sharing a app of some of the best buffalo wings i've had, and he got a pasta bowl and I got corned beef and cabbage.  It was so delicious!  And to top it off we got there before happy hour was over!   Then we headed to see the Phantom of the opera.  We got AMAZING seats!  Orchestra level 4 rows from the stage, we really couldn't get better than that.  

Hershey stayed with my mom and dad, and we heard that he was a good boy...except for getting on my parents couch.  He isn't allowed on the couch at our house, but I guess he decided he would test the waters, either that or he was making himself completely at home.   

We had a great flight to and from NYC, everything went very well.  The kids were very well behaved (as always)  They are really great travelers.  

Freak show pics

We took the Staten Island Ferry to the island and visited a bit around town there.  Exploring the museum, and seeing sights there.  

We also celebrated this big boys birthday 12 years old!  The cousins came over and ate pizza and cake with us.  It was a fun day.

My kids loved getting REAL ice cream cones off the ice cream truck.  I wish they had these here!

NYC wore us out!  The way home was complete silence.  Everyone was KO'd!  I was too for the majority of the flight home.  Thank you Aunt Nita for always taking care of us in NYC!!!  

Until Next time New York, it's been fun!