Olympic moment

I ran a marathon today!

I know. If I didn't do it myself, I wouldn't believe it either.

I just want to leave you with my favorite quote from Angelfish:

"Mom, do you feel like an Olympic champion even though you didn't get to stand on a podium and you had to put your medal on yourself?"

Yes, Angelfish. I do. =)

HAIKU: Not Torpedo

Phone. Remote. Mouse.
Open window.
4th Floor.
Gone.
Not Torpedo.
The stuff.

Mermaid Update

Some of my sisters and I have started a blog to chronicle our adventures with Down Syndrome.
You can find the latest here: imdownwithdowns.blogspot.com

The upshot is that Mermaid is currently being treated for seizures called infantile spasms. I cry more than usual and have a hard time focusing, but we've had lots and lots and lots of blessings.

We love you!

Chocolate Tour NYC

For my dear friend's birthday myself and several ladies were instructed to dress spring flirty and meet for a limo tour of New York's sweetest chocolate spots. We didn't make it everywhere and I must admit that being with friends was absolutely the sweetest part, but if you get a chance you may want to check out some of the following locations.

p.s.
I'll upload a picture when iPhoto stops crashing.

New York Chocolate Tour

Martine’s Chocolates 82nd and 1st
These exceptionally rich Belgian creations can take up to three days to make.
What to try: Chocolate “Butterfly” filled with hazelnut praline and fresh whipped cream.


Maison du Chocolat 1018 Madison Ave., nr. 78th St.; 212-744-7117
Long worshipped as one of the premier Paris chocolatiers, thanks to its combination of luxe ingredients.
What to try: Tennis ball size, just-crunchy-enough Rocher pralines.


Teuscher 25 E. 61st St., nr. Madison Ave.: 800-554-0624
The ne plus ultra of Swiss chocolate companies, thanks to its simple but rich and incredibly smooth creations.
What to try: World-famous champagne truffles.


Jacques Torres Chocolates 250 Hudson (at King Street)
Redefines decadent with everything from delicate bonbons to giant kid-friendly bars.
What to try: Pistachio marzipan dark-chocolate bonbons; “Mom’s” peanut brittle


Li-Lac 120 Christopher St., nr. Hudson St.; 212-242-7374
This West Village institution has been turning out small batches of handmade confections for more than 80 years.
What to try: Scrumptious dark-chocolate almond bark, butter crunch almond toffee. Pecan almond chews

MarieBelle Fine Treats and Chocolates 25 Prince St., nr. Mott St.; 212-925-8800
Maribel Lieberman owns two cute shops, supplying them (and Bergdorf’s) with whimsically painted bonbons packed with exotic flavors like chipotle and cardamom.
What to try: Decadent, thick “Azteck Hot Chocolate

Chistopher Norman Chocolates 60 New St., nr. Beaver St.; 212-402-1243
Paris old-world methods with a modern aesthetic to create unexpected tastes that never seem forced.
What to try: A whimsical chocolate walnut shell filled with banana-nut-cream truffles, butter crunch almond toffee.


Vosques Haut Chocolat 132 Spring St., nr. Greene St.; 212-625-2929
Just over a year old, Vosges specializes in exquisite truffles infused with odd ingredients: Jamaican beer, wasabi and wild-fennel pollen
What to try: The “Rooster Truffle” –dark chocolate with Taleggio cheese, Naga Truffle, Red Fire Truffle and Balsamico.


Kee’s Chocolates 80 Thompson St., nr. Spring St.; 212-334-3284
Chocoholics swear by the exceptionally creamy truffles made daily at this Soho boutique, inspired by flavors like green tea and ginger
What to try: Vanilla custard-filled Crème Brulee Truffle”, Passion Fruit Truffle and Ginger Truffel

The Oy! in Ahoy!

We had our first solo family sailing trip.  Yep! Everyone came.  All the kids including Mermaid. After a 3 hour drive to Tom's River, NJ (yeesh!) we finally got our boat and hit the water.  Torpedo hated the idea from the get go, Sparkle was inclined to be bored and Mermaid was just along for the ride.  The rest of us had at least done the classes previously.  

It was a new boat, new waters and 3 new sailors, so there was a bit of mayhem (and screaming from a very scared Torpedo).  We dropped one sail-tie in the water straight off, ran into one of the channel posts trying to recover it and then lost Angelfish's hat into the water.  It was a freebee from a conference, so we decided to let it sink to the bottom.  

After the initial turmoil, we regained our bearings, remembered some of what we had learned in our class and managed to make our way up and down the river without running into anyone/thing, not running aground and keeping all the O's in the boat.  BL (Bottom Line):  we ended successfully!

Post-sailing allowed time to throw rocks of various and sundry sizes into the water from the pier, a chance to use the bathroom and eat, then over to the ocean for an hour or two of watching the sun set behind us and watching the moon rise in front of us.  Truly glorious.  

Some bad traffic on the way home.  We arrived at 11:30pm (12 hours round-trip) but we did it! Gosh darn it.  And we're proud of it.

Outcome:  Sparkle changed her mind and decided sailing wasn't boring at all, but rather liked it.  Torpedo decided screaming his head off wasn't helping him or anyone else around him and settled into it gradually, and Mermaid managed to stay upright in the boat thanks to her "Bumbo" seat.  Star, Angelfish & Tangerine managed the sails beautifully and My Hero got some much needed skipper practice time.  (Tangerine even managed trimming the sails while nursing!  Amazing.)  We left with 2 adults, 5 kids and we returned with 2 adults, 5 kids.  Success!  Ahoy matey!

No more tears

This really works! The goggles keep onion fumes from getting into your eyes. Try this at home.

No TV

Here is what happens when our kids aren't watching TV:
photo shoot
making a movie
learning the herringbone braid