April 30, 2017 - Shopping Sunday and Chaplin's Birthday!

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 23 DAYS

Shopping Sunday

Happy Sunday to you!!

Well I guess it's just the weekend for birthday celebrations! My little cousin Chaplin is six years old today - 

• ​HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU CHAPLIN!!!

Last night, me and the girls were celebrating the birthday of their friend Maya who turned 13  years old.  All these girls becoming teens!  I cannot believe how fast these kids are all growing up!

It was really a fun night!  Lots of fun, great conversation and delicious food!

Birthday celebration last night with friends (c) travelincousins.com

Gianna and Kelsey know Maya and her sister Daria from Dream Come True Farm where they have been riding together for several years now.

As it turns out, I've become quite close with the mom and grandma of the girls and so it's always such a nice time when we can all get together.

The apartment complex where they live - and where the party was held - has an amazing rooftop for hanging out and possesses one of the most incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.  We made our way up at around sunset and boy, did that time allow for some gorgeous photos. 

I didn't have my professional camera (DAMN!), but I managed to take a bunch of shots with my trusty i-phone. 

Incredible view of Manhattan skyline and sunset from the rooftop of our friends' apartment building in Queens (c) travelincousins.com

The colors of the sunset blew me away! (c) travelincousins.com

Rooftop Birthday shot! (c) travelincousins.com

Me and my girls with the Empire State Building in the background (c) travelincousins.com

A section of the roof is dedicated for kiddie play.  Well, since there were no kiddies up there at 7:30pm, the "big" girls decided to have some fun.

Gianna got wind of the chalkboard and decided she needed to write the entire Gettysburg Address, which she had memorized for social studies class this year. 

She kept going and going...and going, until she completed the entire address!! 

I have to say, I was impressed.  While the other girls were running around and jumping around, my kid is writing out one of the most famous historic speeches of all time.

She refused to go back downstairs with the kids (as cake was about to be served) until she finished writing it. lol.  So, I stayed up on the roof with her.
​ 
And as more time went by, the sun began to set more and more and before I knew it, the lights were beginning to turn on in the Manhattan buildings, giving the magnificent NYC skyline even more beauty from our view!

I was so disappointed I did not have my professional camera with my close up lens in tow.  Now, those shots would have been something to behold!!

The NYC skyline as it begins to light up. (My only regret is that I did not have my professional camera with my close up lens!! (c) travelincousins.com

We made it downstairs in time for cake - two to be exact!! A yummy ice cream cake and a butt-kicking Italian cheesecake (made with ricotta, not cream cheese) - my favorite!!!

Grandma& sissy with momma and the birthday girl (c) travelincousins.com

It was a super nice evening!

Today I did not stop with lots on the agenda.  And somehow, the morning just got away from me with laundry, straightening and cleaning and some bill paying, that before I realized it, I had missed my meditation class at the gym.  So annoyed.

But, I still had a number of things on my to do list.  And, as I write my blog, rather late tonight (apologies folks -we will link today's to Monday's blog since it probably did not email yesterday since it was not posted), I still have not finished everything that was on my list for today!

I promised Kelsey that I would take her shopping today for a dress for the Father-Daughter Dance next Friday night.

But, I was a bit under the gun for time since i wanted to hit the gym anyway, to at least to work out, even though i missed my class.  Gianna had to be at a First Communion party at 6:30 about 25 minutes away and it was already 1:30 by the time I arrived at the gym. 

Why is it, I alway feel like I have the William Tell Overture (theme from The Lone Ranger) playing in my head every minute of every day!!!

Scouring the racks in Forever 21 (c) travelincousins.com

Kelsey's dress for the Father Daughter Dance - from Forever 21 (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

Hit a sale - buy 3 get 3 free - Kelsey picking out earrings and accessories (c) travelincousins.com

After the gym, I managed to get back to take Kelsey shopping at the mall, after a record speed shower - and she found an adorable black dress pretty quickly at Forever 21!  Yay - so happy. 

We then moved on to get some accessories at Claires.  She is not sure what she wants to do in the way of shoes yet, since the girls all take off their shoes anyway at the dance.  So, I may still have to get her shoes if she decides not to wear an existing pair.

Now, both girls have their dresses - remember, Gianna got her dress in London at a store called Oasis in Covent Garden, on our last, "Shop till ya drop" day. 

Mind you, both dresses need to be tailored, which we have to bring over tomorrow, immediately after school so they are done in time for wearing on Friday!

Our last stop in the mall (or so I thought) was Baked by Melissa, which is always par for the course when hit the mall.  I passed, having enjoyed a pretty good salad at the Food Court, while Kelsey enjoyed the food of champions - chicken nuggets and fries from Wendy's.

As we were walking - pretty fast - through Bloomingdales towards the parking lot, I passed the Jo Malone counter.  Uh oh!
My favorite fragrance company!!

So, I had to stop!  I bought a little prize for myself - so many scents to choose from, but, I settled upon Jo's signature scent...Lime, Basil, Mandarin.  Mind you, I had no idea this was so.  I just love the scent!!

And as fate would have it, they were having a give away - a lovely rose gold colored shoulder bag!!! It was meant to be, I guess!

The dinner of champions - Wendy's (c) travelincousins.com

Our usual stop at Baked by Melissa (c) travelincousins.com

Ok - rushed out of Bloomies like a bat outta hell and made it home by 5:40.  Dumped the shopping bags inside, grabbed Gianna and Punkin and headed over to Westbury, where the party was.

(c) travelincousins.com

Me, holding my Lime, Basil Mandarin Jo Malone fragrance purchase! (c) travelincousins.com

UGH!! Tired.  Now, I have to play chauffeur again and go get this kid at 10pm.  

Anyway - all in all it was a good day!!

More tomorrow!!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 2 DAYS

It's a very special day!

Good Day everyone and Happy Sunday to you!

First and foremost I'd like to acknowledge that today is my niece Chaplin's 6th Birthday!

This sweetie pie is a lot like her Aunt Tanya and she loves looking forward to things.

So needless to say, I'm so excited that her big day is here for us all to celebrate! 

Chaplin in a dress that I brought her back from Austria (c)travelincousins.com

She's also quite the planner (again very much like her Aunt Tanya) and she has plenty of plans for us to enjoy the day with her.

I'll be starting with the honor of going to pick up her birthday cake from Whole Foods. She gave me this assignment and therefore it is not just a typical errand - it is an honor!  
​While at Whole Foods, Dave and I will also grab some snack and goodies for our early flight to Hawaii on Tuesday.

We have a family brunch scheduled at 1pm and then after that we'll be heading to Zoomars Petting Zoo...

From the Zoomars website:
We're one of a kind and hay bales of fun.  We're good times, friendly animals and the happiest folks you'll ever meet.  For the past 30 years our little zoo has charmed more than three million visitors. 
You'll meet Kunekune pigs, super sweet sheep, loveable llamas and friendly cows. Feed the guinea pigs a carrot stick or two, and feed apples to our odd-looking emu as she stretches her neck.

Hop on by the bunny patch to see the cottontails cuddle, and then brave the goat pen for some very big hugs! 

It's sure to be a good time & it'll be return visit for us as we also took the little missy there on her 3rd birthday...

At Zoomars petting zoo (c)travelincousins.com

At Zoomars petting zoo (c)travelincousins.com

After all the petting is done we will be on our way to the beach - a stop that we've been making annually for just about each of Chaplin's birthdays!!!

Chaplin's 2nd birthday (c)travelincousins.com

Chaplin's 3rd birthday (c)travelincousins.com

Chaplin's 4th birthday (c)travelincousins.com

Chaplin's 5th birthday (c)travelincousins.com

Lastly, we'll all be heading back home for plenty of presents, a scrumptious Lasagna dinner, cake, ice cream and a movie!

​This little lady knows how to make great plans!!

Now how's about a bit of Daily Scoop - 

Yesterday at El Dorado Park ​NBC4 came out to Host National MS Society's Walk MS Event in Long Beach where the kids were performing and supporting this fundraiser.

NBC's Anthony Yanez introducing the choir. (c)travelincousins.com

International Peace Choir (c)travelincousins.com

A few members of the IPC with the NBC reporters (c)travelincousins.com

The kids and their friends (c)travelincousins.com

Having fun (c)travelincousins.com

After a lovely performance which included singing the National Anthem and opening the event, it was time to show our support and get out there to do a lap.

About to start the walk (c)travelincousins.com

The MS Walk (c)travelincousins.com

I had a delightful surprise waiting for me once back in the car. There was a voice mail message from my dear friend Jeff - who is currently hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail).

He had the opportunity to go and visit yet another friend of mine who also hiked the PCT a few years back and has since opened the Neenach Cafe out in Lancaster, CA.

It was great to hear from Jeff and catch up on his adventures!

Jeff and Jan at the Neenach Cafe (c)Jeff Aller

Beyond that we were starving and the plan was head on over to Freesoul Caffe - of which we haven't been to since their renovations. 

These guys matched on their own today (c)travelincousins.com

Can't wait to eat! (c)travelincousins.com

Related review:Freesoul Caffe
I also managed to start and finish all of Dave's packing! Almost finish my packing. Find a few missing items that have been lost since getting back from our Magical Anniversary Trip (last August/September).

Then it was time to go and get my Aloha Islands mani/pedi on...

Hit the mall for a few returns and to finish shopping for Chaplin's birthday. While we were there you can bet we had to go and visit LUSH! 

And finally back home for dinner and chilling out before crashing out! LOL

All in a day - but rather typical for one of my days.

Time to go celebrate!
​-T