Elf. The musical.

The movie Elf has been a staple around Christmas time for Andy and me pretty much since it came out, with many one liners being integrated into our conversations in the month of December, and this year we thought the boys were old enough (with remote in hand for a few moments that require muting) to enjoy this stupid-funny classic. They LOVED the movie, as we hoped they would, and it makes it even more relevant for them since it is set in their hometown. So, when the boys and I were Christmas shopping and took a lunch break at Chick-fil-A, Gabriel picked up a flyer for Elf the musical and suggested that we go see it, well we couldn't exactly resist (especially at ticket prices about 1/4 of typical Broadway prices!). Tonight was the final show, the last one we were able to get tickets to, and it felt extra special because all four of us have never seen a show together.

The show was at the theater at Madison Square Garden (which was concurrently hosting a Phish concert in the main arena, making security really crowded and crazy). We had first row seats for the section we were in, so not too obscured from heads in front of us, and it was a family friendly length (whew). The storyline was very similar, but naturally the writers had their own twist on things. Many of their favorite lines and scenes were in the show, while some (Buddy drinking an entire bottle of soda and burping for a solid 20 seconds being one of them) were not. I'm pretty sure one of the highlights was the "ginormous" (Elf reference) bag of M&Ms at intermission, but overall we all enjoyed the experience. It made a late night for the boys (after doing the hungry chicken on the subway ride home, Andy carried G home and I carried J home from our subway stop). I hope the boys remember this family outing well, we certainly will. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear ... Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Goodwins! We had so much fun today! In fact I am still in my pajamas (note the time of this email), and we didn't take a single posed family pic because we were having so much fun playing (we might remedy that by a Christmas Day fake out picture tomorrow before we take the tree down!).

Our morning started out at a totally reasonable hour, 6am. The boys, as they did last year, asked to sleep in the big bed together. Gabriel and I woke up to big fat snow flakes coming down, and although it didn't last I still count that as a white Christmas. Gabriel woke Judah while Andy and I readied the coffee and the cameras (we had to clear some space on my phone first, and they were super patient). The boys joyfully opened all of their stocking gifts, which in turn gave us so much joy. The Adidas zip pants were a big hit this year! After stockings, we moved to the tree gifts, three each to represent the three gifts Jesus received from the wise men. The boys each received a Star Wars lego set, a new Under Armor backpack, and the most-anticipated gift this year: Lebron/Nike basketball shoes! The exuberance was infectious. The boys wore them around the apartment all morning. We feel so lucky to be able to give the boys these gifts, and love watching them enjoy them. Andy and I also really enjoyed the gifts the boys both thoughtfully picked out for each of us, with excited and giving hearts.

It was really cold and windy today, so we didn't get out to play as much as we typically do on a Christmas day (the boys and Andy went out after Christmas breakfast to play with their new Clemson football, wearing their new basketball shoes and Adidas pants, while I stayed inside with Aunt Steph to get a new play set ready for assembly). When they came back in, we played the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, building the Rokenbok construction set, playing an arcade basketball game, flying their little drones, and building "reptangle" configurations. The SF Warriors were playing the Cavs at 3p, so we put the game on while Aunt Steph and I prepared for Christmas dinner. The Warriors won! We enjoyed a lovely dinner and dessert together to round out our Christmas day. We even got an Elf quote from Judah ("I like to whisper too").

Today was low key and uneventful but yet a very memorable Christmas. I love spending down time playing with the boys, which is made even richer without the stress of school and work (we're off together all week!). We are very blessed by these boys and feel honored that God chose us to care for and raise them. It's an honor we're often not worthy of. It's clear that we've left *really* little boyhood in the rear-view, and 6 and 8 is a super fun age to engage with them both and learn and observe. And I hope the boys are both old enough to remember this Christmas really well! We have so many great memories and fun times ahead of us, it's just the beginning! Glory to God in the highest! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in the City

Merry Christmas Eve! The boys have been asking to go ice skating at Winter Village in Bryant Park for a few weeks now, but we've been too busy to go. This year, as I remembered back to our first Christmas in Colorado when we took Gabriel ice skating for his first time on Christmas Eve, after a lovely morning in downtown Denver, I thought it might be a fun tradition, to take the boys ice skating on Christmas Eve followed by touring around the city seeing all the Christmas sights. Today did not disappoint!

We always try to time our arrival at the ice rink with the first cleaning, around 9:30a. They may have been running behind this morning, or changed their cleaning schedule this year, because we arrived just in time to skate for about 15 minutes before they cleared the ice. No big deal, we ran into friends from school so we had a way to pass the time while the zamboni did its thing. It started to get pretty crowded by the time the ice opened back up (another reason we time our morning arrival most weekends) but the boys didn't seem to notice. I am always impressed with how they are able to pretty much pick up their skill level right where they left off the previous year. Go Neuroplasticity! Gabriel has been skating for four seasons, and Judah for three, so they are pretty independent now. We can enjoy holding hands and making laps at decent speeds. When the crowds finally got to all of us, we enjoyed some of our Christmas baking cookies and headed to Grand Central station to visit the train museum and holiday train show...

After a sufficient time watching the model trains, and playing with ALL of the trains for sale, we decided to head to fifth avenue to see some store windows we missed out on from our first Christmas window outing. The weather was cold but not too cold when our morning began, but by now the temps were dropping and we knew the boys wouldn't last much longer. After taking the local train up Lexington and walking over at 50th st, we had to bag Saks Fifth ave windows and St. Pat's Cathedral, but we really wanted to make it to the Bergdorf Goodman windows all the way up at 59th st, so we headed  north up fifth. By the time we got there, it really was pretty cold. The boys mildly enjoyed the  funky  Bergdorf windows, but they were also hungry so we decided to duck into the Plaza hotel (they have a whole host of cafes in the cellar level) to grab a quick bite. It was  bustling, but we lucked out with a table at a cute little cafe  that was away from the crowds  where we ordered essentially fancy grilled cheeses (croque monsseurs). We were able to feel a part of the hustle and bustle without actually being in it, and the food was fantastic. win win. We finished up and decided to head home while everyone was still in a good mood. We also didn't want to be rushed to get ready for the Christmas Eve service. Such a fun day together!  

A Little Late on the Christmas Baking...

This Fall has been particularly busy with work for both Andy and me and sports for the boys, my school semester went all the way up to a final exam on Thursday night the 21st, and the boys were in school until yesterday the 22nd. All of this combined means, other than Advent readings each night, we haven't done anything else "Christmas'y", like baking. This was one of my favorite things to do as a kid, baking Christmas goodies (and eating them throughout the Christmas season). I kind of hated that it was so late in the season to do this with the boys (and the late exam date plus a big work project due the week before had me in a stressed out funk about it), but was glad to get it marked off the list just the same. We had a condensed "menu" this year, just three things. Gingerbread loaf, red and white striped sugar cookies, and (que eye roll) healthy quinoa truffles. 

I managed the gingerbread (which we had for dinner!) and the truffles, while the boys enjoyed rolling out the dough, forming candy canes, snowmen and wreaths, and after they were cooled globbing icing and sprinkles on top! I thought they turned out really cute.     

Snowy Day

This morning we decided to go view the Christmas windows and Rockefeller Christmas tree (in part because we do this every year, but in part because if we stay home past about 9am on a weekend morning the boys are at each others' throats fighting; frown!). The weather was PERFECT for doing this, just cold enough to snow big, fat, fluffy snow flakes! It sounds so cheesy, but it really made the outing feel magical, like something out of a movie filmed in NYC at Christmas. It was early enough in the morning that not too many tourists were out, and they boys were energized by the softly falling snow. We took a lot of videos of them trying to catch the snow flakes on their tongues.

First up were the Macy's windows, and a quick step inside to see the elaborate decorations on the first floor:

Next up, the Christmas tree at Bryant Park (which surprisingly isn't blocked off, so they boys can get right up under it):

Last stop was Sixth Ave, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. It was starting to get crazy crowded, but just tolerable. The snow was really coming down! We snapped a few pics and decided to get out while things were still pleasant. 

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, MTA made it exceedingly difficult to get back to our neighborhood, and Gabriel had a birthday party to attend and I had some serious studying to do. There were no cabs to be had, and no uptown trains, but we lucked out with a bus that was going where we needed to go. Andy took the boys and dropped Gabriel off while he and Judah spent the rest of the day sledding and playing in the snow, and I went home to work on a final paper. All in all a really fun outing that I think I will remember for a long time. It's not often that we get such picturesque conditions, I'll take it.    

Cockburn Farm

For the second year, we visited Cockburn Farm for a fresh Christmas tree, and it is literally across the river from West Point where we spent the weekend. This farm has a rich history, which includes supplying some very famous Christmas trees, but also includes a closing about 10 years ago when the original owner died. Last year was the first year back open and we were excited to return after a fun experience last year. I think the word has gotten out about this place, and they've not been shy to capitalize on it, because the tree prices about doubled this year! We hunted around for a tree the boys loved that we could also afford, while managing the bad moods they were in from staying up until after 10p to watch Clemson football and waking up before 6am. Not exactly a magical family outing. I think at one point I threatened to leave without a tree if they didn't cooperate for a picture (fabulous parenting). 

The boys talked us into a 7-8 footer (!). It was affordable because it had already been cut down and was propped in the ground with a stake (the true cut your own this size were approaching $200!!). We do have very high 10-ft ceilings, but our apartment is only about 500 SF including the bedroom, soooooo. Yea. This is the largest tree we've ever had in NYC. While the workers bound the tree and loaded it, we stopped inside the farm house for cups of hot cocoa and pictures with Santa. Sounds magical, but we were all in pretty bad moods, so it kind of wasn't. Too bad. It's a cute little set-up they have. Gabriel told Santa he wanted a remote controlled car and Judah said he didn't know what he wanted. 

We left the farm, feeling a little deflated. To brighten our spirits, we decided to stop over at a BBQ place we found last year that is along the drive back to the city. The BBQ is spectacular and the portions (and craft beer selection) are ridiculous. It was just what we needed to get out of our funk.

We arrived home, set up our huge tree, which required that we store the boys' art table and rocking chairs in the Highlander (remember what we said about sacrifices living in the City?). But it brought the boys much joy, and thus it brought us much joy. They really got into hanging the ornaments this year, which was fun to watch. 

Still not sure if we'll keep Cockburn as our fresh Christmas tree place, but for this year it did the trick. Bring on Christmas!   

We {heart} Thanksgiving in NYC!

We set a precedent early on (before kids even, I think) that we don't travel for the holidays, which eliminates unnecessary stress due to long travel and allows us to form (and keep) our own family traditions which we hope the boys will grow up loving, and look fondly upon one day. Every Thanksgiving, we go watch the balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade be inflated all around the American Museum of Natural History, followed by a balloon inflation party hosted by friends of ours whose apartment overlooks the museum, and Thanksgiving morning consists of a trip to the one and only Krispy Kreme in the city for delicious, naughty donuts (!) followed by a morning run through Central Park and, of course, viewing the actual parade! We tried out a new spot this year, at the south end of Central Park on top of a large rock outcropping, which turned out to be a real winner of a spot! Not too crowded, eye level with the balloons, easy access from Central Park! And for the second year, we had Friendsgiving dinner with dear friends. 

As a part of the holiday weekend, we also went up to West Point to see our friends who work/live there. The weekend included gingerbread house decorating and lots of college football, including the Clemson game. We had such a good time hanging out, I only took a few pics!

Aside from the aforementioned reasons for staying home for holidays, we also feel like the city is such an incredible place to be during the holiday season, and it's true we  make many sacrifices to live in New York, but the balance of that is often taking advantage of the unique aspects of living here. It's like no place in the world, and at no time is this more true than during the holidays. Speaking of, we are incredibly grateful for many things this year. The boys are both thriving in school, our jobs are both very fulfilling and provide a much-needed work life balance, which is a combo that often hard to achieve. We feel blessed to live here, to serve here, to be called here as long as the Lord allows. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  

That's a Wrap on Fall Sports!

The boys wrapped up their Fall sports over the last week. Gabriel finished both his soccer season and his cross country season, and Judah finished up his first season of Tee ball. This has made for busy weekends because these three sports are spread across both weekend days, but the boys enjoy them so much, and it gets us (and keeps us) active and outside all weekend. 

Gabriel enjoyed being one of the stars of his team (the Blue Lightening) this year, scoring several goals and being recognized at the end of the season by his coaches, teammates (and even parents and a ref!) as the player who ran (and ran and ran) the most and fastest during the games. Gabriel never stops going after the ball and often played the entire game. This has not always been the case for him, in fact this is the first season where we've really seen Gabriel engage fully in the game and put his heart into it. It was so fun to watch him grow into this level of soccer playing. Next season, Andy may even be a coach!

Gabriel's cross country season consisted of two 1-mile races in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and one indoor meet at the New Balance Armory Track in Northern Manhattan (both legendary running sites!). His times have decreased over the last year, from a 8:30 and 7:32 mile, to a 7:22 and 7:04 mile this season. He also consistently places in the top 30 of 7-10 year olds, usually of anywhere from 100-200 total runners in this age category. For his indoor meet, he placed second for the 100-m dash and third for the 200-m. We try very  hard not to push him too much into running, even though we are both so passionate about it, and in general he has been pretty self-motivated to run these races. Andy mentioned that he has even noticed how Gabriel has changed his race strategy and seems to be experimenting with how to regulate his pace. Very exciting!

Judah thoroughly enjoyed his first Tee ball season. Last Fall we tried soccer with him with limited success, but this year he seems to have found his sport (and in fact it was by his request that we registered him for Tee ball; we had planned to give soccer another go). From the very first practice, Judah was fully engaged in learning all about baseball. He picked up on the "alligator" and step and throw moves to catch and throw the ball. He often played first base, but also enjoyed playing outfield to field the balls that sneaked through the legs of his fellow players :). Like Gabriel, Judah was recognized as one of the fastest runners on the team, to his delight. He also found it his place to correct other players when they weren't following the rules (yes, mildly annoying) and debate with the coaches occasionally while playing outfield. This is Judah. He talks a lot, he thinks a lot, he has big and specific ideas, and he's not afraid to articulate them! All of the kids were able to graduate over the course of the season from using the tee to coach's pitch, and Judah is already looking forward to the Spring season and pick up with coach's pitch where he left off.  

Really proud of these boys for playing (and practicing) hard this Fall, next up, Winter sports! Basketball (G) and Tennis (J)!      

Happy 6th Birthday Judah!

Ok, our Goose is officially entering big boy territory. SIX. What a joyful ride these first six years have been! Judah loves deeply, stands up for what he believes in, sticks up for others, always looks for the positive in things, adores his big brother, is a great and loyal friend, is funny but serious, shy but outgoing, and so often wise beyond his years. He asks very smart and interesting questions, and a lot of times has smart and interesting answers. 

Judah is having a fantastic year in first grade, loving his teacher Laurel's class; he is even the class representative, a responsibility that he takes very seriously. We just had a parent/teacher conference with Laurel yesterday and she said so many wonderful things about him. She said he is a good friend and get along with everyone, that he gets frustrated when someone isn't on task (just like his momma) but he's also patient with them anyway, he likes following the classroom rules, is a good listener, is strong at partner work and naturally shares and takes turns, and he eagerly participates in class. His highest marks on his progress report were for being well organized and for respecting school rules and being a part of the school community.

We can also see great spiritual growth in Judah over the last year, really taking the verses we talk about in our family to heart. The other day, I mentioned I was worried about something and he said "have you prayed about it?". We are so excited to see the Lord's work in him, he has some really special gifts. He is eager to read either bible stories or bible verses at night when we have story time, and often chooses the storybook bible as a book to read in bed before lights out. Judah and Gabriel also enjoy going over the verses we picked out for them for the school year and we read them over dinner sometimes. 

I really enjoyed spending Judah's birthday day with him, it was a half day at school so we had more time than usual. I enjoyed watching him open his gifts (when asked by a friends mother what his favorite gift was, he said "I like them all the same" :) .. although I think he was pretty excited about the tennis racket! He has really gotten into tennis and Tee ball since last summer!). Just before the half day dismissal, we had Judah's "special day" in his classroom (they don't officially celebrate birthdays, but really it's the same thing). Judah read aloud a story he wrote in writing workshop, I then read Ten Apples Up on Top, and Judah shared two new toys, a transformer (from Gabriel) and a beanie boo named Beaks that has the same birthday. Afterward, we showed a brief slideshow of Judah from birth up until now. It was such a sweet time with him! After school we went home to eat lunch together and to start building his new Star Wars Lego set. 

We hit a bit of a bump when we thought we would surprise him with a Hibachi dinner, but he felt like we were taking away his birthday dinner choice (and apparently had his heart set on Dinosaur BBQ), so I apologize for that! We are going out Saturday to make up for it. He really enjoyed the hibachi once it got going (especially the ice cream with the huge sparkler coming out of it!) and said he'd like to go back sometime. We should have chosen a different time to expose the boys to Hibachi! Judah made some very valid points that I can't help but feel like are along the lines of lawyer-advocate ("if you were going to choose something new for us to try you should have done it on a different day, not my birthday" "you should have at least told me first thing in the morning that the restaurant was going to be different" "you took away my choice for my birthday dinner, it is supposed to be my choice" etc). Sorry, Pickle! He was smiling by the time we left, and we came home for (another round of!) birthday cake and one last "Happy Birthday".  

Happy 6th Birthday, my Judah, we love you more and more every day!!

Gv8.5

You know we love half birthdays around here! But this year, here is what Gabriel looked like on his half birthday:

Boo. He came home sick from school, 102 fever, and the works. He still wanted to open his gift (a book about basketball) but said he didn't want any cake. This  is how we knew he was really sick, this child has never declined cake!

We got through Judah's birthday party weekend, and Gabriel was feeling much better, so today we celebrated his belated half birthday ... 8 1/2 cake pops! (conveniently made from the remnants of Judah's birthday cake):

Just look at that smile. I have always said that one feature I love about Gabriel is that his whole face lights up when he smiles. Happy Half G! We love ya!