Emma, Zack, Eric, and Heather went to NYC on December 18th to see the NYCB production of the Nutcracker. This is a tradition that Zack and Heather started when Zack was 3, and we have done this every year since. The event ramped-up over the years to include an overnight stay at a different 5* hotel each year, a trip to Teuscher chocolates for champagne truffles, room service, the tree at Rockefeller Center, etc. Emma is 3 now, and it was great fun to introduce her to the ritual with Zack. Of course we wore her out, so she did a lot of shoulder time. This reminded Heather of why she lifts every day.

We took the train, subways, and taxis. Emma had her first Teuscher, which is a big moment for me, right up there with one's first Manolos.
Emma was completely mesmerized by the ballet.

So were Zack and Eric.

Then, suddenly in the second act, complete shutdown.

All recovered for the train ride home. Emma and Heather stayed up late to watch The Polar Express. Zack stayed up late to do whatever with friends. Next year: The Pierre!

Santa and Shopping
Heather, Emma, Erin, Mark, and Jen went to the Westchester mall on December 10 to see Santa and to shop for shoes, both of which are traditions for Emma and Auntie Heather. Unlike last year, when Emma refused to sit on that big strange man's lap, this year Emma got the part about asking Santa for Christmas gifts. Her requests: A bicycle for her, and toys for all the rest of the children in the world. Parental units at work with the latter request. After the girls left Santa and we all began to walk to our next stop (Ladies shoes, Neiman Marcus) Emma stopped, looked at the adults, and said "But where's my bicycle?" :-) The rents had forgotten to explain that part. Very cute.



That's my woman!



Two peas in a pod. Emma is way more interested in Ladies shoes than in the kids department, where, of course, we also shopped. And she can actually walk in those things, unlike some of my best friends.

Rekha and Vasu stayed with me for two weeks after their return from their marriage in India. They had to wait for their new apartment to be ready. All 3 of us love to cook, so the kitchen was always occupied by someone making something fabulous. I loved having them here, and tried hard to convince them to stay. Guilt, bribery, rational argument- nothing was off limits. But they're off to their new life together as of yesterday, and I will miss them very much.