Day 1-- NYC

(Cec, me and Lynley standing in front of Rockefeller center)

Day one in wonderful NYC with my two gal pals: Lynley and Cecily! Lynley and I arrived at JFK at about 6:30 a.m. and Cec came at 8:30 a.m.. It took as 2 hours to get to the hotel thanks to the UN drama going on. We stayed at the Marriott East which is only two blocks from the U.N. and was home base for some of the Chinese delegates and several from India. It was fun to see how these "privileged" families interact. It was strange to see the Indian men get onto the elevators and leave the woman to wait for the next one. I did laugh when I saw them at the Disney Store holding up a Jazmin princess costume--

(Snipers moving to their next location after the president's motorcade left the hotel.)

(President's motorcade waiting for him to walk out of the hotel-- there was security everywhere!)

We got caught in the cross hairs of President Oboma's motorcade on his way to the U.N.-- that was cool in it's own way, too.

We shopped for six hours straight dropping plenty of cash in the garment district. I picked up some great jeans and a killer bright red jacket.That night we went to David Letterman and watched the live taping. I probably enjoyed it the most. I still get caught up in the drama of live T.V.. Letterman is a much different person off camera and makes mistakes like all talent. When we left I had that pit in my stomach that says, "I miss my job! I was born to produce." I need to stop feeding my demons. They only get more aggressive when I splurge on my addiction--t.v. adrenalin.

(I was in the right place when the guitar player from the Late Night band walked out and I got a quick photo with him.)

Dinner that night was at the Boston Dinner with the nationally award winning mac 'n cheese-- as seen on Oprah! Followed up by the riches cheese cake I've ever had!

Test--

Carter did very well on the tests. I guess the butt way of studying is the way to go. Volcanoes are the next unit-- I wont post the dad's way of teaching that, we may all throw-up.

Mom vs. Dad

Carter's assignment: study for two test Wednesday.

Mom: pulls out 3x5 cards writes questions on one side, answers on the other. We sit at the computer and look at nice pictures of the earth and its layers. We watch graphics of earthquakes happen. We memorize, label and regurgitate information that is on the review paper. Mom leaves frustrated and frazzled. Grandma takes over and works with him in a kind, loving manner (she was frazzled when it was me as a kid). Carter learns most of what he needs.

Dad: takes over studying after dinner. Tries flash cards, doesn't think they are working. So some how, some way he managed to teach the ten year old all the layers of the earth and seismic movement by relating it to the sons butt. Yep, that's right. Skin, jeans, shirt and of coarse-- the CRACK.

Son goes to bed smiling and able to rattle off all vocabulary and necessary labels in one breath.

DADS ARE COOL!

(side note-- same dad got kid in trouble last year for telling him his art teacher didn't know squat--guess what, child told art teacher what dad said--MOM had to go to parent/teacher conference and explain. P/T conferences are next week, can't wait.)

Faster than a speeding bullet

It only took three minutes for my daughter to do this. When I asked what happened, she said, "I put my lipstick on, mommy." I really hope I've set a better example than this. It was watercolor paint.

NYC here I come!

The secret is out.. I'm heading to NYC with my two girlfriends. That was the birthday present; a trip with my gal pals. The trick was waiting until one of my girlfriends had her birthday a week after me so her husband could surprise her. This weekend we bought our Broadway tickets and I am waiting to see if we get tix to Letterman.. can't wait...

**Rich is holding down the fort. Just to help him get the feel of a real week I scheduled Carter's orthodontist appointment, Rich has to attend music class with Anja, piano lessons with Jensen and it's Carter's first week of sculpting class.. did I remember to tell him he's carpool that week, too??? As long as I'm not here to enforce my expectations, everyone will have a blast. Should I ask the Relief Society to bring in meals?

I haven't been to NYC since I went to Miss America before I had kids so-- if you've been lately I'd love your tips/advice on where to eat and what to see.

Bad/good journalism-- and no presidential speech?

Warning-- Soapbox---

For those of you who don't know-- the A.P. (associated press) released a graphic (mild in my opinion) of a young solider who was wounded last month. The young man later died on the operating table. There has been so much dram over the publication of these pictures http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/09/04/death-of-a-marine-in-afghanistan/ found on the Denver Post website.

Why???

Are we trying to shield ourselves from the reality of war? Wasn't the movie "Saving Private Ryan" more graphic? In my opinion they need to be printed. I would much rather have a conversation with my sons about the nature of war, how grateful we are for those serving and how this can be the consequence--than explain why a seminary teacher is having sex with one of his students-- a current headline.

More than most, I understand the juggling act the media has when it comes to censoring the news. I was the lucky producer who sat in the feed room on September 11 and shielded your eyes from the worst of the attacks. I saw the people jumping, I saw the people landing on the cement, I saw the wounded, I heard their cries-- it was raw tape and it was history in the making.

But this picture? Really? (I would love your opinion--moms and fellow journalists)

Second issue-- There has been really TOOOOO much talk in Utah about NOT showing the presidents speech on Tuesday. Too many parents are opting out to have their children watch the speech calling it "propaganda". Who cares??? It is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES-- what about respecting the office? So what if there is some propaganda that your child happens to catch? Oh, no-- you as a parent would have to have an actual conversation with your child about politics around the dinner table? Oh the horror!!!

Growing up I was required to talk politics and current events around the table. I learned to listen and argue my point. To this day my siblings and I don't agree on political issues-- and guess what? None of us have exploded, refused to be in the same room or even thrown food at each other. Thank you mom and dad for teaching us to listen then make our own judgements. You bet I am going to let my kids listen-- I'll be watching, too-- and kudos to the teachers who are willing to discuss what is being said as part of their curriculum.

Okay, I am done.

Lagoon!!

Scott, Shelbi and Jensen on the Tilt-a-whirl

Anja took a quick 20 minute catnap around 9 p.m. then woke up and asked for more rides.

The boys on yet another roller coaster of some sort (they all started to blend together after the first hour or two)

Nadia getting ready to do some crashing.

Jensen getting ready to hit Nadia and Mom (although he could barely see over the steering wheel).

Anja and aunt Kristin.

Anja's favorite ride.. around and around and around and around and around and around...

Jensen felt vindicated after spinning his car to the point that he made uncle Scott and aunt Shelbi nearly sick...

Some were not happy we made them ride...

Nikki talked the boys into riding everything.