Wait Til You See This Wiener!

Last fall, the girls and I were watching Mary Poppins on DVD when I decided they needed to see a musical live, on stage. Nevermind that they are only 4 & 6, I wanted them to get some cultcha.

Coincidentally, the next day I found out that my brother-in-law's company was chartering a bus to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. Book 'em, Dano! Then, we just had to wait more than 6 months for the actual event.

Yesterday was our day. Jilly, Belly, my mom and I were on a bus at 6:30am, happily singing Chim Chiminey to each other.

Our first stop was the American Girl doll store. Now, for those people who either do not have children, or have only boys, American Girl dolls are like crack to young girls. They are stupidly expensive but are supposed to be 'educational' because the dolls are dressed like fictional historical figures. There are books that are written about each character, so, if you really like Josefina's story, for instance, you can then own Josefina (this gets a little tricky with Addy, who is actually a slave seeking freedom, but the girls don't seem to get this irony).

Here is Jilly coveting another girl's doll on our bus ride to NYC:



My problem with American Girl dolls is primarily that I am cheap, so spending $87 (gulp) on a doll is a bit hard to swallow. So, I told the girls that they'd have to use their own money to buy a doll. They each get $1/week allowance, plus the few dollars they got at their birthday, in Easter eggs and from the tooth fairy--all of this went toward this 'doll fund'. Somehow this worked.

Belly, with her new "Just Like You" American Girl doll who is neither historical, nor educational. Take that, all you who think homeschoolers have to turn everything into a "learning experience"!


Jilly, clutching the object of her affection:

We then had a leisurely, quiet lunch near the madness of Times Square. All seemed pretty ordinary until the "15-bite" hot dog I had ordered for the girls to split arrived.

Jilly closes her eyes at the sight of something so obviously phallic. Good girl, Jilly!

Perverted Mommy cannot leave well enough alone and must photograph the monstrosity sans bun. And, yes, by the way, they did finish it.

Mary Poppins was enjoyed by all, even little Jilly who was fed Skittles whenever she seemed. . .well. . . skittish. We then had some time to kill before our bus left, so we enjoyed some frozen treats outside in the late afternoon sun.

My mom and the girls, all Poppins'd out.

Hope to see you again soon, New York!

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Congratulations to one of the best little families in the New York system: Liz, Nate and Thalia welcomed their newest member, Sage Alexandra, on Friday, May 11th. She was about 6 inches longer than the hot dog and weighed about 4 pounds more (without bun).