Sunday, March 17, 2013

St. Patrick's Day Parade {03.16.2013} New York City

The St. Patrick's Day parade has been a family tradition since the first year we moved here.  It is one of my favorite events in NYC because I feel like you can really connect with people and it's just such an amazing concept to come and cheer on people who are marching in honor of their heritage and beliefs.  We are a wee bit Irish in our family, and I claim it probably more than I should, because I just LOVE love love St. Patrick's Day and always get really into it.  This year was no exception.  We had planned to go to the parade as a family, but when the weather called for heavy snow and temps in the low 30s, we decided to stay home.

But ultimately, I just couldn't stay away. It was an amazing experience that I hope I don't forget.  My daughter was cheering her heart out and making so many weary, cold participates smile and wave in return. It was truly amazing.  I said before that I love this event because I think it facilitates a connection you don't get often here in NYC, and we definitely felt that connection with individuals so strongly, as we were really the only ones nearby, and when we cheered, they heard us!

I felt so connecting to those braving the storm to watch, and obviously to those marching.  It was amazing.  I think I was in tears ten seconds after I arrived.  I just love this parade.  Take a look at these images and you'll get a sense for just how wet and snowy it was.  Aren't these people amazing for marching through it all?






See the green line where they walk? Cool. 




























Friday, March 15, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day! {Play Date}

We pulled together a last-minute play date (Do I always say that? Well, it's true!) with three of Ella's friends after school one day last week.  Thankfully, Ella's list only had a few items on it this time, including green jello, leprechaun cakes (not even close to THESE green ombre beauties from last year), dancing, and reading a story.  It's amazing how you can add little custom touches to make something ordinary truly extraordinary.  The kids flipped over the gold sprinkles and leprechaun hand sanitizer. Seriously? Hand sanitizer?

I was wishing we'd had good weather like our picnic last year so we could go outside, but it didn't work out.  Thankfully, the kids loved dancing to the "St. Patrick's Day" station on Pandora.

I hope you all have a lovely St. Patrick's Day weekend! I'm looking forward to green pancakes and orange julius, and crossing my fingers for good weather for the New York City 5th Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade for the third year. 


after school snacks (jello and whipped cream with gold sprinkles and rainbow spoons, coconut chips, apple fruit leather, and pretzel thins)








We did leprechaun cakes again this year, at Ella requested jewels (homemade hard candy) along with fancy sprinkles.  Thank you, party stash!

 
The finished products


Ella's goody bags were fantastic, as usual.  She hand-decorated each bag for the guests, and even drew all her friends on her bag.