Christmas in New York

This year we enjoyed Christmas at Mike's parents in Mamaroneck, NY. It was a wonderful time, and Vince had lots of family there to play with and get to know, as Mike's sister was up from Atlanta with her husband and two children. The week at his parents was more like a week in Romper Room, and it was pretty much utter chaos the whole time, but I think everyone there would agree to do it all again if we could! It was so much fun watching Vince play (and fight) with his cousins Andrew and Noelle, and Amelia and Melina. One thing we learned is that he definitely needs to work on the idea of sharing! Every time Andrew or Noelle would get within 5 inches of his beloved matchbox cars that he had received from Santa, he'd tail spin into a complete hissy fit. I'd have to say that was true for most things that he happened to want at the time, but regularly came out with the cars, the bus he received, and the toy boat that stays and Nonna and Pop Pop's house. There's no doubt the kid is infatuated with public transit options. Mike and I still keep meaning to ride around town on a bus with Vince, we think his head would explode with excitement if we did that.

Here's the regular morning routine where Andrew and Vince would eat breakfast together. Well, Vince would pretend to eat, and Drew Drew would pretty much eat anything you put in front of him!

Mike's mom always prepares an amazing spread for Christmas dinner, complete with 7 different fishes... an amazing Italian tradition. This year was extra special because this is Nonna's last year cooking and setting it all up! She announced that she's retiring from hosting the Christmas Holiday Extravaganza. One of us has got to step up and take over this Holiday tradition!

Amelia, Noelle, and Melina having fun wearing their Christmas head gear, Vince kept taking his off

Christmas morning, after Vince opened his matchbox cars that came from Santa!

Here's an attempt to get the cousins together for a photo-op. Vince is already melting down, probably thinking Andrew is going to take his matchbox cars that he has clutched in each hand. He did end up sleeping with those cars clutched in his hands too!

We also had fun taking the kids to a local children's museum in Connecticut, called Stepping Stones. They had the most fun in the water area, where they could play with water and plastic balls. It was the cutest thing to watch them running around in their tiny smocks, which were there to help the kids not get too wet....

Andrew and Vince busy with the plastic balls

Ok, grab the balls and then put them in the whirlpool up above! And then they come spitting out the tube below!

And then it was on to the Toddler Supermarket, where Vince went food shopping