Happy Birthday Adele Belated Celebration

I was in New York City when Adele celebrated her birthday, so we planned a belated celebration together after things settled down.  I headed over to Orlando on Monday to begin the festivities.  I met Adele at her apartment and we headed over to the Ming Court.  The food was excellent and the decor was amazing!

After lunch we headed over to Ikea to get a shelf for Adele's room.  She had done her window shopping online, so it was a matter of tracking it down and putting in on our cart.  What is it about Ikea that makes you want to buy so much?  We headed back to the apartment and assembled it.  It fits perfectly!  We took a walk over to the complex swimming pool and outdoor community area.  I was sold when I saw the hammocks!!!

Then we headed over to Hollywood Studios where Adele had a short shift.  It was fun to hang out and meet some of Adele's friends.  While they headed over to report for the first show, I headed over to the Tower of Terror to pick up a fastpass.  I headed next door to the Rockin' Roller Coaster, but the ride was closed due to some problem so I did a little walking around and shopping.  

I originally was going to attend the 10:30 show of Fantasmic but since the RR roller coaster was shut, I went to the 9:00 show too.  

Other than the warmup show being agonizingly grating (one of the emcees sounded very much like Ruby Rhod from The Fifth Element, that was the high point for me), The show was entertaining as usual.  I think this time my favorite characters were the dancing monkeys on the boats and the Indian canoes and for some reason, Grumpy.  Loved it!  

Between the shows, I checked back at the Rockin' Roller coaster and it was back up and running.  On the down side, the wait was 75 minutes!  So, I decided to do some more walking around. Later I met up with Adele's friend Matt for the 10:30 show.  We had seats right in the center.  Such a great vantage point for photos, but my cell batter was way too low to take any.  :-(

Since it was a late night, we decided that I would sleep on an inflatable mattress on the floor in Adele's apartment.  I'm glad I did!  On Tuesday morning we headed over to My French Cafe, which we discovered, was within walking distance!  And since we had a sweet crepe for our "brunch" we were very reserved and saved any pastries for future visits!

One Month Old Today!

Red . . . one month old today!  Love from G-Pa!  XXX OOO

Third Week G-Pa in NYC

My third and last week in NYC (LIC) was spent as my first two, enjoying being a grandpa.  Ruby was calling be G-Pa and not trying to get away when I hugged her or tried to kiss her.  She is a sweetie and kept me occupied with reading Grandpa and Me over and over again (as well as several other of her faves).  I loved how she would make different gestures or laugh or smile on certain pages.  And I think everytime she first saw me each day, she would give me the sign to start singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and in true grandpa fashion, I obliged, lovingly!

I had one day "off" when I went into Manhattan to do some shopping.  I caught this stone sculpture exhibit in front of 30 Rock.  I went to UniQlo to check it out.  A maze zing!  Naturally, as I usually do, I just got depressed looking at the clothes made for six footers that weighed in at 56 pounds.  But I did manage to bring some things home for Ruby and Red!

Joe and I took Ruby to another playground that had swings.  The area where the swings are at Shady Park is still blocked off due to the damage from Sandy last October.  Ruby loved swinging and I got to hang out with my Nanny sisters.

One day Joe and I and Ruby headed over to the field near Rainbow playground and Ruby had a ball walking up and down the hill over and over and over.  She got lots of exercise!

For my last three nights there, I moved to an apartment (via Airbnb) 2 1/2 blocks away, and had my own private bedroom.  It was nice to be so close!

Late on my last Saturday afternoon there, Mia arrived for her summer internship.  She was worried that Ruby would shy away from her . . . not so!  They started playing around right from the start!  Ruby loves her Auntie Meezies!

 

It was nice to have Mia there to share in the reading and singing!  Mia and Ruby were soon making plans for lunch at Elaine's.  Ruby was hoping to meet Joan Collins.  

On Monday I helped Mia move into her residence.  It was the first time I was able to help her move into housing since she started her post high school education.  Despite the rain drizzle and gray sky, we had fun!  I'm looking forward to my next visit this summer!  Now I have more family in NYC!

Two Weeks in NYC G-Pa

I've been here for two weeks now. Baby Red (Mee Mee Da, as Ruby calls him) had his two week checkup today and has been gaining and growing. He just filled out some college applications. All in the blink of an eye! I've been staying nights at a place in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that I found via Airbnb. It's about a 1.2 mile walk to the Js and Rs place, and it hasn't been a pleasant walk across the Pulaski Bridge when the mornings and/or evenings have been cold and windy! At those times, I really miss my Florida weather! ( This Friday i move to a place that is two blocks from their apartment. I cant wait! ) I have been spending full days being G-Pa to Ruby and to Red. I have been enjoying it immensely! I am totally exhausted but smiling on the inside and the outside! I head back to Florida in a week and will probably sleep for a full month. But I will really miss my times with Ruby and with holding Red. There's a lot of construction going on around town and I jokingly say I will purchase a nearby new studio apartment for only $450,000! But seriously, I would like to plan more frequent visits!

On the day when Red came home from the hospital with Mama, the top of the Empire State Building was lit red in his honor!

And i did have one evening when i went into Manhattan to see Kinky Boots on Broadway. Loved it! My neighbors next to me in my row, were a hoot!

So, here is a sampler of our goings on.

Happy Birthday Adele!

I'm looking forward to celebrating with you when I get back to Florida!  Donald wanted me to tell you to have a fun day!

Ruby and Daddy at Shady Park

WHEEEEEE!

I've been having a ball with Ruby. She was excited when her Daddy came home from work and they got to play in the park. I was sitting on the benches with the other nannies, chit chatting, talking on my cell phone and ignoring the children. 

Red and G-Pa

One of my favorite of the two of us. This was taken a week ago when he was two days old

Sunday in the Parks with Ruby

Good morning NYC!  Began the day by walking across the Pulaski Bridge from Greenpoint, where I'm lodging, to Long Island City. 

I met up with Joe and Ruby at the playground on the riverfront. Although it was mostly sunny, the breeze made it a bit chilly at 8:30 AM!

We played for a while then headed back to the apartment. It was a leisurely day with a couple trips to playgrounds (Train Playground and Shady Park).