The Zoe Chronicles: I don't have a good excuse, but I am trying to get back on the wagon...

Yes, I know. It's going on two years since I last posted any updates to the Zoe Chronicles. So much has happened in her life and our family's since my posts in 2010 that it would take far too much effort to re-create all the significant events in any detail and it would also deter me from keeping up with current goings on. Instead, I have decided to start fresh as of today, Sunday, February 24th, 2013 with renewed energy to maintain a regular (I hope) chronicle. With that said, I will have to work on a new name for this blog due to that fact that Zoe's little brother Henry joined the family on Nov 10, 2011 and would feel slighted if his sister continued to get top (or the only) billing.

I am writing this new post sitting on the floor of our very close to finished addition. We decided to add a new room to our first story, tear down some walls to open up our kitchen space, and add a much needed 2nd full bathroom to our second floor. En suite is going to be such a nice change. I don't think I will know what to do with the new found space ... my own sink for the first time in my life. What a luxury.

The renovation has taken over our lives since November (just days after power was restored post Hurricane Sandy and Henry's 1st birthday). Although, I think the last few weeks have been the most difficult - with no kitchen or dining room. We have been relegated to use our existing living room as the kitchen/dining/play room with mixed success. We are all so ready to take back our house from the many contractors who seem to take residence here every day. Poor Jan who has taken the brunt of the invasion working from home is the most ready (I must say - it's taken some effort to keep her from jumping off a bridge in this last week. Feel free to ask her about it if you want more details.)

On to the kids - the real reason any of you are checking out this page in the first place.

Let's start with one of the more adorable moments caught on my iPhone in recent months. We were enjoying a morning shopping trip at the local Marshalls and decided to put both kids in one of those double-decker shopping carts. No doubt the local police would have arrested my on the spot for endangering the welfare of my two monsters, but it did make for an excellent photo:

The first part of a recent vacation was spent squatting at my parents' place in Rehoboth Beach. It was so nice to be away from the dust and chaos of our disjointed home that we took full advantage of my Gramma and Grandpa Wy's kindess. I don't think Zoe and Henry wanted to leave. Here are a few photos showing how my kids were thick as thieves with their grandparents:

The second half of our recent vacation was spent in NYC. You might be thinking, NYC in February with two young kids? Well, we probably should have thought it through more carefully too. We did have a lot of fun at the Public Library, Childrens' Museum of Manhattan, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, Toys R Us, and the M&M store, we didn't enjoy the temps holding steady in the low 30s with a steady breeze that prevented either one of our monsters from walking by themselves even a few blocks. Taxis were key but nothing could take away that wind chill. And perhaps next time we will settle ourselves into a hotel outside of Times Square. The lights, throngs of people, and many other constant distractions may have been a little much for Henry during his first trip. With that said, here are a few snapshots of our stay: