5 Days 'Til 30..... A Bedtime Story

**Now that my countdown to 30 has officially begun, I've decided to do something extra special every day until I turn 30.**

Change of plans. I didn't run the 5K on my schedule tonight.

First of all, it downpoured. I'm dedicated, but not that dedicated.

Secondly, I wanted to make it back to NJ to read my kiddo a bedtime story.

So, after being awake for 38 hours (minus a 2-hr nap), packing and running errands, I hit the road at 6, making it to NJ at 8:30pm -- just before bedtime.

That was a special something to beat out all the other special somethings.

Cancun tomorrow!

9 Days 'Til 30... Time with the Munchkin

**Now that my countdown to 30 has officially begun, I've decided to do something extra special every day until I turn 30.**

We're in single digits now, people! The big 3-0 is getting closer and closer.

Today's special something was surprising my kiddo, who didn't know I was coming to NJ and spending 5 hours with him before having to drive back to CT for work.

Him on his scooter and the slide at Liberty State Park in 90-degree weather even at 9 in the morning!

Me sweating and donning the new 'do:

We finished off the day at IHOP and brought my mom along -- the same IHOP I worked at during my summer between freshman and sophomore years ('98), that Christmas break ('98) and the following summer ('99). I really enjoyed waitressing and racking up on tips. I was pretty good at it, plus I got to talk to different people all the time. It was fun.

Oddly enough, the same people own and manage it and some of the same waitresses are there. It's a head trip to take the flash to the past when I go there 12 years later, and bring my 5-year-old son with me? Crazy.

16 Days 'Til 30... Traversing Freely around NYC

**Now that my countdown to 30 has officially begun, I've decided to do something extra special every day until I turn 30.**

We started our day at the Battery Park Conservancy for a free adult painting and drawing course as part of the River to River festival. There wasn't much instruction. But, that could be due to our initial introduction with the teacher which involved him telling us that it was a bad idea to have the kids there because the last time a parent tried the class the kids were running amuck and throwing things into the water. I calmly informed him that those kids probably behave that way on a normal day and ours don't. And after he conceded, we proceeded to gather our supplies.

Us hard at work:

The finished products. No critiques please!

After pretending to be artists for an hour, we had lunch at Chipotle (my first time going to this common fave). I managed to consume 1100 calories in one sitting... between the chicken burrito, one chicken taco and a margarita. Thanks NYC for putting calorie counts front and center on the menu.

Next, we saw a free performance by the Rochester City Ballet at Pace University. It was amazing. The kiddos loved it, evidenced by them sitting on the edge of their seats and not letting out a peep during the 70-minute performance.

from http://www.rochestercityballet.com/

The adventure ended at Starbucks with full-on smiles...

...and my grande green tea latte.

I managed to tire out the kiddo. Him on the Light Rail train.

I also replaced my broken camera today. No more camera phone pics after today!