Swim Lessons and the 10 Minute Marriage...

As you can see Jackson has been taking swimming lessons this week. Boy has that been an adventure. I am not really sure what I had hoped he would acquire from taking swim lessons. In my day dreams I thought it sure would be great for Jack to know how to swim so this summer he could swim (virtually unassisted) while I tend to Madzilla (aka Madeline). The first night was not so successful. He did not want to do anything (except leave) Of course this is the night when 3 cameras (1 video and 2 regular) are on him. Doesn't it always work out like that though? Oh well, I lower my expectations for the 2nd night and he did great! I mean even swimming under the water (this was such a big step from the 1st night) Plus it was just he and I which was great for us! Ok so now my hopes are high again...well Wed. he tells me all day "I don't want to go swimming" My response "Too bad, we sometimes have to do things we don't like to do" (boy that is such a mom response) So he cried most of the lesson. Even through "circle time" when we sing a silly song and do motions (should I say the parents do motions and sing) And so today he tells me he does not want to go swimming. I am torn here. I am not raising a quitter, but I also do not want him to resent swimming if I force him to do this. (Now I feel myself remembering all my child psychology classes) Anyone else ever been in a situation like this and could offer up some advice?

Anyway...I have been able to talk to Jason daily which is so wonderful, but he is only allowed one 10 minute phone call a day. This is hard. By the time he talks to the kids and I catch him up on things that are going on it is time to go. Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that we at least get 10 minutes, some people do not even get that. But I am being selfish here and wanting more time. (I am praying about that though) Jason moved from the tents to what will hopefully be more permanent housing for him. He should have an address soon for anyone who would like to write to him. I am not going to post it on the blog, but if you want it please let me know (email me at jessicacrow@bellsouth.net) Thanks for continuing to check the blog and especially for remembering us in your prayers.

NY Trip Day 4 - Our Last Day :(

Today Show



Today Show



The security guard who thought we were movie stars???



Aimee laying on the nasty floor in the souvenir shop



the nasty "naked cowboy"



getting yummy cupcakes at the Magnolia Bakery



posing with our VIP ticket from the Mike and Juliet Show



about to ride the subway


Our week went by so fast! Hard to believe it was already our last day. But it was probably a good thing because we were exhausted! I mean completely and utterly exhausted!

We were up early once again, but this time it was so we could go to the Today Show (and get pictures for Aimee's mom Mrs. Ann) We did not make it in time to see the 7 am start, but we were there by 7:30 (so we were on the 8 o'clock hour) To get in we had to go through security (of course) and let them read our sign. Once in line we got a great spot right on the front. At the start of the 8 o'clock hour Matt and Meredith came out to talk to the crowd. Aimee almost got to touch Matt! (She would have been next, but he was pulled away) When the camera scanned the audience we got on TV! We called everyone so they could watch (with the hour delay for central time we could tell them exactly when to watch) As we were leaving the Today Show a guy walks up to us and says he is a producer for "The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet) and he would like us to be on the show! Aimee was a little skittish at first so he showed us ID. He told us the guests and segment line up (we got to see William Defow and Joan London) Well hook, line, and sinker we were in! On our way to the studio, the producer gives us a VIP pass! We got to the studio, go through security, and turned in our cameras (they would not let us take any pictures at all) The staff fed us breakfast then took us to the studio. We were put on the front row center! What luck we have! There we were in our "I Love NY" t-shirts pulled off the streets and placed on the front row! How crazy is that ?!? Needless to say some of the audience members were not pleased with us because they waited months for a ticket. Now comes the part where I make a complete idiot of myself. Aimee and I had decided the "lady" sitting next to me was not born a female. (just use your imagination for "her" appearance) So without thinking I turned to "her" and say "Did they pull you off the street too?" The "lady" replied "No, I am not like that!" I was soooo embarrassed! I quickly apologized and told "her" that Aimee and I were pulled off the street. WOW! Talk about embarrassing! The Mike & Juliet show was fun to be on. Mike & Juliet interacted with the audience a lot and they seemed very down to earth. Some prizes were given away, but all I got was a t-shirt.
By now it was 10:30 and we had to get back to the hotel and pack up because check out was 12 noon. As we were checking out the hotel security guard asked if he could have his picture taken with us because he thought we were movie stars! (of course he could have been full of it and is photoshopping our pictures-who knows) We store our luggage and grab a cab to Greenwich Village (or so we thought) The cab driver took us to Soho. Oh well, we explored a little then got another cab to Greenwich. This cabby knew where he was going (thankfully), unfortunately he was a Bush hater and anti-war. I have no idea what got this guy ranting about that, but he did. I began to cry (almost uncontrollably) and felt like I could not breathe. Aimee, being the great bff she is, told him about Jason and then told him to stop the cab. We walked the rest of the way. I was so glad to get out of that cab! (I miss sweet home Alabama!) We grabbed some cupcakes at the Magnolia Bakery. They were incredible! The frosting is out of this world! Magnolia Bakery is a must if your traveling to NYC! We had lunch at Penny Feathers. Supposedly known for their pasta dishes, but we did not want anything that heavy so we opted for the Turkey Reuben. (it was ok, definitely had better) After lunch we decided to take the subway back to Broadway (no more cabs for me thanks!) We did some souvenir shopping (and Aimee decided to lay down on the nasty floor) We saw the "naked cowboy" He was gross. Enough said. As we walked down Broadway a man approached us and asked if we would attend a taping for a show on Comedy Central. We politely turned him down (no telling what kind of show that would have been) By now it was time to return to the hotel and get our luggage out of storage so we could ride the Super Shuttle to the airport. UGH the Super Shuttle! It was yet another nightmare. The driver had no clue where he was going. The other passengers had to tell him where to go plus he kept talking on the phone on what sounded like personal calls. I felt like screaming "this is your job, get off the phone and drive!" But I did not. It took the guy nearly 3 hours to get us to the airport (and there was no traffic to blame it on, just his lack of direction) Oh well we finally arrived, checked in, and grabbed dinner. Our plane was delayed for mechanical problems (scary) But we had a great conversation with a lady from China. She was so beautiful! She had the most beautiful skin ever! She was 40 but did not look over 20! It was amazing! She shared all her herbal tips with us...now I need to go back to Chinatown and get the herbs. It was great for Aimee to talk to her so she could learn a little more about Lily's homeland. Well after a nearly 2 hour delay a plane arrives to take us home! Yah! After it was all said and done we arrived at my house around 3am. And here we are. Back to reality! It was so nice to get away, but I sure was glad to see my babies! Well I hope you have enjoyed reading about the BFF Great Adventure!

NY Trip Day 3...PAULA'S PARTY!!!

Aimee and Me with our Paula tickets with the "P"!!!



inside the studio (we snuck a picture quickly before being told no more photos)



carriage ride through Central Park



Central Park



about to go into "The Lion King"


Our day started so early again! We were up at 6 am (remember that is 5 am our time) But we had to get ready for Paula's Party so it was worth it :). We were ready and out the door by 8 so we could grab a quick breakfast. We decided to head to McDonald's-it's right by the hotel (and on every block) As we were walking down the street people were stopping and staring...we felt like movie stars. Well we get to McDonald's and eat-while there the janitor gives us 2 thumbs up---now we can rest easier with his approval :). So we leave McDonald's and Aimee steps into the street and gets us a cab-this was hilarious! There she was all dressed up waving down a taxi. We arrive at the Food Network Studios and stand in line forever (at least it seemed that way in 3 inch heels) While we were standing in line Paula arrives incognito along with her husband and assistants. We were so excited! During our wait the producers would keep coming out looking the crowd over. Aimee and I gave the biggest smiles we could and poured out our southern charm. The people around us kept giving us dirty looks while this was going on (we just could not help but laugh about it) We told the producer we were in the "special pile", but he did not seem to care.

FINALLY time to head to the studio! We go through security (you have to go through security just about everywhere you go in NYC) The producers gave us our tickets and hand write the letter "P" on it. No one else around us had a "P" We had no idea what it meant! A lady in front of us said her friend had attended a taping a couple days before and had the letter "P" on her ticket. She would not tell us what it meant except that it was a good thing!?!? Here's the moment at last, we enter the studio (after nearly 2 hours of standing in 3 inch heels) We finally realized the "P" meant we were getting to enter first and get the best seats. We were seated on the front row directly behind where Paula cooks! AMAZING! The producer told us we had the best seats in the whole studio! We were on tv the entire time! By the end of the taping our cheeks hurt from smiling and our backs hurt from having good posture.

The big moment finally arrived....Paula entered! She is so beautiful! SO funny! and Tiny! Yep tiny! The camera definitely adds 15 pounds (just what I need!) She talked to Aimee and me and we got to shake her hand. We were on cloud nine! Everything finally settles down and taping begins on our first show (we taped 2 shows "prime time cuties" and "taste of Italy") The first guest was Carson Kressley. He was a hoot! They made a raspberry trifle that looked delicious, but we did not get to try any. The next guest was Jason Priestly! Yeah, Brandon from 90210, except all grown up! (but still just as cute!) At one point I even made eye contact with him...;) He and Paula made some sort of potatoes and filet Mignon wraps. It smelled wonderful, but again we did not get to try any. :( Paula and Jason taped promos for the show right in front of Aimee and me! That was so neat!

For the second show the audience was moved around so no one would know it is the same audience. This time Aimee and I were moved to the front row in front of where Paula cooks. (still great seats, but can relax a little more because the camera is not on us the whole time) Cheri O'Teri (formerly on SNL) was the guest for this show. She is a spunky little thing! Paula and Cheri made a lasagna soup that smelled so good my mouth was watering! Unfortunately we did not get to taste any! We were there for nearly 5 hours and all we got to eat was popcorn, bread sticks, and olives with lemonade to drink. But hey, we saw Paula! It was such an amazing day!

The producers did not know when the shows would air, but check the Food Network website for Paula's Party with the show titles "prime time cuties" and "taste of Italy"

We head back to the hotel, change clothes (got out of the heels!) and went for lunch! We ate at the Brooklyn Diner. It was so yummy! I recommend this to anyone headed to NYC! After lunch we headed up to Central Park. We took a carriage ride through the park (not the horse drawn kind, but the bicycle kind) We had a great guide! His name was Adam and he was from Turkey. He was so funny! We could not hardly understand anything he said except cuss words ;) Central Park is such a neat place. I did not realize it was so big. Saw lots of statues (including one of Balto the dog), Tavern on the Green, the fountain on Friends, the buildings on Ghostbusters, the rocks on Home Alone, Trump Tower ("you're fired"), the building where John Lennon's apartment is at, and Strawberry Fields. I was very uncomfortable there. Lots of "make love not war" stuff going on....we quickly left because I felt like I might loose it. After our carriage ride we sat on the lawn and just tried to soak everything up. I talked to Jason. He just had another "Farewell Ceremony" this one was the last one though because he left the next day. Central Park was really neat and pretty much the only place with grass and trees in NYC.

It was time to leave and head back to the hotel to get ready for Broadway! On our way we passed the NYPD on horseback and asked to take a picture. When we finished the police man asked if we wanted his number. HA! We just kept walking like we did not hear him.

Broadway was unbelievable! Besides Paula's Party it was the hi light of my trip! "Lion King" absolutely took my breath away! I think I probably sat the entire show with my mouth wide open! UNBELIEVABLE! Our seats were fantastic (12th row center!) The only thing that shocked me was the clothes people wore. Aimee and I went with "cocktail attire", but the majority of the people we saw were in jeans and t-shirts (I have always thought you were suppose to dress up for it) Oh well.
If you get the chance "Lion King" is an absolute must in my book!

After the show we were too tired to move (thank goodness our hotel was around the corner) We were too tired to even eat! (which was a bad idea because we had not eaten since about 3 pm and it would be almost 2pm the next day before we at again!) We just went back to the hotel, popped more advil (still extremely sore from Tuesday and standing in heels all morning) then went to sleep!

Be sure to go back to my last 2 days and see the pictures :) There are lots of great photos on Aimee's camera so as soon as I get a disc from her I will do a slide show of all the pictures from the greatest BFF trip ever!

Stay tuned for the awesome adventure we had on Thursday (which includes 2 more national tv shows!)