The Muppets Named New York City’s Family Ambassadors

The Muppets Named New York City’s Family Ambassadors

The Muppets were today named New York City Family Ambassadors by NYC & Company, New York City’s tourism and marketing organization. As part of the year-long collaboration, the Muppets will encourage family travel to New York by highlighting the best ways for families to experience and enjoy the many dining and shopping venues, cultural institutions, parks and attractions across the five boroughs. 

“I’ve loved New York ever since I arrived in New York harbor and saw that the Statue of Liberty is green. What a welcome! New York is a great place for families, frogs, pigs, bears and…uh, whatevers to visit. We can’t wait to show the world the best ways to hop around the city!” said Kermit the Frog, the world’s most famous amphibian.

Added Miss Piggy, “New York is the most fabulous city in the world. In fact, it’s almost as fabulous as moi. So don’t just sit there! Get ready world!  You’re about to take the ultimate diva’s tour of moi’s favorite city! Lucky vous!”

The Muppets will also encourage locals to explore different neighborhoods across New York City by highlighting family-friendly things to do, see, and visit. The Muppets will share their personal City preferences at www.nycgo.com/family where Miss Piggy will discuss shopping, Kermit will help visitors navigate the five boroughs, Swedish Chef will focus on cuisine and more.

“We could not imagine better NYC Family Ambassadors than the lovable and enchanting Muppets,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Appealing to fans of all ages across the globe, the Muppets will highlight what they love about the five boroughs and illustrate why New York City is the perfect place for families to visit this year.”

Easter 2012

Easter went really well. Kenny worked the day before so we had to delay the Easter bunny's arrival. The girls woke me up at 530 so I am glad Ava isn't old enough to be begging to open anything, she didn't even miss the fact that the baskets weren't in the living room. I had hid them in the master bathroom. Kenny got home and distracted Ava while I brought out the baskets.

She was excited, kept saying 'Rabbit came!'

Hailey slept though the visit but was in a great mood for church.

We headed to church, it was so nice to be able to go. We have fought having a newborn, flu season, colds going through our house, Kenny's crazy work schedule, and finally it all worked out and we were there. I will say having two to get ready and going in the mornings is hard. Dont know how women do it with more.

The girls in their dresses getting ready to head to Grandpas

We visited with my dad, it was a great visit, the girls had a great time. Ava loves going to my dad's because she can pretty much do anything she wants and Grandpa says its okay. She can also play hard and he is right there with her.

Hailey was awake and happy, Ava shared Easter eggs with her

We had dinner at my moms and Ava got to ride on the loader with PapPap. She got to visit with her Aunt Ashley and actually ate a good dinner. She got a few gifts, spoiled as usual. Hailey got a cute little stuffed animal to chew on. Both girls had a great time.

goofy Ava playing while we were waiting on Kenny

Finishing the day with some Jello...Jello she made!

We ended the day with some Jello. Ava and I made some for Kenny has her special gift to him. She had so much fun making it and it was easy and not too complicated for her. As soon as he walked in the door at 8am she was yelling for me to open the refrigerate door so she could show him.

Thirty One Gifts Jewelry Pouch Set

This item along with a long lists of others will be retired come April 30th, if you are interested to know whether your favorite item will be retired please contact me. If you wish to order something please visit my website www.mythirtyone.com/KMBowers

Good Luck!!!




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Are my kids conspiring against us?

These past few weeks have been horrible in the Bowers house. Not days, just the nights, in particular after midnight. My youngest doesn’t get the concept that people sleep 6-10 hours at night, instead she likes to sleep 3 or 4 hours wake up, scream cry, eat, and then play and ‘talk’ for about a half hour. She screams for her bottle, like she hasn’t eat in days, then wakes up Ava who is used to sleeping  10-12 hours. Ava thinks its morning and will argue to go to the living room or wakes up smiling and wanting to play because Hailey is playing.

Only 2 years old and almost 6 months old and I am beginning to think that they are scheming this stuff during the day. ‘Let’s keep mom awake and see if she can handle going to work with only a couple hours.’ You think? It feels that way.

I am counting down until we get to the position to get the upstairs remodeled (this summer) and get them into their own room. We have been sharing with these two tiny little people for tooooo long.

I am worn down, I am cranky and it’s affecting my people skills. My youngest is still waking to eat once or twice a night, she just won’t get a lot at one time, only 4 oz instead of 6 so keep her full. I have been rolling with it. She’s only 5 months old, she doesn’t know any better, and she’s got me. They are in control at this point because they cannot do much for themselves.

So now I tease that when Ava hugs Hailey and they are together playing, that they are really talking about the night’s plan. Which one will get up when and which one will scream and which one will play. I know the RSV really screwed Hailey’s sleeping pattern up and we have to rework it but this kid has no schedule which sucks. She goes to sleep at a different time every night. She wakes up at a different time every morning, lately that time has been somewhere around 5:15 am.

I hope that when Hailey turns 1, we can put them both in a double bed and they can snuggle with each other. Right now they are both relaying heavily on momma. It is hard enough when one is in that clingy, can’t get out of my sight stage but to have both in it at the same time, MAN it’s a different kind of rough.

Praying it gets better, it usually does for a little bit at least. Hoping we get a break of at least one if not both sleeping most of the night if not all and in their OWN bed. We have definitely spoiled them ourselves and created our little bed hogging monsters; but really most of the time it’s great, its sweet, and I really couldn’t imagine it any other way. These past few weeks have just done me in. I either need a vacation to catch up or some kids that sleep.

Thirty One

So I became a consultant in February. It has been a lot of fun so far. I have had 2 successful parties. I still have lots to learn but it is all coming together. I had been looking for something for about a year now to sell to make a little extra to put in our savings account. Something I could do but still be a MOM. That is my first role and most important. I wanted something that wasn’t really a ‘part time job’ that I had set hours and had to spend a lot of time away from my girls. My sister in law chose to sell ‘Scentsy’, a flameless candle company that is great but I wasn’t really into it. I am more of an organizer than a candle person. I wanted to choose something I could be passionate about. Why should I sell something to someone if I don’t even care all that much about it? For Christmas I received a bag from my inlaws, it was a Thirty One bag. I didn’t think much about it. I love totes, can always find a use for them. When I opened it up and saw how big it was, I decided I was going to use this for the girls diaper bag. The Organizing Utility Tote is so big, I don’t exactly how much I can fit it in but trust me I have had it full and weighed down and it has held up.

I thought this is the kind of product I would like to be involved with. I did a little research and found out about the company a little and became more impressed. Here’s why:

The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31. These words may be thousands of years old, but I am constantly amazed by how today's modern woman can relate to them. The Proverbs 31 woman is dearly loved and respected by her family, yet she is an individual in her own right. She manages the home and property with kindness and integrity. Her savvy business skills are partly brought about by her desire to serve others, to do good deeds and prosper.

I had originally decided to not begin until May when Hailey would be 6 to 7 months old and a little easier if someone other than Kenny would have to watch while I did a party or had to meet with someone. I did a party, on the advice of the person that is now my director just to see if I even wanted to do it. Well off of my launch party, I booked a few parties, but I wouldn’t get these bookings unless I was a consultant, so that is how I ended up starting in February instead of May.

I have had fun with it. I am a people person. I don’t mind getting up in front of people; I like meeting new people and having a good time. So now I am finding new ways of booking parties, home or catalog and meeting new contacts. I would love to eventually be doing vending events and fundraisers.

It’s a new experience and I am taking it all in. Hoping to keep the ball running and to do at least one party a month.

Milestones

Hailey is growing like a weed. She recently had a wellness check up. She is now 14 lbs 14 oz, and 26 inches long. Soon she will be taller and out weight her big sister Ava. She is now rolling over and practicing to sit up on her own. I cannot believe that this month she will already be six months.

She and Ava have grown so close to each other. She is now ‘talking’ and yelling so much. Her personality is definitely apparent now. She is laid back but really not. It’s hard to describe. She will lay on you and watch TV or Ava play and not move much, just take it all in. She will play in her bouncer and just squeal and play for over an hour.

She is still not sleeping through the night. I don’t think that will ever come. She is my whiny baby. She fusses a lot but not like its all day, it’s more at night. She loves to cuddle. She will wrap her arms around your neck, makes me feel so good.

She is now in size 3 diapers. She’s in 6 to 9 months clothes. She hates wearing socks, cant keep them on her. She is teething and drooling on everything.

She’s gorgeous. She has the biggest blue eyes.

She loves her daddy. (Both girls do, I don’t stand a chance when he’s in the room)

A Night Off

A couple weeks ago, Kenny and I got the pleasure of having a ‘kid free’ evening. One of the guys on his shift got married. Their wedding was beautiful, the bride gorgeous, and the food delicious. I had asked my mom about a month before the wedding if she would mind having both girls. I hated doing it but I also wanted it so badly. By the time the wedding would be, Hailey was 5 months old, and I was confident she would be on a better schedule.

Well a week before the wedding, Hailey was diagnosed with RSV. I was really worried about whether I should even leave her or not. But my mom and sister both told me that I needed the break and that she would be fine by that time. So the morning of the wedding, Hailey was doing awesome, her breathing was better, she wasn’t as cranky, and she was eating normal again. I was feeling more confident about leaving her with mom.

We left them about 1:30 and may our way to Charles Town. The service was nice. I held Kenny’s hand and was taken back to November 1, 2008 when we said our vows and pledged our love for the rest of our days together. We hadn’t had a wedding since this time last year.

I texted mom a few times but got no response. Made me a little nervous but figured with two of them she was busy.

Kenny and I had a ball. It was one of the best times we have had in a long time. It was really needed. The most important thing I can say about having a marriage and kids is you need to still date your husband. Yes you are married, yes you love each other, but you need to show it. You need to let that person know you are still attracted to him, that you still like having fun with him, and you still need him. The best time about that night is that we danced every slow dance the DJ played. Anyone that knows my husband knows that this is not in his character at all. At any wedding previously, ours included, I got one maybe two dances and he was done. But this time we danced, we talked, we laughed.

After having two pregnancies, two periods of newborn stage, and now having 2 its a little harder to find a sitter willing to take them overnight. I will say that we don’t do it often but maybe that’s what makes that time so special. We don’t go out much on our own without the girls. Not that we can’t it’s just that we like being with our girls. Family time is important but after this night, I think we see that time alone as a couple instead of parents is also important.

Now that Hailey is almost 6 months old it is a little easier to have someone take both of them. We are hoping to have more ‘date’ nights.