the blue blog archives: too long, a too long photolog of a too long trip which involved no knitting on a too long sleeve

I'm still recovering from the weekend with the boys in NYC. Touring the big city with little kids sure can be stressful!

After two days, grandma and I have figured out how to plan better though. First, think long and hard about how much time you have and what you want to do with the kiddos. Cut out long walks and travel time, plan in breaks, food and fun stuff. Once you have a reasonable, parsimonious plan, cut out an additional three things on the list. And be sure to stop to enjoy the simple things, like your reflection in a rain-filled sidewalk grate or puppies in a shop window.

All four of us were just beat at the end of the Saturday, when we first stopped by a closed Yarn Co. (silly me, I believed those hours listed on the website) and then visited what is possibly the world's loudest museum, the Children's Museum of Manhattan, for a Dora- and Dr. Suess-filled ride to overstimulation hell.

Sunday was much better with us first eating awesome waffles and pancakes at EJ's Lunchonette and then stopping by KnitNY. (Sorry, Point-ers, we had to nix our visit to the Point in order to keep all our activities in one area of town.)

The boys ate cookies and I ran into Jon, of the Jon blog, who was working on this incredible intarsia baby blanket!

Speaking of KnitNY knitting, we spotted the KnitNY shrug that I made last year for mom at her office, which we briefly crashed for an emergency potty break!

We even had some time during a little dry spell in the weather for the boys to play in the sandbox at Washington Square before rushing off to Penn Station to wait an hour for our delayed train back home.

I did no knitting, and so still have the task ahead of me of ripping out this lovely, but waaaay too long sleeve I knit last week for my long-sleeved nothing but a t-shirt.

I got so into the stockinette and the idea of a nice long sleeve that I overshot the mark by about 2 inches!

posted by alison at 10:12 am | in nbatty , nyc knitting

Comments

One of the coolest things I've learned from reading knitting blogs is that motherhood doesn't have to mean the end of an active, fun life. You and Froggy from www.froggyknits.com continually make me think "Well, that doesn't look bad at all! Look how much fun they're having!" Just thought you might like to know a non-knitting benefit your blog yields for others =)

Posted by: Cirilia at July 18, 2005 10:20 AM

Alison! Jamie and I were at the Children's Museum on Saturday as well. Too bad we did not run into each other!!

As for KnitNY, I just can't go there anymore....bad vibes all around. Glad you enjoyed it though! Maybe the vibe is better for those visiting than those that live here!

Posted by: elisabeth at July 18, 2005 10:40 AM

Sorry we missed you on Sunday! But I hope to see you next time you're in. Those puppies kill me everytime (that store is where I buy Ty's food, it's 2 blocks from me).

Posted by: Jackie at July 18, 2005 10:43 AM

Oh my god, that Children's Museum MUST be crazy - I just shot a birthday party there - after hours - and it was NUTS! What a fun place though!

Next time you come down you MUST let me know - I'd love to meet up with you again - in a slightly less stalkerish kind of way. ;-)

Oh, and, I'm one sock down 1/2 a sock to go on my Evelyn Clark Acorns. If you wouldn't mind, here's a link: http://www.januaryone.com/archives/2005/07/what_i_did_on_m.php Thank you!

Posted by: Cara at July 18, 2005 10:50 AM

What a fun trip! The boys are so cute!

I love the color of the ls nbat sleeve! mm.

Posted by: jess at July 18, 2005 11:05 AM

Wow, that is 100% the best photo that anyone has taken of me in a very long time! Thank you! It was great to meet you too, and I'm honored to have my knitting appear on your blog.

Posted by: Jon at July 18, 2005 12:37 PM

I know I say this all the time, but those boys are adorable!!! NYC and those boys must have been an adventure and yarn stores to top it off. Thanks for sharing...less is more, you're right. We learned that at Disneyworld.

Posted by: michele at July 18, 2005 3:20 PM

Posted by: michele at July 18, 2005 3:21 PM

The boys are so cute! And I've only been to the Children's Museum once, but was planning on this weekend for a second trip...and it was extremely noisy the one time we went.

Posted by: Karen at July 18, 2005 3:33 PM

Your boys are so cute. I'm a mom of two, too and I know what you mean by less is more. I can take the kids to the park and catch butterflies and they love it. It's all in the presentation, we just have to teach them to see the wonderful things around us and not to wait for someone to show them everything and do the looking for them. I hope that makes sense, it's late here. Love your blog!

Posted by: Kimberly at July 18, 2005 4:16 PM

You didn't miss anyting at Gotta Knit - many (myself included) find it to be one of the most unfriendly knitting shops in town.
The Yarn Co closes for 2 weeks every year at this time.
Next time you're on the UWS, try Saigon Grill (90th and Amsterdam) for some of the yummiest and inexpensive Vietnamese food in town.

Posted by: Kitty at July 18, 2005 4:49 PM

I can't wait to see the completed long-sleeved NBAT. I'm nearing completion on my own shirt, but have been sidetracked by my sockapal2za socks, which I just updated on, if you don't mind linking on update day.

Thanks!

Posted by: Gina at July 18, 2005 6:50 PM

That sounds like the theme of the weekend, less is more. I bet the kiddos had a great time though. Wow, that blanket is freaking amazing!

Posted by: Vicki at July 18, 2005 7:47 PM

I just have to tell you how impressed I am at how you manage to raise two darling little boys, knit a new project every week, and then WRITE ABOUT IT!! I have twin daughters, now grown, and ,when they were little, getting a shower before 5:30 pm was an accomplishment! I am now a retired high school English teacher and novice, obsessive knitter. I enjoy your energy and expertise very much. My husband and I are moving from Washington state to New York City for a year starting in August, and I plan to visit the shops detailed in your blog. Thanks for the inspiration! Give the boys a hug for all of us who follow your cheery notes.

Posted by: Pam at July 18, 2005 9:42 PM

That baby blanket is out of control! Super nice.

Looks like you had a great weekend - and I have finally gotten started on my socks for my Sockapal2za pal! I posted a picture of the very small bit of progress (I forgot the trials of starting a toe up sock) Here is the link ( http://fiberfish.blogspot.com/2005/07/what-i-did-on-my-days-off.html )

Posted by: cece at July 18, 2005 10:36 PM

Your boys have the best grins ever!

Posted by: Linda at July 18, 2005 11:16 PM

Great photos of your trip to NY. I will echo what everyone else says about how inspiring it is that you have twin boys and still manage what appears to be a productive working, blogging and knitting life.

If you are posting updates on Tuesday, I have finished one Go With the Flow sock and have a good start on the second (for my sockpal). You can see the completed first sock at http://notoriousknit.blogspot.com.

Posted by: Shawna at July 19, 2005 1:42 AM