Hello everyone. So we’re back home this week. Our week, though, proved a bit out of the ordinary since my boys are doing an exchange with three Italian friends, so we are playing tour guides. What a great opportunity to get to know what’s right under our nose!

First up: Madame Tussaud’s wax figure museum, which did not disappoint. Here is Lachie running aside Jessie Owens, who took the Gold Medal in 1936 from under Hitler’s nose and became a world wide phenomenon. Stepping up to the various wax sculptures, it was hard to imagine they were not real.

After researching various NYC bus tours, we invested in tickets from Big Bus Tours, and enjoyed the night tour through Times Square …

and then across the Brooklyn Bridge …

Next up: One World Trade Center, the World Trade Center Memorial, and the World Trade Center Museum. The new One World Trade Center offers a 360 degree panoramic view of our gorgeous city that you won’t want to miss if you visit. Next to the tower, we visited the Memorial and Museum which pay tribute to the lives lost on 9/11.

What’s a visit to NYC without Yankee Stadium? Our Italian friends loved their introduction to this American tradition, complete with hot dogs, fries and lemonade.

And that’s about it … I am typing this from Washington D.C. where we are passing two whirlwind days… Check back in next week for pictures of our visit there! Oh, and here are some goals for the week and a little healthy tip:

Goals for the week:

Continue our NYC tour by visiting the Intrepid, the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Order the boys new soccer jerseys for their teams.

Sign the kids up for soccer bus service.

Work out, ! (This has been falling by the wayside with all the tourism!)

Eat healthier — more salads!

Catch another episode of The Roosevelts with Marc.

Make a food list for the family barbecue I’m hosting with my Mom next Saturday. If you have any good barbecue recipes or ideas, please send them my way!

Get into a new book.

And here’s a little yummy, healthy tip. Try lime and strawberries in your refrigerator water pitcher — refreshing, tasty and a great way to stay hydrated. I’m also experimenting with pineapple and raspberries … will let you know how it goes.

Quote of the week:

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