things i learnt on vacation ;)

a rainstorm can ground JFK airport for h-o-u-r-s..... it's officially been placed on the "OHare list"

Boston really IS the epicenter of my jelly donut world. we drove 50 miles out of our way for the jelly donut store on our way to the JFK library and the boys asked to go back every single morning :)

Mike's Pastries is really, really yummy... thanks Theresa :)

as i suspected previously, Cape Cod really IS heaven on earth. i knew this already, but had to recheck just in case :)

there are, in fact, two sides to the White House and Obama comes and goes from the OTHER side!

i learnt about the front door by walking through it! (gulp!!)

the Tidal Basin in Washington DC is the coldest place on earth - our hot chocolate became chocolate milk instantly

the iPhone is a great toy for children 4-8 years old!

.... but useless at finding a White Castle off the New Jersey Turnpike

the traffic going into New York at rush hour is slower than the traffic coming out (as in not moving at all for one entire hour) curiouser and curiouser.....

squirrels in Central Park are very cute and will model endlessly for dunkin donuts

my kids love Balto the sled dog just as much as me :)

the Yelp app is a friend indeed when you want a cheesesteak in (aptly named) Hells Kitchen

and they're right - 'Baked' in Brooklyn serves the most perfectly heavenly salted caramel cupcake on earth :)

'no standing' in New York doesn't mean 'no standing around with your hands in your pockets' like it does here. it actually means 'park-here-for-2-minutes-while-you-run-to-find-a-restroom-that-someone-isn't-living-in-for-your-4-year-old-and-we-will-tow-away-your-car-and-hold-it-hostage-for-$300 :| (while on your way to the airport ;)

the (aptly named) Smiley family from Brooklyn Heights are angels when your kid still needs to pee really bad and you need to find your towed-away rental car within an hour

i am starting to love Virgin America more than Jet Blue (and they're even flying from John Wayne this month!)

i admit it, i failed to appreciate how sunny and easy and comfortable life in Orange County really is. but i don't anymore ;)

back with many many many pictures - prepare to be bored senseless