Weekend Adventures

Weekends during the winter are challenging as the boys get more boyish. On this Saturday morning, we hit Club 4 Kidz, where we met the Karshan girls for fun indoor play… 

…then went to Remy's apartment in Greenpoint for oyster shucking...

…and pizza making…

On Sunday, Mack and I hit a sports bar in the lower east side (two actually, as we got thrown out of Hair of the Dog because the place wouldn't allow kids, then went to 1 and 1) where we met Law and Mendel for fantasy football playoffs (i.e., watch 10 football games at once). Law has a fantastic way with Mack -- the two are sensitive guys who are prone to fighting and over-emotional outbursts. Law also used Mack as a tool for meeting the ladies.

Finally, Mack and I went to Katz's deli for pastramis and brisket sandwiches to go. Mack kept on pointing to the hanging salamis ("yeah, those, Mack... are…hanging…umm.. delicious…meat…"), while simultaneously demanding more pickles.

Schoooool

Aunt Margot who visited last week asked me to record Mack saying "School." It is the sweetest thing.

Nap

Nate fell asleep while watching a movie on this bitterly cold and blustering Sunday -- a first time for this. It's a beautiful thing -- to drift off warm and cozy on a cold afternoon. We wish him many more. 

Mack: "Hi Mommy. Hi Nate."

"Hi Mommy.  Hi Nate."

Group shot

It's rare we're able to take a group family photo. So here we are.

Exit the crib

This morning Mack jumped out of his crib. Nobody seems to know how this happened, including Mack. There was the usual “I’m up” cries, then a real pain cry which seemed to get closer and closer and then there was Mack in our room. Crying.

We have no idea how he did it or if he’ll do it again. The whole thing is one big mystery because all those involved don’t seem to know either. Nate claims he was adjusting his pillow when Mack “hit his head.” Mack says “nyeah” to every escape route we ask about.

Nate got out of his crib only once. We heard a thump and ran in and Nate was lying on the floor. “What happened?!” "I want to sleep on the floor." he said. So he did for the entire night and then never again.

Central Park

Weekends in NYC -- Autumn. Must get out of house -- boys need to run around, get fresh air (although Nate wouldn't mind staying inside and watching movies). The boys and I drive to Central Park. We park car at 76th between Madison and Fifth Avenue in front of fancy building, fancy doormen. We head into Central Park at 79th Street -- it's glorious, pristine, super clean, making me think again and again, "I can't believe how dumpy our Brooklyn playgrounds and parks are compared to this... good lord." We check out the boatyard, where kids steer knee-high beautiful sale boats by remote control. We climb huge rocks, Nate leading the way up and down to safety. We stroll to the end of half-marathon where Michael Jackson's Thriller blasts on the sound-system near finish line. We play in a gigantic pile of leaves. We play in a sand-filled playground where I hob-nob with rich handsome dads in super-cool weekend clothes. The dads and I watch smilingly as all the boys and girls slide down a steep aluminum slide that ends in fine, clean sand, preventing injury. We stroll up and down hills -- HILLS -- on paths that bend around beautiful old trees.

Mack Featured in Autumn

Mack here is at my parent's house. He's wearing overalls and the sun is shining on his golden hair. He is the sweetest boy in the whole world in these pics, video.  Don't be fooled :).

Here's Mack at a little fall/pumpkin festival near our apartment, by the water at East River Park. He got a tatoo and put stickers and glitter on a pumpkin he grabbed out of a faux patch.

Nate at School

Nate is kind of loving Williamsburg Northside. It's pre-K so there's actual learning going on here -- it's not all fun and games like pre-school. Sort of.  Anyway, Nate seems comfortable. There's no fuss to go. He talks about school with enthusiasm. His teachers, Jen, Mr. William and Paule are lovely and committed. Here is Nate showing the schedule of school. Arrive. Assembly. Garden. Snack. Projects. Work Time. Lunch. Rest Time. Gym. Dismissal. (That's Easter in the background bawling. Come on Easter -- get it together :), you're only at "Arrival.")

Da Boyz

 

Taking photos of the boys together is challenging. Sometimes they hold hands and smile wide smiles and say CHEEEEEEEESE and other times they squirm. Here are some pics of frick and frack on a nature hike to a playground in St. Michaels, MD. On this hike, we noted strange giant bushes that lined our path with multi-colored berries, met a dog named "Ms. Hilda" and marveled at bird songs.

Mack at 20 Months

Mack doesn't really sit still. Or stay quiet. He's an hysteric. But he's up for almost anything ("Hey Mack  -- come on let's go to the garbage shoot to throw out a bag of poop...!" -- Mack happily follows.) And he's so sweet and funny and warm and has an unconquerable spirit. He'll play ball whenever and where ever. He gives everyone kisses goodnight and says "NIGHT NIGHT -- BYE!!" before bed.

Sunday Wedding

As the boys continue to grow and thrive, we look more and more...  awesome in black and white photographs. On this Sunday in early October, we hooked up Sylvia the babysitter at noon -- NOON -- and went to Shana's college buddy Abi's wedding in a sexy cool space in Gowanus.

At 2PM we texted Sylvia -- How's it going? We got back these pics.  All good then.

Nate's World

Lately Nate always has an explanation for everything. He knows all--and he's always right--even if his theories aren't always totally logical. For example:

Nate: Mommy do you know how I got in your belly?
Me:
(keenly interested): No. How?
Nate: Everyone in the world gets rid of all the things they don't want. Then it goes into a sweater, a super sweater and into the belly.

Nate on feeling sick at school:
All of a sudden the fishes came swimming into my mouth. The bad fishes and they swam into my head so my head hurt.

Nate Turns 4

Nate celebrated his 4th birthday in style -- at a Klub4Kidz climbing house dance party pizza party thingsmajig. 40 or so people showed up -- all the folks who love Nate, his friends, his family. I think he had a great time. There was a dinosaur theme. There were cupcakes after pizza. Mack threw up. 

Labor Day Weekend

We spent a fun long Labor Day weekend at Love's Folly. Mack wasn't the easiest guest what with his constant jabbering and "BALLL!!!" but the crew had a great time.  Nate said he wanted to stay in Love's Folly for "100 days." Here are some choice pics.  

Time Warp

Nate Pushing Mack on the Swings

Banana Gang

We didn't mean to dress the boys alike. But we did.