Brooklyn Heights on a Friday

Minde, Ashley, Ashley's sister Kinley and I (plus kids) ventured out to historic Brooklyn Heights this morning. Even though Cody and I have lived here close to 4 years now, we've only been to Brooklyn a few times and never just to wander about. Sad I know but it's so easy to stay on this darn island!The first thing we did after our long subway ride was to let the boys out of the strollers and to walk along the Promenade towards a playground.
Another great example of how Morgan loves anything but our stuff and his own mom, since he practically jumped out of his stroller and ran to Minde. Oh and yes, all of our boys are wearing bold stripes and no, it was not planned.
Chase and his favorite thing...benches.
Trying to get the boys to pose together...you can see Morgan isn't even close to being in the picture. Oh well.

I don't really get these waterfalls but I guess it's kind of cool for the City.
Eliot, aka cutie pants!
Cody said this outfit made Morgan look like he was on a chain gang. What can I say, I need to do laundry!
Some cool houses that look to be converted carriage houses. LOVE the bright red door!
We decided to make this an educational trip and visit the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims
which is an old church that was part of the underground railroad and has a piece of the Plymouth Rock, among other things. I would tell you more but I was a bit distracted during the tour...more on that later.
Ugh, the worst picture ever but hey it's the Plymouth Rock so I had to include it.
Ok, here is why I didn't get to hear the whole historic tour. Morgan decided that he had had enough of listening and tried to touch and destroy every historic thing he could get his hands on. When I wouldn't let him do as he pleased, he proceeded to throw the biggest tantrum of his short life. I took him outside to a small courtyard that was luckily void of other humans and let him have at it. After a few minutes, I decided to film this craziness for posterity and for Cody.
Yes, my child has lost his mind!

Luckily, Minde came out and somehow managed to calm Morgan down and distract him with promises of letting him ride in her stroller. After which he ate his lunch and seemed to be a much happier camper for the rest of our outing. Guess he was being a grouch cause he was hungry...so much like his father!

After the craziness, we walked down to the pier near the Brooklyn Bridge and let the boys play in the sandbox and run around, while we waited for Grimaldi's Pizzeria to open for business.
The meeting of the stripes club.
We went to yet another playground and let the boys play while we continued to wait for pizza and then ate said pizza. It was quite yummy but pretty much the same as Patsy's, which is here in East Harlem. I wouldn't say it was worth a trip there on it's own but glad I can say I've tried it nonetheless.
I am however, VERY glad we went to Brooklyn Heights today just to look around, despite the complete meltdown half way through. It is a beautiful place with lots of history.
Thanks everyone for a great morning!

Froggy Pool Take Two

Wednesday morning, Kiasa and I took our little ones to a gymboree type class on the Upper West Side called The Little Gym. They both had a fantastic time playing and learning how to do a somersault. I would love to sign Morgan up for a class, but the hefty price of $700 for one 45 min class a week for one semester is putting a damper on things! Only in the City!

After the class we all headed back to the Church garden for some more Froggy Pool fun...and also so Kiasa could water the plants.I'm so glad Morgan has already learned to just tolerate girls who like to do silly things. This will serve him well in later life. I also love how happy dumping water on Morgan makes Bella!
The sprinkler function really is the highlight of the whole thing.


Ahhh, blissful summer days spent with great friends. As much as I LOVE NYC in the fall, I'm already a little sad summer is drawing to a close.
Thanks again dear friends for keeping our days busy and fun!

Adventurland

Last Wednesday after signing out little boys up for free swimming lessons at Lasker Pool in Central Park, Minde, Ashley and I wandered down to Adventurland Playground on 69th and Central Park West for music time with a trumpet player and french horn player. We arrived a little late and Morgan was not overly thrilled with the music because of the amazing water feature this playground possesses. He was only able to play for a short while before we had to head home for nap time but I decided it was too cool and needed to be enjoyed again before the summer months are over. So on Saturday afternoon Cody, Morgan and I schlepped down there for more water fun.

The water is a bit on the frigid side but there a lot of different areas to play in and it actually feels more like a wading pool than a sprinkler system. Morgan splashed around forever and had a great time despite all the big kids dumping dirty, sandy puddle water into the pool area. Don't worry I gave them a piece of my mind more than once...snotty little upper west side kids!

Morgan declaring his joy to the whole crowd.

The water begins with this fountain area then runs down an aqueduct type area that Morgan enjoyed running up and down into the different pools from the pictures above. What a great idea for a playground!

Thinking I wasn't in the picture!

Morgan's first experience with the sand pit. Not my favorite but I figured since we could rinse him off and he wasn't in real clothes. It would be ok.

On a side note, every summer weekend in NYC streets are blocked off for various block parties and other events. On the way home from helping Minde and Tyler move apartments we passed a block party with some fun jumpy castles. Since it is all free we decided to see if Morgan would be interested. He had no desire to go inside but found the front area somewhat amusing despite the glaring sun in his eyes. I guess jumpy castles will have to wait till he's a bit older.

Birthday Bonanza!

Morgan is so excited because for the past two days his paternal grand-parents have been celebrating their birthdays!
Waving "hello" to Grandma and Papa and wishing they could also join him at the park.
Cooling off before the big storm hit.
Morgan telling his Daddy that Grandma and Papa live very far that way...west.
Contemplating swimming there to help them celebrate.
Back at home, Morgan decided to help the Super sweep up the back patio area.

Oh yeah, it was also Morgan's cousin Alan's birthday yesterday as well.
So Happy Big 9 to you Alan!
Morgan, Cody and I wish we could be there to help you celebrate but are greatly looking forward to helping you all celebrate Christmas. Morgan says not to worry that he will still be super cute and cuddly in December!
We love and miss you very much! Thank you for always being there for us and for all your love and support!

Continuing with the birthday bonanza theme, Morgan's cousin Jane turned 2 yrs old last Saturday. Morgan did not get a chance to properly send his best wishes, so instead he did his best impression of Jane's signature running and screaming at the park last Saturday.
Morgan and Jane had a blast running and screaming after each other and Morgan has not stopped screaming since we returned home. Thanks Jane!
Hope you had a great day. We love you!

Morgan and Bella Sitting in a Tree...

Let me just start this post by stating that I'm pretty sure these two little ones were meant to be.

Do you not agree that this picture below would make a great addition to their future engagement announcement? (Chamaine, don't worry Morgan is still bethrothed to Ansley but you have to admit this is a perfect picture). The fact that Kiasa caught this picture still baffles my mind.

*Side note, all the really great pictures Kiasa took on her much cooler camera. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Morgan trying to make his move and Bella just enjoying the attention (yes that is how Morgan gives hugs...by head-butting people. Smooth I know!).Bella has always been the instigator with the hand holding but now it seems Morgan is also looking for a little PDA.

Here are some of the cutest pictures we took at the Central Park Zoo.






This is Morgan trying to shove food into the goats mouth.
Morgan loved feeding the animals and touching them. Sometimes I am a little concerned by his lack of fear but I guess I'm glad he enjoys nature and animals and check out those curls!Morgan and Bella have decided that they are tired of their own moms, strollers, sippy cups, food, etc... and pretty much trade everything the moment they see each other.

Yep, that is my finger holding Bella's hand.
And of course poor Kiasa gets to heft around my big boy.
At least Bella enjoys Morgan's straw sippy cup even if he doesn't.
For these next few pics we are at Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side. The Mansion was closed last Friday but we walked around the park and let the kids play. It was a beautiful day and we were very glad Minde and Chase also joined us.

Bella is very sad that Morgan wouldn't share and Morgan is oblivious to why she is so upset. Such a typical male/female relationship.

Thanks again Kiasa for this beautiful picture of Morgan, who is sitting in Bella's stroller by the way!Here is Morgan showing off his throwing skills while Bella relaxes in Morgan's stroller.

Great effort but sadly going the wrong way. Oh well, as long as he has fun.

Here is Bella trying out Morgan's bed.
And of course trying out my lap and sharing Morgan's grapes...I'm pretty sure Morgan was mooching Bella's crackers at the exact same time. Thanks Kiasa for always being so generous with my son's not so subtle hints that he likes your food better.

Here we are again at Madison Square Park for a children's concert. Now Morgan wants the camera. Never satisfied. That's Opus Ditty in the background.

This past Tuesday we went down again for another concert and here are two videos of the little ones dancing and grooving to another band. These two just crack me up.

Our Church building has some green space near it where there is a grassy area and a small garden. One day Kiasa needed to work on her veggies so Morgan and I tagged along with our new kiddie pool. The kids loved playing in the pool, however Morgan enjoyed the sprinkler feature much more than Bella.

I ask you, are there cuter chubby cheeks anywhere?!
Yep, these two were meant to be. Bella loves to mess with Morgan and he could care less...as long as he has food (he's stuffing grapes in his mouth) Bella can do whatever she pleases. I'm pretty sure most relationships work this way...at least I know that's how Cody and I work!