Splish Splash

Today we made it to the park after a week of solid rain. It wasn't Elisa's best day by a long shot--lots of tantrums, nagging and general whininess.  She and her friend Birdie were not playing nice and at one point, they even subjected poor Carolina to a tug of war in the swings.  It wasn't the kind of happy-go-lucky splashing I had expected and that kind of irked me. Later, Leonardo showed up (wearing his normal shoes) and suddenly Elisa didn't want to wear her rain boots.  She sat and cried for her "other shoes" for a good 15 minutes, with the kind of single minded focus I wish she'd use for making her own lunch.  Oy. This kid. But somehow we persevered and by the time we were ready to leave, she was the happiest she'd been all day. After a good long nap, she woke up in a much better mood and we even managed to make it back to the park for an impromptu evening picnic.  Walking in to find some of our playgroup pals in the barbecue area was an added bonus and the night just felt well thought out. Except it totally wasn't. I love that about our park and our neighborhood friends. Something about those Friday night barbecues last summer must have been lurking in my brain today because it seemed like a beacon had brought us all out again tonight.  And really, isn't this the first real summer weekend? If so, we're starting things off on exactly the right note. Now for the rest of the 3 day weekend...hope the rain stays away! 

Good news

First, I have to say that the best news of the week is that Kyle, the injured toddler I wrote about, has opened his eyes. And on his brother Teo's 4th birthday. Pretty cool, right? There is still a long way to go, but these are promising signs that he is still with us and fighting his way back. Keep up the thoughts and prayers if you can. You can now visit a site devoted to updating his progress at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kylefairbanks

And secondly, I'm in complete denial that we are going to Disneyland in less than 3 weeks.  But I am starting to get excited. The first (and last) time I was there, I was 9 years old. Think things have changed much?  I have no idea.  I've done zero research on this and am beginning to wonder if it's going to be absolutely hectic and over-the-top.  Did I mention my entire family is going?  We are flying out to California in early June to see my nephew graduate from high school and after that, we'll all head to Disney to celebrate. Don't even get me started on the fact that he's turned 18 and is heading off to college in the fall.  I can still remember his tiny little arms and legs the first time I held him during my freshman year of college. Yes, this just confirms that I'm getting old! But I'm so proud of him and am looking forward to being there to celebrate this milestone in his young life.  It turns out it's also going to be the last hurrah for my sister's family's California adventure as they have plans to head back East to North Carolina in the next few months. And we'll barely be home at the end of June before summer will be in full swing and then we'll be off to Spain mid-August to see the other side of our family.  What is it about summer that always packs so much energy and excitement into such a short few months?  A crazy time for all of us, but with Mickey Mouse staring at you, how could you worry about any of that grown up stuff?  Time to indulge my inner child, I think, and take Elisa on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  Can't wait.

The love that binds

 

Looking at these photos, you may see what I see. Two brothers intertwined with the kind of gentle yet firm affection that makes a mother's heart smile. But what you don't see is all the love and attention and effort that went into getting them to the park that day so we could all enjoy a picnic and make some memories running around together.  The boys in question are Teo and Kyle and they along with their parents Choi and Jeff have been part of our playgroup gang since the oldest was an infant.  And last week, the unimaginable happened and little Kyle, now 18 months old, was seriously injured in a fall from the patio of their home in Sunnyside Gardens. I woke up to this news on Friday morning and couldn't believe it, let alone imagine what they were going through as a family.  Hearing that a child is suffering and fighting for his life is not something you can prepare for. There is no "What to Expect When..." for those kind of scenarios.  It's just horrific.  And for those of us who know the family, it has been a shared nightmare with lots of prayers and a vigil held in our neighborhood Saturday night.  Our Sunnymoms group lit up with offers to help bring meals or babysit--a true outpouring of grief and motherly resolve.  And everyone is praying for Kyle.  So far, he has made it through surgery and doctors are still assessing how this trauma affected his small body.  And now our playgroup is coming together to help throw Teo a birthday party this coming weekend so that they can have some normalcy and remember to celebrate the good.  In the midst of all this hurt, there is hope and love and a sense that we can pull through this. And really that is something more valuable than all the riches in the world--having friends and family that carry you when you are struggling, no matter the cause.  We all know the love that Choi and Jeff have for their boys.  And we are sending them more love and healing powers so that they may see these two hug and run and laugh again very soon.


The family is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Long Island and as a friend so wonderfully suggested, you can donate directly to the charity to help offset the $25/per day for the family to stay there.   They also need pantry donations which are listed here at:  http://www.rmhlongisland.org/wish-list.


EDITED TO ADD: A donation box for the family will also be available at the Sunnyside Gardens Park Memorial Day Event on Saturday, May 26th from noon to 5pm. 

Numero Uno

Jasper, baby brother to Elisa's pal Birdie, turned one this week and how else to celebrate but with a picnic in the park? Since none of these babes have any idea what a birthday is we really just have to mark the occasion for ourselves, right? That's why I thought some guacamole and white sangria would make the perfect 1st birthday present for the lil' guy and I'm pretty sure his parents agreed. It was a terrific day weather-wise and the big kids had the run of the place while we enjoyed our pizza and cupcakes. Turns out birthday parties are a lot like the other days at the park, except there's the singing. Oh, and lighting of the candle.  So happy birthday, Jasper! We can't wait to see what the next year brings you and wish you a summer filled with toddling around. Go ONE!

Galleries galore

On Wednesday we headed into the city to visit the Tanya Bonakdar art gallery in Chelsea that I'd been wanting to see. A couple of our playgroup friends posted pics from their visit on Facebook and like that usually does, it inspired me to make the trip in and see for myself. The exhibit was from Ernesto Neto, a Brazilian artist, whose ropey nets and hangings were also at a MoMA exhibit we saw years ago.  I love his designs and the whimsical nature of this walk-all-over-me installation just seemed like something Elisa would find thrilling. So off we went. Only to get there and be told that children weren't allowed on the artsy jungle gym. What? This couldn't be. I had just seen friends and their kids climbing all over it. "Yes, there were too many kids jumping on them."  Oh right, the few bad apples spoiled it for the rest of us.  The gallery monitor was a humorless hag, and unfortunately my attempts to assure her we would never allow this had no sway. So I snapped a few pics and then took the family upstairs to the rest of the exhibit. And that's when we found another monitor who seemed to use better judgement.  With a wink, she allowed Elisa on the installation as long as we accompanied her. Of course! So we spent a wonderful half hour exploring and hanging around on the art and I left in a much better mood.

Afterwards we let Elisa run wild at a nearby playground while Nacho ran to get us some takeout from my old office favorite Pepe Giallo on 10th Ave. It had been too long since I'd enjoyed some penne alla vodka with pancetta and the flavors reminded me of many work days gone by. Ah, yes, the good ol' days of catered lunches and crazy office politics. Maybe that's why the juxtaposition of being in Chelsea yet having all this free time with my family is so oddly amusing. What I felt I gave up when I stopped working was a vibrant office "family" only to be replaced by a real family that is more meaningful than I could ever describe.  The people I thought were valued friends there haven't spoken to me in over two years, and I think I'm finally at peace with that.  What I have gained from my new community of mama friends and my own family is precious and lasting.  There is just no comparison.

So on a sunny, breezy afternoon I enjoyed ever minute of our visit to Chelsea and our pit stop at the Friedrich Petzel gallery and Chelsea Water Park. We finished with ice cream at Chelsea Piers and a ride on the carousel at Pier 62. It was a wonderfully exhausting day and I loved that both girls fell asleep at 4pm and gave us a little more time to walk and enjoy the city. It's not quite the same as our long walks all over Manhattan pre-kids, but it's still fun and I'm getting better navigating things with two. Knowing how much art and culture there is in this city for people of all ages, I really hope to make more little trips like this to the galleries and museums.  I think there's really something for everyone especially when you combine it with a little time at the playground and some delicious treats. 

Oh happy day!

Happy Mother's Day from me and the girls. We had a great day tromping around the city after a morning of donuts and flowers. This being my first real Mother's Day with Nacho home from work, I planned to make the most of it. And it was a huge success. We grabbed a picnic lunch up on the High Line, followed by some play time over at Pier 51 on the Hudson River.  Then once both girls passed out, we leisurely walked to Washington Square Park and listened to music fill the air.  They woke up and played some more and then it was time to head home. But only after we grabbed a few more snacks. What a day. I could do this all over again tomorrow. But then it wouldn't be as special. I'm such a lucky momma and I know it. So today I'll give thanks for having these wonderful girls in my life. They have made me the mother I am which isn't perfect, but it's good enough. And the best part of all? It doesn't end.  We just keep getting to know each other and every year gets better. How about that? Today Elisa got me a balloon (which she suspiciously clung to all morning) and told me about 5 times "Happy Mother's Day!"  It really made me smile because she was so sincere. Seeing her light up giving it to me was such recognition for all the times I try to do right by her.  And by the end of the day, she asked, "mom, is it still Mother's Day?" I don't know if she was tired of being nice or what (just kidding), but I think she was kind of happy to hear that yes, it was still today. Another smile. Another moment I'll never forget. 

Sunny days are here again...

Feels like summer came in March and then April was the return to a cool spring. So now in May, we're finally warming back up and enjoying some lunches at the park again.  Today Elisa was in fighting form and wanted to ride around and around on her favorite bike which was fine except that she nearly broke my toe rushing up and braking on top of my foot--twice.  I'll chalk it up to inexperience, but really, the kid is pretty good on the pedals so who knows. But man, does she ever look grown up.

Our friends Kip and his brother Ren were also looking for something fun to do today, so we decided baby races pitting Ren against Carolina were in order. The side by side baby walkers didn't make for good racing cars though, since mostly the babes just wanted to scoot and back up in them. Oh well. It was nice to at least be out in the sun and enjoy some conversation and picnic like in weeks past. In a way, I'm looking forward to Elisa being out of school this summer and us just hanging out all day at the park, splashing and eating outside. Last year I was pregnant and often hoofing it back and forth all day long, but this year I think I'll conserve my energy and make Carolina learn to take her afternoon nap in the stroller. Yeah, that sounds like a plan. But for today, we came back home around 2 p.m. and now both girls are blissfully sleeping and I'm staring at pics of that blue sky and brilliant fluffy clouds. Ahhhh...this kind of day can stay forever.