Grammy & Papa do NYC

We only ventured into the city once when Grammy & Papa were in town, but we saw some sights!

Pickle met her first puppy, which was really so darling, and they were so darling together….if I was a different woman living a different life, I would have taken that puppy home with me.

But I am not Kelly, so I will just enjoy this picture that will remind me of that moment at Union Square Market.

We stumbled upon this sculpture made of nails. 5000 nails.  It’s called The Bird. He really nailed it.

We stopped by Books of Wonder and picked up the latest Olivia book which is pretty awesome as always. And City Bakery offered us a most delicious lunch. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time seeing all the sites.

After we picked up the BIGS, we witnessed Papa play a pretty adventurous game of Tag at Central Park.

The next day we took a walking adventure to Peter Pan Donuts in Brooklyn. A few spanish-speakers on the street called me Diablo. I assured my Dad that happens with or without my horns hoodie.  The donuts were a buck each, which blew our minds. They were tasty, and I am glad we walked a total of 3 miles to obtain them, kind of made me feel less guilty about eating my Red Velvet Cream Donut….for a buck.

 

Red Yellow & Blue

Madison Square Park is always up to something cool.  When my parents were here we stumbled upon the latest art installation actually being installed. The use of nautical rope drew me in immediately, as it is a form of fiber!  This seems like a pretty giant Yarn Bomb if you ask me:

It’s called Red, Yellow & Blue by Orly Genger.  It’s pretty awesome. I can’t wait to see it all up and running.

Fraunces Tavern Museum

Last week Pickle and I accompanied the 2nd grade on a field trip to Fraunces Tavern Museum. It is the oldest building in Manhattan.  A famous event happened there in Colonial Times when George Washington said goodbye to his Comrades.

 

Photos were not really allowed. I didn’t totally get that message until after I had taken a few snaps, but I did not get the Long Room where the event ACTUALLY took place.

It does seem incredible that New York City existed so long ago and was nothing like it is today.  It gave me a deeper appreciation for this crazy town I live in.

On Mr. Cunningham

On our way to the parade my friend Ariel mentioned that she hoped to see Bill Cunningham.  I didn’t know who this was, and she gave me a brief overview.  As soon as we reached 57th street, there he was! Taking our picture, many many times.

I knew how much it meant to her, so I took a few snaps with my camera and my iPhone, this is my favorite one:

The next day Jason and I watched his documentary and now I am about as thrilled as Ariel was! I am SO GLAD I got his pic.  He is a New York Icon–living legend this man.  Go watch the film.

 

Life Imitating Art

I just found it to be an awesome coincidence that her nails were the same unique green as the shoes in the ad right above her head!

Drood

When I was in high school, I got a chance to play Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  It was such an awesome experience for all of us because none of us had been exposed to this piece and it was truly unique.  There is audience participation and different endings depending on the audience vote and a play within a play and it is all sorts of fun.

Imagine my delight when I found out one of my besties got cast in the Broadway version of Drood, covering Chita Rivera as Princess Puffer.  I was so excited when I found out she was going on for Ms. R, and promptly bought my ticket.

I wasn’t sure if I would remember the piece or not, but of course everything came rushing back to me.  I loved being reminded of NO GOOD CAN COME FROM BAD and PERFECT STRANGERS and I HAVE READ THE WRITING ON THE WALL.  I loved it.

Alison playing Chita was trippy.  It was obvious the production was lit to highlight the famous veteran of the theatre.  In every stage tableau, Alison was in the center.  There was one song in which she sat on a chair the entire time–clearly the song was blocked for an 80-year-old woman, not Alison.  She did well with it and I loved seeing her play Puffer.

It’s open for a few more months, I highly recommend it. Will Chase (who I knew nothing about before going) was worth the price of admission.  What a talent!  His patter song with Jim Norton was so impressive, and Betsy Wolfe can SANG…. I need to see more theatre!

The Event of a Thread

It’s a giant piece of fabric attached to strings which are attached to chains which are attached to swings.  Humans swing on the swings and lay under the fabric and watch it billow, never the same way twice.  There are pigeons in crates and people with woolen capes reading from papers that are long and longer and longest.  We hear their voices coming from brown paper sack radios strewn about the floor, on a bench, right next to you. The word that sticks out the most is AND.

Somehow, amidst the chaos of all the people and the dodging of swings and the weird voices and the pigeons, you feel very relaxed, enveloped in a calm energy.  It was kind of like magic.

Ann Hamilton: The Event of a Thread.

Even Pickle fell asleep with no tears or whining or wiggling.  She felt it too.

I’m wearing a suit because I came from a casting. (Which I got put on hold for!)

12 Days of Christmas: Macy’s Santaland

I wasn’t sure if I would be as excited about the baby NYC stuff this time around, as I was with the Bigs…but turns out I totally am.  Pickle and I dragged our friends with us to Macy’s Santaland to meet the man himself.  She had a similar reaction to him as her sisters in years past.  She went to grab her hair (which she rarely does anymore), and I took that as an indicator that this man was NOT safe.

See that darling little felt bow on The Bee’s head? Well, Pickle grabbed it, and when she let go, it slingshot her eye closed.  Thankfully, there were no tears, in fact I am pretty sure her Mom and I laughed.I don’t know what was up with the lighting on Santa’s face, but maybe it’s better that he remains in the shadows.

Here’s Phoebz, Lolly and Pickle all during their first time.  I am pretty sure Lolly had pink eye. (whoops).  Phoebe was my oldest baby to visit Santa and she cried.  She was a little more developed in the separation department.

A story about this year’s visit: A friend of mine was running late and was in line behind us. She texted me that her camera battery had died.  I was determined that she get a photo with Santa so I talked my way back into Santaland to find her and take a pic, via a very stern, very grumpy manager man.  He never once smiled, acted kind or accommodating, just put-out and grumpy.  I stayed sugary sweet and of course got my way, but I was absolutely 100 % NOT IMPRESSED by that.

But after that we decided to take a group photo of everyone in front of this ugly warehouse-looking door, and the minute we were taking it, Mrs. Claus walked out! It was a Macy’s Santaland miracle! (I blurred everyone out because I don’t have time to get permission to post their FACES!)

Winter’s Eve

Winter’s Eve happens the weekend after Thanksgiving. It is several blocks of music on the upper west side.  You can research ahead of  time and find out who and what time and where, but I find it more fun to just happen upon the madness.

I love seeing the ice sculptures each year and the Hungry March Band just doing their thing as they walk the streets. This year we found some clowns, and Lolly was chosen to hold a spinning plate on a dowel rod…that was pretty fun.  She kept trying to bring the plate down as close to her head as possible without touching it.

There was a photobooth, remember our family rule?–must do the photobooth if we happen upon it!  The other night Jason took me on a date to see Lincoln.  I saw a photobooth but I didn’t point it out because I wanted to see if he would spot it and remember the family rule.  How do you think that turned out?

We did not wear the provided props, because I know about lice, and I am never going back (if I can help it that is).  Speaking of photobooths-there is a fun new app I found called Pop Booth:

Good times when you are bored.

Well, Winter’s Eve is something I really look forward to every year, and this year did not disappoint! The weather! The company! The adventure of it all! It was tops.

 

Sandy

Just like Jimmy Fallon, I keep landing back in Grease when I think about her.

We got ready. We waited. She came. It’s over. But not really because we have no subway and no school.  I have been tweeting and instaing like mad, because I am one of the lucky ones with power, so you probably already know it all.  In case you don’t, here it is via instagram:

I am most devastated about this:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Joy sums up what I am feeling perfectly. (I am the friend she refers to.)

I am most happy about the neighbor playdate we should have already had:

3 weeks and 8 pounds apart, Pickle lost this HAIR WAR big time.

Thanks to all the texts, tweets, emails, calls, FB messages, prayers.  We felt it and we are fine.  My brother texted me this pic of what he called a graveyard.  Actually, it was where 111 homes used to stand. Can you imagine?

*photo