Spring Concert

Thursday night we had the Spring Concert at Academy of the City. It was something Elisa had been talking about and practicing for all winter long. And the day was finally here. She had a small solo in her class's multicultural song and we were very happy Nacho could be there to see it too. The kid has some lungs! Her part was spoken in Creole which was kind of funny because the night before the concert she came home sobbing that she'd lost her practice sheet with the words. Uh oh. I thought if this kid hasn't learned it by now, we're in trouble. And of course, the next morning, I finally found a scrap of paper in her backpack with two mysterious phrases written in a language I did not understand. Bingo! But it was too late. So we waited with anticipation to see how she would do that night. And of course, my little star shone. She was holding the mic like a pro and all too eager to belt out the lyrics, even when it wasn't her turn. The fact that her mic picked this all up and lead us in the audience to crack up was even better. She had no clue...

And by the end of the show, the rest of the school had entertained us for over an hour and a half. The third graders did a rendition of "We are the World" that sent the audience into overdrive. Ms. Galashaw had us all clapping along and the mood was jubilant.  I'm so proud of Elisa and her school for being able to host these kinds of productions and for making the community come together for a little song. We all need more of this in our lives. Enjoy!

North shore

Sunday was our day to hang out as a family over this holiday weekend since Monday Nacho has to work. So we decided to pack it up and drive out to the area around Port Washington, NY on the north shore for a change. I haven't really explored that much and a neighborhood friend mentioned a few sights and most importantly, a great place to eat by a marina, and I was sold. The traffic wasn't too bad and we were jumping out of the car and running around Sands Point Preserve on the rocky cliff edge after about 40 min.  The girls wanted to know where the playground was but I told them this wasn't that kind of park. It was all about the grass fields and ocean views. And the day was perfectly warm yet breezy. I was happy to be out of the city and so were they. We walked past the two castle-like estates and then around to the path that lead to the beach. It wasn't much fun since we were hurrying the kids out of the water with their tennis shoes. But at least we got close. Maybe another day we'll bring suits and stick around. Elisa was sick of the smell (lots of rotting seaweed and who knows what) and I figured it was almost lunch time anyway.  A pitstop for ice cream at the truck parked conveniently near the car, and then we were off. And boy the lobster roll at Butler's Flat Clam Shack did not disappoint. Stuffed to the top with sweet fresh lobster meat and situated on a lightly toasted bun, I can say it was well worth the $19 price tag. A cold summer shandy in a can and a marina view made the afternoon complete. This was the day I had planned without ever knowing it. 

Going to the fair

If Memorial Day Weekend is truly the beginning of summer, then consider it started. Somehow this whole thing snuck up on me after a dreadful winter and almost forgotten spring. But I'm willing to let that pass. As long as this warmer weather stays and doesn't get too hot too soon *yeah, right* all will be forgiven. So we waited out the week of sunshine only to be met with rain and thunder on Friday and into early Saturday morning. But thankfully, the clouds lifted and we made it out to SGP for a day filled with bouncy houses, cotton candy and lots of time with friends. The crowds weren't too bad, perhaps because of the threat of more showers, which meant the girls were mostly free to run around almost like any other park day.  Elisa helped shepherd her little sis around the field from one attraction to another, and I was happy to see how much Carolina loved it all. She's a much more adventurous 2 year old than Elisa ever was. And after only a slight hesitation on one of the bouncy slides, she was off and running and doing loops on that thing (with the attendant barely noticing she'd slipped in again after skipping the line--oops!). Yes, they were in their element...

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay all day at the fair because Nacho's home soccer team, Atletico Madrid, was playing crosstown rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League Final that afternoon. I hemmed and hawed about whether or not I would volunteer for the park or go watch the game. And in the end, I made the right decision. I needed to be there for moral support especially when they lost out in overtime. Yes, it wasn't the ending we had hoped for, but it was very Atleti to lose with such sadness. Oh well. Another year, perhaps? The girls played and danced and entertained a few friends while we watched the game and tried to wish ourselves to a victory. And yes, the rain returned late in the afternoon for a quick downpour before clearing up for the evening. It was an eventful day for many reasons, but mostly because it meant this long weekend had started. Bring on the rest!

Playing catch up

So the week is over, and we're diving head first into the Memorial Day holiday weekend without much preparation. All I know is that I want to continue my outdoorsy streak. This week was gloriously sunny for the most part and I can really say that I enjoyed taking Carolina out for most of the morning each day.  She even vocalized a preference for "Sunny Gardens" park for the first time this week which meant I had to divert from my closer run to Lou Lodati and plow straight ahead to SGP.  The kid knows what she likes. And right now, it's a lot of scooter racing around the track and playing with friends in the sand or Lowers (if it's a quiet day).  The park's annual fair is tomorrow and we'll definitely be spending a few hours there. The weather isn't looking great tonight (lots of rain), but it seems to be moving out of here overnight.  Fingers crossed it stays away while the crowds come out to enjoy the bouncy houses and homemade delights. Elisa has had a pretty high energy week and seemed overly tired this morning not waking til we opened the door at 7:45 a.m. If only they would both sleep that long tomorrow. But no, I have a feeling that Saturday morning will be more like the usual 6:55 a.m. Oh well. Better get in bed soon myself so I can actually rest. My nocturnal life of late is getting harder to sustain! And with both girls around for the next 3 days, I'll need all the "oomph" I can muster. More soon. 

Turning three

Sunday afternoon we played and drank up the afternoon sun at Max and Amanda's as we welcomed Jasper into the threes. It was a perfect setting for this boy who wants nothing more than to chase bear tracks (cleverly drawn by Gina) and grab sticks and dig in the dirt. There was plenty of all that and more as the kids raced around the common gardens and bobbed under low lying branches to cavort and create their own anarchic body. Leonardo led them to his porch a few houses down to build a tree house and they were each contributing pieces of wood and scraps of lumber found nearby.  The girls were mostly sweeping and tidying up when I discovered them as well as pushing each other in the plastic sled left out all winter. Yes, this was the first of what I hope will be many nights traipsing around the gardens. Of course, realistically we aren't in summer yet when the swarms of mosquitoes will likely send us running for DEET and cover. But it's nice to imagine more days like that one where the kids are off doing their thing in a somewhat calmer version of Lord of the Flies.  Three is already here. Crazy to ponder where the time went. Jasper is such an explorer and doer. And an eater. Watching him dig right into the birthday cake with both hands and fork and anything that might ensure he wouldn't miss a crumb was pretty perfect.  The rest of us were eager for a taste as well. I went home with a belly full of good food, drink and the pleasure of having passed the time with friends.