Mother's Day Redux

As I've said before and will say again, Mother's Day doesn't really need to be a big deal for me to feel pampered. Okay, yes, it usually involves donuts (Peter Pan, naturally) and taking a little time to enjoy the city, but I'm very open to letting it play out how ever works easiest for everyone. This year Dan Riley was in town to see friends at a wedding and that was the day that made the most sense to meet up. So after our obligatory donut run to Brooklyn, we headed towards Hunters Point South to the playground before rendez-vous'ing with Dan & Co. at the Anable Basin for lunch and a few cold ones. It was kind of funny that this was nearly the same playlist as last year, down to Nacho's shirt. But hey, if it ain't broke...The weather was absolutely beautiful and even a bit warm.  At the playground, we bumped into Andy and Mindy so we dragged them along for some beers and that was that. A low key hang out with lots of good people and a little bouquet waiting for me at home. Mother's Day complete. 

Jam Packed

For much of the winter our social lives take a hit, or at least the spontaneous meet ups aren't as plentiful.  So it's nice that spring has finally arrived and with it some fun invitations to get out and enjoy our friends as the weather warms up.  While I wouldn't normally call a school fundraiser a social event, it does happen to include a few of our local playgroup families.  So Chuck E Cheese on a Thursday night for pizza and games wasn't too crazy. I mostly sat back and enjoyed the chaos from the safety of our booth.  The girls ran ragged and by bedtime (Nacho was working overnight in Buffalo), I was feeling pretty wiped out myself. It didn't help that Elisa woke up a few hours later puking all over her bed. Pizza plus red Jello before bedtime didn't make for easy clean up, but I digress....it was a long night and Friday meant a day off of school to recuperate. She felt good enough to accompany us to Carolina's classroom potluck at AMB that evening. Another night, another school event. See what I mean? Things are starting to pick up.

Saturday was another chance to hang out with some preschool families at a birthday party for one of Carolina's "best friends." I put that in quotes because every other day, the best friend has changed and Carolina is telling me that so-and-so is her new best friend. It's amazing to see how these early friendships are forming and how a kid as outgoing and happy as Carolina can navigate it all so clearly. She definitely knows who she likes, and that's just about everybody! So it was her BFF Alegria's fourth birthday that afternoon and the kids enjoyed running around the park as much as singing and eating cake. It's pretty simple at that age. The face painting was also a hit, with most opting for a kitty cat theme. Seeing them act it out with their crazy clawing later was pretty entertaining. Oh, to be that age again. 

By Saturday night, however, Elisa was back to feeling not so good. She hasn't run a high fever with any of this so it's been kind of hard to gauge what exactly we're dealing with. Sore throat and two episodes of puking.  Otherwise, just very tired and probably her allergies flaring up as well.  So we're taking it day by day and hoping that a Sunday full of rest will push her back to the brink of wellness. They both enjoyed a leisurely morning of bacon and disco ball dancing. Then Nacho and I headed over to Anable Basin Sailing, a cool place in LIC, for an adult-only birthday party that Tania threw together at the last minute for her husband Chris. The day was sunny and breezy and the grilled lunch offerings with cold beer really hit the spot. This was shaping up to be the perfect end to a busy weekend of hanging out. 

I definitely see us going back there in the summertime with kids in tow. It's not probably as easy to snag a table, but with great views of the city skyline and East River, I'd say it's worth the effort. Plus, you're just a stone's throw from Gantry and the fields at Hunters Point South. Nacho and I both ordered the cevapi and it was pretty tasty, I have to admit. I've been craving that dish for some reason lately and have been bugging my friend Marija about where to go to get some good Balkan food. So this hit the spot. Spending time relaxing with friends talking and not having kids interrupt us every five seconds was even better. Hope we'll be doing this kind of thing again soon. Summer is almost here...and our social lives are ready to bloom too. 

Brooklyn Bound

A few weeks ago we made another trip on the East River Ferry to visit DUMBO and take in all the Brooklyn Bridge sights. It was much more low-key than our previous ferry outings since this was already afternoon (leaving around 4 p.m.) and we didn't really plan to spend hours and hours there. It felt like a shorter ride (I guess because one of the Williamsburg stops was closed) and in no time, we were off treading the pier and heading for ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.  The girls played and ate and we cooled our heels in the shade of the building before walking over to the carousel for a little spin. Carolina probably didn't remember being there before but she definitely stepped right up and loved getting her own horse. And the waterfront views from the glass box it sits in really can't be beat. 

After that, we made it over to the Main Street DUMBO playground that has the biggest pirate ship playground for kids. I was both fascinated by how many parts of the ship connect to structures on the playground and also by a family photo shoot that was taking place nearby. I have to say, I'm a much more entertaining photographer! ;)  That woman barely spoke and they had a family pet going down the slide again and again with the little boy. Neither one looked remotely happy doing it. Oh well. Hope the other pics turn out. After that, we met a fellow mom who seemed to summarize all that I disdain about the BK parenting scene. With her faux hippie braids, her birks and her mason jar of water, I was less than impressed. Really? Who brings glass into a park? Ah, well. Maybe I should just stick with Sunnyside. I can smell the pretension in parts of Brooklyn from a mile away. But it is lovely...just to visit for an afternoon...

And then by sunset, we were back in Long Island City at Hunters Point South. We enjoyed a beer at the new plaza and the girls snacked on a hotdog and fries. We let them run around the playground and exercise area too before calling it a night. It was a great day to be outside and one of those midweek family outings that I savor so much right now. We know that we're lucky to have this time together as a family, and yet I can never get enough of it. In a few more weeks, Nacho will be starting a new job and our time apart is definitely going to increase. But for now, for this summer, we are making the most of what we have. And this little river excursion on a summer evening was just what I needed. What a beautiful place to be. 

Hunters Point

Last Saturday we knew it was going to be the better day of the weekend and staying inside was not an option. As so often is the case, I got a little restless trying to come up with a plan that would suit the whole family. I knew there needed to be outside exercise and something good to eat. It wasn't warm enough yet though to be walking too long outside so I settled on heading over to Hunters Point South for a bit of park time and maybe a bite of Thai food at Tuk Tuk. As we drove out of the neighborhood I received a text from my friend Tania who was looking for something fun to do with her two kiddos. Plans were fluid enough that by the time I had extended the invitation, I had already thought of one diversion--Peter Pan Bakery in Greenpoint. So off we went to get donuts while Tania prepped and readied her two. 

We all convened at the park along the East River around noon and the kids quickly decided that this was the best playground ever. Lots to do and see and Carolina impressed me with her daring and total love of heights. The girl can climb!  We took a few minutes to run around the turf field as well and then back to the park to hang with Zara and Noah. The kids were all quite independent which pulled three of us parents in 4 directions occasionally. But it was a nice enclosed space and easy to watch them run around. Elisa and Zara took to rolling down the mini hill in the back corner of the park and Noah was happiest when he was just out of Tania's grasp. It was a breath of fresh air to be outside again and though hunger called, it took us awhile to go grab lunch. But when we did, it was excellent. The food was beautifully prepared at Tuk Tuk and the place had plenty of space and seemed very kid-friendly. All good things when you are with hungry mamas. As we finished up, we rewarded the kids (and one waking little boy) with a scoop from Baskin-Robbins on the corner. It was a taste of spring and all the fun you can have after playing in the sunshine. I'll have more of this please.