Bridges of Kings County

Last spring we hit the amazing waterfront park in DUMBO that served as a perfect backdrop for a little people watching and bridge admiring. So I was eager to see how it fared after Hurricane Sandy took its toll along that low lying area.  Last Saturday we returned for a brief visit and I was honestly a bit surprised that it's been over four months and the playground under the bridge is still closed for repairs. It doesn't appear to be too damaged (actually nothing out of place to the naked eye), but I suppose they are waiting for better weather to pressure them to get the job done. Elisa was a little upset, but Carolina was positively despondent trying to break into the chained gates. So we distracted them both with a little walk around the shore skipping rocks into the East River before heading over to the resurrected Jane's Carousel. It was Carolina's first time on one and she wasn't too sure at first. But after switching horses just in the nick of time, she managed to ride next to big sister and that gave her all the confidence she needed to get through. We do a lot of divide and conquer when it comes to childcare and outings, so it was fun to be doing something together--i.e. all four of us at the same time--for a change. 

Walking over to the pier to play at another park for a little bit gave us a bit more scenery of the Manhattan skyline, and the girls got to swing and snack and run around. Nacho and I were tempted to make more of a day out of it, but considering Bubby's closed (and pre-hurricane at that!), I didn't have any real idea of where to eat down in DUMBO with two crazy, tired kids. So we opted to drive back home, put them down for naps and order in some sushi which more than made up for our somewhat anticlimactic stroll. Yes, sometimes, it's okay to just poke around and then leave. We saved some money and most importantly our sanity.  The food order arrived just as the girls drifted into slumber and Nacho and I had an almost date-night quality lunch at home free from distractions.  It was way better than the over-priced, long-waiting pizza places we passed earlier in the day.  I almost shudder to think of how that could have turned out.  Whew.  We'll definitely be back when the playground reopens, but until then, I'll stick to the waterfront closer to home. 

Bakers dozen

So this is what I decided to do on a dreary, snowy day in March--make cookies! But not just any cookies, mind you. I was really craving the kind of chunky chocolate chip crazy big cookies you get from a bakery. Not exactly my normal open-a-bag-and-dump-in-butter-and-an-egg kind that will do in a pinch. So I found a recipe online that sounded promising and I waited until I had Elisa around to help. Of course, it would have been easier to just make them while she was in school, but I had visions of her donning the little play apron she loves to wear and standing next to me as we mixed them all up.  And part of that happened.  She grabbed the step stool to peer over my bowl as I dumped in the flour, and then I had her measure out the baking soda which worked pretty well.  But then she started badgering me about cracking the eggs and we weren't at that point yet. Plus, I'll be honest. I've seen Elisa smash more than one egg in her attempt to get me one I can use.  I didn't think I was stalling her too much, but by the time I was ready to add the eggs to the creamed sugar, she was back to watching Spongebob and had zero interest in being my little baking assistant. So I shrugged and went back to baking in peace. Yes, that's the reality of cooking with kids right now. It sounds like a good idea, but it's a much better proposition to bring them warm cookies on the couch as a bonus for letting mama have a few minutes of calm in the kitchen. Everyone wins this way. And when you've been cooped up inside all day long, sometimes it's nice to have a few minutes in your own corner to just zone out--and eat chocolate.

Slushy Day Dancin'

To be honest, I have no idea where she gets these moves. But they crack me up.

One on one

I'm posting these here to remind me that today Carolina and I had fun while big sister was away at preschool. It doesn't always feel like fun now that this 19 month old is in full-on tantrum mode. She loves to throw herself face down on the couch or bed when she's upset or flounce to the floor and very gently lay herself back until she has proved her point. Cue the drama.  Yes, she is so close to really talking that she gets frustrated very easily when I don't understand her wants. And there are many.  All the time.  Like seriously, I can't turn around without her pointing and blurting on about something else. It's hard to have a minute to think sometimes when she is so constantly needy.  This is marginally better when her sister is home and can help distract and/or entertain her. But then again, that often creates other wants because anything Elisa is doing or eating or playing with becomes Carolina's sole focus. Yes, these are trying times.  And then there's the shrieking--some happy some mad--that can do your head in when all you want is some peace and quiet on a cold, slushy day inside.  But today was better. She danced and laughed and ate all kinds of fruit and snacks with me this morning.  She was a pleasure to spend time with, and I gave in to tickling and cajoling and messing with her enough that she didn't beg for anything.  And when we sat down to take these pictures near the window in the kitchen, she was my silly, smiley girl.  And then big sister came home with a lollipop and ruined it all. Oh well. At least I have the pictures. 

Southie Style

Sunnyside St. Pat's for All

The beginning of March and already we're wearing the green. Yes, this past Sunday we braved the cold weather to be part of the Sunnyside St. Pat's for All parade for the second year in a row.  Only this time I was also attempting to take both girls by myself which can get a little hectic when I'm also playing photographer. I think I counted at least three people telling me Carolina was "unhappy" in her stroller. And at times, well, yeah, she was. But sometimes you can't let the crazy toddler out when there's so much else going on. So be it. She got her turn to taste freedom and she mostly just wanted to be held. We're in the midst of a clingy phase that I'm more than ready to say goodbye to. But whatever. We made it through and I think Elisa enjoyed her bird's eye view from the metal barricades as I weaved in and out of the throngs snapping away and trying to subdue a cranky toddler. Parades are hardly my idea of a good time, but something about this one feels very festive and intimate. We always see so many friends and neighbors and it's just around the corner from home, so it makes sense to partake. I hope these little traditions will continue to grow until the girls are older and can tell me how lame it all is.

This year we finished our parade watching with a little running around at Sunnyside Gardens Park.  And what felt like abundant sunshine and warmth on a brisk March day quickly turned bitterly cold and blustery as we finally made our way home around 5 p.m. Carolina was shivering and for a minute I almost thought I heard her say "I'm cold."  "Cold" for sure, anyway. She has been making more and more progress with words lately that I'm almost expecting her to come out one morning and ask for a piece of toast with her coffee. When did this all start? When will I be so used to hearing her talk that I will forget she was ever a babbling baby? Ah yes, it all happens. Another year at the parade means another whole year of life has passed us by. Maybe that's why I like revisiting these events again and again. It's marking time and helping me realize that no, life isn't stuck on repeat. It just feels that way some days. But Sunday was fun. The sun shone on the Irish and all who came out to walk in this special parade.  St. Pat's for all had a great turnout and I for one am glad we were there to cheer and clap and dance. Even through a few toddler tears.  Yes, I appreciate this neighborhood's sense of community more and more with each year, and it's little things like this that make it feel like my home. With talk of friends leaving our city soon, there is a very real sense that life doesn't remain stagnant.  And who knows when, or if, our time will come to leave. But I hope not. Not for now. I have to make it to at least a few of the post-parade pub crawls in the future. When the girls are old enough to walk themselves to the park. 

Taking the high road

In the past few days I can tell I've had a surge of energy. Maybe it's changing the calendar or just the hope that spring is around the corner, but I feel like I want to get out more. So yesterday I took the morning sunshine to mean that maybe we could go for a city adventure of some kind even if it might not the be the spring temps I was hoping for.  We were up and fed and out the door by about 10:30 a.m. which was a nice change.  So many days it feels like we fritter away the morning and then it's naptime for Carolina and we haven't done anything. The laziness has become almost depressing which is probably why I am so ready for spring and inching ever closer to the Twos and the hope that maybe a stroller nap will suffice sometimes. But yesterday, we had the benefit of Nacho being off on a Saturday and the girls were mostly cooperative getting dressed. So we were off.  I decided taking the Roosevelt Island Tramway would be our surprise for the girls, and I can say I'm honestly not sure why it took us 8 years of living here to do this.  It was a great way to see the city from up high and I think we all enjoyed it equally--a rare feat!

And now for our return ride...

We didn't make it far after our little ride across and back, but that's okay. The sun gave way to clouds and a few flurries and we were ready to hit the playground and then home. But I have a feeling we will be back in better weather soon to check out the lighthouse at the northern end of the island or the park at the southern tip. I saw so many little parks and places of interest just as we were driving around. The area definitely has a small neighborhood vibe and somewhat older 1970s feel. I suppose it's a unique part of NYC in that it is its own tiny island in a city full of them. And if Elisa and Carolina's reactions to the tram ride were just what I'd hoped--quietly awed and glued to the windows--Nacho's amazement at the scenery was an added bonus. Going in the midmorning on a lazy Saturday meant it wasn't a crowded tram and so we grabbed good seats up front in both directions. The girls wouldn't take their eyes off the skyline as we inched ever closer to the skyscrapers in Manhattan and then came back and descended over the East River towards Queens. Nacho spoke to another dad at the park who said we have to come back in the evening when it's even better with all the twinkling lights. Sounds perfect....but I'll wait til summer.