Weekend in Lake Placid

We headed up to Lake Placid this weekend to visit Nonno. We took the kids on a couple boat rides where Griffin shared his cookies with Nonno, went fishing (but the fish were "sleeping"), and tried to take some photos with the real camera - which Griffin loved.

What a beautiful weekend to be on the water, in the woods!

ps - Louise kills me with this bow hat. Thanks Aunt Les:)

Griffin is THREE!

We had a weekend we'll never forget. On Friday, we went to his school where the class sat in a circle, with a little sun in the middle and Griffin carried a globe around three times while the teacher led a little discussion about what kinds of things Griffin could and couldn't do as a baby, one, two & three year old. (I think this is a Montessori thing - and I love it.) On Saturday, we had a little party with lots of friends, big balloons, a yummy Duncan Hines cake, homemade nutella & so many sweet gifts, including the skateboard from us. Yes, we (stupidly??) bought our three year old a skateboard. He's been riding one at the playground (on his knees of course) and loves it so much that when we asked what he wanted for his birthday, he didn't hesitate to say a skateboard (and a big pumpkin, which he also got). So, he's now got his own skateboard & is so proud he can ride it - even if that means backwards and on his knees. :)

First Day of School

Griffin started school this week! He was pretty excited about his new backpack and the buttons on his shirt (buttons! on a shirt!) and even scootering over a mile to get there, but less excited about saying goodbye to me :( Let's hope things get better soon - for all of us! 

Weekend in Photos: An All Kids Weekend

I had the kids all to myself this weekend, and I decided I'd test my Mom skills by taking them to places we've never been before. First up - Governor's Island. Or in our case, all the playgrounds that distracted us from even getting on the ferry to Governors Island. The only thing that took Griff away from this awesome "spiderweb" contraption was the Ample Hills Ice Cream stand. Then, just before we got to the ferry dock, with chocolate ice cream dripping down his chin and arms, we passed the most incredible water playground - "The Water Lab." As soon as we laid eyes on this magical spot, the ferry didn't stand a chance. We were there for hours & I already can't wait to go back. 

We also hung out under the Manhattan Bridge, threw rocks into the water & played at the nearby playground. New playgrounds are like new little worlds, and I get so stupidly happy seeing Griffin explore these new-to-him spaces. 

At the end of one day, while enjoying his good boy treat (the carrot I dangle in front of him all day long), he says, "Mommy take a picture of my mad face" (above) and I say, "Okay, but now show me your happy face." (below)

Mommy had both mad & happy faces this weekend too. They looked just like this.

Sorry I didn't take any pics of you, Louise. Mommy loves you for being so portable & easy-going :)

Brother Sister (Quick) Hug

The other evening, we returned home from an early bird dinner, and Griffin surprised us by asking if he could hold Louise. We said 'Of course!' and quickly put them both on the couch, where he sweetly embraced her & gave her a little kiss on the head. Our hearts burst. Not ten seconds later, he says, "Okay, I'm done." 

Fleeting, but precious. :)

I'm a Little Teapot

Griffin is on a singing kick. And recently, he's been singing songs in different voices, like a "Louise-y voice" (a high pitched sweet little voice) and a "theatrical voice" (a deep voice), which he uses here for I'm a Little Teapot. Cracks me up.

Peek-a-Boo

Oh, hi.

xo,
Griff & Lou

So Big

Last week, Griffin officially turned two and a half, and today, Louise is three months. When I was little, I used to smile & laugh awkwardly when people who hadn't seen me in a while would say, "You've grown so much!" or "You're so big!" "When did you get so big?!" But now I get it. They couldn't help themselves. These little people grow so fast!

This is my last week of "maternity leave" and the temperatures are soaring into the seventies!!! so I'm excited to get outside with Louise. Griffin has brought home all sorts of germs this winter, so I'm really looking forward to the much warmer weather and hopefully way less colds.

[Above, Griffin playing with the snaps on Louise's shirt. Louise looking at me like: "Umm, yo, you gonna tell him my shirt's not a toy?!"]

Happy Kid

The many faces of a happy Griffin on the swing. Had to share. 

Eating Oysters

I wouldn't touch an oyster. Okay, I'd touch it. With my fingertip. But I will not eat it. No interest. Not even dressed up in hot sauce or baked with breadcrumbs. My dad used to say that you could dunk a dirty sock in cocktail sauce & it would taste great. I'm not buying it. But Griffin loves oysters. Here, he & Daddy sprinkle on the breadcrumbs before baking them. At almost two & a half, he's a more mature eater than his wuss mommy :)

Griffin's Thank You Notes

I try to be good at writing thank you notes, but sometimes, my good intentions are derailed by my forgetfulness - like straight up forgetting (terrible) or finding an addressed envelope in my purse weeks later (more than once, sadly!) or where did I put those stamps? or did I write that person already? Not great. 

But when it comes to Griffin's thank you notes, I try even harder. Christmas Eve with my family was such a rush of present-opening amongst the 8 young kids, that it was nearly impossible for gratitude to sink in. So, the thank you note writing for us seems all the more important for times like that. And even at 2 years old, Griffin knows that we're writing our thank you notes. Okay, so the only thing he knows is that he's sitting down & drawing circles and Mommy's talking to him & writing something. But, so far, it's been a time when we're able to pause & talk about the people we're writing to & what gifts we're thanking them for. Even if he only gets it for these short moments, I'm pretty determined to make this a habit for him. Of course for now, Mommy will still need to find the stamps & actually get the envelope out of her purse and into the mailbox :)

My Little Fireman

I took Griffin to a Halloween party yesterday & it was so much fun. Kids bobbing (or just grabbing as my fireman did) for donuts, decorating masks and eating mini hotdogs - all signs of a great party! Griff was a real sport wearing his fireman costume (thanks to his big cousins F&H for lending it to us!). The red suspenders underneath were my favorite part :)

Wittle Weggie

We had a little tumble this weekend that led to a broken leg :( Poor little guy went to chase some ducks, fell down a small hill and broke his leg. I think his Mommy & Daddy were more upset than he was. (And our nanny, who cried when I told her.) But luckily, little bones heal fast. I see lots of lollipops and cartoons in our immediate future.

With Love From Griffin: Beer Run

Mom has a lot going on these days, so I'm keeping the mood light.

xo
Griff

First Haircut

Griffin got his first haircut this week, courtesy of Farmor (grandmother in Swedish). As you can see, he knew something was up, but there were no tears! and instantly looked like a real little boy, which almost had Mommy in tears:)

Easter

We were down in Pennsylvania for Easter this weekend. To my complete surprise, Griffin loved meeting the Easter Bunny. I couldn't believe it. He followed him around the room & looked outside the window longingly when he left! The Easter egg hunt at my stepmother's house was a big hit, as well, with Griffin getting his very own Easter basket, trimmed in funny fake fur! 

About Town: CMA, again

We went back to the Children's Museum of the Arts this weekend. It's much busier on the weekends, but it didn't seem to get in the way of Griffin thoroughly enjoying his dot pens.

ps, those things are awesome! and washable:)

Valentine's Day Cards

Our handmade valentines. Can you guess who made which?

Football Sunday: Cheese Head

Since my Philadelphia Eagles didn't make the playoffs this year, we spent Sunday cheering on our friend's hometown team, the Green Bay Packers. Sadly, they lost to the Giants:( But we still got into the spirit, hats and all.

My Little Lobbie

Griffin's first costume was not really suitable for the frigid weather, so we stuck our little man into this hand-me-down fleece lobster suit, complete with claw mittens. Perfectly warm & soooo snuggly.