On our 4th day of Winter Break, we joined Bruno and his posse for a performance of the Shadow Box Theatre. The show started half an hour late, but that was no problem thanks to Sabine generously sharing her imported Kinderschokolade treats. Sasha was not only the cutest, but also the most well-behaved baby in the audience, and the big kids could thoroughly enjoy the show. Afterward, the boys ran around the lobby until they dropped on the floor. Their energy soon returned, when the quest for the most desirable stick ensued outside…
There wasn’t any photography of the (beautiful) show allowed, but i captured a little footage of our favorite audience members. It’s a bit jerky because i had to film with the display turned off…
Mid-Winter Recess was a perfect time to catch up with our friend (and neighbor) Tyler, who came over for a second play date this week. The kids had a great time – especially outdoors, where they romped around the few sprinkles of snow that surprised us all on Monday. Both boys were clad in Tyler’s outerwear – a tradition dating back all the way to 2008.
We ran a little late for today’s play date with Nara and brought our own lunch along. Ever charming, Nara convinced Tobin to let her try one of his Maki … with pure mind control. Once the ice was broken, she wanted a taste of everything the big kids were having. Afterward, all three of them had a great time playing together. Nara was a little heartbroken when we had to head back home, but we’ll be back soon!
This is what happens when your preschooler refuses to take naps – about once a week, Tobin just passes out in the late afternoon. Sometimes for a regular nap, sometimes for the rest of the night. Today, Mika found him between the couch and the coffee table, clutching his favorite dog. We transferred both into his bed, and he hasn’t woken up since.
It’s been almost 4 months since we last saw Harold, and unfortunately we were out of town and missed his birthday party in January. Today at brunch, the kids gave him his long overdue present, and helped with the assembly. Harold, being a digger aficionado like Tobin, also took pointers on the next big obsession: stacking cars.
Just had to capture their joy of dressing lighter … and zipping around the neighborhood like they haven’t been able to for months. We’re SO ready for Spring!
As i am posting these pictures, the weather has already changed back to Winter mode … but we had a few days of unseasonably warm, Spring-like temperatures this past week: 60+°F/16°C and sunshine! There were still a few crusty snow remnants along the streets, but sidewalks had already been snow free for a long time. Only the ball field at the local playground had never been plowed, and the kids insisted on running their scooters through the rapidly melting slush. Afterward, they enjoyed their first ice cream cone of the season.
This year marked the first time for Tobin to participate in the annual Valentine’s Day card exchange – which meant crafting 25 (!) love notes for all of his class mates. He happily followed his sister’s creative lead, stamping potato hearts, throwing glitter, and gluing googly eyes onto the cards. He even started signing his name, but half way through he got tired of writing and decided that rolling in between cards could apply a personal finish as well. I am just happy this was the second – and last – time to make valentines with a three-year-old…
On Saturday, we attended the (12th Annual) MoMA Family Festival. Above is a picture from the Museum’s official event photo booth. The kids built interior design models, checked out the dance party in the atrium, and gorged on snacks and … cotton candy!
While the girls were out at the movies, the boys had some quality time in the neighborhood … bonding over comfort food and shooting 1970s style movie clips…
Luna and Mika went to see the BAMkids Shorts Program “World of Imagination” together, and spun their own tales in a post movie play date. Naturally, cameras are off limits in the House of Pretend, so i just captured a moment of conspiracy on our walk home. It was the second trip to the BAMkids Film Festival this weekend for Mika, since we went to the Shorts Program for the 2-5 year old age group as a whole family yesterday.
On the sidelines of Theo’s first birthday celebration in Koreatown, Mika, big sister Olivia, and a bunch of their old friends (Gaang!) had a party of their own, featuring top notch face painting and the most impressive balloon art i’ve seen in my entire life. That guy wasn’t kidding when he said he could do anything. Batman, Arielle, a giraffe, a martian on Mars with a space gun, Pingu, a baby tooth … you name it. He even offered to bend balloons after the children’s own sketches, but unfortunately the 6-year old crowd was a bit too timid to take him up on it…
