The Choo Choo Train children went on their first field trip this year and took a yellow school bus to the Audubon Center at Prospect Park. They were introduced to the main ingredients of soil (sand, bits of leaves, water, air), and then ventured outside, armed with digging spoons, magnifying glasses, and bug collection boxes to check on all the little critters that live below the fallen leaves. The young scientists unearthed and examined countless worms, a variety of bugs, and a baby slug. After a job well done, they had a snack in the park and an open field all to themselves to just run free. Tobin and Bruno were line partners, so whenever we were on the move, they had to hold hands. They also sat next to each other on the yellow school bus, which was an attraction in itself.
On his last day in Brooklyn, Uncle Joe gave Tobin an early birthday present. And what a present it was! The Hot Wheels starter package included a manual launcher, a loop, a jumping ramp, lots of tracks, and a gravity clamp to fasten the starting point on a higher level. It was love at first sight and expanded Tobin’s horizon past the world of heavy duty construction into the universe of daredevil races. Mika reluctantly let Tobin have more than his usual allotment of turns, and he – for once – could play like an only child.
Originally, we had earmarked Saturday for apple picking, but a cold and windy forecast made us stay in the city. We did go for an outside stroll in Central Park though, and stopped by the Dinosaur Museum.
Uncle Joe is spending another weekend with us and the kids were thrilled that he could already join at pickup time. They showed off their scooter skills on the way home and played with him nonstop until bedtime…
We went back to the Park Avenue Armory for a fun, indoor Carnival. The concept was great, but since the Carnival lasted only 4 days – over Columbus Day Weekend! – the Armory was filled to capacity. The wait times were excruciating: about an hour to get in, and then 20 to 60 (!) minutes standing in line for any of the main attractions. Thankfully, there were little activities in-between, like jugglers and balloon sculptors. The kids had fun, but i much preferred the Neto exhibit where people could move and interact freely with the installation.
This little fella didn’t pick a good season to hatch, or a good neighborhood to learn to fly: sitting just a few feet away from a main feeding hub for feral cats, his fate seemed all too obvious (thankfully not too obvious to the kids). One is supposed to leave fledglings alone, and we didn’t have much choice as there wasn’t an obvious nest nearby to return him to. We moved him out of the pathway, next to a tree. Let’s hope he made it against all odds…
A lot has happened since we last met with the Aranda-Lee tribe: Santiago turned 4, Nico turned 2 and started talking up a storm, and … baby Halo was born. We missed all three birthdays due to our summer travels and were excited to be able to celebrate and catch up on this perfect Fall day.
Welcome to the world, little Halo. You’re one lucky girl!
The kids were eager to sing the German Happy Birthday song for Omi Hiltraud, but then we had server access issues for the past days from our home connection, so i couldn’t post it in time for October 4th. I told the kids about the unfinished post the next morning, and their response was that they wanted to record it once more … with Luna. Here are both versions, two days late.
Tobin and Mika had a great time at Henry’s long anticipated 3rd birthday party. Special guest Audra rocked the crowd until they dropped into a giggling heap of scarves and toddlers. If only there was birthday cake at our regular music classes as well… ;-)
Nara brought her team over for brunch, which turned out to be a wonderfully relaxed – and tasty! – morning. However, three relaxed kids don’t translate into an easy photo opportunity when they are asked to pose just a minute with their moms…
Local hardware store Mazzone’s Annual Pumpkin Fest kicks off Halloween season, and this year was no exception. We ran a bit too late for the free pony rides or face painting, but the kids got to paint their first pumpkins of 2010. We even carved two little mini pumpkins. Together with the sunflowers from the farmer’s market, it definitely looks like Fall has arrived.
I know … another scooter post in less than a week? But they were just. too. adorable!
All three kids would line up like a choo choo train at every red light, or Mika would race ahead and then jump off in time to block the boys’ path before the intersection … with her arms spread wide across the sidewalk. However, scooting with a big girl comes at a price: we had a few minor wipe outs, and Henry face planted trying to imitate Mika’s signature trick where she casually hangs one leg over the handlebar. I have told her to ride responsibly when she’s with the boys, and she’s been very good today … but he must’ve seen her do it last Friday.
