Happy Birthday!

I decided to keep the boys birthday party really small this year. I just invited our cousins in Harlem. The last thing I remember saying to Rob before I went to bed on Friday night was, "Shouldn't we plan something for tomorrow. For the boys party?" He replied, "Naw. It will work itself out." Here's the only thing I planned going into the party.

1. Starts at 4pm.
2. Eat pizza at Patsy's.
3. Ice cream at Serendipity 3
4. Call it a "Transportation Party" and get everywhere by using different modes of transportation.
5. Give the boys MTA trains  or something similar.

That's it! I never imagined it would go so well. With surprises along the way!

First Surprise: On our way to Patsy's, we happened to catch the vintage 1920's subway car sponsored this month by Boardwalk Empire. The sound of riding a subway with the windows down, the way it felt to sit in the wicker seats, the hooks, the ceiling fans, the light bulbs. We were in awe.

The pizza at Patsy's was great! No surprises there. It's been around since the 1930's so they know exactly how to make a pie. We ordered two! When we got out, we tried desperately to find a minivan taxi cab to get to our next destination: Serendipity 3. No such luck. Enter the next surprise: An impromptu party game. Boys against girls: Who can get to Serendipity 3 first? The boys caught the first cab, but the girls were able somehow crush them in the end!

Serendipity 3 had a whopping 1.5 hour wait, so the kids went to a nearby playground. While there, they discovered the Roosevelt Island Tram. Surprise #3! The whole ride took a standard subway fare and round trip was around 10 minutes. Best part: Sweeping views of the city. I felt like I was in the Peter Pan ride at Disney World. It goes so high up and has surround views. I really felt like I was flying! Incredible. Go now go!

We finally got our name called from the wait list at Serendipity 3 and got to eat gigantic sundaes! So good. Tip: Get a sundae, not their famous frozen hot chocolate.

For the record: Forms of transportation used at my very thought out party: our feet, a vintage subway, taxi, tram, bus.  Pretty good!

Happy Birthday boys! I hope you had fun!

First Day of School 2011

 Biggest surprise of the day? Ella had only eleven kids show up to her first grade class! Yay! I know the class will probably grow a little over the next few weeks, but so far so good. And, get this, they have a teacher AND a teacher's aide all day! Who said NYC public schools are doomed? I found my hidden gem and I'm sticking with it!

The boys did great too. They are not only having structure for the first time (secret: i've never signed them up for any classes! whoops), but also being separated for the first time. It was so effortless for them. Sometimes I wonder if they are even twins.

When Should Kids Start Kindergarten?

I was really excited to do this post about how the boys display their age. Look at their dirty little fingers! But then it hit me. They are three years old. So young! This week they start preschool and next year, when they are still four, they start kindergarten.

In NYC, all kids turning five before December 31 start kindergarten. Since my boy's birthday is September 25th, they fall well within the cutoff. It changes from state to state. In Florida, where I grew up, all kids had to be five-years-old by September 1st. Since I have a November birthday, I was one of the older ones. However, had I lived NY, I would have started school a year earlier. That would have changed my entire life. I would had different friends. Started college earlier. Maybe missed the opportunity to meet Rob.

Academic worries aside, this kindergarten start day is huge. Reading this article from the NY Times didn't help ease my concerns. Part of me is super worried.

And the other part is super excited to get rid of the boys so much earlier than expected! (bwahahaha!)

 

Weekend Approved Project: Stay Inside!

Hey East Coasters: Good News! I dug out an old rainy day post and Hurricane Irened it! I've put together a list of three classic things to do while you're waiting at home for the storm to pass. Including a playlist! Mostly Michael Jackson! With Links! Here you go, an oldie but goodie. Enjoy it while the power still works.

1. Pillow Fight! No one wants to be defeated. Especially Oscar. Here's six pillow fighting songs for your playlist:

Beat It! Micheal Jackson 

Whip It by Devo

Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas and Vivian Hawke

Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar

Stand by R.E.M

Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J (the clean version? No?! Still too much for 3 year olds?) 

2. Toilet Paper Mummies! What else are you going to do with all the toilet paper you rushed out to buy unnecessarily for Irene? Put it to good use. It's a fantastic way to make a mess that you'll be cleaning up for days! Again start with, Michael Jackson's Thriller.

From there add:

The Munster Theme Song

Ghostbusters Theme Song (of course, no playlist is complete with out this classic!)

Scooby Doo Theme Song

Monster Mash

1. And finally, end with flying lessons. Micheal Jackson's song about flying is lame so here's what I came up with:

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by the Beatles

Fly by Nick Drake (humor me, I adore this song. The kids won't like it at all.)

Superman Theme Song (it's over 4 minutes long ha!)

Let's Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins

Fly by Nick Drake (Again! That'll show em who's boss around here.)

There it is. That should give you around 45 minutes of something to do this weekend. An hour if you repeat the Superman Theme Song a few times. But I'm not suggesting that as an option to my boys. They would be all over that. What songs did I miss? What are you doing while all cooped up for Irene? Stay safe!

Weekend Approved Project:

Let me start by saying thanks to all of those who participated in the last Weekend Project.  I'll keep you updated on the progress here. Five strollers have already arrived at my house!

This weeks project is an easy one: Get a back to school haircut. 

Here in NYC, we still have a few weeks until the first day of school. Just about the time that haircuts start to look their best in my opinion. In our family, Oscar is the twin that gets a haircut by a barber. It was decided that he would have the longer hair (read more here). Owen gets a buzz cut by dad. Equally as memorable/special to me.

Here's Oscar getting his haircut in a museum-like barber shop in Greenich Village called Moustache: Greenwich Tonsorial. It was great, totally recommend it. The stylizing of the shop couldn't have been better. The haircut was thoughtful. Only downfall? No lollipops and a 1982 edition of Playboy on the coffee table in the waiting area. Nothing I couldn't cover up with my backpack. The lollipops? I always hate the mess any way.  I was apologetic for having all my kids there at first, but everyone (including the owner) made me feel welcome. 

It took me about 10 minutes of picture taking to realize the barber was a total fox. Mommies, here's another reason to take your kids to this barbershop!

Or do you cut your/your kids hair yourself? If so, you're brave! How did you learn? Barbers make it look so easy.

roses are red or pink or yellow

The other day we went to the NY Botanical Garden. The smell of the rose garden was incredible. It really isn't necessary to stick your nose into the flower, but if you must, then by all means, go right ahead. 

NYC sans kids

Kids are great, but so risky. Look at my boys scaling the rocks along the East River. Someone hire a babysitter stat. I'm obviously not taking proper care of them. I'm too focused on my shot of the Brooklyn Bridge!

When parenthood gets to this point, it's time to discover the city sans kids. Here's a list of my recommendations for a couple visiting NYC. Times Square, The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, shopping on Madison Ave have been left off on purpose. I'm sure my list will evolve over time. Did I miss anything?

1. Go to Lincoln Center to see the ballet, opera, or symphony. Even if you don't love either of those things, the experience is worth it. Dinner: Across the street Cafe Fiorello. Must order the fresh mozzarella sampler and the chocolate moose. And then choose anything off the antipasti menu. Not the spaghetti.
2. The MET, buy an audio tour, afterwards walk a few blocks and eat at E.A.T.
3. The Museum of Natural History. Afterwards eat at the Shake Shack across the street. Order hamburger, french fries, and a milk shake. Not a hot dog.
4. The NY Botanical Garden. Take the 20 minute train ride out of Grand Central Station. Before you leave, take a quick tour of the station.
5. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Afterwards eat at Tom's (not to be confused with Tom's Restaurant from Seinfield--don't eat there! horrible!)
7. See a Broadway Show for cheap! (click on link for details)
8. Go to Top of the Rock. totally tourist thing to do, but I've been 3 times and love it!  Go to the basement and eat at Hale and Hearty Soup.
9. Buy lunch foods at Zabar's, walk to Central Park, picnic at the Great Lawn, walk to Belvedere Castle.
10. NYC Public Library, buy a sandwich from 'wichcraft, and eat it outside at Bryant Park.
11. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge!
12. The High Line Park. A Must! Afterwards eat at Chelsea Market. I can't believe I forgot this one. Thanks Amanda.

NYC taught me that after playing in the snow for 45 minutes

my kids will get the cutest red cheeks