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Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been on my list for years! Now that the new Q line is open, we were able to hop on and head straight to Prospect Park which is connected to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens! 

Traveling around the city (or anywhere really) with a toddler, sometimes leads to abrupt changes of plans. Thus, when we learned that the BBG is free on most Saturdays from 10AM - NOON, we thought we'd give it a whirl! 

Our favorite part of the park was the children's area - Elle got to climb into "Big Bird's" nest! It was also fantastic for a toddler to run wild, smell tons of flowers and and look at the pretty fountains. 

This is definitely on our list for a return trip - perhaps in another season of the year! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer-y (low cost) things in NYC

With the summer buzz in the air, life has been filled with (low cost!) outdoorsy activities around here! I thought life would be grand no longer having to bundle up a little one in the cold months, but I had no clue what was in store trying to put sunscreen on a squirmy toddler who loves to hide by the couch! Not to mention, Sundae and Pickle lick it right back off of her... esh! 

Here's our current summer fun round-up, if you'd like to see... 

CONEY ISLAND 

So listen, everyone has their own opinions on this beach... but it's just so darn iconic! Not to mention, the new Q Line addition is steps from our front door and takes you all the way there! No train changes OR steps (read: very stroller friendly!). A part of me will always love Coney Island thanks to Uptown Girls. 

 

 

 

 

ROCKAWAY BEACH 

This beach has come a long way! After Superstorm Sandy damaged this beach, I took a tour with city officials and met those impacted by the damage for work. It was devasting. Today, the boardwalk is beautiful, you can order food and frozen sangria (!) steps from the beach and music! Also, there is a new ferry that takes you directly to the beach from Pier 11 in lower Manhattan... it is the same price as a subway swipe, has bathrooms, a changing station for little ones and concessions on board! 

 

 

 

MUSEUM MILE 

This was our first year to attend Museum Mile. We packed a dinner and ate at The Met fountains with performances going on next to us. Then we walked down the middle of 5th Ave (the streets close down!) and hopped in line for the Cooper Hewitt Museum. All the museums are free on this day, so we got to explore the Jazz Age exhibits and play in the garden at no charge! Elle thought it was hilarious to run wild in the museum. 

 

  

 

 

 

PHILHARMONIC in CENTRAL PARK

The entire city comes out for this free event each year. We packed a picnic dinner, blanket and arrived early to grab a spot on the VERY crowded Great Lawn. Our friends trickled in and we laid around listening to the city buzz and the lovely music... it's so relaxing! 

 

 

ROOFTOP PICNICS 

Ahhh, my favorite. Our little building has a charming rooftop and we love, love, love to pick-up Elle from school and lounge around on the roof, have picnics and play games. It's communal - so often fun to chat with others in our building. All part of the NYC experience. 

 

If you can't tell, I'm so happy the warm weather has arrived! 

 

 

How do you wind down at night?

When I was in my 20's, most of my nights were filled to the brim. But I'd always fall asleep the second I hit the pillow! 

Lately, I've been sneaking away to our bedroom for about 20 mins to read or catch-up on blogs, and occasionally sip champagne and relax in our bed before reading Elle's "book of the week". Richard winds down with Elle while she sips her night-night milk and watches one episode of the infamous Elmo. 

This week's book has been "Wheels on the Bus" by James Dean. Which means lots of signing! 

After getting a squirmy toddler into her PJ's and to brush her teeth with her pink banana toothbrush (and lots of kisses!), Richard sings her classical favorites before tip-toeing out of her room. Finally, we get a few couch snuggles in with Pickle and Sundae while watching a documentary and then slip off to bed! 

A sweet little night routine that I've come to love. Hope you have a lovely one too. 

 

Elle Madison | One and a 1/2 Years Old

To my little one and a half year old...

Whew! I now understand why coffee, cold creams and massages exist.

I also continue to be changed by you, each and every day. You allow me to see life, and specifically New York City, through a new lens. We spend our weekends seeking out kid friendly restaurants, running into other daycare parents at our favorite park and listening to so, so much Elmo.

Each morning, you wake up with an enthusiastic scream to join us in the "big bed" (full-size for NYC, perspective people!) - because kicking two sleepy parents in the head at 4 and 5AM is oh so much fun. Then you fall on us with big squishy hugs and slobbery kisses (while asking for a 'nack! nack!) and shimmy off the bed with a "come mommy, come daddy". That's right, you now call us by our formal names - "ma-ma" and "da-da" are becoming fewer and farther between.

 

You want so bad to be a big kid and sit at the table, and insist upon it before we take our first bite. Clumsily climbing all over of us, usually Daddy.

You love your puppies ("ba-bas") oh so much - and exchange big kisses and squeals each morning and night.

Flowers are just wonderful - and you smell and kiss them each and every second that you get! Which is great, except for that time that you fed Sundae puppy a flower and Mommy and Daddy became zombies from the all-day/all-night sick puppy that ensued.

 

You now bring home lots of artwork from your little school - and Mommy has a hard time figuring out which gems stay and which gems go.

Every morning Mommy starts your day with an egg breakfast and Daddy ends your day by singing 90's country, pop and alternative as you fall asleep. You love bubble baths, but absolutely hate getting your hair washed. Reading books is one of your all-time favorite activities with us - especially having us read the same books over and over and over again.

 

Your grandmas, great-grandmas and aunts love the one million photos that Mommy sends their way each week. Your teachers at school have created a love of being a "breakfast helper", "butterfly grower", "city walker" and "yoga extraordinaire"...and we are oh so thankful.

We love how we can hear you running from across the apartment, slapping your little toddler feet against the wood with such power and curiosity. Your expressive face and determined ways make us laugh and equally drive us mad some days. And your rambunctious spirit has given us many scares - as toddler falls, bumps and accidents are new territory for us.

You teach us patience and empathy while fulfilling us with a completeness that we had desired upon your arrival. We are thankful for your sense of urgency that causes us to slow our own lives down and that redirects our own path, goals and defines our sense of happiness.

 

Little Elle Madison, we love you! A very big milk cheers - in your elmo cup, of course - to one and a half.

XO

My 20th Trip to D.C. | Toddler + 2 Dogs in Tow

Living on the East Coast opens the door to new adventures! We were lucky enough to take a quick trip to see The White House, enjoy a special VIP Tour of the Capitol (thanks to Representative John Ratcliffe's Office and a super sweet intern who enjoyed having two young kids bounce through the halls).

As usual, we explored through food which included an early dinner in the Victorian-styled Old Ebbitt Grill, just steps from the White House. We tried a variety of fun toppings at We The Pizza and early bites and drinks at Bullfeathers - both frequented by those living and working near the Capitol. 

What made this trip extra special was that we got to explore with the Petty trio. We love watching our girls grow up together (and entertain each other while we journey back through our college memories). We sure love these sweet friends of ours! 

Pickle and Sundae enjoyed sunshine, and Elle. Although, Pickle was a bit on alert upon arriving at our hotel and abandoned Sundae in the doggy playpen the first night! Nothing like walking back into your hotel room and being met by a furry creature in the dark. :)

I can't believe this was my 20th time to visit Washington, DC. Always an adventure.