Mermaids on parade

We had a fun-filled weekend in late-June that included dressing up like sea-faring creatures and enjoying a visit from grandparents Jay and Linda. Apologies for the delayed post ... we've had a busy few weeks.

E's hair is FINALLY getting long enough for braids and a ponytail, as seen here. A small pony with a small tail.

E upgraded from 'baby doll' to 'little girl' doll. Henry is happy with hand-me-downs. 

Yarr! Mermaid, pirate, and sailor in Coney Island getting ready to march in the annual Mermaid Parade. 

We meet land lubber Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Borough president, just before the parade 

And E and H pose for this extremely cute photo

The only shot of E and I walking in the parade. 

The Mets vs. the Yankees (at Citi Field)

The man does love bacon

Giddyup?

Henry's first fishing lesson

Cookie of the Month: Year 2, Month 1

For the second year of the Cookie of the Month Club, we will be focusing on regional specialties. Of course, we decided to start with a New York specialty, the black and white cookie. 

When viewing these pictures, please note that Elizabeth was completely bonkers and full of herself. Also note Henry's demotion to janitorial services on the post-baking clean up crew. Speaking of Henry, he did start the awesome trend of scooping up spilled icing from the floor and wiping it on my leg. Evidence of Elizabeth's involvement in this activity is documented below.

Camping in the backyard ... never again

We have a small back yard. Perhaps you remember what it used to look like. Well it is exactly the size of our monster tent (which comfortably sleeps 4 adults and is 6' 2" high in the middle). So it's not difficult to imagine how I got the idea to camp out there.

So, because I wanted to camp out before it got insanely hot, I made the decision last weekend to camp out with Elizabeth under the stars and planes flying to LaGuardia. 

Kate, who has never been camping (despite the fact that the tent was originally a present for her because I promised to take her camping one day), wanted to make Elizabeth's first camping 'trip' as authentic as possible, so we grilled hotdogs and marshmallows and ate outside.

Kate and Henry stayed inside for the night. Elizabeth and I read a scary story about mermaids (google Jenny Greenteeth if you don't think mermaids can be scary) and closed our eyes at about 9:30 p.m. Although the sleep was fitful, sleep we did until about 4:30 a.m. when Elizabeth woke to pee and then noticed the sun was coming up.

The next morning, Henry was eager to play in the tent. Unfortunately, because of the way Henry plays, the 'front door' of the tent no longer zips closed.

Elizabeth got her first (and second and third) pairs of clip-on earrings this past Saturday. Also on Saturday, we went to a festival in downtown Brooklyn where Henry played with juggling balls, Elizabeth got a mermaid painted on her leg, and we saw a very entertaining band called the Hungry March Band.

On Sunday, which was Father's Day, I tried to sleep in, but Elizabeth was so excited to show me the cards she made me that she couldn't keep her eyes closed past 7:15. We then went to the Staten Island Children's museum (and had a nice picnic there) and followed that up with a movie (Tangled) and homemade custard.

Except for the lack of sleep, it was a great father's day weekend.