Beantown Fun

I spent the weekend visiting family and friends in Boston. Of course, I got to spend lots of time with BoMa and BoPa, but we also had breakfast with the ducks (who had to make way for me)...


...and paid a visit to the Franklin Park Zoo, where we spent a lot of time with the gorillas and the "li-lins."


The real reason for our visit was daddy's reunion. I didn't bring the proper attire, so mommy and daddy went to the dinner dance without me.


We also visited several Boston playgrounds. BoMa and BoPa went on the slide with me and pushed me on the swings...



...and then it was my turn to push baby.


It was a busy weekend, but I still found time to stop and pick the, um, dandelions.


I love that dirty water. Boston, you're my home away from home.

Shakes, Rattle, and Road Trip

On our way to Boston, we stopped at Friendly's for a Fribble. First mommy snapped a shot of daddy and me sharing...


...and then it was MY turn. I'm following in my Aunt Julie's footsteps and becoming a pretty good photographer!


All that fun sure wore me out, so I changed into jammies, helped daddy drive a bit and then fell asleep (unfortunately while still at the wheel - oops!).

Little Miss Manners?

As a NYC kid, when the doorbell rings in the evening, I've come to know it's "dinner time." Tonight "the man" brought Japanese food, so I tried my hand with my new chopstick holder on some broccoli...


When it came to the rice, though, I knew I couldn't shovel it in at the proper pace without a spoon.


どうぞめしあがれ ("douzo meshiagare!")

Extending My Birthday Celebration

People who know my mommy know that she believes that birthdays should be celebrated for a full week. In keeping with this practice, she waited until Passover ended to bring cupcakes to school (she also didn't want my classmates to think she was just a really bad baker). I wore my tiara and held court for my six boyfriends, waiting patiently, in anticipation of cupcakes...


Then everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and I got to blow out three candles.

The Wonderful (Not Terrible) Twos!

My second birthday began with a tricycle ride to Central Park where Boma and Bopa pushed me on the swings while mommy and daddy watched.


Then we met Mema and Grandpa and Nana for a special Passover lunch out. Am I next for the buffet?


But the icing on the birthday cake celebration was a visit to the community garden where we ate "cupcakes" (it's still Passover, so I don't want you to think I can't tell the difference between matzo meal and the real deal, no matter how much frosting mommy does to them). Mommy says I'm as non-pareil as the decorations on the pastries.


On our walk home, I couldn't resist a stop at my favorite bike rack outside our living room window.


Mema and Grandpa's gifts included this fantastic clarinet. Right now I'm a bit of a one-note wonder, but I'm learning...and I get applause every time!


And finally, my birthday post would not be complete without a 10:08pm photo. For my loyalists, these date back to when mommy and daddy counted my age in weeks not years.

Two-morrow, Two-morrow, I Love Ya, Two-morrow

...you're always a day a-way!!! In anticipation of my second birthday, I spent today continuing my celebration. Boma, Bopa, and Nana came to visit from Boston. Boma and Bopa gave me a fabulous tricycle:

And Aunt Abi provided some accessories to ensure I ride in style.

Mommy and daddy took me to the Met. Just like Olivia, we saw some Jackson Pollack. Unlike Olivia, we ran into Rachel and some men on horseback.


Then, for the sweetest treat of all: a chocolate pre-birthday extravaganza.

Next Year in Our Dining Room!!

Last spring, when we thought we would be moving into our new home, mommy offered to host the second seder so Mema didn't have to do ALL the work. I didn't understand why Hillel was making the sandwiches or why Elijah was going to be late and didn't drink his wine, but I figured the food was going to be good and my cousins were going to be there, so I played along.


Some of us (especially Marilyn, Arthur and Mema) thought it was a costume party and wore their plague masks...


...while others took the entire evening VERY seriously.


Overall, I think wondering about dessert for 40 minutes sure beats wandering in the desert for 40 years! Now where can I find two zuzim around here?

Saving My Savings

The Dow has rebounded a bit and so has my good fortune: Mema and Bampa bought me a piggy bank to replace the one lost in the last crash.

As I prepare to make my intial deposit, I am grateful for the long-term security brought about by a rubberized pig (the dow went up modestly today in response.) If only I could convince him to "oink!"

Tumbling into Two

It's not exactly my name in lights, but I was thrilled to have the Little Gym closed in my honor for my birthday party.


I swung in to see what all the fuss was about. Oh, me!


Family and friends tumbled in from all over to celebrate my second birthday.


Daddy seemed to like the air jumper better than anyone. Maybe he just enjoyed being able to sit for a while.


The gym mat wasn't as much fun as "Uncle Matt," but Daisy and I enjoyed it just the same.


I wish for more birthday parties as much fun as this one - thanks to everyone for helping me to celebrate!

Oh-Liana or Oh-Livia?

Today was Dress As Your Favorite Character Day at school. I chose the most delightful little piglette I know: Olivia. She's charming, intelligent, well-dressed, and "really wears people out." Mommy and daddy think that she and I have a few things in common, but I just don't see it...

How Big Am I? Two Big!!!

Tonight I went for my two-year check-up. The visit started out well in the waiting room (where there is a fantastic fish tank). Mommy and I were doing just fine, even in the exam room.


We were reading stories, looking at the butterflies, and even talking about how much fun 'Inside-Out Day' was at school (yes, everything, including my socks and panties are inside-out). Until the nurse arrived...


She wanted to weigh and measure me, but I was really not interested. We managed to estimate that I am 33.75 inches tall and 27 pounds (thanks to the old trick of daddy getting on the scale with me, then without me, then doing a bit of what mommy calls "subtraction"). This was followed by a visit by Dr. Y himself who was interested in poking and prodding. Needless to say, I was not. He gave me a vaccine (the nerve!...I mean the "muscle") and then asked the nurse to take some blood. As if this whole visit hadn't been miserable enough already. I was definitely "ready to go now," as I kept saying over and over and over and over. If only somebody would listen.


Fortunately all was forgotten very quickly at a delicious pizza dinner complete with a messy and yummy dessert (that ended up on my nose as well as in my tummy).