tidbits

Such a fun visit with some old dear friends to cheers a bachelorette with some yummy wine, pairings, and chocolates!  Keaton and I took her to the airport and had to say goodbye from Gravelly Point next door as her airplane took off.  J and Aiden were down the road at a park ranger biking program.  Verdict still out on how well that went, but Aiden says it was good because he didn't break any bones.

Father's Day fudgey treats, coupons, fun facts and newly built stump benches  The boys built that bench with scraps from around the house which was a fun idea J had.  I had another mama treat sneaking away to a wheel throwing class at the art workhouse - so fun!  This week ended with lotsa fun for mom after a five day trip to Austin for dad. And our official dad day was rescheduled to next week ;)

When rinsing off the patio becomes a water game with two shirtless guys misting rainbows, then jetting water into their own faces... These are things summer memories are made from...

happy dad's day!

Happiest of Father's Days to all the Dad's out there who deserve appreciation for all that they do and all that they share!

To J, especially I'm so appreciative and boy, do I miss you when you're gone… You are the person I'd pick to run a non-profit with any day and our boys are lucky to have you.  Cheers to many more chocolately days full of book releases!  Two books out in one week, we're so proud of you!

Here is a look back on some of the smiles, skips, flips and lifts from this past year.  Those strong arms can really carry those boys:

Dad Day 2014 720p from LB on Vimeo.

schools out

A few snaps from the last week of school and Aiden's final days as a third year Montessori student - He's got his eyes on that first/second grade split class we visited last month at our neighborhood school.  The kids sang their M S N V cheer one last time and then the circle friend song over and over until most parents were teary:

"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold. A circle is round, it has no end, that's how long I want to be your friend."

Aiden didn't really seem to take in that it was his last time climbing a really familiar tree, swinging maniacally on the bench swing, or walking through the woods with his arm around Angie (seriously?!). All the families spread out picnic blankets to enjoy some lunch and strawberry shortcake.  The graduating students all painted miniature pots to make a rain chain for their teachers.  I liked this quote, "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."  

The last few days of school were special days: musical instrument day, water day, puzzle day and building day.

this guy

This guy bankrupt himself in an epic Monopoly game in a desperate attempt to build his first hotel.... So sweet and a little bit sad at the same time.  He was in good spirits about it though and said, "Well, at least I can balance almost all the golden pieces on my nose with my eyes open!"  At least!

strawberry fields

Don't let that mild overcast sky fool you, it was blazing hot on the strawberry fields for Aiden's field trip.  According to Aiden's buddy, even our strawberries were sweating.  Turns out sweaty kids pick strawberries pretty fast and we managed to go home with nearly five pounds.  I knew the sweaty strawberries wouldn't last long and Aiden doesn't even like them that much, so I made a big batch of jam.  I used a lemon juice recipe (2lbs strawberries, 4 cups sugar, and 1/4 cup lemon juice) since I didn't have any pectin and it worked well.  Aiden could not get over how the reddest strawberries became even redder when smooshed.  By the end of the day we all felt like that big hairy dog lounging on the concrete under the produce table.

super ice

This guy just passed levels 3,4, and 5!  So now he moves to Alpha with big kids who all have smooth moves.

Another super trailer this time featuring Aiden's latest ice skating moves:

Super I C E from LB on Vimeo.

parade

We were all in for the neighborhood's kickoff to the summer, which included a parade and BBQ at the pool.  The parade had floats and even the tiny Shriner cars, so Aiden deemed it a "real" parade.  We followed the float full of life sized camels in our decorated wagon surrounded by other neighbors. Most people went with the early 4th of July colors.  We had Captain Abearica and Boo Bear decked out in a fourth of july car float (check out Aiden's head lights and grill). Once we covered that big parade route we were ready for some eats (snow cones!) and dip in the pool. 

build a snowman

Some bedhead scratchy voice brothers belting out a favorite song:
Do you want to b u i l d a s n o w m a n from LB on Vimeo.

building

The Building Museum may be one of our favorite spots in DC.  The building zone is such a fun spot and the play work build exhibit is just icing on the cake.  This time the boys wanted to visit one of the exhibits on building for disaster, which was full of what Aiden calls 'experiments to learn' including a wind tunnel to test out your own roof designs.  

pea boy

Our NYC trip will be most remembered for this surprise from David Letterman.  We are both still laughing!  The boys loved seeing us on tv and Keaton's imitation of my crazy head back in the air cackling and fist pumps makes me laugh.  I'd actually shown them the vintage Pea Boy I found on YouTube before I left for NYC, so they were already laughing about the random peaboy humor.

Photos and story from the Letterman CBS website:

Check this video out:

My rundown of the pre show QA (because I'm crazy like that):

[Leaning over the camera he just flipped up in the air]

Letterman:

So folks, what can I do for you?!

[My hand shot up from the second row immediately to his left]

Letterman:

Yes, Ma'am, what's your name?

Me:

Lauren

Letterman:

"Where are you from?"

Lauren:

"Outside Washington, DC"

Letterman:

"That's a nice place to live, eh. So, as they say, what branch do you work for?"

Lauren:

"I'm a Mom"

Letterman:

"Oh, that's nice that you're a mom, how old are your kids?"

Lauren:

"3 and 6"

Letterman:

"Ah, those are good ages. And what are their names?"

Lauren:

"Aiden and Keaton"

Letterman:

"How do you spell Keaton? I've never heard that name? Is it like Diane?"

Lauren:

"Yes, just like Diane"

Letterman:

"Ah, a family name"

Lauren:

"Nope, just weird!"

Letterman:

"Nah, I like those. Good irish names, right?!"

 Lauren:

"Yes"

Letterman:

"The real question is which kid rules the roost?  I'm sure it's that Keaton!"

Lauren:

"Yes, definitely the three year old!"

Letterman:

"So, what's your question?"

Lauren:

"So I want some classic Dave, and I was wondering if you could bring back Pea Boy!"

Letterman:

[laughing] "Ah, yes, Pea Boy! [turning to his head writer] Wow, when was that old friend last here?!  At the old show?  Has he ever been here? Who was pea boy? An intern?  Didn't we do that more than once?  We paid that guy actual money to come back for a second time?  How did we, wait I'm asking you like I wasn't actually here?  Of course, I remember now!  Hey, Paul do you remember the music?"

Paul:

"Nope."

Letterman:

"Well, sure you do!  Listen folks, we had a bit that we'd do where a guy wore a pea suit. What was that suit anyway? Anyway he would burst into the theater throwing frozen peas at all your surprised faces!  After we did it a second time, we thought what in the world are we doing?  Because it turns out you might be the only person that liked pea boy!  Ok, who else has a question?"

Letterman:

Yes, ma'am, where are you from?"

Lady:

"Minnesota" 

Letterman:

Well, that's a nice place to live."

Lady:

Yea, I suppose when it's not too hot or raining or snowing."

Letterman:

"Oh stop complaining. What's your question?"

Lady from Minnesota:

"So what would you say was your favorite moment of all time?!"

Letterman [being hurried by the countdown to the show]:

"Well, I would have to say when this lady over here asked me about Pea Boy!"

[Band breaks in and he runs off straight to his intro and monologue]

His interns must have literally run out to get a huge batch of frozen peas and a costume together in a matter of minutes! - It was a huge thrilling surprise when Pea Boy came running out as he had just started introducing the Top Ten.  It's amazing how the peas were crushed everywhere and covering the stage and crushed into the theater carpet.  The stage crew was shaking their fist at me and saying "I should pay for this mess!" as I tried to thank them for cleaning up the huge mess.  There were peas flowing out of the building and we even saw a few crushed peas out on the sidewalk outside the theater!

NYC

We celebrated our tenth anniversary with a trip to NYC full of food, shows, and relaxation.  We are so grateful to my folks for taking the kids overnight and to the kids for cooperating with that plan.  They were in grandparent heaven, which consists of McDonald's, presents galore (especially a new set of magnaformers), and lotsa Scholastic DVDs.  Everyone was on schedule and happy (minus my mom's ankle after she fell off a street curb), and Aiden came running in the morning after we arrived home to tell me how much fun they had...  Keaton before we left, "Mom, can I stay here with Gran Gran and Pop Pop?!"  Phew, we had such a great time - thx thx thx.

Our trip to NYC in a series of really bad selfies:

My instagrams from the week:

A rundown of the trip because I'm crazy like that:

Our trip to NYC - June 2-5, 2014

Arrive at Penn Station - check in at Ameritania at 54th between 8th and Broadway

Chelsea Market - Tuck Shop Aussie meatpie, cole slaw, Suzette chicken pesto crepe, People's Pops rhubarb cardamon hand shaved ice 

High Line walk from 14th to 23rd with sugared mini donuts from Doughnuttery - choco, pumpkin, cardamon, rosemary lemon

Sunset cruise on Circle Line with wine - pass the Statue of Liberty as sun sets

Night cap at Ameritania at 54th - scotch and sunset citron

 -----

Bubby's Highline at 120 Hudson - sourdough pancakes starter from 1947, fresh OJ, Bubby's pancakes, eggs, pork sausage

Walk along water and pass by World Trade Memorial construction site

Fresh Salt at South Street Seaport - hummus salad plate, pesto three cheese melt

David Letterman show - the return of Pea Boy, top ten list about reasons to get a ferret, Martin Short sings Summertime, John Oliver

Street food fast since Letterman ended late

Bullets Over Broadway show with Big Boss cinnamon bourbon 

Cosmic Diner breakfast after the show

----

Buvette in West Village at 42 Grove St - waffle sandwich, freshest OJ, croissants about the size of J's thumb 

Greenwich Village guitar shop and bench outside with mini filled bagel balls

Washington Square - saw baby hawk, didn't get mauled by mother

South Street Seaport outdoor summer concert venue

Tamarind in Chelsea at 99 Hudson- lamb with cardamon sauce and chicken tikka masala, garlic naan

If/Then show with sangria

Tony Awards Pop-up shop

Bare Burger at 46th with chocolate peanut butter milkshake, bison burger, Cesar salad, buttermilk chicken with egg and colby

Kinky Boots show with wine

----

Rockefeller Center in the rain at 6am passed massive corralled crowd and Pharrell show setup then we bailed

Pick a Bagel breakfast cinnamon pancakes and eggs

Checkout from hotel - Ameritania at 54th close to Broadway

Eli's for picnic food (near 86th) by Central Park - egg salad and challah, choc banana muffin, herb focaccia, veggie stir fry, herb chicken, apple cider, orange pellegrino

Guggenheim - Museum shop open at 89th

Central Park - walk along lake path,  Boat House, remote controlled sailboats, Hans Christian Anderson statue, Alice in Wonderland statue at 77th street

Times Square - M&M store, Crumbs bakery cronut, Hello Deli for Letterman gear

Back to Penn Station

bedhead concerto

I've been recording a whole series of these piano practice snippets for Aiden - We call them the Bedhead Concerto because he's usually practicing before getting ready for school - He likes to hear the song as he practices it and then he schnazzes it up. This is one of my recent favorites (we have since learned it is not by John Lennon and sorry for the loud brother - he was trying to whisper):
Bedhead Concerto - L e a n on Me from LB on Vimeo.

marriage

Today we are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary!  I thought we would get some insight from our babies on marriage - a la Bill Cosby's Kids Say the Darndest Things - so here are answers from a three year old and six and a half year old when I asked them separately from each other:

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
Keaton: "I think I want to be a prince!"
Aiden: "They meet someone, then they fall in love, by the smarts and by the looks, if they are lunatics that have been electrocuted like Ben Franklin."

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Keaton: "I think small but not a little baby who can't wear rings."
Aiden: "18 and over from what I've heard"

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
Keaton: "By grabbing their hands, they are looking for married hands!"
Aiden: "They are wearing rings and walking around a lot with each other."

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Keaton: "Nothing."
Aiden: "um, they are both 34."

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
Keaton: "Single because it's also when people get married, so kinda like being married..."
Aiden: "I don't know about you guys, but I say married because I don't want to be lonely."

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN’T GET MARRIED?
Keaton: "I don't know."
Aiden:  "Nobody would wear rings and nobody would have kids unless they adopted, but wait there would be no kids!?"

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Keaton:  "Marriage ninja!"
Aiden: "First after they do the wedding dance, then a kid pops out and they all start dancing!"

FL trailers

The boys love these little trailer motifs that you can make in iMovie - and since Keaton loves watching family videos as much as his brother did at this age… I let him help me make this one - so here are Keaton's favorite Disney snippets:

D i s n e y World from LB on Vimeo.

Here is other Orlando snippets:

Orlando from LB on Vimeo.

Here is the slow motion features - Slow Mo a new feature on my new iPhone I got right before we left on the trip:
Slow Mo in Florida from LB on Vimeo.

keaton at three

Mr. Cheeks McGee with the baby blues is now old enough for a little interview of his favorites:

1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Alex the lion (one of many little figure guys)
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. What is your favorite tv show? World World (Word World)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Apple
6. What is your favorite thing to wear? Big boy underpants 
7. What is your favorite game? Trouble, hey, we should get that game out!
8. What is your favorite snack? Pepperoni
9. What is your favorite animal? Lion
10. What is your favorite song? Happy Birthday
11. What is your favorite book? Lorax
12. Who is your best friend? Daddy and Mama and Aiden
13. What is your favorite cereal? Chocolate Mini Wheats
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play adventures
15. What is your favorite drink? Orange juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Um, the chocolate one!?
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My cuddly buzz lightyear
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cheese
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Cake
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Hugger

38 months

Hey Keaton,

Whoosh, this month was a full one. Full of so much fun and family time. As you like to say, "I love your cuddly skin!" And a close second favorite expression was, "These are my hugging muscles!" You are my cuddler that pays very close attention to just about everything, then you ask "Is that going to be important?"  What a critical thinker. 

One thing that defines this month is swords. "Ay yi yi" was copied frequently as I tried to wrangle your new found love.  My theory is that I can teach you how to be calm and gentle and your former college fencer dad thinks you already have fencing skills.  Your love started in Epcot's Norway when you saw a little girl carrying her very own nor-wee-gen sword.  You picked that as your favorite and it really kept you happy.  We even lasted to see the fireworks as you swiped the air at the big booms.  Then how could you resist the Lego Chima swords at Legoland.  "Look at my new lion sword, isn't that unique?" "Hey, guess what you can share his sword with me Aiden"

You are going to love this summer with your brother around, but whoosh I'm trying to save up my energy to keep up with you two, squirrelly devils. You love it when I call you squirrelly and you laugh about the Those Darn Squirrels books which have become favorites (same author as Dragons Love Tacos).

It's just like this year of crazy weather to all of a sudden feel like summer. You are enjoying diaper-free life in underpants during these hot days, and I'm enjoying it even more. You had your first visit to Smaland at Ikea where you immediately made friends with a bigger boy.  You love keeping up with the big dogs just like your brother used to; you both are little chihuahuas.  When you are playing with little kids you laugh harder than I normally hear you laugh and really live it up.  You like the idea of sharing with your friends, but you try to tell me that some kids aren't your friends…um, ok kid.

You found your old tootsy rattles and I told you that when you were a baby you would wear them on your feet and giggle - You replied, "What was the joke?" You made me laugh and then tried to stick your long feet in those tiny footsies.  You know how to make us laugh.  Like when we were playing in the playhouse at Building Museum, "It's 6:00 I have to go to work. Bye! Should we go?!"

While point to the Washington Monument, "Hey, that building is on Google Earth!"  You love looking over your brother's shoulder as he plays computer games and especially as he travels the globe with Google Earth challenges.  You also love looking through the Guinness Book of World Records with him - just to yell out "creepy!" as much as possible.

One visit to Target you were accidentally dressed as a miniature Target employee in your perfect red polo.  You were so excited when the produce guy noticed.  You are proud when you get to be your dad's workout weights as he lifts you in the air.  You were proud when you 'rescued' your dad's sunglasses from the guy that tried to help pick them up after they fell off his head while he was jumping onto stage following the juggler during the Rocky theme song.  You are sometimes a confused guy with good intentions.

After the donut appetizer course at GBD (golden brown delicious!), you were tired and ready to go home.  The chicken and biscuits arriving didn't deter you from being ready to go, but you cooperated with a belly full of donut holes.  You would probably prefer a plate full of fruit anyway.

"I need a new mouth, Mama" after you took a bump to the chin and your teeth cut into your inner lip.  You also had a scratch on your forehead at the same time, so for a short bit this month you looked like a street fighter.  You are a tough guy, who wasn't afraid of the dark maze at the Space Center or the big scratchy rope climber at Legoland.

"I'm not a hammock, don't lay on me!"  But the funniest was before you learned what it was called you asked your dad, "I want to go on mommy's outside sleeping curtain!" You love to pretend the hammock is a big ship - you and your brother break the relaxation with a few "mayday maydays!" 

You love to pretend you have an imaginary map - "I found some treasure, it's a hot dog!"  (from the new Pigeon book, which I knew wouldn't disappoint). You loved building special traps against the trees in the backyard and checking them for imaginary guys.  You will stomp around our somewhat unkempt yard with a new stick every minute.  You loved finding the slimy salamander at the playground with your little buddies.  You passed around a worm at the park with your field trip buddies. You touched all the slimy underwater guys at the creature show at your school.  "Slimy, creepy crawly guys are my favorite, Mama!"

You love the covered egg chair your grandparents got you for your birthday.  You pretend you are in a washing machine spin cycle and then you get out and find another pretend mud puddle and you want another cycle. 

KC: Do you have gloves for me?

Mom: We don't usually wear gloves in spring and summer.

KC: I might get wind on my fingers!

Ever since you joined Figment on his ride at Epcot you've been into telling me about your senses, especially smell.  "What's that amazing delicious smell?"  You notice cinnamon buns for Mother's Day or flowers at Epcot Guys. At the Colonial Faire at the seafarers' table, you held up a seashell right as a plane went by and said "I hear an airplane in there!"

You have a funny expression you appear to have made up, but you repeat frequently. "He mooon-a-patrize me" when your leg gets sticky and you transform into a daddy.  You sometimes ask the funniest roundabout questions, like "Are those somebody's daddy's dancing with Mickey?"  You surprised me the other day trying to pass someone, you said, "Excuse me sir."  All of this isn't nearly as funny as hearing you singing the Oompas song (from Aiden's show).

You love one-on-one daddy time - you will say as I leave for the store, "Ok, bye mom, go to the store and get stuff daddy needs like paper towels."  You love to compare, "Daddy's hairs are very big, mine are tiny" - all the while trying to convince your brother you have hairy legs.  You will ask about "when I was daddy's age or what was I like at Aiden's age?  Did I have hair all over me like daddy?!" I said you haven't been daddy's age yet, your reply:  "That's right it's not a good idea to be big and gross!"

Your word mix ups are even funnier as your language develops.

"I thought we were going home to the show and tell" (aka hotel)

"The airplane is going to blast we need to get to the turtle" (aka terminal).  When you say monument it sounds a lot like 'mommy mint.'

A bug jumped on you as we were reinstalling your car seat in the airport parking garage at 12:30am after a flight delay.  You trembled and growled that "something is tickling me!"  The whole car ride home you chattered, when you should've been sleeping (if you hadn't just had an adrenaline rush): "Guys, anyone have a tickle bug on their leg? Do you think my talons could protect me from the bug? I think the bug just thought I was a tree!"

While waking up to head to Disney World in our condo, "Make the sun go back down- I want to sleep - its nighttime!" While in the dark plane on the way home, "turn that sun back on please!" On our ridiculous two hour flight delay you were mostly giddy.  Thank goodness for your good travel guy trend! When they did the safety check and demonstrated the life vest you said, "No thanks, I don't want to do that!"

When we lost a map, "I left the map and it will be really sad because he will miss his family!" It usually works when you grab a rock or a stick that I want you to put down to tell you that he wants to go back with his friends.  When there were characters you wanted to meet, "Why are they dancing I want to hug them?!"

While watching a show in the sun, "I  need some cool wind - fan me please." 

On our trip you loved making Easter eggs with your bendaroos.  You love when you recognize something or can repeat a project you've done before.  You love doing puzzles "just like at school!"  You're going to miss being at school this summer, but I know we will have plenty of fun projects at Mommy Camp.  The masterpiece you made on canvas for mother's day is going to need a whole curated exhibit ;)

You had fun at the open tennis day, and you got your own class with the instructor who liked calling you "a trip.'  You repeated later, "Tennis is a trip mommy, did you know it's fun?!"  You copied your brother who likes to change the words to songs, singing, "Old McDonald I think these goldfish will make me happy!" "If you take my heart and put it into Aiden he would be Keaton or half mommy's heart I would be half Keaton" You seem predisposed to be philosophical according to your dad who can remember thinking about philosophical thought experiments as a kid.  

When I said goodbye to you this morning as we head out on our tenth anniversary trip, you said, "Mommy, can I stay with Gran Gran?!" It's a really good sign that you really are going to be in grandparent heaven while we are off in NYC only paying attention to our own potty needs.  I joke, but I will be relieved to only have to carry my own stuff.  

My all time favorite list of quotes has expanded with your commonly repeated "I have the best family ever!" And "yay I get to cuddle mama!"  You have a silly habit of just using one collective name: Daddy Mommy which you think is funny.

Love, Your mommy daddy 

tidbits

Aiden was so excited to pretend to camp on "backpacking day" at school.  He had a checklist of things he'd need at camp and even made a map of the playground. I think we might brave a camping trip someday.

The sprinkler is getting lotsa action lately. He loves to have a bucket filling race.

Aiden and chaperone J went on a full day visit to Mount Vernon with the third year students, a tradition at Aiden's school.

We had a babysitter for Aiden's school conference so we snuck in an early dinner at this Vietamese restaurant that looked like a floral shop - it smelled so nice!

Getting to the mall so early that the stores are still closed and you are the only one in the play area - bonus!

Taking down a tree that died before we moved in - This the second tree we've cleared and the boys think that daddy is some sort of jungle Tarzan superhero.

The splash pad at Mosaic is really hopping lately.  We LOVE that place and I'm there at least twice a week.

The boys at playgroup found a salamander squiggling around the playground.  The parent's joked we could write a story called Salamander's Worst Day where that poor guy got passed around and then carted around in a toy truck where everyone threw in sticks and rocks for him to "climb on."  Poor guy did eventually go free!

Aiden is playing tennis four times a week at the tennis club down the street.  He has really been improving with the 10 and under group.

My sweet neighbors are moving (my friends who also have a loom four doors down!) and they gave us a huge stash of children's books that Keaton enjoyed riding home with one afternoon in his "caravan tent."

Sticker sets from the craft store are a big hit around here.

viva fest

We love a good city festival and we knew Vienna wouldn't disappoint.  Keaton was especially excited by his first roller coaster ride (where they made daddy ride behind him squeezed in sideways) and even more excited by the fun juggler guy that gave him a chance to spin the plates!  Aiden was called up to be part of his show, and Keaton was so glad that he got a turn too.  Aiden was so pumped to pass the plate with the other Super Mario guys on stage. Daddy was even called up with a group of other dad's to perform as toliet paper ninjas and amuse their kids with silly dances.  The day warmed up so we cooled off with some Moose Joose and some painting under the tents.

Another trailer o fun:

Our Long Weekend Of Fun from LB on Vimeo.