Tristan learned a new winter song...and William hopes that his pop pop feels better...
William also says "Hi" to the family!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Meeting the Mouse!
Or, it would appear...the goofy dog.
(click to see more photos)
Tristan and William took their mom and dad to California to see some relatives. As long as they were out there, they thought it might be a good idea to check in on Mickey and company...you know...just to make sure they were OK.
(click to see more photos)
Tristan and William took their mom and dad to California to see some relatives. As long as they were out there, they thought it might be a good idea to check in on Mickey and company...you know...just to make sure they were OK.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
To Infinity and Beyond!
Here is William...as Buzz Lightyear...playing with Buzz Lightyear. He had a blast on Halloween with his brother and other friends. It was a pitty we had scattered showers, but I don't think any of the kids noticed.
Friday, October 30, 2009
D-ck in a Box?
Halloween for the adults was celebrated at Doug and Anabela's house this year. The costume demonstrated an eclectic mix of creativity and...well...ah...creativity.
For example, Tom and Brian chose to show up as Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg's alter egos from an Emmy Award winning skit from SNL.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Pumpkin Boy
William is obsessed with pumpkins. This time of year, he sees them everywhere. He doesn't miss one. Here Grandma is helping him decorate the pumpkin he got at Jackson's birthday party.
More pumkin news: William brought a pumpkin to nursery school on Thursday, where the class got to paint and sparkle them as a class project. William was very excited. His teachers noted that he spent extra time on this project and was very excited about it. Dad bought this home on Friday and proudly displayed it on the front porch with the other holiday decorations. Unfortunately, it rained on Saturday...and dad was not aware that they used water based paints. This morning we went to the gym and found the pumpkin sitting in a pool of paint and glitter. William wasn't quite sure what had happened...but seemed to be OK with the situation.
More pumkin news: William brought a pumpkin to nursery school on Thursday, where the class got to paint and sparkle them as a class project. William was very excited. His teachers noted that he spent extra time on this project and was very excited about it. Dad bought this home on Friday and proudly displayed it on the front porch with the other holiday decorations. Unfortunately, it rained on Saturday...and dad was not aware that they used water based paints. This morning we went to the gym and found the pumpkin sitting in a pool of paint and glitter. William wasn't quite sure what had happened...but seemed to be OK with the situation.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Happy Birthday, Jackson!
Tristan and William helped their friend Jackson celebrate his second birthday at Outhouse Orchards. The Halloween themed party included a hayride, pumpkins, facepainting and slimy Jell-o spiders. What could be more fun!
Sadly, Tristan and William would not sit for the picture above. It needed to be patched together from two similar pictures. Thank you PaintShop!
Sadly, Tristan and William would not sit for the picture above. It needed to be patched together from two similar pictures. Thank you PaintShop!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tristan's costume unveiled: Papageno!
Tristan is very excited about his Halloween costume this year. Originally, we was going to be Luke Skywalker (and he wanted his daddy to be "Dark" Vader). At one point, he thought at being Batman would be cool. Things change.
Tristan's mom was very excited about taking T to the Opera. She had tickets for a dress rehersal of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and thought this would be a great way to introduce Tristan to the Metropolitan Opera...without having a 3-year old disturb the brutal Met partons. He was extremely excited and ultimately loved it. You might say "obsessed" about it. When subsequently asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, all he could say was "Papageno...the Birdcatcher!"
Here is Tristan and his new hero, Papageno (portrayed here by Nathan Gunn).
The arguement can be made that the costume in this Judy Traymor production does look something like a superhero. Tristan talks about his costume and character like everyone will know what he is talking about. He even has told one of the girls in nursery school that she could be his Papagena (Papageno's would-be girl friend)
Click for more pictures.
Tristan's mom was very excited about taking T to the Opera. She had tickets for a dress rehersal of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and thought this would be a great way to introduce Tristan to the Metropolitan Opera...without having a 3-year old disturb the brutal Met partons. He was extremely excited and ultimately loved it. You might say "obsessed" about it. When subsequently asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, all he could say was "Papageno...the Birdcatcher!"
Here is Tristan and his new hero, Papageno (portrayed here by Nathan Gunn).
The arguement can be made that the costume in this Judy Traymor production does look something like a superhero. Tristan talks about his costume and character like everyone will know what he is talking about. He even has told one of the girls in nursery school that she could be his Papagena (Papageno's would-be girl friend)
Click for more pictures.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Oktoberfest reprise
This Saturday was our "return to Turtle Bay". The family drove down to 46th Street in Manhattan to participate in the annual "Oktoberfest/Kid's Festival" sponsored by the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. Along the way, we stopped by the old apartment and visited with George, our old doorman.
This year, due to inclement weather, the festival was celebrated in the gym of our old YMCA...so yet another haunting ground revisited.
At the festival, we ran into our friend Olga. She was very excited to see Tristan and William.
The boys loved the festival, especially the opportunity to get their faces painted. Tristan pushed for the Spiderman. William was a little heistant about the face painting, but eventually loved the idea of being a tiger ("roar!")
The final stop on memory lane was "Good Burger". In the old days, they only had burgers, but this time the boys were able to get hotdogs, Tom had a "crabby patty". Jen did, however, haver her traditional cheddar cheese burger. All was good with the world.
This year, due to inclement weather, the festival was celebrated in the gym of our old YMCA...so yet another haunting ground revisited.
At the festival, we ran into our friend Olga. She was very excited to see Tristan and William.
The boys loved the festival, especially the opportunity to get their faces painted. Tristan pushed for the Spiderman. William was a little heistant about the face painting, but eventually loved the idea of being a tiger ("roar!")
The final stop on memory lane was "Good Burger". In the old days, they only had burgers, but this time the boys were able to get hotdogs, Tom had a "crabby patty". Jen did, however, haver her traditional cheddar cheese burger. All was good with the world.
Friday, October 9, 2009
I am an apple
Tristan came home today from school and sang a adorable song (to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
"I'm a little apple
Small and round
I make a crunchy, munchy sound
If you bite in to me, you will see
I am delicious as can be"
He was talked into appearing on video:
"I'm a little apple
Small and round
I make a crunchy, munchy sound
If you bite in to me, you will see
I am delicious as can be"
He was talked into appearing on video:
Monday, September 21, 2009
First Day of School!
Last week was the first day of school for both Tristan and William. Tristan is returning for the 3's program, and William has taken over Tristan's classroom from last year. Both boys are very excited about the new school year.
Tristan has grown a lot since last year's pictures...
Tristan has grown a lot since last year's pictures...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Upgraded
There is a blog worm going around...so I had to risk upgrading the system today. Looks like it worked. If you have any problems, let me know ASAP.
Tom
Tom
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Development Alert: William's First Sentence
His mother and others will insist that he has pulled together 3+ word sentences prior to this, so this may just be his first documented sentence. His mother will also be appauled by the topic, but dad thinks it is adorable.
This morning while playing with Wall-e and Ev-a, daddy was making coffee, with the news on in the background. We have been having some trouble with the TV (a bad connector has the screen go green and fuzzy every once in a while). This morning is happened again and a concerned William noted "Daddy, TV no work".
This morning while playing with Wall-e and Ev-a, daddy was making coffee, with the news on in the background. We have been having some trouble with the TV (a bad connector has the screen go green and fuzzy every once in a while). This morning is happened again and a concerned William noted "Daddy, TV no work".
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Old Barney
Today's adventure (and blustery weather) took us to Barnegat Light at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. This year, the lighthouse is 150 years old...and was relight on January 1, 2009, after years of retirement.
Since it was a nasty day, we had to wait quite some time to get into the lighthouse, but after about 45 minutes on line, we were able to start the ascent...
William lasted about 10 of the 217 steps to the top of the light. Jennifer had a hard time making it to the top...due to a bad issue with heights...but braved onward for the sake of the boys.
Apparently, the boys do not share mommy's fear of heights (she is probably queezy just looking at this picture).
Since it was a nasty day, we had to wait quite some time to get into the lighthouse, but after about 45 minutes on line, we were able to start the ascent...
William lasted about 10 of the 217 steps to the top of the light. Jennifer had a hard time making it to the top...due to a bad issue with heights...but braved onward for the sake of the boys.
Apparently, the boys do not share mommy's fear of heights (she is probably queezy just looking at this picture).
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
NightSabers
On his trip to Busch Gardens, Uncle Skull bought the boys light sabers. They have gotten significant use...so much so, that they are on their second set of batteries.
The sabers have seen some water action as well (down at the beach), so they are a little flakey at this point. Dad may have to do some work with a solder iron when he gets home.
The sabers have seen some water action as well (down at the beach), so they are a little flakey at this point. Dad may have to do some work with a solder iron when he gets home.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Rain Day
We woke up to torrential downpours this morning. We thought to ourselves..."thank goodness we brought all these videos" for the kids. The sentence wasn't out of our collective mouths when the power went out.
Luckily, Andrew had prepared for this and had collected the supplied for a seaside art project. Initially, the kids enjoyed the project...glueing shells to posterboard, drawing beach scenes...and the occasional ocean front nuclear power plant. But the novelty wore off pretty quickly ("they have the attention span of a three year old!")
With this plan shot, Jennifer quickly reviewed the local vacation brochures (they still have these on paper? Thank goodness they were not only online) and discovered our next plan...the Aquarium in Atlantic City.
Upon arrival at the aquarium, we discovered that many other people had the same idea.
None the less, the kids had a blast. Here Tristan checks out a Moray Eel. ("There something alive in here!")
Tristan and Rory discover a sea urchin in the aquatic "petting" zoo.
William and Jamie had a good time, as well.
...and then again at the Borgota after lunch
Luckily, Andrew had prepared for this and had collected the supplied for a seaside art project. Initially, the kids enjoyed the project...glueing shells to posterboard, drawing beach scenes...and the occasional ocean front nuclear power plant. But the novelty wore off pretty quickly ("they have the attention span of a three year old!")
With this plan shot, Jennifer quickly reviewed the local vacation brochures (they still have these on paper? Thank goodness they were not only online) and discovered our next plan...the Aquarium in Atlantic City.
Upon arrival at the aquarium, we discovered that many other people had the same idea.
None the less, the kids had a blast. Here Tristan checks out a Moray Eel. ("There something alive in here!")
Tristan and Rory discover a sea urchin in the aquatic "petting" zoo.
William and Jamie had a good time, as well.
...and then again at the Borgota after lunch
Saturday, August 8, 2009
SuperKids
Friends Annelise and Andrew brought some gifts for the boys when they arrived...matching PJs for everyone!
The next morning, with sun glistening in their golden hair, our hero's survey the world around them.
The next morning, with sun glistening in their golden hair, our hero's survey the world around them.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Crabbing
Tom decided that he wanted to take the boys for a boat ride. While renting the boat, the boat people asked if we wanted lines and bait. At first, we said no, but then, not knowing what else we would do all day on the water, we said yes.
It turns out the bait and lines were for crabbing. It turned out to be a lot of fun. And while we played catch and release, we were successful.
It turns out the bait and lines were for crabbing. It turned out to be a lot of fun. And while we played catch and release, we were successful.
Fantasy Island
Tristan and William both love amusement parks. Long Beach Island has a classic version known as Fantasy Island.
Above, the boys are enjoying taking a fire engine out for a spin. But, by far, their favorite ride was the miniature pirate ship swing.
Uncle Skull was so proud (this is his favorite ride as well).
Be sure to ask Tristan about his new girl friend. Do you think he got her number?
William also appeared to enjoy the Wild Bumble Bee ride...
But the best ride of all was daddy...
Above, the boys are enjoying taking a fire engine out for a spin. But, by far, their favorite ride was the miniature pirate ship swing.
Uncle Skull was so proud (this is his favorite ride as well).
Be sure to ask Tristan about his new girl friend. Do you think he got her number?
William also appeared to enjoy the Wild Bumble Bee ride...
But the best ride of all was daddy...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Long Beach Island - Day 1
This summer most of our vacation will be spent at Surf City on Long Beach Island at the Jersey Shore. We have been going here for the past couple of years thanks to friends Greg and Lisa, but this year we have rented our own place.
The house is right on the beach and over looks some freshly renovated dunes. The boys are having a blast.
Uncle Skull came to to visit for a couple of days (on his way to the roller coaster at Busch Gardens).
The house is right on the beach and over looks some freshly renovated dunes. The boys are having a blast.
Uncle Skull came to to visit for a couple of days (on his way to the roller coaster at Busch Gardens).
Thursday, July 30, 2009
I am still calling it Shea...
This turned out to be a banner week for first time stadium trips...and once again, with the VIP treatment (I am getting used to this). This time the trip was to CitiField in Queens...but as I point out above, I will still be calling it Shea.
This time, the participants were Tom, his sisters Deb and Tara, and Skull.
Somehow Debbie got tickets from a parish priest...who had apparently gotten them from someone else. Either way, we wound up in an "Empire" suite with a bunch of other people we did not know. It turns out that the suite belongs to Aramark, the food concession people. As a result, the food stuff was pretty good, including burgers an shakes from Dany Meyer's Shake Shack.
I arrived at the stadium an hour before Deborah arrived with the tickets. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing to do there until you get inside. The stadum is surrounded by auto body rear shops.
Once inside, you would noramally be exposed to a variety of excellent food option, but our tickets had us ushered directly...and unexpectedly...into a private suite.
The game was an opportunity for a family portrait (missing my boys and wife, however)
The key difference between the Yankees visit and the Mets? The Yankess won at their game...
This time, the participants were Tom, his sisters Deb and Tara, and Skull.
Somehow Debbie got tickets from a parish priest...who had apparently gotten them from someone else. Either way, we wound up in an "Empire" suite with a bunch of other people we did not know. It turns out that the suite belongs to Aramark, the food concession people. As a result, the food stuff was pretty good, including burgers an shakes from Dany Meyer's Shake Shack.
I arrived at the stadium an hour before Deborah arrived with the tickets. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing to do there until you get inside. The stadum is surrounded by auto body rear shops.
Once inside, you would noramally be exposed to a variety of excellent food option, but our tickets had us ushered directly...and unexpectedly...into a private suite.
The game was an opportunity for a family portrait (missing my boys and wife, however)
The key difference between the Yankees visit and the Mets? The Yankess won at their game...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Yankee Stadium
Thanks to some intoxicated silent bidding at a Boy's/Girl's Club charity auction, we acquired awsome tickets to the Yankees/Oakland game at Yankee Stadium. We paid no where near the face value for these tickets...since these Legend Suite tickets initially went for $2,500 a piece...but got to participate in a truly first class experience. Free gourmet food, waiter service in our seats, and an incredible field level view just behind home plate.
When we first researched these tickets on the Yankee's website, I thought they would be closer to third base. We were very pleased (amazed) when we arrived and they were virtually behind home plate. And while we were on the side by the Oakland dugout, we had a view into the Yankee's.
We were joined by friends Annelise and Andrew.
Tom caught some classic shots of some classic players...Jabba, Jorge, A-rod and Jeter.
> 
When we first researched these tickets on the Yankee's website, I thought they would be closer to third base. We were very pleased (amazed) when we arrived and they were virtually behind home plate. And while we were on the side by the Oakland dugout, we had a view into the Yankee's.
We were joined by friends Annelise and Andrew.
Tom caught some classic shots of some classic players...Jabba, Jorge, A-rod and Jeter.
> 
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