Where a Toddler Rejects Me and I Drink Champagne at the Plaza

I recently got to go to NYC for the NY Now show - the largest housewares and gift show in America. I walked the floor, saw the trends and plotted Best Day Ever's eventual trade show booth. It was hilariously fun because I was treated to most of the trip by one of our largest vendors (dinners out, champagne at the Plaza, hotel ... everything was a generous gift).

It wasn't just champagne at the Plaza (which is a rare and amazing treat). We even had brunch at Tavern on the Green! Wow; what a spot and just delicious food as well. 

I love to visit NYY. It is bustling and vibrant - but this is the first time I've really noticed how SMELLY it is. I don't know if normally I just get lucky in where I stay and walk but this time, ick! The whole city smelled like a sewer.  Other than that olfactory annoyance, it was an incredible trip and I learned so much about retailing, wholesaling and trade show booths.

As usual, Daddy-with-the-Mostest held down the fort at home. Thankfully, it was one of the last good weekends at the lake so everyone was happy at home, spending lots of time on the water and making memories.

The kids have been so sweet and loving lately. Just last night, they were both taking baths and I said to them, "You two are so cute I can hardly stand it." 

And Jamisen said, "You love us so much Mommy." And I replied, "Yes, yes I do." 

Jamisen responded by looking at me and stating/asking rather obliquely, "So what do you do?" 

It was a vague question but I did my best to answer truthfully:  "I show you my love by spending quality time with you, by telling you I love you, by being delighted when you walk in the room and being consistent with my discipline." I thought my answer was quite good  and rather measured considering that it was the end of a long day and I was very tired.

Jamisen looked at my thoughtful (hopeful and loving) face. He didn't say a word; then he dunked his lips under water, sucked up a bunch of water and spit it out in a long stream. 

I'd like to think he was so overcome by the sheer brilliance of that answer that he really didn't feel like words were necessary.  

Lily loves it when I lay down in her ridiculous crib-sized bed with her before sleep. I have fond memories of my Dad laying down in my bed after he got home from a long day of doctoring (nope, not a word; don't care) while I fell asleep. He usually fell asleep before me while I kept a hand on his chest, convinced he would stop breathing at any moment. [Side note: apparently even as a kid, I was expecting the worst.] 

Tonight, at her insistent request, I laid down beside Lily to help calm her down before bed. As I have mentioned before (see: elbow bursitis) her bed is literally a crib with no cage bars. It is very small. It is not comfortable. I shoved my fully adult human frame in the crib-bed, awkwardly cradling her. She sang a tuneless song that made zero sense (it started out with "My Mom is the best" and then transitioned to "My brain is a monkey" and then fully ended on "La la la I have ice") for a while. It felt like a long while.

I patiently lay there, admonishing myself to treasure the moments, be present and damn't, treasure. this. moment. Do not think of the dirty dishes, the laundry, the work still on the computer. Be. Here. Now. So, I'm being here now and feeling pretty dang content about all this presentness, this Mommyness, and this togetherness when she turns over and proclaims, "Mommy, you are too big. You are too big for this bed. Go sleep in the other bed!" A) Doh! Rejected     B) We may have reached a new phase in her toddlerhood. Next phase, Teenager.

Giant Slip 'n' Slides

Lily's greatest hit quotes: "One day I was born. And that was AMAZING. And, I love it."

Thanks to the inspiration of Baby Alise and her giant slip 'n' slide for her birthday, we got extra creative at the lake ... and by "we", I mean "Daddy did all the work."

Jamisen's greatest hit quote for today: "Mama, did you know that life just goes on and on and it never ends?" 

The kids LOVED the original slip 'n' slide (pictured above) from Baby Alise's house and they loved the giant crazy one that Daddy built too. It is the perfect form of self-directed entertainment for small children - that is, until they slide off into the bushes (which happened at the lake house just a tinch).

We recently visited Bellewood Acres and picked apples fresh from the trees and took a lovely tractor ride.

The kids also got fresh apple cider donuts that unfortunately, mostly went into their parent's mouths. They love the tire park out there and were very interested in the concept of a corn maze. We did not partake in the corn maze. It seemed like a recipe for disaster (two small kids, corn maze ... befuddled parents... just not awesome).

Lily and I tried our first solo hike this week. It was not a huge success primarily because it was a weekend and there were dogs everywhere, off leash. The dogs were curious about the cute little girl morsel and that made Lily nervous. So, we cut our hike short and played in the playground instead.

Our kiddos are back in school and now, Lily is in Montessori with Jamisen. More on that later. For right now, true story, I have a command performance to help find a treasure on a treasure map ...