Big Apple Circus

We had a rare and wonderful opportunity to go to the circus one rainy afternoon (thanks to Ezra’s friend Brad, and family). We’ve been to the circus before but it’s a kid pleaser whenever we go. This one in particular kept the kids engrossed with dogs doing tricks, pretty white horses parading around the ring, and a troupe of stunt bikers from China with excellent costumes! The NY Daily News raved “The new edition of the 35-year-old circus known for a single ring and audience-friendly intimacy is filled with polished acts and fun facts.” No lions, no elephants and no shooting anyone out of a canon. It just goes to show that when it comes to kids, sometimes less is more.

Photos 7 and 8 from bigapplecircus.com

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Take me out to the ball game..

First off, I have to apologize for neglecting the blog. We’ve been so busy with the end of the school year and a LOT of work for mom and dad (always a good thing in this economy, right?)

Ezra got a little one-on-one time with his grandfather and his dad this past weekend. He went to the Mets game which he hasn’t done since before Zoe was born. Apparently they went from sitting in the upper decks to moving on to the 2nd row on the third baseline — and Ezra even got to go home with a game ball! Ezra wouldn’t put the ball down for 2 days … taking it everywhere he went and comparing it to another signed baseball that his Bubby gave him years ago. Oh and he DID get to try Cracker-Jacks for the first time too!

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More scenes from the World Science Festival 2013

More photos of all the building/engineering outdoors, invented race cars and dinosaurs (from Field Station Dinosaurs, NJ) that we found at the World Science Festival ..
It looks like the girls from Sweet Fine Day were there too! Check out their post here.
Have a great weekend!

rrrrrrroar! remember me from last year?

Zoe and her friend Mia catch up to Sid the Science Kid

Look mom! I’m coloring within the lines!

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Back to World Science Fest!

Can you believe it’s already been a full year since we’ve last done this? I can’t.
Again it was a scorching hot day but SO worth braving the heat for checking out how to make ‘movie snow’ (in varying colors) and making another round of perfume at the scent lab. (Zoe named her cologne ‘Sprinkles’ and Ezra’s is titled ‘Spicy Love’.)

There were lots of TV science characters abound and Kareem Abdul Jabbar even spoke about the importance of utilizing one’s mind for good. He’s put out a new book about ‘The Lost History of African-American Inventors‘. When asked he replied that he loves writing as much – if not more than basketball. Go Kareem!

various stages put on science shows for kids in Washington Square Park

the finished products – move over J Lo! New scents in town

Zoe loves the ‘butterfly princess’

and I’d love to recreate this as a Halloween costume!

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Taking it easy in the heat – Blocks & Crafts

While it was super hot last week we turned to crafting indoors and staying by the air conditioner. I had the kids decorate their own wood blocks with this cool BLOCKS & crafts kit that can be found on Etsy. It’s an ideal project for Zoe’s budding dexterity, and yet Ezra is now at the age where he can glue the items on in an organized way (and on straight, which was sometimes a challenge for Zoe!) Now we just need to think of a baby friend to pass them on to. Such a great DIY idea for a baby showers too.

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My little song man

As an ‘end of the school year treat’ Ezra and his class put on a Spring Concert. I had no idea Ezra had such a lovely singing voice and I am continuously amazed by his lack of fear of a microphone and speaking in front of crowds! I hope he keeps this confidence forever.

approaching the stage

Waiting his turn to speak

such poise! he did a great job

with his music teacher: Mr. Jason

He does love his teacher

little Romeo makes the moves on a classmate!

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Taking it E-Z

Ugh it was rainy and cold at the beginning of the week – but now it’s sweltering hot and we have grandma in from Rochester to help hold down the fort while E and Z’s parents work (and work and work). So we are hoping to take it easy this weekend. Although another World Science Festival is happening downtown, and E and Z’s dad is photographing the event so – you never can tell what weekend activity will end up on the blog next week. There’s also a concert that Ezra performed in that I cannot WAIT to put up on the blog. What a little song bird he is – who knew? But for now we will say, have a great weekend. And we will try to take it easy while it’s so hot!

Meanwhile we leave you with some shots from our last rainy (and very cold) day in Manhattan. Let’s hope it was our last for a while (and thank you grandma for keeping us occupied in the heat).

Enjoying transparent acrylic things in the rain :

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Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island

We didn’t venture far this past long holiday weekend. Friends told us about Historic Richmond Town and – since we had just driven past other historic towns en route back from Boston – we thought we’d give our own local history a try. Staten Island is just a drive away (and we’ve been there by ferry before). We were a little disappointed that the site was a bit sleepy a day before Memorial Day. There were no residents dressed in period attire like the photos on the website, but I hear we have to return again when it’s not a holiday to see a few more buildings and the town abuzz with colonial farmers. The carpenter and his shop were the most entertaining part of our trip, and the kids didn’t mind getting out of the sun to see the Bringing Up Baby show indoors.

Ezra made a sweet bouquet for me

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And more scenes of our romp in Cambridge ..

We found the best little playground just outside Harvard Square. Nothing gets Zoe and Ezra going more than a whole ton of sand to frolic in – not to mention that there are pulleys and pails all over Cambridge Commons Playground to play with. Check out the cool front gate with the ‘mini-door’ for kids. It’s no wonder Zoe napped for about 2 hours on the ride home to NYC!

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Monkeying around in Boston

Despite all the rain in NYC, we did manage to get a bright sunny day in the Boston area this past Sunday. We were back in Harvard Square romping around and getting some more good eats at Clover. The kids got to see Papa again, which they love because he cracks out the harmonica from time to time and gets them excited and dancing.

We found a new Curious George Store in Harvard Square and finally got to take a peek inside! Needless to say the theme alone had the kids psyched to take a ‘shopping break’ — and we hung out in the reading nook for awhile before buying some books.

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