A Toast to Zalanaga

Have you been to Zalanaga?  If not, you should really consider going.  It is worthy of a toast (as you can see from the photo above.)  

In Zalanaga, you can drink what you want, when you want, with whomever you want.  Ellery has chosen to toast to Zalanaga with her best friend, Vaughan.

Sometimes it can be pretty bright in Zalanaga - you might want to pack your sunglasses.  Oh, are you wondering about Ellery's outfit?  This is what she wanted to wear out to dinner with Uncle Jared.  Ahem.  

I think it is much better suited for Zalanaga, don't you?

If you have had a problem keeping up with this post, come to our house for a day.  We travel the world.  Sometimes we are mommies and sometimes we are babies.  Just yesterday, I was a dog and my name was Trahala.  Who were you today?

Happy Birthday to Vaughan - AGAIN

Today as I walked into Vaughan's school balancing cookies, napkins and other party items, I realized this was her THIRD birthday.  By that I mean, the third time in the last few weeks that we have celebrated the fact that she is now two.  I wonder if she will be disappointed in years to come when she realizes that most birthday years she will only have one party.  

We started the celebrating in Southampton on her REAL birthday.  As always, a homemade cake was in order as were balloons.

This was followed by another celebration when Alan got into town.

Today we wound things down with a cookie celebration as school.

Does this kid look happy or what?

Babies, babies everywhere

This sweet child of mine LOVES babies.  Let me repeat that just so you understand.  This sweet child of mine LOVES babies.  

During our travels, there was a baby sitting in the row behind us on the airplane.  Vaughan peered over her seat enthusiastically.  Pure joy took over her face and then she said, "Mama, I want THAT baby."  I said, oh yes, that baby is so sweet.  Vaughan repeated with determination "I want that baby."  I think she honestly thought I might lean over the seat and snatch the baby for her.

Vaughan is the kind of kid who will play by herself for lengthy periods.  On this particular evening, Vaughan started out reading to her babies (you can see her baby face down next to her in the picture above.)

Suddenly she was gone.  And then I realized is had been a while and she still wasn't back.  She had disappeared back to Ellery's room (this is where she ALWAYS puts her babies night night).  I snuck back and peeked inside.  This is what I saw.  Two nice babies asleep in the bed.  

But they are not going to bed for good - not before one more book.  This time the babies are face up but the book seems to be upside down.

And back to bed...this time with a blanket.  Is that a third baby in the bed this time? Upon closer inspection it looks like she might have found another baby.  You can never have too many.  

Book - bed - book - bed - book - bed....it goes on and on.  Sometimes she grabs a purse and goes to "work" but I will save those pictures for another day.

P.S.  Do your children remove all clothes from dolls?

It's been a while

It has been a while since I last posted. We have been busy visiting the ER, New York City, the beach, town, the pool and the list goes on and on and on.

Vaughan feel off of a chair and hit her head on the concrete basement floor. I will admit, I lost my cool when I felt the immediate golf ball sized lump that developed on the back of her skull. I mean - was that her brain material bulging from her head. Ugh, my stomach was in my throat. The worst part, we were in the basement because I was putting Stinky Pig in the wash. So, without the infamous SP to console her, things were highly stressful and chaotic. After a visit to the ER and some time to calm down - things were fine.

Alan arrived later that day - it is always so much better when he is around. WHAT A RELIEF. We had a great weekend in SH and then headed to the city - sans kids - on Monday morning.

Normal people do NOT look this happy during cab rides.

The "getaway" was great. I am so thankful to my parents - especially my mom - for providing this opportunity. I have lots of great scoop to share from our two day getaway.

This is the Epicurean Deli. We purchased 3 Christmas trees here and many a beverage. It was at the corner of our block on the village. Whenever we are back in town, we visit our old building to see the doormen.

And of course - pick up a Beard Papa -- more on that later. Now, it is time to relax....check in soon for more picks and stories on NYC!

Letter Home - The Finale

I. am. exhausted. Utterly. I had to work last night - I had a call at 6 then 6:45 then 8. I had a call this morning at 8 then 10 (all of this on my day off!). The girls were "entertaining" themselves during these calls by rumaging through my purse and scattering the contents throughout the house. There were crumples dollar bills everywhere and credit cards and my drivers license littered here and there.

I am ecstatic that you are coming tomorrow....tomorrow will not be here soon enough.

We have been swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming and swimming some more. Uncle Jared and Ellery have some "new pool tricks" to show you when you arrive. These tricks involve Ellery standing on a kick board, being lifted above Jared's head and then doing a flip into the pool. It is quite some trick.

Last night, Gagi watched the girls and Jared and I met Irena and Tokyo out at Trata. It was quite a scene. Remember the scene at Nello last year? It was reminiscent of that, with a twist that included a pole. Yikes...there was a lot of "dancing" it was painful to watch and yet we couldn't seem to stop staring.

Hurry up and get here already. I miss you.

Letter Home - Part Three

Dear A,



We are counting down the days until you arrive. In the meantime, we are having a splendid time. Ellery went to Amaryllis Farm. She fed farm animals, groomed horses and rode horses. While she was busy on the farm Gagi, Vaughan and I went to Iacoco Farm to fetch some fresh eggs. I stand by my statement that these are the best eggs ever.

I can't wait for you to see the girls in the pool. Ellery can swim all the way to the deep end and back. She is working on her dives and she can do a flip under water. Sweet V has built up quite some confidence too. She doesn't like anyone to help her in the pool. She holds onto a kick board and kicks around managing to steer quite precisely. These girls are like fish.

Ellery wants to go to the beach when you are here. She thinks you are going to teach her to surf. I didn't have the heart to correct this assumption. So, be prepared.

We miss you!

Happy Birthday Puddles

Dearest Vaughan,

It is hard to believe you are two years old today. I lifted you from your crib this morning and softly whispered "happy birthday" in your ear. You grinned and then hugged me. Two years old. You are so big now.

When we are in the pool, you don't want me to hold onto you. When you get in and out of your stroller, you insist on doing it yourself. It seems like everyday you are more and more independent. Everyday you seem to need me a little less.

But you still want to cuddle with me before bed and you still crawl up in my lap to eat dinner and you still give me good squeezes. So for now - I will cherish those.

Happy Birthday, Sweet V. Two years old today!