Turns out that cutting down your own Christmas tree is just as much fun in the mud as it is in the snow.
A lovely finished product, don’t you think?
I’m dreaming of a brown Christmas
December 24th, 2011crackernuts
December 23rd, 2011After two and a half years of talking about it, we finally took the train into New York for the day. What better time than December to introduce Emma to the crowds, the lights, and the grandeur of New York City? Being a true city girl herself she was not as awed by the spectacle as I would have been at her age, but she was thoroughly excited by the adventure of it all.
We took Emma to the New York Theater Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, an hour-long version geared towards young children (“we’re going to see the crackernut!” she told people for days in advance). We also visited FAO Schwarz (and left without spending more than $30–a true Christmas miracle!), and of course saw the tree at Rockefeller center. Add in warm chocolate chip cookies and cold milk at Jacques Torres and two totally awesome train rides, and you have yourself one of the best, most exhausting days we have had in a long time.
long stare gardens
December 23rd, 2011
I love this picture. I think it says so much about parenting.
[Warning: for those of you who like to look at the pictures on this blog and think that our lives are always cheerful and perfect, do not read on. This post will be a bit like touring the sausage factory.]
Several weekends ago we took Emma to Longwood Gardens, about an hour outside of Philadelphia, to see their holiday light display. Longwood Gardens used to be a Dupont Estate and has been donated to the state (county? I don’t know). Emma fell asleep in the car on the way there, and as we were driving in Andrew and I could start to see the spectacular lights from the highway. “Oh,” we said, “Emma is going to love this!” Can’t you just hear us patting ourselves on the back?
We pulled in, parked in a huge field very far away, and told Emma that we had arrived.
“Raaar!” said Emma. “Raaar, raaar, raaar.” Thinking that she just needed to wake up a bit, we got her out of the car and Andrew hoisted her onto his shoulders, thus beginning the evening long process of telescoping his spine.
It was about 30 degrees outside, so we told Emma that she needed to put on her winter coat. She loudly protested, despite visible shivering and purpling of lips. Much screaming, yelling, and general flailing ensued, during which time strangers began to stare and shake their heads sadly. “Some people…” I believe they were thinking.
After several minutes of unsuccessful negotiations, Andrew picked her up and we decided to head for the exit before completely forfeiting all dignity. Emma broke free and took off, wildly running into the massive gardens while screaming like a banshee. After she very narrowly missed running headlong into a metal sign and we were reassured that she could safely run for acres without suffering bodily harm, Andrew and I started laughing. And then we laughed harder. And then tears were streaming own our cheeks. This was hilarious! We must have looked a bit insane, standing there laughing hysterically as our child ran shrieking through the holiday wonderland.
Emma stopped running and also started laughing, and the situation was diffused. She did allow us to put her jacket (and hat!) on her, though zipping was expressly forbidden. She saw some other kids getting their picture taken in front of this tree and wanted to have her picture taken as well, but don’t you think that she was going to be happy about it or smile. Oh no, we parents did not deserve a smile. We parents are assholes.
We did manage to salvage the evening, happily drinking hot chocolate, viewing the holiday trains on the outdoor garden railway, and listening to a concert of renaissance Christmas songs. In the end, she didn’t want to leave. And who was responsible for ruining her fun then? That’s right, her parents.
Thanksgiving dinner
November 27th, 2011
Our third Thanksgiving here in Philly was a smashing success. Each guest had a turkey place card, made by Emma (with some help from Andrew).
wearing winter white
November 27th, 2011
Definitely ok after Labor Day.
mad playground skillz
November 27th, 2011
She has them.
Halloween pumpkins
November 26th, 2011
Bert, Ernie and Zoe this year, per Emma’s request.
After the parade and party on Little Osage, followed by some serious trick-or-treating, we parked ourselves on the porch where Emma doled out treats to the masses. I bought the most candy I ever have, and our supplies lasted until about 8:00 (our personal record for this neighborhood). Emma had an amazing time and, much to my delight, did not ask to eat any more of her candy after the night itself. Dentists everywhere, rejoice!
the baddest witch in the world
November 23rd, 2011
Inspired by Ramona Quimby’s Halloween witch. Don’t even think about mistaking her for a good witch.
Scarecrow CEO
October 2nd, 2011
For all of the complaining we do about living in Philly (and believe me, we complain a lot), our neighborhood is really an amazing place to live. Yesterday was an absolutely perfect day, sunny and in the mid-60s. We started the morning by walking around the corner to our favorite coffee shop, where all the employees have known Emma since she was just learning to walk, and ate bagels out on the deck. Then we went to the Clark Park Farmer’s Market where a local school was sponsoring scarecrow building for kids. Emma and Grandma Joanne made a fine executive-inspired scarecrow while I ate delicious breakfast tacos, and then Emma’s friend Mia arrived and the two played in the hay and tended to their scarecrows with great enthusiasm for over an hour. After purchasing some flowers and heading home for lunch and quiet time, we went out to the neighboring block party where many of our neighborhood friends were gathered to partake in those all-American rituals of moon bounce bouncing and hot dog eating. Exhausted after such a full day, Emma fell asleep quickly last night and slept for a full 13 hours. I can probably count on one hand the number of times this child has slept for that many consecutive hours. Spruce Hill, I thank you for being such a lovely place to live (most of the time, definitely not in the summer and most definitely not on trash days).
Solebury Orchard
October 2nd, 2011
Living in the city, it can be easy to forget that anything exists outside the city. However, we found this orchard last year and it’s only 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia. So long as we remember to drive around New Hope instead of through it, it’s a very pleasant way to spend a day.