4th of July

Our neighborhood park was prime viewing for the Macy's fireworks this year.  We had a picnic supper with some friends at dusk as we waited for the show.

Lots of ooooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhhhs from the boys.  Looking forward to it again next year!

More Halloween Fun

Our neighborhood had the annual parade and party.  All of the neighborhood kids don their costumes on the Saturday before Halloween, meet at the playground at noon, and parade down the one road on the island to the party.

Freddie pulled out his knight costume.  Again, too small.  I though it was going to split up the back when he bent over.  Hans wanted his pajamas and a cape.  My days of choosing cute costumes are long gone.

The boys jumped in the bounce houses, ate junk food, and ran around like madmen.

It is a fun neighborhood event, something I'll miss when we leave this area one day.

The came home with lots of "prizes" which were immediately consumed or scattered all over the floors.

We're trying to squeeze in lots of fall fun, as winter is fast approaching.

Decorations in our lobby

Neighborhood Egg Hunt

Easter weekend began with sunshine and an egg hunt. 

The boys made bonnets. 

And guess who ended up wearing them.  Sadly, no photo of Dada in his, but I'm hoping to see a photo of him in his when the monthly community newspaper arrives.

Best part...each boy got a book.  They were content to sit under a tree for quite a while.

This and That

• We went to Target in Brooklyn on our first day here.  Craziness.
• Someone in the building has a late dinner.  They cook curry.  Our bedroom smells like curry thanks to the vent.  Living in an apartment building is going to be interesting.
• The movers and POD come on Friday.  $650 for movers, $60/hour for POD driver to wait for the POD to be unloaded.  You'd think the POD driver could do a little something other than sit in the truck at $60/hour.  NYC costs.
• Freddie threw himself on the floor when we left the childcare center in our building yesterday.  He is dying to be with the other kids.  We're on the wait list.  Even with the hospital employee sliding scale I'll need a high paying job to make it worthwhile.
• I thought New Orleans was diverse.  This little island we're living on has too many nationalities represented to even count.  There are also a wide range of socioeconomic classes represented.  All this on a 2 mile stretch of land in the East River.
• The island is teeming with kids.  Our building has so many young children.  There is a playground across the street, complete with fountains to play in.
• The island is also teeming with amputees.  I'm telling you, this place is diverse in every way.  There is a man without legs on a hospital gurney outside the metro station morning and afternoon.  No idea how he's getting there, but working on figuring this out.  Yep, I am going to talk to him.   Eventually.
• Freddie is sleeping great.  Goes to his crib, tosses in his tigey and sip cup, and waves goodbye.  Right to sleep.  Thank goodness for that.  Evidently transition is easier on kids than adults.
• Made it to the NYC Department of Motor Vehicles.  Just like home.  The computers were down for 2 hours.  Someone needed a nap so back on the train we got.  We'll try again on Thursday.
• I had my first breakdown yesterday at the playground.  It was minor compared to what I had expected at this point.  We've both commented how this doesn't yet feel like we're here for the long haul.  It's starting to sink in though.