Coming in as a close second...

With a tiny grocery, complete with a working cash register and a tank of (pretend) crabs, the Louisiana Children's Museum ranks high on Freddie's list of favorite spots in the city, and that's saying a lot. 

Our days have been filled with friends and family, park visits, duck feedings, zoo excursions, and shopping trips.  Sleep has been well earned and dreams have been sweet. 

I'll take the camera out tomorrow and get back to some blogging.  I always regret not taking more photos on our NOLA visits. 

No place I'd rather be...

Feeding the ducks in Audubon Park is the most anticipated event of any NOLA visit. 

Punctuate

Freddie:  STOP it. Haaaaaaans.

Mama:  Freddie, cool it with the yelling.

Freddie:  I'm just using an exclamation point, Mom. 


I suppose we need a follow up conversation on punctuation. 

He makes me smile

Lovin'

His days in the carrier are numbered.  And that makes me a bit sad.

• Those eyes looking up at me
• Packed bags
• Relaxed routines
• Talk of cousins
• Writing thank you notes
• Fleece gloves
• Packages
• Windowsill gardening
• Play date planning
• Finding New Orleanians in NYC
• Our little library
• Charlie Brown

Halloween, Take 2

Freddie's class finally had their Halloween parade and party.

Too bad he wouldn't even look at me.  It's ok though.  I like watching him with his friends.

And we trick or treated in our building.

It didn't take Hans long to understand what the steps were to get candy.  He'd knock, select his candy, and say "Thank you."

Two little pieces of candy waiting to be traded in.

He'd go right in to get to the bowl first.

But once he got going he liked holding the candy in his hand but he'd gently set it down to knock.  When presented with the bowl, he'd place his pieces in and choose two new pieces.  Off he'd go to do it again.

They left me!

We didn't get many pictures of Freddie because he was running ahead with his pack of friends.  He loved it, but I missed seeing his reaction at every door.  It's been a full Halloween "season" for us, and we've enjoyed it all.  Thankfully we have a bit of a lull before the next round of festivities begins.

Snow!

We had our first snow last night courtesy of the nor'easter.  It started off as a rainy day, but eventually the raindrops turned to snowflakes.  A few inches lasted overnight, but it was slushy.  But we had to get out in the first snow. 

Everyone got bundled up right after breakfast and we hurried out to the hill.  We had the hill to ourselves, probably due in part to the snow being a bit thin, but it also being a school and work day meant everyone had somewhere to be.

Thankfully Charlie hung out to partake in Hans' inaugural run on the sled and his first real snow experience.  I definitely appreciated the help getting everyone suited up.   I like seeing the snow, and I love seeing Freddie's excitement over playing in the snow, but man it is a whole lot of work for this mama. 

Hans was less than impressed with the gear and the snow.  His range of motion was limited in those boots and suit.  And the snow was cold and wet.

When he finally figured out how to walk in his boots he stuck to the puddles. 

Freddie enjoyed a few runs and even tried out his skis.

I hope we get more snow so he gets some time on those skis before heading to the mountains.  

Nothing like getting the day started with playing in the snow before work and school.

Hans is not happy with the wet, cold snow on his hands!

And nothing like coming home to warm up!

Boys...

Balance (and Speed!)

He's coasting all over on his balance bike, and the plan is to ask Santa for a two wheeler with pedals. He's fearless and will cruise down hills without braking at all. I think the transition to a bike will be easy, although I can hardly believe my baby is ready for a big boy bike!

Vote!

We went as a family this morning to vote.  It took some extra wrangling to get everyone bundled up and on our way before school and work, but it was worth the extra effort to have Freddie along.  We talked about democracy, the job of a president, and our responsibility to pick the person we felt represented our values. 

 
Voting in New York City among a diverse group of citizens is a reminder as jaded as I may become about politics in the United States I have rights many will never know.

And for the record, it was my first time using a paper ballot, and as someone with a post graduate degree I found it very confusing.  The fact that I needed to use the magnifying glass provided compounded the issue! 

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

We drove north to the Hudson Valley to visit The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortland Manor.

Thousands of pumpkins are carved and create an amazing display.  I only took a few pictures with my phone, which give a very small peek at how amazing the display it. 

The boys were a bit scared at first, mostly due to the spooky music, but eventually relaxed and enjoyed picking our the shapes in the pumpkins.

It is a beautiful area, and a nice drive, so I image we'll be doing this again next year.  And I'm a little surprised there isn't something similar in NOLA. 

He had a teeny lick, and then shook his head "no."

Oh, and Charlie was even able to get pumpkin pie, and neither of the boys liked it so he didn't even have to share. Figures.  If Mama liked pumpkin pie I'd probably end up with only one bite. 

Workshop

Home Depot offers kids' workshops each month.  Conveniently, there is a Home Depot just steps from the tram in Manhattan.

Hard at work

 Freddie and Charlie headed out Saturday morning and returned home with a Turkey Napkin Holder.

Waiting for the tram with his goods.  He had to pick up some zipties for his toolbox too.

Freddie was very proud, but it was obvious his favorite part was the Home Depot apron.  He also got a pin, a merit badge of sorts, that shows an image of the napkin holder.

Hope Depot provides all of the supplies.  This project included pre-cut wood, screws, paints, and decals.  I think next month both boys will be suited up in orange aprons. 

Let me know if you check out the workshops in your area!

Freddie Writes

I spelled, he wrote.  No help needed with these letters.

I hear lots of "How do you spell?"  It is a pretty constant question.  Mostly he's just interested in matching letters to letter sounds but now I'm starting to see that interest shift to his desire to actually wanting to know spelling to write. 

He knows how to write most of the letters and the ones he isn't sure of he finds the letter somewhere to copy.  I am trying to teach him a letter formation, but most of the time he's too stubborn to even look in my direction if he's intent on writing something "important."

Halloween

Trick or treating was postponed in our building, as was Freddie's school parade and party.  We passed on invitations to join friends in other buildings since we've had a big dose of Halloween and parties and sugar over the past week.  The boys kept the costume momentum going regardless. 

Sharing Skittles

 

We have another Halloween themed event this weekend, and fingers crossed our upcoming travel plans don't interfere with the rescheduled Halloween events.  These boys love any excuse to get dressed up and "party."