Our walk-to-school ritual

Our walk-to-school ritual

Toby's school is only five blocks from our apartment, and the best part of the whole walk (by far) is...Read More >
Toby's school is only five blocks from our apartment, and the best part of the whole walk (by far) is...Read More >
Our walk-to-school ritual
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Motherhood Mondays: Home as a haven

Motherhood Mondays: Home as a haven

Oh, these little boys. Be still my heart.

One of the most heartwrenching parts of motherhood, I've come to realize this fall, is watching your child go to school. With other kids. Who will be sweet sometimes, tease sometimes, play nicely sometimes, hurt feelings sometimes. How hard to think that all those little ones sometimes will feel lonely or left out or embarrassed or sad. I know those are good emotions, too (we're striving for wholeness, right?) but maybe not for him. Maybe just happiness for this child, okay?

Toby has had a somewhat tough time adjusting to a new school with new kids, many of whom have known each other for years. He enjoys school overall; he just has wobbly moments here and there. Plus, four-year-old Toby still seems so little. An exchange at the neighborhood playground the other day:
Another four-year-old: "Have you ever seen Star Wars?"
Toby: "No...have you ever seen Elmo?!!"

Well, as usual, the brilliant Jenny Rosenstrach must have read my mind because she recently wrote a Real Simple essay about her seventh-grade daughter, who was having a tricky time with some school friendships. Jenny didn't know how to help, so she did what any self-respecting adult woman does: she called her mom. Here's what happened:

She told me what I already knew: I’d have to sit this one out, as well as the next one and the one after that and the one after that, too. It was time to let the kids figure this stuff out on their own. But in a vehement tone that I imagine she reserves for her most unruly clients (she’s a real estate attorney), Mom did give me one tangible way to help: “You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day,” she said, “they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. That is what you can do.”

So that is what I will do: Make sure that when my children walk in the door every day, they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. We've slowed down our evening routine and added some rituals. We light candles at dinner, we play games on the floor, we pile onto the sofa to read books. And Alex and I have started putting Toby to bed together—instead of switching off, we focus on him, and lie down (with Toby in the middle), and talk and sing songs and give "challenges" (like "what sound does an owl make?" or "pretend you're swimming" or "count to 20") which Toby loves. And, the next morning, when Toby pads into our bedroom at 6am, and stands at my side of the bed saying "Mama? Mama?", I pull off my ratty sleep mask and give him a huge grin, no matter how exhausted I am. Home is a haven, a soft landing place, and no matter what happens in the outside world, they will always have that.

P.S. Do your eyes light up when you see your child?

(Photos of Toby and Anton playing ice cream shop by Winnie Au)
Oh, these little boys. Be still my heart.

One of the most heartwrenching parts of motherhood, I've come to realize this fall, is watching your child go to school. With other kids. Who will be sweet sometimes, tease sometimes, play nicely sometimes, hurt feelings sometimes. How hard to think that all those little ones sometimes will feel lonely or left out or embarrassed or sad. I know those are good emotions, too (we're striving for wholeness, right?) but maybe not for him. Maybe just happiness for this child, okay?

Toby has had a somewhat tough time adjusting to a new school with new kids, many of whom have known each other for years. He enjoys school overall; he just has wobbly moments here and there. Plus, four-year-old Toby still seems so little. An exchange at the neighborhood playground the other day:
Another four-year-old: "Have you ever seen Star Wars?"
Toby: "No...have you ever seen Elmo?!!"

Well, as usual, the brilliant Jenny Rosenstrach must have read my mind because she recently wrote a Real Simple essay about her seventh-grade daughter, who was having a tricky time with some school friendships. Jenny didn't know how to help, so she did what any self-respecting adult woman does: she called her mom. Here's what happened:

She told me what I already knew: I’d have to sit this one out, as well as the next one and the one after that and the one after that, too. It was time to let the kids figure this stuff out on their own. But in a vehement tone that I imagine she reserves for her most unruly clients (she’s a real estate attorney), Mom did give me one tangible way to help: “You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day,” she said, “they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. That is what you can do.”

So that is what I will do: Make sure that when my children walk in the door every day, they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. We've slowed down our evening routine and added some rituals. We light candles at dinner, we play games on the floor, we pile onto the sofa to read books. And Alex and I have started putting Toby to bed together—instead of switching off, we focus on him, and lie down (with Toby in the middle), and talk and sing songs and give "challenges" (like "what sound does an owl make?" or "pretend you're swimming" or "count to 20") which Toby loves. And, the next morning, when Toby pads into our bedroom at 6am, and stands at my side of the bed saying "Mama? Mama?", I pull off my ratty sleep mask and give him a huge grin, no matter how exhausted I am. Home is a haven, a soft landing place, and no matter what happens in the outside world, they will always have that.

P.S. Do your eyes light up when you see your child?

(Photos of Toby and Anton playing ice cream shop by Winnie Au)
Motherhood Mondays: Home as a haven
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8 questions to ask a new babysitter

8 questions to ask a new babysitter

When Toby was a newborn, I felt totally overwhelmed by the process of finding a nanny. How do you even begin? I wondered. Thankfully, over the past four years, we've figured out how to find wonderful babysitters, including 8 questions to ask...Read More >
When Toby was a newborn, I felt totally overwhelmed by the process of finding a nanny. How do you even begin? I wondered. Thankfully, over the past four years, we've figured out how to find wonderful babysitters, including 8 questions to ask...Read More >
8 questions to ask a new babysitter
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Sick little guys

Sick little guys

On Monday night at 10:30pm, Toby walked out of his bedroom, deliriously chatting a mile a minute. His forehead was burning hot, and he curled up next to me on the sofa, while I stared into his eyes and nodded along, trying to get him to come down to earth. I ended up sleeping in his bed to keep an eye on him, and his tossing body felt like a radiator. The next morning, he was still hot and his cheeks had developed a rash. We rushed him to the pediatrician, who then rushed us to the ER, fearing bacterial meningitis. After being poked and prodded for hours, and taking a long nap in my arms like a newborn, teary Toby was proclaimed safe and not seriously ill (with an unidentified virus). Thank goodness!

What a terrifying day. Moments like that make you realize with a shock how intensely you love your children.

Meanwhile, Anton, also feverish but not as severely, stayed home and cuddled with our babysitter. Or, as Alex joked, Anton is so rugged, he was probably chilling in a corner with an empty whiskey glass, chewing on a bullet.

These two boys. The loves of my life.

(Photo taken last night. Goodnight Moon always does the trick.)
On Monday night at 10:30pm, Toby walked out of his bedroom, deliriously chatting a mile a minute. His forehead was burning hot, and he curled up next to me on the sofa, while I stared into his eyes and nodded along, trying to get him to come down to earth. I ended up sleeping in his bed to keep an eye on him, and his tossing body felt like a radiator. The next morning, he was still hot and his cheeks had developed a rash. We rushed him to the pediatrician, who then rushed us to the ER, fearing bacterial meningitis. After being poked and prodded for hours, and taking a long nap in my arms like a newborn, teary Toby was proclaimed safe and not seriously ill (with an unidentified virus). Thank goodness!

What a terrifying day. Moments like that make you realize with a shock how intensely you love your children.

Meanwhile, Anton, also feverish but not as severely, stayed home and cuddled with our babysitter. Or, as Alex joked, Anton is so rugged, he was probably chilling in a corner with an empty whiskey glass, chewing on a bullet.

These two boys. The loves of my life.

(Photo taken last night. Goodnight Moon always does the trick.)
Sick little guys
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Conversations with a four-year-old

Conversations with a four-year-old

Now that he's 4 1/3 years old, Toby desperately wants to act grown-up, but of course he's still so little. He says such nutty, sweet things as he tries to navigate it all. (If only I could freeze him at this age! My nostalgia levels are sky high these days.) For example...

Me: “When Anton gets bigger, you can talk and read together.”
Toby: “When he gets bigger, we can be twins!"

Me: “Sorry I was on my computer this morning. I had a work emergency.”
Toby: “Did the firemen come?”

Toby: "Mama, how old are you?"
Me: "Thirty five."
Toby: "But that is so many years!!! How can you be that many years?!!"

He has always had an imaginary friend named Dun Dun, but now Toby also has an imaginary wife named Bo and two children—Matt, 6, and Janna, 2. They drive a silver minivan and live in Montclair, New Jersey. They go to dinner with their married friends, Brad and Mary, who have three kids: George, Stella and Paul. The whole thing is hilarious and totally bizarre, and I have no idea where it all came from. We spend a lot of time talking about his family. And he's a really nice dad! Toby often prefers to push Matt and Janna in the swings than swing himself, so he'll stand there talking to himself while pushing two empty swings. :)

"Can I sleep in my belly today?" (meaning taking a nap without a shirt)

Anton: "Doggee!"
Us: “Anton, that’s not a dog, that’s a llama.”
Toby: “Like North Carollama?”

He's also trying to figure out how to make jokes. For example, the other day he came up to me at the playground and said, "Hi, Mama, I’m Dr. Person! Dr. Person...Is that funny?"

Toby: "Did I come to your wedding?"
Me: "No, you weren’t born yet. You were almost in my belly, but not quite."
Toby: “So I wasn’t anymore?"

Me, at bedtime: “Would you like a story or a song?”
Toby: "No, Mama. Let's just talk."
Toby, I love you times a million. You'll always be my baby.

What have your kids been talking about recently? What are they into? How old are they? I'd love to hear...

P.S. Conversations with Toby when he was two, three, three-and-a-half and almost four. Plus, dates with your child. (And I cannot wait until little Anton starts talking!!!)

(Top photo from our trip to England)
Now that he's 4 1/3 years old, Toby desperately wants to act grown-up, but of course he's still so little. He says such nutty, sweet things as he tries to navigate it all. (If only I could freeze him at this age! My nostalgia levels are sky high these days.) For example...

Me: “When Anton gets bigger, you can talk and read together.”
Toby: “When he gets bigger, we can be twins!"

Me: “Sorry I was on my computer this morning. I had a work emergency.”
Toby: “Did the firemen come?”

Toby: "Mama, how old are you?"
Me: "Thirty five."
Toby: "But that is so many years!!! How can you be that many years?!!"

He has always had an imaginary friend named Dun Dun, but now Toby also has an imaginary wife named Bo and two children—Matt, 6, and Janna, 2. They drive a silver minivan and live in Montclair, New Jersey. They go to dinner with their married friends, Brad and Mary, who have three kids: George, Stella and Paul. The whole thing is hilarious and totally bizarre, and I have no idea where it all came from. We spend a lot of time talking about his family. And he's a really nice dad! Toby often prefers to push Matt and Janna in the swings than swing himself, so he'll stand there talking to himself while pushing two empty swings. :)

"Can I sleep in my belly today?" (meaning taking a nap without a shirt)

Anton: "Doggee!"
Us: “Anton, that’s not a dog, that’s a llama.”
Toby: “Like North Carollama?”

He's also trying to figure out how to make jokes. For example, the other day he came up to me at the playground and said, "Hi, Mama, I’m Dr. Person! Dr. Person...Is that funny?"

Toby: "Did I come to your wedding?"
Me: "No, you weren’t born yet. You were almost in my belly, but not quite."
Toby: “So I wasn’t anymore?"

Me, at bedtime: “Would you like a story or a song?”
Toby: "No, Mama. Let's just talk."
Toby, I love you times a million. You'll always be my baby.

What have your kids been talking about recently? What are they into? How old are they? I'd love to hear...

P.S. Conversations with Toby when he was two, three, three-and-a-half and almost four. Plus, dates with your child. (And I cannot wait until little Anton starts talking!!!)

(Top photo from our trip to England)
Conversations with a four-year-old
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Toby's first day of school

Toby's first day of school

Today was Toby's first day of school. He was so excited about meeting the teachers, making new friends and wearing his motorcycle backpack (even though the only thing tucked inside was a toy car:). As we were leaving the house, a sweet neighbor offered to take a photo–a big thank you to him for capturing the giddy moment.

Hope all the kids out there are having a good first month!

P.S. Flashbacks: Toby as a newborn, his violin and a giraffe Halloween costume.
Today was Toby's first day of school. He was so excited about meeting the teachers, making new friends and wearing his motorcycle backpack (even though the only thing tucked inside was a toy car:). As we were leaving the house, a sweet neighbor offered to take a photo–a big thank you to him for capturing the giddy moment.

Hope all the kids out there are having a good first month!

P.S. Flashbacks: Toby as a newborn, his violin and a giraffe Halloween costume.
Toby's first day of school
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Our England vacation

Our England vacation

As I've mentioned, we just got back from visiting family in England, and I'd love to share a few photos, if you'd like to see...Read More >
As I've mentioned, we just got back from visiting family in England, and I'd love to share a few photos, if you'd like to see...Read More >
Our England vacation
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Sibling Rivalry: 5 tricks and tips

Sibling Rivalry: 5 tricks and tips

Before our second baby was born, I was on pins and needles. Would the children play together? Would they be jealous? Would they fight? I wasn't sure what to expect. But after a year together (Anton turns one on Saturday!), we've thankfully figured out five things that have helped kickstart a sweet friendship...Read More >
Before our second baby was born, I was on pins and needles. Would the children play together? Would they be jealous? Would they fight? I wasn't sure what to expect. But after a year together (Anton turns one on Saturday!), we've thankfully figured out five things that have helped kickstart a sweet friendship...Read More >
Sibling Rivalry: 5 tricks and tips
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Vacation photos: Fire Island

Vacation photos: Fire Island

Hello!!! How have you guys been? I feel like I've been away from the blog for ages, and I'm looking forward to catching up. We just got back from a week in Fair Harbor, a tiny beach town on Fire Island. Here are a few photos, if you'd like to see...Read More >
Hello!!! How have you guys been? I feel like I've been away from the blog for ages, and I'm looking forward to catching up. We just got back from a week in Fair Harbor, a tiny beach town on Fire Island. Here are a few photos, if you'd like to see...Read More >
Vacation photos: Fire Island
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Dates with your child

Dates with your child

For his fourth birthday, Toby got what he had always wanted: A sports jacket. When he opened the box, his eyes lit up. Gold buttons! Lapels! POCKETS! It made him look just like Daddy and will come in handy should he get married this year.

To celebrate, we planned a date. We have gone on a few mama/son dates lately—a tradition we had years ago that was put on hiatus after Anton was born. It's so, so nice to have some time alone to chat and laugh and follow his lead and go exactly at his speed (for example, taking detours to climb every single step/rock/curb/ramp/incline on the way to the restaurant).

During dinner, as we wait patiently (it's hard to wait!) for the food to arrive, Toby always asks for stories about before he was born. So last night, over burgers at Shake Shack, I told him how I met Alex and how we went to the movies and how we got married and how we had a sweet sweet baby. "And do you know what we named our baby?" I asked. "No," he whispered, eyes wide as saucers. "Toby," I told him. Mind. Blown.
Here is Toby telling me how he met Dun Dun, his beloved imaginary friend. (On a boat in Holland, it turns out.)

It was such a sweet evening and reminded me how nice it is to carve out one-on-one time for people you love. It's such a different pleasure from being in a group! (Also, didn't you love asking your parents about when they were younger? I remember that so distinctly.)

P.S. A three-year-old in conversation, and an awesome trick for grown-up dates.
For his fourth birthday, Toby got what he had always wanted: A sports jacket. When he opened the box, his eyes lit up. Gold buttons! Lapels! POCKETS! It made him look just like Daddy and will come in handy should he get married this year.

To celebrate, we planned a date. We have gone on a few mama/son dates lately—a tradition we had years ago that was put on hiatus after Anton was born. It's so, so nice to have some time alone to chat and laugh and follow his lead and go exactly at his speed (for example, taking detours to climb every single step/rock/curb/ramp/incline on the way to the restaurant).

During dinner, as we wait patiently (it's hard to wait!) for the food to arrive, Toby always asks for stories about before he was born. So last night, over burgers at Shake Shack, I told him how I met Alex and how we went to the movies and how we got married and how we had a sweet sweet baby. "And do you know what we named our baby?" I asked. "No," he whispered, eyes wide as saucers. "Toby," I told him. Mind. Blown.
Here is Toby telling me how he met Dun Dun, his beloved imaginary friend. (On a boat in Holland, it turns out.)

It was such a sweet evening and reminded me how nice it is to carve out one-on-one time for people you love. It's such a different pleasure from being in a group! (Also, didn't you love asking your parents about when they were younger? I remember that so distinctly.)

P.S. A three-year-old in conversation, and an awesome trick for grown-up dates.
Dates with your child
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Toby's fourth birthday party

Toby's fourth birthday party

This weekend we threw a picnic for Toby's fourth birthday. (It's crazy how time flies!) Here are a few photos, below, if you'd like to see....Read More >
This weekend we threw a picnic for Toby's fourth birthday. (It's crazy how time flies!) Here are a few photos, below, if you'd like to see....Read More >
Toby's fourth birthday party
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Toby in conversation

Toby in conversation

Toby is turning four in a few weeks. I can't believe it! He's in such a funny in-between phase of childhood. Sometimes it feels like I'm talking to a likeminded friend—and he'll use words like "actually" and "eventually" and "so, anyway..." But then, he'll do something that reminds me how small and innocent he is, like when he plays with his imaginary friend Dun Dun or gets scared of his shadow. Here are a few sweet things he's said recently...

Man at the airport: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Toby (after thinking it over seriously): A dinosaur.

"Look! There's the Statue of Literby!"

"Fortilla."

Toby's preschool teacher got married this winter, and ever since, he has been obsessed with weddings. He proposes to our babysitter, he tries on my wedding ring, he wants to look at our wedding photos every night before bed. His teachers recently wrote in his weekly school report, "We enjoyed watching Toby play. He went on a date and got engaged.” Yes. Of course he did. :)

"Daddy, are you having wine?"
"Yes."
"But don't drink all the wine! You have to save some for Mommy!"

Toby's birthday wishlist:
1. A real duck
2. A birthday cake
3. A drum set
4. A real house
5. Matzah crackers
6. A tool set
7. A sports jacket (for weddings)
8. A puzzle
9. A toy truck
10. A real truck

Toby to Alex, very seriously: “Do the Forty-Niners pee?”

After a brutal winter, we went for our first long bike ride, and as the wind swept through our hair, we both felt revitalized. Suddenly I heard him yell from the bike seat behind me: "Mama, I love bike rides! I love you!!! I love ALL THOSE THINGS!!!!!"

"Daddy, what kind of instrument is that?" —at the Natural History Museum, when we walked by a painting of a man holding a musket.

The other day, he held Anton's little cap in his arms and told me, "This is my baby, and she misses her cousins." And then he started whispering to the hat: "I know, I know you miss your cousins. I know. But we will see your friends today, and they are really nice."
I love this little boy so much! Never grow up, Toby:)

What sweet things have your kids been chatting about recently? What are they into? I'd love to hear...

P.S. Toby in conversation as a two-year-old and three-year-old and three-and-a-half-year-old. And his first day of school. And I can't believe he was ever this little :)
Toby is turning four in a few weeks. I can't believe it! He's in such a funny in-between phase of childhood. Sometimes it feels like I'm talking to a likeminded friend—and he'll use words like "actually" and "eventually" and "so, anyway..." But then, he'll do something that reminds me how small and innocent he is, like when he plays with his imaginary friend Dun Dun or gets scared of his shadow. Here are a few sweet things he's said recently...

Man at the airport: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Toby (after thinking it over seriously): A dinosaur.

"Look! There's the Statue of Literby!"

"Fortilla."

Toby's preschool teacher got married this winter, and ever since, he has been obsessed with weddings. He proposes to our babysitter, he tries on my wedding ring, he wants to look at our wedding photos every night before bed. His teachers recently wrote in his weekly school report, "We enjoyed watching Toby play. He went on a date and got engaged.” Yes. Of course he did. :)

"Daddy, are you having wine?"
"Yes."
"But don't drink all the wine! You have to save some for Mommy!"

Toby's birthday wishlist:
1. A real duck
2. A birthday cake
3. A drum set
4. A real house
5. Matzah crackers
6. A tool set
7. A sports jacket (for weddings)
8. A puzzle
9. A toy truck
10. A real truck

Toby to Alex, very seriously: “Do the Forty-Niners pee?”

After a brutal winter, we went for our first long bike ride, and as the wind swept through our hair, we both felt revitalized. Suddenly I heard him yell from the bike seat behind me: "Mama, I love bike rides! I love you!!! I love ALL THOSE THINGS!!!!!"

"Daddy, what kind of instrument is that?" —at the Natural History Museum, when we walked by a painting of a man holding a musket.

The other day, he held Anton's little cap in his arms and told me, "This is my baby, and she misses her cousins." And then he started whispering to the hat: "I know, I know you miss your cousins. I know. But we will see your friends today, and they are really nice."
I love this little boy so much! Never grow up, Toby:)

What sweet things have your kids been chatting about recently? What are they into? I'd love to hear...

P.S. Toby in conversation as a two-year-old and three-year-old and three-and-a-half-year-old. And his first day of school. And I can't believe he was ever this little :)
Toby in conversation
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Sweet Anton

Sweet Anton

Anton has been teething for what feels like a hundred years (his top two teeth are taking their sweet time) and it wears him out. He's been fussy, sleepy, feverish...and yesterday, he petered out and just laid his head down on the coffee table. Poor bunny!
But then Toby teased him by doing the same thing, and it worked! Sometimes only your brother knows how to save the day.

Hope you guys have a good weekend! Links coming up shortly...xoxo

P.S. Brothers taking a nap, and Toby standing for the first time.
Anton has been teething for what feels like a hundred years (his top two teeth are taking their sweet time) and it wears him out. He's been fussy, sleepy, feverish...and yesterday, he petered out and just laid his head down on the coffee table. Poor bunny!
But then Toby teased him by doing the same thing, and it worked! Sometimes only your brother knows how to save the day.

Hope you guys have a good weekend! Links coming up shortly...xoxo

P.S. Brothers taking a nap, and Toby standing for the first time.
Sweet Anton
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FaceTime with grandparents

FaceTime with grandparents

Like most three-year-olds, Toby feels awkward talking on regular phones. He gets shy and can't think of what to say when staring at a blank screen. But he LOVES FaceTime on our iPhones. Since he can actually see his grandparents, Toby will ask my mom to read him bedtime stories or honk her car's horn, and my dad always gives Toby a thrilling tour of his basement and garage.

Do you guys ever do FaceTime? What a godsend for grandparents who live far away. It really feels like you're hanging out!

P.S. Skyping across the ocean, and conversations with a three-year-old.
Like most three-year-olds, Toby feels awkward talking on regular phones. He gets shy and can't think of what to say when staring at a blank screen. But he LOVES FaceTime on our iPhones. Since he can actually see his grandparents, Toby will ask my mom to read him bedtime stories or honk her car's horn, and my dad always gives Toby a thrilling tour of his basement and garage.

Do you guys ever do FaceTime? What a godsend for grandparents who live far away. It really feels like you're hanging out!

P.S. Skyping across the ocean, and conversations with a three-year-old.
FaceTime with grandparents
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How our kids sleep (it's weird)

How our kids sleep (it's weird)

When Anton was born, he slept in our master bedroom for ages. We were nervous about moving him into Toby's room—would they wake each other up every morning? how would their staggered bedtime routines work?—and kept waiting to pull the trigger. A few readers have asked for an update on our sleeping situation, and I'm happy to provide one, as long as you don't judge, haha...
Read More >
When Anton was born, he slept in our master bedroom for ages. We were nervous about moving him into Toby's room—would they wake each other up every morning? how would their staggered bedtime routines work?—and kept waiting to pull the trigger. A few readers have asked for an update on our sleeping situation, and I'm happy to provide one, as long as you don't judge, haha...
Read More >
How our kids sleep (it's weird)
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First school picture!

First school picture!

Oh. My. Gosh. I DIE. (Toby, you did such a great job smiling and making your hands look sophisticated!)
Oh. My. Gosh. I DIE. (Toby, you did such a great job smiling and making your hands look sophisticated!)
First school picture!
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A day in Brooklyn

A day in Brooklyn

The other day, we spent a sunny morning in Dumbo. Toby and I walked by the river, while Anton rode in our trusty carrier. We were trying out Ergo's new Four Position 360 Baby Carrier, which is awesome because you can wear your baby in four different positions. Here are a few photos (and a giveaway), if you'd like to see...Read More >
The other day, we spent a sunny morning in Dumbo. Toby and I walked by the river, while Anton rode in our trusty carrier. We were trying out Ergo's new Four Position 360 Baby Carrier, which is awesome because you can wear your baby in four different positions. Here are a few photos (and a giveaway), if you'd like to see...Read More >
A day in Brooklyn
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Weekend in Florida

Weekend in Florida

We just got back from three days in Florida, and it was amazing and restorative. After such a long NYC winter, we had forgotten what it was like to have warm air on our skin.
We visited my mom and her husband, who live in Michigan but spend part of the winter near Naples. Toby and my mom are pretty much obsessed with each other, so there were lots of inside jokes and giggling.
We went to the beach and built sandcastles. Toby also made us sand birthday cakes with driftwood candles.
It felt so good to stretch our legs!
My mom and Anton also really bonded on this trip. She hadn't seen him since he was teeny, so she was happy to get to know him, now that his personality is emerging. He's sweet-hearted, gentle, calm and analytical. My mom's husband actually nicknamed him "Manny" because he reminded him of German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Ha, I guess you never know:)
Easy times. Maybe we should all just move to Florida.
Alex jokes that this second shot is the emblematic photo of his relationship with Anton. He's always trying to steal those glasses!
And a few more family photos:)

Other highlights: Toby slept in a Mickey Mouse bed! My mom made three dozen chocolate chip cookies! Anton learned to wave! Thank you so much for having us, Mom and Harvey:)

We're already itching to take another trip. Travel begets travel, don't you think? Do you have any fun vacations coming up?

P.S. 10 tips for traveling with a baby and 10 ways to entertain a toddler on a plane.
We just got back from three days in Florida, and it was amazing and restorative. After such a long NYC winter, we had forgotten what it was like to have warm air on our skin.
We visited my mom and her husband, who live in Michigan but spend part of the winter near Naples. Toby and my mom are pretty much obsessed with each other, so there were lots of inside jokes and giggling.
We went to the beach and built sandcastles. Toby also made us sand birthday cakes with driftwood candles.
It felt so good to stretch our legs!
My mom and Anton also really bonded on this trip. She hadn't seen him since he was teeny, so she was happy to get to know him, now that his personality is emerging. He's sweet-hearted, gentle, calm and analytical. My mom's husband actually nicknamed him "Manny" because he reminded him of German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Ha, I guess you never know:)
Easy times. Maybe we should all just move to Florida.
Alex jokes that this second shot is the emblematic photo of his relationship with Anton. He's always trying to steal those glasses!
And a few more family photos:)

Other highlights: Toby slept in a Mickey Mouse bed! My mom made three dozen chocolate chip cookies! Anton learned to wave! Thank you so much for having us, Mom and Harvey:)

We're already itching to take another trip. Travel begets travel, don't you think? Do you have any fun vacations coming up?

P.S. 10 tips for traveling with a baby and 10 ways to entertain a toddler on a plane.
Weekend in Florida
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