Thursday was my wife's birthday. She turned (redacted) years old and our daughter was determined that there would be a party of some kind or another. She likes parties.
Thursday, of course, is a work day and my wife went into the office like normal. This confused our daughter greatly. Caelyn did not understand why mommy had to work on her birthday. She was certain the people at the office had no idea it was Kerry's birthday. Caelyn tried convincing me I should call and let them know. That way, they would send Kerry home. She was completely lost when I explained to her it didn't work that way.
She eventually settled for going to a local party store to pick out some supplies for the "party." We walked in and she proceeded to want everything in the store for her mommy's party. Banner, ok. Balloons, ok. Dora writing pen with fuzzy end. Yep, got that too. And then there were the little yellow alien looking smiley face people. Yes, they are exactly like they sound.
I asked Caelyn if she was picking out things for mommy or herself. She assured me they were for mommy but that mommy would need to share with her. And so it went at the party store. We did not leave with a lot of stuff though not for a lack of trying on our daughter's part.
Later in the day, the weather was nice. We decided to walk to the train station to meet Kerry. We never made it. Our neighbors across the street were out front. That was as far as we got. Caelyn started to play with the little girl across the street. A few minutes later, another little girl from a couple of houses down joined in.
Before any of the adults made any decisions, our neighbors across the street had a backyard full of 6 kids. Three girls (including Caelyn) of the same age and their younger siblings. I texted Kerry where we were.
Kerry arrived a little later and we all hung out as the kids played. About the time we would normally be starting the bedtime routine, we got home. Kerry still had to eat and of course, there was the matter of the birthday party. It may have been late, but there would have to be a party.
Caelyn had hidden Kerry's presents somewhere in the house. I still don't know where. After Kerry finished dinner, Caelyn retrieved the presents one by one for Kerry to open. Once the presents were opened, it was time for cake. The candles consisted of one large silver dinner candle chosen by Caelyn and the numbers (redacted) and (redacted) to make Kerry's age.
The party lasted well into the night. Well, maybe just well past bedtime. The best part was trying to get two children, hopped up on cake, to calm down for bed.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Once More Into the City
This morning at Madison Square Park, Caelyn's favorite children's band, Audrarox. was playing a show. I decided to surprise her with a trip into the city to see them. All I told her was that we would be spending the day in the city. She didn't know what we were going to do. Despite being bugged mercilessly, I wouldn't tell her. I was determined it would be a surprise.
As we walked into Madison Square Park, Caelyn asked if we were going to the playground. She loves the playground there. She seemed a bit disappointed but took it well when I told her no and we walked past it. It was then she saw the stage.
After dropping off the stroller, we found a place close to the front. Caelyn looked up at the stage and stopped short. "It's Audrarox", she yelled at me as she saw who was behind the stage. She got excited when I told her that is who we were there to see.
I had picked an open spot near the stage as I knew Caelyn would be heading to the very front as soon as possible. I wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. She kept telling me she wasn't close enough and I assured her she could go as soon as the show started. Finally, I just let her go as she was getting anxious.
When she got near the stage, Audra was walking up. Caelyn waved and Audra walked over toward her. I don't know what they talked about but at one point Audra pointed out Caelyn's Ramones shirt. Audra gave Caelyn a hug and walked on stage.
The nice thing about Audrarox is that they actually do rock. They are very good musicians who play various styles of music well. If you never heard the lyrics, you would have no idea the music was intended for kids. It's a show that the adults can enjoy which is good considering this would be the 5th time we have seen them.
The show started. Caelyn started dancing. During the first song, Caelyn ended up on the mic for a little bit. The rest of the show, Caelyn spent running, jumping and dancing. At one point it looked as if she was trying to start in miniature mosh pit.
Caleb was not as thrilled. He had woken up early this morning (6 am) and when 10:30 (the show's start time) rolled around, he was hot, sweaty and tired. Unfortunately, he decided that being attached to me was the way to make himself feel better. This only added to him sweating and getting more and more cranky. He did end up dancing around by the end of the show but I don't think he had all that great of a time.
Once the show was over, I loaded up the kids in the double stroller and walked downtown to my old workplace to say hi. I have kept in touch with some of the people from the office but several years had passed since I had actually been there. The core of the company was still the same and I saw some old friends. The kids were quiet and shy for about two minutes then started to take over the place.
After the office visit, I took the kids to a nearby pizza place I used to frequent. Sitting outside in back of the place, I was reminded that while our local pizza place in Jersey is very good, it is still not New York pizza. The kids pigged out and we headed back to the van.
The return home was uneventful. Caleb had fallen asleep in the stroller on the ride back to the van and never woke as I placed him in his car seat. Even Caelyn fell asleep during the drive home.
As we walked into Madison Square Park, Caelyn asked if we were going to the playground. She loves the playground there. She seemed a bit disappointed but took it well when I told her no and we walked past it. It was then she saw the stage.
After dropping off the stroller, we found a place close to the front. Caelyn looked up at the stage and stopped short. "It's Audrarox", she yelled at me as she saw who was behind the stage. She got excited when I told her that is who we were there to see.
I had picked an open spot near the stage as I knew Caelyn would be heading to the very front as soon as possible. I wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. She kept telling me she wasn't close enough and I assured her she could go as soon as the show started. Finally, I just let her go as she was getting anxious.
When she got near the stage, Audra was walking up. Caelyn waved and Audra walked over toward her. I don't know what they talked about but at one point Audra pointed out Caelyn's Ramones shirt. Audra gave Caelyn a hug and walked on stage.
The nice thing about Audrarox is that they actually do rock. They are very good musicians who play various styles of music well. If you never heard the lyrics, you would have no idea the music was intended for kids. It's a show that the adults can enjoy which is good considering this would be the 5th time we have seen them.
The show started. Caelyn started dancing. During the first song, Caelyn ended up on the mic for a little bit. The rest of the show, Caelyn spent running, jumping and dancing. At one point it looked as if she was trying to start in miniature mosh pit.
Caleb was not as thrilled. He had woken up early this morning (6 am) and when 10:30 (the show's start time) rolled around, he was hot, sweaty and tired. Unfortunately, he decided that being attached to me was the way to make himself feel better. This only added to him sweating and getting more and more cranky. He did end up dancing around by the end of the show but I don't think he had all that great of a time.
Once the show was over, I loaded up the kids in the double stroller and walked downtown to my old workplace to say hi. I have kept in touch with some of the people from the office but several years had passed since I had actually been there. The core of the company was still the same and I saw some old friends. The kids were quiet and shy for about two minutes then started to take over the place.
After the office visit, I took the kids to a nearby pizza place I used to frequent. Sitting outside in back of the place, I was reminded that while our local pizza place in Jersey is very good, it is still not New York pizza. The kids pigged out and we headed back to the van.
The return home was uneventful. Caleb had fallen asleep in the stroller on the ride back to the van and never woke as I placed him in his car seat. Even Caelyn fell asleep during the drive home.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
One Long Fun Sunday
We normally go into the city on Sundays for church. We have deep roots there and though we now live in Jersey, we still consider Gustavus Adolphus our church home. If the weather permits, we typically try to do other things in the city after church as well. Usually, it is playgrounds or street fairs. Things we can do as a family.
Today, at Summerstage in Central Park, was Global Family Day. Before we went to that though, one of Kerry's college friends was in town for a conference and met us at our church. After the service, we all went to lunch before he had to catch a flight back home.
After a nice lunch at Lyric diner, we drove uptown to head to Summerstage in Central Park. In addition to clowns and several booths of kid friendly items, many of which were free, there was live music and acrobatics. Other than brief clips on the internet, we were not familiar with any of the acts but the kids love live music so we guessed it would be a safe gamble.
The only question mark was the weather. It was hot. Not sure what the exact temperature was but mid to upper 90s was about right. Fortunately, there are some shady areas at summer stage. Unfortunately, none of the shade was up by the stage where our daughter has to be.
The first act to play was a group of four 13 year old kids. They were not bad. Excellent considering their age. The band could actually play and the female singer had a pretty good stage presence. Since our son loves girls that sing, I took him up front near his sister. He did get the singers attention and a wave but due to no nap and 90+ weather, he really didn't seem to notice.
The second band were good musicians but the singer was a bit to sing-songy for me. Caleb and I moved back into the shade. He was more interested in a nap anyway. Which is what he did. He decided that if he couldn't have his crib, I would be it and he passed out. I spent the next couple of hours with him laid out across me.
The third group to perform was Bethany and Rufus. They played traditional American folk and roots music. It wasn't music made for kids but it was music that the kids enjoyed. They even did some gospel. The highlight for me was when Bethany's father joined them onstage.
Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, is Bethany's father. They did a few songs together and ended the set with Puff the Magic Dragon. Watching them, I felt like a kid. Peter Yarrow decided that there would be no sad ending to the song today (perhaps because his 3 year old granddaughter was onstage singing with them at this point) so he improvised an extra verse where the little boy grows up and has a son of his own who seeks out and befriends Puff.
The finial act was Ralph's World. I did not know them but heard nothing but good things about them. Seeing them live, I understand why. They are really good. The kids loved them and if the screaming moms behind were any indication, so did the adults. Caleb started to wake during the end of their set and danced a little but was far to tired to do much.
After the show ended, Caelyn went to meet Ralph and get a picture. It is getting pretty ridiculous. She has it in her head that at every show she attends, she should be able to get on stage or at least meet the band. Of course, this is probably because at almost every show she has gone to, she either ended up on stage or met the band.
We finally got home around seven and turned dinner over as fast as possible to get two very tired children to bed. Two very tired children, now sleeping soundly.
Today, at Summerstage in Central Park, was Global Family Day. Before we went to that though, one of Kerry's college friends was in town for a conference and met us at our church. After the service, we all went to lunch before he had to catch a flight back home.
(Before lunch with Kerry's college friend, Caelyn had to hop on our friend Donald's Ducati and rev the engine a little.)
After a nice lunch at Lyric diner, we drove uptown to head to Summerstage in Central Park. In addition to clowns and several booths of kid friendly items, many of which were free, there was live music and acrobatics. Other than brief clips on the internet, we were not familiar with any of the acts but the kids love live music so we guessed it would be a safe gamble.
The only question mark was the weather. It was hot. Not sure what the exact temperature was but mid to upper 90s was about right. Fortunately, there are some shady areas at summer stage. Unfortunately, none of the shade was up by the stage where our daughter has to be.
The first act to play was a group of four 13 year old kids. They were not bad. Excellent considering their age. The band could actually play and the female singer had a pretty good stage presence. Since our son loves girls that sing, I took him up front near his sister. He did get the singers attention and a wave but due to no nap and 90+ weather, he really didn't seem to notice.
The second band were good musicians but the singer was a bit to sing-songy for me. Caleb and I moved back into the shade. He was more interested in a nap anyway. Which is what he did. He decided that if he couldn't have his crib, I would be it and he passed out. I spent the next couple of hours with him laid out across me.
The third group to perform was Bethany and Rufus. They played traditional American folk and roots music. It wasn't music made for kids but it was music that the kids enjoyed. They even did some gospel. The highlight for me was when Bethany's father joined them onstage.
Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, is Bethany's father. They did a few songs together and ended the set with Puff the Magic Dragon. Watching them, I felt like a kid. Peter Yarrow decided that there would be no sad ending to the song today (perhaps because his 3 year old granddaughter was onstage singing with them at this point) so he improvised an extra verse where the little boy grows up and has a son of his own who seeks out and befriends Puff.
(Three generations of Yarrows singing together.)
The finial act was Ralph's World. I did not know them but heard nothing but good things about them. Seeing them live, I understand why. They are really good. The kids loved them and if the screaming moms behind were any indication, so did the adults. Caleb started to wake during the end of their set and danced a little but was far to tired to do much.
(Ralph joins the crowd for his last song.)
After the show ended, Caelyn went to meet Ralph and get a picture. It is getting pretty ridiculous. She has it in her head that at every show she attends, she should be able to get on stage or at least meet the band. Of course, this is probably because at almost every show she has gone to, she either ended up on stage or met the band.
(Caelyn with Ralph of Ralph's World)
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