Happy 4th Birthday, WESLEY!

Dear Wesley,

Four amazing years have passed by, it's hard to believe!  You are such a fun loving charming boy.  I'm loving your personality and how you get so attached to your toys!  I've heard of kids sleeping with their stuffed animals, but I find it so endearing to see you tucked in bed with your Speed Racer cars held tightly--one in each hand as you're sound asleep!  Your smile is so genuine.  Thank you for caring about me and wanting to always be close.  It was so cute today when you were ahead of me on the trail and you turned around to ask, "Mom, are you ok?!"  I hope you always maintain that great quality to look after your MOM!

You have an amazing memory.  I love how you know all about Sharks and which ones are the most dangerous.  Who knew there was one called a "Wobbegong" or a "Basking?"  You certainly do.  It's so fun to listen to you talk about all the insects you know all about.

I love how you play with Sophia & Luke!  When you all get the giggles together, it's heaven on earth!  May you always be friends like you are now.

Here's to many many more Happy Birthdays, Wesley!  Now that you're 4, I think you should  be able to sleep in your own bed all night, though! ;-)

xoxo, 

Mommy

Fourth Birthday Party at Opening Day of WALL E

At the Interactive Bob Dylan Exhibit at the Skirball Museum, Los Angeles 2008

Fall 2007

Oakland Beach, 2007

Credit: Smith Chick Photography 

My prima BALLERINA!

It's that time of year--the culmination of the year's efforts!  Sophia had her ballet recital this weekend and it was so fun to watch her improvement through the last year's blood, sweat and tears! The recital was nearly 2 hours long, but she loved watching every minute of it.  Thankfully, the boys were at home peacefully playing with the babysitter!

Good job, Sophia! Daddy and I are so proud of you! xoxo

Here are the highlight photos:

Chocolate & the CITY!

Whenever my friend Anne has an idea for a party, there is always a level of fabulous to it!  I think this is one of the reasons that we hit it off so well from the 7 years that we have known each other!  We both have the motto: MAKE IT MEMORABLE. This week was our friend Chrysula's 40th birthday and Anne had the wonderful idea to surprise her with a chocolate tour of the City in a limo!  I was so excited after I got the invitation that the anticipation was almost as fun as the actual event!

10 of Chysula's friends arrived in their NY summer flirty attire and we embarked on a fun-filled 2 hour voyage in style!  Anne mapped out and researched 20 of the City's top chocolate boutiques hoping to hit them all, but the NYC traffic didn't allow it.  It didn't faze us though, we just enjoyed the traveling party with stops at 6 major chocolatiers plus Anne catered a gourmet picnic we toted along and ate in between stops complete with diet coke and sparkling water served in champagne flutes--pure class!  And who could forget that deliciously zesty pad thai served in darling colorful chinese take out containers and chopsticks?!

Highlights of the tour were the champagne truffles at Teuscher, the mini Rochers from La Maison du Chocolat and the wicked frozen chocolate with ancho and chipotle chili peppers at Jacques Torres--interesting and intense!

Chrysula, thanks for turning 40 in style!  You are the epitome of class and loveliness!  xoxo

Sophia's been published!

Sophia's had the great fortune of having two teachers in a row that are part of a writer's workshop program from Columbia University.  This year they each wrote and illustrated an essay and Mrs. Lee had them bound into a professional book for each of the students!  The parents were invited to the author's party yesterday for the unveiling of the book entitled, "Best Friends!"  Each student wrote about their best friends both animate and inanimate.  It was so darling to hear them each read their page and to see the hard work that they put into their story!  

It was a great exercise in public speaking as well as showcasing their work. 

Sophia wrote about her BFF Halle Kate who moved to Texas when we moved to Westchester.

Sophia & Halle Kate age 3 1/2 Central Park

Here is the video of her reading.  Great content if you're a grandparent!  LOL

Great job, Sophia!

(And yes, that IS a tank top she is wearing at school.  I'm much more comfortable with it when it's not snowing outside!)

A Night in Tuscany

Evan and I offered a dinner hosted in our home for a Service Auction a few months ago. We finally found a date that worked for everyone and made it happen last week. I thought I'd post the yummy dinner we prepared.  The lucky bidders were the Gibbs, the Jensons, and superstar Erin Thorn!  (check out this link, she really is amazing!)

We started off with two kinds of bruschetta, portobello with parsley and cannellini sage. (sorry, no photo, but just imagine toasted goodness packed with lots of flavor!)

The first course was an asparagus red pepper risotto, an Evan original based on techniques he learned in Tuscany.


Then I did a insalata mista in prosciutto cups. (mixed salad in prosciutto cups)


The main course was a pork roast with prunes in a honey glaze with roasted apples and new potatoes.


The grand finale was our favorite Crostata di Frutta (fruit tart with pastry creme)


Evan and I are a great team.  We love cooking together!  Buon Appettito!

Great Weekend!

We had a great Father's Day Weekend away on the shores of CT.  Here is a cute video I captured of Luke on the beach.

The ward where we spent Father's Day morning in Madison had the cutest idea to honor the fathers of the ward.  They baked 13 homemade pies and had them all cut and set out on plates in the cultural hall after church. The chairs were arranged in a few curved rows facing the middle of the hall and the partition accordion doors were closed.  After each father picked out his pie and sat, the doors were opened up to several rows of their primary children singing the sweetest Father's Day Songs both original and standard.  It was such a darling effect.  The pie was only for them and they all loved it!

Wesley made Evan a cake and a cute card that told him what he loved about him and what he loves to do with Evan and Sophia made Evan a tie that was decorated including his AGE and an essay about what she loves about Evan. And Luke just whined and giggled a lot on Sunday! We love you, Daddy Evan!

Almost FAMOUS...

After much anticipation, my big debut is finally ready!  You can see another 3:12 minutes of my "fame."(I think we're over the 4 minute mark by now, aren't we?!)  Only I'm not convinced it's really me.  I think they used a very realistic body double, and they put a fat suit on her!  Just kidding.  Great incentive to get fit when you see yourself on TV!  I have to say, I think I miss the days of rolling around in the pork mobile last Winter!  Wesley asked me today why we got rid of our "sthicker car!" It was fun to relive it in this spot.  Enjoy!

And before you think my days in the limelight are over, beware!!! Westchester 12 wants to do an interivew on me...I just need to get on the radio and then I'll be the Queen of all Media! LOL

Happy Happy Birthday Luke!

Yay!  Luke is ONE!  He can even show you with his finger when you ask him!

Luke is pure entertainment to the family.  We love watching his milestones.  And it's fun to have him join in the family tickle monster wrestles.

He is on the road to be a politician or pageant queen someday, I'm sure.  He loves to wave at anyone and everyone who he can engage!  It's quite the spectacle at Costco.

He has mastered the social laugh.  Whenever he hears someone laughing even in the other room, he cackles along. 

 

He is a gentle giant. 

I'm going to miss his waddle crawl now that he's starting to walk.  As he goes across the floor his toes turn up and his hips swing side to side!

I'm not going to miss the social biting phase, however!  He got both me AND Wesley yesterday really badly!  Let's hope he outgrows this phase by Preschool!

I love that he cries when the cleaning lady, Estela leaves.  He certainly has a crush on her!

I love that he eats most anything that is placed before him. Vegetables, Meats, Fruits, Grains, Cheeses! He is an adventurous eater, so he fits right in with the family.

Here's to many more years to come!  We love you, Lukey!

12 years of BLISS

To my Evan, I dedicate this post. 

(the rest of you can read ahead if you want or just listen to the music!)

You:

...have been up for all of my crazy adventures. Remember going to Nashville and Florida on a whim? What fun!

...are great at pulling together wonderful meals out of "nothing" in the fridge.

...are so supportive with all of my ideas. Like using leftover slate tiles as table chargers.

...are a true friend. Thanks for all the texts, emails, calls and notes.

...have shared your shoes with me.  Can you believe we wear the same size?!

...make beautiful kids. 

...are adorable when I catch you fibbing or sneaking things. Like food in the sunroom!

...complete and perfect me.

You're my "everything!"

Fun in the BERKSHIRES

Last weekend was a hit with the kids and the adults alike!  We spent the weekend in the Berkshires which is a mountain range in SW Massachusetts.  The geography and drive were reminiscent of Southern Germany.  Lots of rolling green hills, meadows, quaint farms and just plain loveliness!

Benton Brook Farm Egg Hunt--Otis, MA

The first part of Saturday was spent on the farm of some people we know from Westchester.  They hosted an egg hunt and picnic that got snowed out due to the weather in March this year.  The setting was just beautiful on this 100+ acre farm in the middle of somewhere.  The kids enjoyed the egg hunt in the rolling hills, tractor rides, bingo in the barn and just plain outdoor freedom.  The adults enjoyed great food, conversation, laying on blankets in the meadow and the relaxation!

The coincidence was that we have some other friends that just bought a 200 year old Inn next to Butternut Ski Resort that was on the SAME road as this farm where the egg hunt was and they had invited us up for Memorial Weekend!  We were so excited to see what Peter and Caitlin had been talking about these last few months.  We anxiously arrived to a quaint old Inn formerly known as The Turning Point.  

The Inn

Caitlin and Peter don't plan on being Inn Proprietors, but rather use it as their ski house for the winter months.  It had endless rooms and bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, a great backyard for the kids to roam all day and the lovely fragrance of lily of the valley wafting about when you walk outside. Caitlin's already been busy fixing the rooms up to her liking and making it into a fun weekend hideaway.

The McNally/Smith Clan at Bash Bish Falls, NY

Along the hike, Wesley had to do this bridge over and over!

I think it was the element of danger that got him.

Sophia was in heaven playing with Cricket & Grace

Peter, Me & Caitlin in their chef's kitchen

Evan entertaining us with one of his "original" songs

We had a blast over the weekend with hiking to waterfalls with Luke strapped to our backs, playing guitar, making and eating scrumptious food, and just kicking back with great friends!  The goat farm we visited had the most deliciously fresh cheese. Sophia is in heaven and I keep packing it in her lunch.  I'll bet she's the only kid in the 1st grade that has goat cheese and tomatoes for lunch!  She would literally sit and eat it like ice cream if I let her. Wesley fell in love with a few kids (baby goats) at the farm!

Rawson Goat Farm-- Monterey, MA

We went on a little hike on an old part of the Appalachian Trail.  Luke fell asleep right before we were heading out, so I just left him in the stroller and figured we'd go as far as we could with the stroller and I'd head back.  I went about a 1/2 mile up and then Evan, Peter and the kids continued on. When they got back, Wesley had the most adorable manhandled bunch of dandelions he had picked for me in a meadow.  He is such his Mamma's boy!

So glad Evan captured my flower picker on the hike!

Meet my WALKER!

This video was taken a week or two ago, but I think early walking is just so precious.  He's up to 3 or 4 steps now. I love to see the progression day by day.  I love to see how the competence waxes and wanes. I love to see how Frankenstein is alive in every toddler.  I love to see the perseverance. Fall, get up, walk, fall, get up, walk, fall, get up...  

I think we have a lot to learn from toddlers.

And I couldn't resist adding this video too! 

Luke provides a lot of entertainment for our family!!!

Way to go, LUKE!

Mother's Day Bronx style

Mother's Day was a very good day!  The morning was started with one of my favorite grown-up breakfasts--crepes and lemon curd & cinnamon sugar.  Then I was presented with some darling adornments picked out by my kids--some flower earrings and a turquoise color flat bead necklace. (Thanks, Evan, you're getting better every year!) I even got a mid-morning nap in!

We started a very humorous tradition a few years ago in that we spend Mother's Day afternoon on City Island at the end of the road at a place called Johnny's Reef Restaurant.  It's like a combination of Coney Island Boardwalk and the New York Stock Exchange Trading floor. (I'm not kidding!  You have to experience it on a busy day!)  It's really the antithesis of what most other people's Mother's Day's version is, but our family loves it.  Evan said he just couldn't wipe the smile off his face the whole time we were there.  The funny part is that it's mainly DEEP FRIED Seafood and all of you that know me, know I'm not a fan of any sort of seafood, yet, their chicken is good and the atmosphere is like no other, so I'm good with it.

We really stood out!

The "dining room"

All in all a great Mother's Day!  I felt honored and once again I cherish my kids, especially when they don't whine at me all day!

To Mothers: Past, Present & Future...

In celebration of Mothers, 

To my grandmother, who continues to nurture, show patience and peacekeeping: I have a lot to learn from you still!  91 and still going strong. Thanks for letting me tease you, "old lady"!  I love you, Grandma Buddy!

To my mother, who has instilled a love of entertaining, homemaking and travel.  Many of my adventures, I owe to you!  Remember a midnight pizza run in Siena?  Nothing could have tasted better that night!  Thank you for teaching me so many things, Mom! 

To myself, who has realized that there are many seasons to life and this one is particularly tiring, and particularly endearing with the abundance of learning and milestones.  May I get a good nap soon and treasure the mishaps of the days! (and there are many!)

To my Sophia, who has so many budding qualities of mothering I see everyday.  I am so proud of you and your love of your brothers. You are on the road to an amazing journey of motherhood!  Your sweet and spicy personality are a perfect complement!

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

xoxo, liz

Officially CRAZY for flowers!

In case you didn't know, Megan Sibbett and I are out of our minds!  We had the brilliant idea the other day to go down to the wholesale plant market.  Only thing is : A) It's only open from 1AM to 10AM and B) It's located in the deep Bronx  and  C) The best pick is right when it opens.  My impressions:  Yes, you get good deals and yes, the plants are wonderful quality and yes, it's worth the disruption of sleep.  I was and still am pleased with all I got, but overall, we had a sidesplitting time when our minds weren't functioning quite so clear due to the wind chill, the hour and the darkness.  It's literally in a dark parking lot at the Hunt's Point Fish Market.  

It was so funny to watch as the trucks would roll in and the masses would clamor to the approaching cargo and some would literally take their pick as the carts were being wheeled off the backside before they were even placed in their spots.  

The prices were pretty much what they dictated with little haggling tolerated.  I did manage to get one vendor to lower his prices by $2/flat, but most would say, "My prices only go up, lady, so don't mess with me!"  I would say the vast majority of vendors were selling for about 30% below retail, some even more.  

It was so interesting to see this underground culture emerge at 2AM.  Most were shop owners, lots of Koreans snatching up the hydrangeas for their corner markets and some Russians I heard and very few like me and Megan which are homemakers trying to save a few bucks and have a NY adventure!  The funniest part of the evening (and there were many) was the fact that it costs $5/car to enter the lot, so we decided to leave my car outside while we checked out the goods and before we committed another $5.  We never actually exited to retrieve my car, instead, we just put the excess that wouldn't fit inside Megan's car on top on the roof racks and you wouldn't believe the incredulous looks we got as people were shaking their heads envisioning the two giggling novices driving all the way home that way.  Little did they know were were going 100 yards outside the tollbooth to my car to make the transfer. I'm all for giving people a laugh! 

Overall, we learned a lot about Market etiquette (don't put aside what you're not going to buy an hour later or you will have the wrath of "Vinny from Jersey", have lots of cash on hand, bring a flashlight -- dark purple under sodium street lights is really neon pink during the day, it's ok to ask lots of questions about shade, water and planting, get there early and be prepared to wait for several trucks until you get what you want!  Can't wait to post the progress of my flora in a few weeks!  

Thanks Megan, you're a hilarious date!

I HEART Dolly!

Had a great night with Dolly! She rolled into Radio City today and we were lucky enough to get tickets to the sold-out show thanks to cousin Josh. She is one hot mamma! A great entertainer. A witty comic. And her self-deprecating humor is so charming. In the beginning of the show, she thanked every single person in the audience for choosing to spend their hard earned money on her. Then retorted, "And I really need the money...it takes a lot of money to look this cheap!!!" And her delivery was always impeccable. The jokes never ended. So funny when she started talking about the tabloids and referred specifically to several of the articles about her over the years. It takes a strong, genuine person to sail through all that with such candor! I have always been a fan because above all she is always kind and kind-hearted. Dolly, thanks for bringing God and Jesus into NYC tonight! The world needs more Dollys!

The day Wesley's dreams of growing up shattered...

Evan: Let's make a cake for mommy's party!

Wesley: What kind of party is mommy having?

E: It's her birthday.

W:  What kind of party is she having?

E: A 37th birthday party.

W: NOOOO!  What KIND of party?

E:  You just have parties when you grow up.

W:  How about a Spiderman party?

E: (laughing)

W:  We could do a Scooby Doo party!

E:  It's just a party.

He LOVES me!

My DH listened to my hints and now I have a new baby...

(...and this one doesn't keep me up at night with its teething and diaper changes!!!)

I have to say I am in love with this technological creation! It is:

a) pretty

b) chock full of fun things to do

c) a phone, but oh so much more!

d) a babysitter (hello, youTube!!!)

e) MINE!

The day was perfect:

Morning: a great garage sale where I got two cute new wrought iron beds for the guest room and then dumpster diving at GAP. Did you know that they just throw away those huge oversized frames around the store? How could I let them leave such a big carbon footprint with that "garbage", so I took a few to save the universe. (about the amount that Evan might not notice)

Afternoon: Came home to a darling birthday cake made by 8 loving hands and a set of 3 and 7 candles, and interestingly placed sprinkles. It was precious and delicious! Then all of the presents: artwork compliments of Sophia & Wesley, then the grand present! (see above)

Evening: The best Visiting Teacher EVER arrived on my doorstep promptly at 5pm so that Evan and I could have a night on the town. We took the Mini down to SoHo and just wandered, shopped and ate. It was divine! Got some fun gadgets at Sur La Table, then had a delicious dinner at Ideya, a Latin Bistro and finished it off with a trip to pinkberry! Have you tried pinkberry yet?! YUM!

Thanks for all the calls, notes and well wishes! 37 is going to be a great year!

Happy Birthday, Lizzie

For my birthday, I'm going to go unconventional and write about myself:

10. I'm spontaneous. Want to go to a movie at 9pm on a weeknight? I'm there. Wanna stop by to visit for a few minutes? Great, I'll pour you some limeade. Great deal on airfare and hotel in Vieques this weekend? Let's jet!

9. I love getting lost in the details of parties, events and life. Some people may say, why does it matter that all the towels are folded the same way to fit uniform in the closet, I say, it's like art in your home. Some may say, who cares if there are fresh flowers on the dinner table and fun coordinating plates--it matters to me. Got a party to plan? I'm on it!

8. I love maps. I've always loved to study them and look at the world and all the places I've never heard of and imagine life there. I can't believe how far away civilization is from some islands. Do those people feel isolated?

7. I love flowers. I wish I had the time and patience at this stage in my life to garden, and my latest attempt at planting seeds that grew into beautiful seedings failed last week when they all dried out in the warm sun. Oops. They were getting so big and full too. I guess I had better stick to buying cut flowers.

6. I'm addicted to Kettle Corn, Microwave Popcorn and only the Stop & Shop brand. I've never even looked at the label. I'm afraid to see what the calorie and fat count are.

5. My favorite color is navy blue.

4. I love garage sales except for the really depressing ones where everything is broken down, full of cobwebs and dust and looks like it came from the dumpster.

3. My favorite shows are all the reality ones. Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Survivor, Project Runway and American's Next Top Model. It's an interesting observation, but I love to watch how people evolve in a game situation and they really do or they are booted off.

2. I am the luckiest girl being married to Evan.

1. Sophia, Wesley and Luke haven't cried all day today and that's the best birthday present yet!

37 isn't so bad!

It's SPRING!

The Royal Star Magnolias are in full swing, that's how I know!  I wish I could paste the fragrance on this blog somehow because it's such a lovely smell.  Here is an example!




 The yard is coming back to life from its long, Winter sleep and we couldn't be more thrilled!  Welcome back SPRING!  

We missed you.

Does April Fool's last all month?!?!

Have you ever had things happening around you and you keep looking for the Candid Camera or Punk'd team to come out and say, hahaha, gotcha!??!?!

Last week, our cat Dolce started showing signs of a very infected mouth, so we took him to the Vet which ended up referring him to an oral surgeon in the Vet realm.  (Don't ask, just think lots of $$$$$$) Dolce, Luke and I arrived at Dr. Surgeon's office. (yes, that's really his name)  He pulled Dolce out of his carrier and I proceeded to pet him to calm him down.  The Dr. practically dove across the examining room to get my hand to stop caressing the cat because he was A L L E R G I C to cats.  Yes, a Vet that is allergic to cats!!!  I couldn't think of anything more ironic.  He immediately started wheezing and into a full blown attack as we was explaining to me how he was going to treat Dolce's mouth and all I could do was look at him in between his coughs and guttural throat clearings and think, "OK Ashton, you can come out now with your cameras!"  I really thought this doctor was putting one over on me.  Wouldn't you think he would take a proactive Claritin knowing that a CAT was coming in that day?!  I mean it was getting progressively worse as time went on.  I finally said, "Ok, do what you need to do and call me when I need to come get him."  I just wanted to get out of there so I could call Evan!

Then, I can't get over the fact that our pet Beta named Sparkle is a trick fish.  He knows how to play dead!  I'm not kidding!  Often, when I go downstairs in the morning to get breakfast going, I look over and Sparkle is on his side and I think, "Ok, today's the day that the fish gets flushed!"  But when I reach over to tap the glass, he spooks and goes swimming around his bowl!  OK, I know dogs, cats, horses and other animals that do the side sleep, but really, have you ever heard of a fish that sleeps on his side?!  When he really does die one day, I am apt not to believe him!  We should have named him "Wolfie."