Happy Halloween!

Axel and Oscar, 2014

More pics to come (parades and whatnot!) but for now, I present Pinchy Crab and Naughty Crab.

And here's a glance back at Axel's first two Halloweens, as a giraffe and an owl.

2012

2013

Hang in There Kitty

Williamsburg, 2014

Aaaand Will is sick now! I have theories about burn out, and other such things. But it has not dampened my Halloween excitement (sorry Will.)

I cannot wait to force the guys into their costumes and see what ensues. I am also thrilled for marathon weekend, which is always so nostalgic and seems so New York-y to me.

Axel and I tried out a class at the new Kidville playspace here, which was very cute. He was delighted with the hanging bars and tumble fort and so on. He was not so delighted with having to leave.

Now, back to work!

Homework

Axel, 2014

A picture of Axel's first homework assignment (A is for Axel.) I die of cuteness. Guess they start them young in New York...

Design Crush

Kit Kemp designs

Somehow I chanced on a few of these pictures of designs by Kit Kemp (she's worked on homes and hotels like The Haymarket Hotel in London and The Crosby Street Hotel in New York.) Oh Kit, you get me!

Timely

Williamsburg, 2014

I loved this story in the Times about the ghost of Sweetwater. When Will and I were first dating that was one of our favorite places; the piece gives such a good snapshot of some of the neighborhood's history.

We haven't been there in a while, but the burgers and cocktails are spot on, ghost or no ghost.

Brothers

Williamsburg, 2014

Tonight I put the boys down for bed in their room (I love that it's now their room) and walked out for a minute.

Axel was pretending to sneeze, and Oscar was laughing hysterically. This happened over and over again. I have no idea what they found so amusing about this little game, and I only heard a snippet of it, but it's very cool seeing their relationship develop (especially without the need for words.)

During the day, Axel is generally tolerant of Oscar, occasionally saying things like 'Don't smash my tunnel, Ozzy!' with a hint of 'This again?' exasperation. But I love the thought of them sharing a room and developing their own little rapport when we're not there to referee.

P.S. Here's a mini guide to the neighborhood I saw today. I agree with most of their picks!

Harvest Baby

Oscar, 2014

It's was impossible to get his brother in the picture, but here's Ozzy at the Harvest Fest in East River State Park this morning. And Axel at the same event (and wearing the same vest) last fall...

Heaven

Williamsburg, 2014

We took Axel for a walk this morning and stumbled upon this amazing Touch a Truck event.

It was a fundraiser for the mobile library bus the 'Booklyn Shuttle' (care of St. Nick's Alliance.)

Obviously, Axel was in heaven as he got to climb in and out of diggers, a UPS truck, a fire truck, a tow truck, and all manner of heavy lifting equipment.

Decemberists

Williamsburg, 2014

Happened upon The Decemberists' Colin Meloy busking on the corner of Bedford and North 7th to promote the band's new album this morning (a nice way to break up some work...he played 'The Engine Driver', which reminded me of my misspent Williamsburg youth.) There were about 30 people at first, and maybe 150 by the time I left. Very cool!

Happy Friday

Oscar, 2014

This guy is so sweet. Whenever he thinks Axel is playing with him (even if Axel's really just playing near him) he completely lights up. 'I am part of things!'

As of about a week now they've been sharing a room, and Oscar's been sleeping through the night (at least until around 6, when I bring him into our room.) He's starting to try to pull himself up while holding onto me, which is also very endearing. He's also the fastest, most determined crawler I've ever seen. He goes from zero to sixty, seriously.

Etc.

Williamsburg, 2014

It's a gloomy day in Brooklyn but such is life!

I've ordered the boys' Halloween costumes, which may or may not be matching (you'll have to wait and see if I can wrestle our fellows into them.)

I made some butternut squash soup with apples and carrots, which was a success.

Axel is feeling better, but has now morphed into a screen-obsessed zombie, waking up this morning saying, grumpily: "Where's my pad?!" (iPad.) Uh oh.

And we are gearing up for a little East River State Park harvest festival this weekend, plus seeing Gone Girl, if we can muster the energy to stay out past dark...

Sick Day

Axel, 2014

Here's Axel, home from school today with a tummy bug and basking in the electronic glow of Planes with some Pedialyte and his duck.

It's been quite the month here, with one illness dovetailing into the next and everyone operating on very little sleep. November has got to be easier, right?

Traditions

Williamsburg, 2014

For months we've passed our neighbors on their way to early weekend dinners out in the neighborhood with their 2 year old, and it's pretty cute seeing her toddling down the block in search of Italian fare.

Last night we tried the same, with Axel and Ozzy in tow, and headed to Oregano for homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Apart from some projectile pizza crusts it was a success (which I attribute to the B.Y.O.B. policy and family vibe.) I just have to master the art of eating while carrying Oscar in the Baby Bjorn as I'm afraid he got a bit showered in broccoli rabe. It was a bit chaotic but kind of glowy and warm and funny nonetheless.

Mostly Will and I reserve dinner out for times when we have a sitter, but it was really cute going out as a foursome. The waitress couldn't have been nicer and a family next to us, with three teenagers, seemed by turns bemused and sympathetic. It was also nice to put the kiddos to bed without facing the whole to-cook-or-Seamless dilemma.

Reintegration

Williamsburg, 2014

The temperatures dropped by around twenty degrees overnight, a reminder that this autumnal thing is really happening, like it or not. We are getting back into the swing of things in Brooklyn, or trying to.

Somehow a low key weekend at home reminds me of all the projects I've been meaning to get to, work-related and otherwise....

Oscar: Seven (and a half) Months Old

Oscar, 2014

Oscars's hobbies at seven and a half months old include: sitting, toppling over, chasing the cat, following Axel's every move, coughing, wearing 12-18 month old sized clothing, and giving impish smiles. He weighs some 20 pounds and 4 oz.

Friday Antics

Williamsburg, 2014

Axel had a great day at school followed by ice cream with mama and a rooftop playdate with one of his school friends.

It was a gorgeous afternoon and I'm thrilled to report that we have no plans for the weekend whatsoever except a hair cut for the little guy. Ahhhhh!