An epic morning at The Central Park Zoo.

Lulu insisted that Daddy take the morning off Monday to continue our Animal Edification Series.  This stop was Central Park's Zoo.  We were both overwhelmed by how beautiful and lush it was right here in the middle of Manhattan.

We strolled through the paths and saw penguins, a polar bear sleeping in the distance, a quick glimpse of a snow leopard, a ton of birds and this little guy…a red-tailed panda watching us slowly pass by.

Then we came out of the trees and passed by the snow monkey habitat on our way to see the seals being fed.  Lulu couldn’t stop giggling at their bark as the trainers tossed them buckets of little fish.

With the morning almost gone and an exhausted couple of kids (big and little) we hiked over to the petting zoo where Lulu and Daddy pet a huge black angus, some sheep, an alpaca or two, two pigs, and, of course, THE GOATS!

What an amazing moring!

Lions and Tigers and Elephants, Oh My!

The last week has been maelstrom of congestion, traffic, frustration and muck thanks to a 9/11-related terror threat, a Presidential visit, a United Nations session and, well, Mother Nature's contribution....heavy rain.

On Saturday morning we decided a good old-fashioned museum visit would be just the thing.  Lulu had never been to the Natural History Museum, and with 5 or 6 visits under his belt Cavan was feeling like quite the tour guide.  We started at the elephants.

And then Big Brother pointed out the virtues of the stately ostrich.

After visits with birds, giraffes, bears, reptiles, gorillas, Plains Indians and the Hall of Biodiversity we were all ready to call it a day.  Rainy weekends aren't so bad after all.

Update: 9/11/2011

A package arrived this weekend from the Tuesday's Children Foundation.  Inside was a t-shirt, magnet and handwritten note addressed to Cavan thanking him for his efforts on 9/11/2011.

We love our Cavan.

A warm September morning in the McHale household.

Love my girls!  -GMac

9/11/2011

Today was a day of reflection and remembrance.  Remembrance of the people who lost their lives, the brave first responders, the survivors, the nightmares, the emotional scars and the first glimmers of hope in the aftermath of 9/11/2001.  It was also a day spent remembering the many reasons we love the city we call home.

This morning we watched the memorial ceremony on tv with our hearts in our throats and tears in our eyes.  But we spent the afternoon with smiles and laughter and feelings of gratitude for NYC and our amazing community.  Cavan and his friend Cate decided to set up a lemonade and cookie stand to raise money for the Tuesday's Children Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the children of 9/11.

The sale was a huge success and the kids stayed until the last cookie was sold and the last drop of lemonade drained from the cooler.  But with vendors as cute as these two (plus a pint sized New Yorker as an assistant) how could they fail?

Lulu, Cavan and Cate

The little assistant was eager to help but also had trouble keeping her hands out of the cookie jar.  Note the telltale evidence smeared on her face.

Customers came from up and down the block: neighbors, friends, strangers, and policemen from the precinct across the street who made sure to let the kids know how much they appreciated their efforts.  (The fact that they were selling without the proper permits was quietly overlooked.)

After tallying the day's receipts the kids will write personal letters to the foundation to send along with a check that may be small in number but is huge in love.  We couldn't be more proud of these thoughtful, bright and compassionate children.

And today, tomorrow, and forever, we will love New York City.

Fourth Grade!

It's back to school time for Cavan Shane.  This year he's in 4th grade and not only did he score a great teacher, but his good pal Dawson is in the same class!  (The jury is out on whether this is actually good news.  I guess the first report card will tell us all we need to know.)  Looking forward to another great year at Nest+m!

Resident Fourth Grader

Meanwhile, Cavan Enjoys a Thousand Island Adventure!

While his summer may not be as long as those I enjoyed in my youth, Cavan Shane certainly packs a ton of adventure into a couple of months!  In addition to trips to Southampton and Queechy Lake, as well as a birthday jaunt to Dorney Park with dad, mom and bbf Hen, he, most recently went to Papa Mama's beach house and enjoyed an exciting boat tour which, clearly, he loved!!  What better way to usher in 4th grade?

We love Cavan Shane!!  xx, Mommy

Breezy Point: Labor Day 2011

There is simply no place like Breezy.  We can't imagine any other town on earth where we'd be ok with just letting our kids disappear out the back door.  It's kind of like stepping off the canvas of a Norman Rockwell painting.  And lucky for us, our friend Jennine grew up going there and her dad Bruce is simply the most amazing host ever.

We went to see Jennine's family, including her husband Drew and their adorable baby Charlie, over Labor Day weekend and our photog friend Drew once again captured moments that we adore.  Like a dream come true we drove 45 minutes away from Manhattan and arrived in Queens to enjoy sand, surf, kids and tons of fun with our pals.

While the ocean side provides gorgeous waves, the bay side boasts an awesome playground and an amazing view of Manhattan and the Empire State Building.

Mommy and Daddy love Breezy!!  xx