These Boots Are(n't) Made for Walking.

Guess it runs in the family.  I liked wearing my dad's cowboy boots and now Lulu likes wearing mine.  Looks great but not so conducive to mobility.

Lesa in Dad's Boots.  Circa 1973?  (Nice shag carpet. Wow.)

Lulu in Mom's boots. 2011.  (Better carpet.)

And You Thought Sinks Were for Washing Your Hands.

fun.

Our friend Rachel Antonoff is really, really great.  But according to Cavan the best thing about Rachel is her boyfriend Nate.  It just so happens that Nate is the singer of a fantastic band called fun.  Cavan started listening to them and quickly became obsessed.  Like, knows-every-word-to-every-song-and-everything-about-every-band-member- (especially Nate) -obsessed.  Come to our house and he'll show you every video the band ever made and, if you're lucky, he might even construct a microphone out of tinker toys and perform some fun. songs for you.  We arranged for Cavan to meet his idol and they were instant friends.  Cavan sang some of Nate's own songs to him and before you knew it they were playing Candy Land together.  Now that's cool!

Cavan and Nate

Cavan with his tinker toy microphone singing to Nate with his backup singer Rachel.

The McHale's Love Rachel and Nate!

Sunday Brunch and an Explosion of Babies

Lesa, Jennine, Simona and Jen.  We met over a decade ago when we were all single girls living in the big city and working at one of the most well known beauty PR firms in the city.  A crazy boss and crazy lives brought us together and we've been friends ever since.  The expense accounts and crappy studio apartments have long since been replaced by great husbands and, apparently, lots and lots of kids.  Sunday brunches may not be held at the latest, hottest restaurant and the conversation may revolve around sleep patterns and runny noses instead of the latest Marc Jacobs collection but none of us would trade it for the world.  Ladies and gentlemen....our Little New Yorkers:

Harlow Levin, Presley Levin, Oscar Lihn, Gray Levin, Charlie Lavyne, Lulu McHale, Ceci Lihn.

Lulu was particularly enchanted by one of Harlow's toys.  Charlie's dad was there to capture the fascination.

A mouthful of bagel and hints that naptime might be approaching.  A fun Sunday Brunch indeed.

The McHales by Drew Lavyne

We went to go visit our friends Drew and Jennine and meet their beautiful new baby boy Charlie.  Not only did Lulu come away from the visit with a great new pal, but we came away with some great family photos courtesy of Drew's cool camera.  Thanks Drew!  We look forward to many happy playdates with the Lavynes!

Daddy and his very serious (and teething) Mini Me.

Yes, even daddies have noses!

A rare shot of a camera-shy mama and baby Lu.

The Blizzard of 2010 - An Epic Tale of McHale Adventure

We were lulled to sleep by flurries and awoke to a window half obscured by snow and wind whipping the flakes into MOMA worthy sculpture.

We opened the door to reveal a snow fossil.  The imprint of wood in snow.  That stayed put.  Like an icy child safety gate.

The base of a "snurfing" run or an alternate view of the police precinct? You tell us.

We decided to bundle up and brave the elements.  Lulu chose leopard.

And Cavan, Mommy and the dogs discovered the street was better suited to walking than the sidewalk.

Daddy + Lulu = Sugar Sweet Snowshine.

The 'hood.  Looking down Loisaida.

A snow angel testing out her wings.

The big news of the day?  A city bus grounded for 14 hours. Skidded, swerved and....stuck.

Mama and Lulu survey the scene.

As does big Brother Cavan.

The sun shines over the disabled bus as workers (on the opposite side of the vehicle) work to clear snow and traffic and allow the tow truck to clear the scene.  The bus driver is tired.

A giant, shiny orange snow plow pitches in to help.  St Nicholas Carpatho Church stands stoic in the background making sure all is well.

 We retreat to Tompkins Square Park where Cavan engages in snowball warfare. A battle ensues.

But Mommy captures the soldier and forces him to hug and pose for the camera.

Meanwhile our snow leopard battles a runny nose.

Mommy and Cavan found an unfettered batch of snow covered ground that we decided to adorn with snow angels.

Cold, tired and hungry, the crew returned to home base for hot chocolate, marshmallows and doughnuts (with white powdered sugar according to Cavan's lips).  The sustenance of champions.

Once the chill wore off we decided to check out the roof and turn the guard dog loose.  (If you guessed that she's embarrassed by the argyle sweater, you've guessed right).

We didn't last long out there (it was cold!!).  But long enough for Lulu to spot something funny...

The end.

Lulita the Eskimo

Livin' Like the Iroquois

As part of the their Iroquois study at NEST+m, third graders were asked to construct their own model of an Iroquois longhouse.  Cavan and Greg went to Tompkins Square park and gathered sticks, wood, stones, grasses and sand to use in the model. Then they planned where everything would go and set to work building the main structure.  They added a stream, trees, fire pit, rocks and paint.  

The finishing touch was the addition of a turtle above the longhouse door.  The Iroquois used animal names for their Clans.  Behold the abode of the Turtle Clan.

Happy Howl-o-ween!

Here are your goblins Grandma!

A Top Gun...

And a ladybug...

In the Infantry.

Peek-a-Boo!

Lulu sees you!

Taking Charge of Mealtime

Ahh the joy of utensils.  Lulu is discovering that forks are fun.  Mommy is discovering that they create new a whole host of new messes.  Who doesn't enjoy flinging peas over their shoulder?

Little Ladybug

Here's the Ladybug Lulu showing off some of her new birthday clothes. Accessorized with a big smile of course.  Tres chic!

So Famous They Named a Road After Her

Somewhere between Dension and Lubbock, on Highway 82 just east of the thriving Metropolis of Henrietta, Texas, lies the most fabulous of all roads.  Many thanks to Grandma for sending us this shot, taken en route home from her high school reunion (we don't name years). Auntie Krista and Grandma have long admired this sign but, until now, haven't gotten quite the right angle.  Mission accomplished.

xx The McHales

Ladies and Gentlemen....J Lu!

You've heard of J Lo and K Fed and Brangelina.  Even the more obscure K Stew or Robsten.  But here's your sneak peek at the latest, hottest couple to be stalked by papparazzi (and Perez Hilton).  It's J Lu!  Julian Perez (a modern day James Dean and lead singer of the Grammy award winning J Dolls) and Lulu McHale (lead actress in the top grossing film of the year).  Stand back ladies and gents....they're ready to make their grand entrance!

ONE YEAR OLD!

It's hard to believe it's already been one year. It seems like just yesterday we were counting the minutes in anticipation of her arrival. In celebration of Lulu's first year, we had a Ladybug party for our little bug.  Mommy and Daddy spent many hours making red pom poms out of yarn to have flying ladybugs hanging from the ceiling.  (It's harder than it looks!)

Ladybugs were everywhere!  Marching up the walls, hanging from the ceiling, clinging to the fridge, and lounging on the furniture.  They even showed up on the cake!

Speaking of which, we really thought our ladybug would be more interested in her sweet treat than she was.  True she appreciated the artistry (and was attracted to the flame).

But soon she was swarmed with a bunch of crazed cake pushers!  Maybe this ladybug doesn't have such a sweet tooth.

At the end of the day it was a great start to this whole birthday thing.  She may have liked the paper and boxes more than the presents, but she definitely loved her guests (best buddy Julian, Henry, Faye, Scott, Aunt Becky) and of course, as always, her doting big brother.....

It's been an amazing year.  Looking forward to many more.

The Blair Lulu Project