Beach day.

Here's what's rad about today: #1 It's officially summertime. #2 You can live in NYC and decide at the last minute you need a beach fix and actually make it happen. Same day. #3 With a simple click on your smartphone you can get a car (thanks nifty Hertz iPhone app) and have it picked up, packed and ready to go within 45 minutes. #4 In a half an hour your toes are in the sand and your kids are running wild like crazed beach rats. 

We fell madly in love with the down-to-earth, rough-around-the-edges Rockaways last summer and we were so happy to be back there today. Sandy dealt a cruel blow but she didn't make off with the beauty, spunk and spirit of this place. Families, kids, lovebirds, surfers, people old and young, black and white, populate this sandy stretch and it just feels timeless. Old school somehow. Comfortable.

And now, here we are back at home. It's 5pm and we're sun kissed and sand rinsed. Frosty beverage in hand as I blog. Prepped and ready to grill some fresh lobsters on the Green Egg.  Life is good indeed and we're reminded yet again of why we so dearly love this crazy town we call home.

#greatday

Congratulations graduate.

It's been a big week in our house. The final report card yielded a round of applause and then it was time to prepare for the 5th grade graduation and the first school dance. It truly feels like it was just yesterday when my little man first walked into Nest+m to begin his kindergarten year. There were lots of tears in those first days. Apprehension and nervousness. But over the years, in addition to learning things like math, science and writing, he also gained confidence and developed an infectious sense of humor. He fell in love with baseball and basketball and made lots of friends. And in the blink of an eye six years have passed and I'm watching my baby walk across the stage and into the next, momentous phase of his life.

And naturally I cried like a baby.

After watching his little sister's end of year performance it was time to rest up and get ready for the big 5th grade dance.  He met up with some of his pals for a pre-dance dinner and off they went. By all accounts it was a good time. Maybe not much dancing this year (girls are still slightly icky) but definitely lots of goofing around and laughing til the wee hours (of 9pm). Its been so amazing to watch these kids grow. I've known many of them since Cavan's years at My Little Village.  They were 3 then, now they're Tweens! I remember 6th grade well and I couldn't be more excited for the exciting things I know await my little man. I love him so much. My heart swells with pride. Life is a series of adventures. Here we go Cavan Shane!

Last Day of School.

It's been a great first year of school for the little ladybug. She loved every day of it. She adores her teachers and has made some great friends along the way.  And just like her big brother before her, I'm sure we'll be seeing many of these kids grow into little ladies and gentlemen in the coming years.

To celebrate summer and the last day of school, parents and friends got together in a local garden for a performance by the caterpillars and a potluck lunch with insane amounts of food.  The kids ran amok and created little houses and forts in the greenery.  The parents chatted and complained about the heat.  Everyone was tired at the end.

I'm so glad that Lulu got to have the same amazing experience at My Little Village as Cavan did.  Next year she'll move up and go to pre-k at Earth school with her pal Julian.  And with any luck she'll follow her big brother's footsteps all the way to Nest+m!

MVP.

This little dude may not have been on the best team of the season but his skill and sportsmanship shone through nonetheless and he was selected to be on the All Star team.  And today he proved that he earned that spot.  There was a BIG WIN for the red team and, as you can see, a big toothy grin to top the big event off.  So proud of  my little man, not just today, but every day.  We love you so much Cavan! You're the MVP in this house! xx

El shed.

My weekend warriors trucked out to Brooklyn to find some reclaimed wood and in two (blisteringly hot) days they completed this gorgeous shed for our rooftop garden.  Somebody bring these guys some lemonade!  (The one in the middle didn't do much exccpt complain about the noise of the saw but she insisted on being in the picture too.) xx