Photo Friday: A Brooklyn Water Tower?

Sept. 29, 2015 - Seen from Brooklyn Bridge Park

A Day at the Columbus Zoo

Neither Edith nor Atticus had ever been to a zoo, and I couldn't remember the last time I had visited. So when Paul had a Monday off at the beginning of the month, we headed to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

My idea of a good time doesn't involve being surrounded by animals. Nevertheless, I did want to see the newish Africa area of the zoo -- particularly the giraffes. I got my wish but didn't realized until we got there how close I was to being disappointed. The exhibit was to already have been closed, but the weather was so warm that day (about 70 degrees) that the giraffes were out.

We saw lions and tigers and bears as well as monkeys, fish and rhinos. The kangaroo exhibit was locked, but we did see penguins, flamingos and animals that I'd never even heard of.

Of course, toddler Edith often seemed more excited by the playground and statues to climb on, but it was a fun, exciting day. After about five hours of exploring, she was practically asleep before we left the parking lot that afternoon.

Photo Friday: Sharing Secrets

Nov. 2, 2015

Happy 3rd Birthday, Edith!

Sept. 12, 2015

They say the days go by slowly, but the years go by fast. Never have three years passed by any quicker than the last three with Edith. Her third birthday is already this Saturday.

How much has changed since 2012! The little baby of yesterday is now running and jumping and easy to make laugh. She's singing songs and playing games. She's not only talking, but conversing.

Numbers, letters, colors, shapes -- those are all old hat. Now she wants to know how words are spelled and demands books by name. Her favorite question: "What's that?" No longer content with a toy or two, she wants to create. Blocks, watercolors and Play-Doh are popular with her right now.

She's a wonderful big sister and watches out for her little brother (even if it's just to keep him away from her toys!). She'll ride in the stroller reluctantly, much preferring to give up her seat to Atticus so that she can walk. And she's anxious to get out the door if we're going to the library, playground, store or grocer.

With these new preferences, skills and vocabulary come new challenges. This girl has a mind of her own. But even on the most frustrating of days, I wouldn't change her for the world.

Oct. 17, 2015 - First time at the movies (Inside Out)

Nov. 2, 2015 - Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Photo Friday: NYC's Silver Towers Playground

Even I want to go down this slide! Located on West 42nd Street, near the Hudson River.

Edith, Sept. 28, 2015

A City Island Wedding

The wedding of two good friends in New York is what prompted our trip there during the last week of September. It also was the perfect excuse to visit a part of the city that I'd never before seen: City Island.

City Island is a part of the Bronx a good hour from where we lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. While you can see the Manhattan skyline in the distance, the vibe is about as far from Times Square as you can get. It feels much more like a New England fishing village. In fact, it's known for its seafood.

The ceremony was held at the City Island Yacht Club, on a pier overlooking sailboats and the sunset. It was a beautiful setting for two wonderful people and a lovely way to see a corner of New York that I otherwise probably never would have.

Photo Friday: Madison Square Park Mirror Installation

New York City, Sept. 27, 2015

Edith's First Trick or Treat

Ladybug Edith, King Paul and Atticus with his dino feet

Edith was not quite a year old for her first Halloween, so she helped us pass out treats on our front porch. Last year, at nearly two years old, she might have had fun going door to door, but we were on vacation.

So this was the year: Edith's first trick or treat. She dressed up in her ladybug costume and went up and down the street with Paul, while Atticus and I stayed behind to pass out chocolate and stickers.

We passed out about 80 treats and still had some leftover. Plus Edith brought home a handful of candy, thus continuing the time-honored tradition of toddlers collecting delightful foodstuffs for their parents on Halloween. (Although, of course, in Columbus trick or treat is often not on Halloween itself. This year it was two days early, on Thursday.)

Trick or treat was nearly as fun for us adults. We visited with our next-door neighbors and chatted with other friends and parents who stopped by with their kids. How different than when I was a kid, when we hopped in the car and stopped only at houses that were known to us within a radius of a few miles. Both were fun, but very, very different.