Monkey Baby

We stumbled into a giant stoop sale on Perry Street when my parents were in town. Someone took pity on Harper, who had to sit in the stroller not touching any of the highly overpriced but not-useless junk, and gave her a monkey (to keep) while her mother and grandmother raked through bins and boxes looking for treasure. I fully intended to toss it in the trash as soon as we walked around the corner. But Harper was really glad to have him along for the ride so I decided to wait until we were home again. And by then it was too late.

A monkey wearing a patriotic bow tie and blue boxing gloves had stolen Harper's little heart. She calls him her baby, wants him wrapped in a blanket, offers her pacifier, and food to eat, tells me when he has a "poo-pee" diaper, and bounces him in the bouncy seat. Sure, I have shown her how to do a few of these things. I make no apologies for it. And I admit that wrapping the monkey up in a blanket and showing Harper how to rock him to sleep makes me want to have another little baby.

Marc has not joined me in making the monkey feel like a part of the family. I find the monkey in dusty corners behind chairs, lying face down high on the bookshelf, staring at the wall under tables. I know Marc is asking how this could have happened. And it's hard not to feel like we've failed somehow. We buy the wooden toys and handmade dolls from Germany and Sweden, so why does she want to love an over-stuffed monkey that was made in China?

Practically dancing on air in excitement

Going Outside Some More

Harper preferring the dirty blue swing again

The school in the background was closed for the swine flu last week. We had the playrgound all to ourselves.

Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon

Harper had a thing for high heels a couple weeks ago (until she got a thing for purple plastic shoes last Friday.) Watch her work it in these 3" heels. I don't know how we're related.

Memorial Day

Marc took us on a Memorial Day bike tour last Monday.

First stop: General Grant's tomb.

Behind the national memorial is a 36-year-old mosaic tile bench called The Rolling Bench. Pedro Silva designed it. Lots of local school children helped him make it to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first national park, Yellowstone (President Grant signed the act that established the first national park). When The Rolling Bench was completed in the early 1970s, it stood as the largest public art project in U.S. history. The bench was restored last summer by more local school children and members of the community.

Next stop: Irish Hunger Memorial

One view from on top of the memorial

Another stop: Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States

Another stop: Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The glass wall is etched with letters, diary entries and poetry written by Americans during the war. When we arrived there was a small ceremony underway with veterans lined up in two or three rows. The microphone they were using was so lousy it was impossible to understand one word. And the helicopters and other UFOs that were flying around for Fleet Week only added to the problem. I thought the whole scene was just sad.

We rode one block west to Fraunces Tavern where George Washington bade farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War.

Last stop: Trinity Church where we saw graves and memorials for plenty of famous people, including Alexander Hamilton.

This is the first time I have done anything to remember anyone on Memorial Day. (Not that Memorial Day is the only day to remember people.) We learned a few things, and it was nice to be riding around on such a beautiful day getting sunburned.

Cake

Marc's mom started it. An angel food cake covered in whipped cream, caramel sauce, and crushed Heath bars. Erin helped me make the first one. And now I make angel heath cakes every May 20th. This year was the first year I had a helper. (Except for 2003 when Erin taught me everything she knows.)

Taking the Annual Angel Heath Cake Break.

Happy Birthday Marc

At 30 Marc still has mad hops. (Although this picture was taken when he was 28.)

As an early birthday present to Marc, I said I would join him and Harper on a bike ride around the Central Park loop last night. I am not sure if it's fair for me to have enjoyed Marc's birthday present more than him. I hope we can make the same trip for my birthday this fall.
The Lakers also offered an early birthday present to Marc by winning the first game in the Western Conference Final last night. And people say Kobe is selfish.
We ate imported chocolate granola (that I thought I had carefully hidden in our suitcase but that Marc knew about all along), and (successfully hidden) rhubarb jam for breakfast. Yes. Cold cereal and toast with jam for a 30th birthday breakfast. I thought it was pure genius. I hope you did, too, Marc.

And we hope ya know we always have a good time when you're around.

Love,
Harper + Sunny

Conveniently Located

We like to wander across the street every day to play in this nice park. Or we like to wander across the street to play in this nice park when it is open. We hope we get a key soon.

We also like it when friends walk all the way over to the Far East to play with us. Visitors are always welcome. Especially when they bring fresh fruit.

Park City

We have all been waiting anxiously for the opening of the new garden across the street since we saw the workers building a little play house for people like Harper. Waiting over. Today was the official opening of the Home Depot Foundation Community Garden. Harper and I were outside a full 45 minutes before it opened. This was the smartest thing I've done all week. Not only did we get on the official guest list (because someone official couldn't make it), we were also the first to get inside the play house, to Harper's screaming delight. Oh, and Bette Midler asked me if I lived in the neighborhood.

Harper explores in the only Nature Explore Club in New York City.

The famous people and cute, local school children cut the ribbon.

Harper gets excited to see the caged pigeon. She also rubbed a snake's belly and stroked a squirrel's soft, furry back. (So did I.)

Harper and her friend had the place to themselves when the cute, local school children had to go back to school.

Going Outside

Now that the weather is getting warmer we are taking advantage of it by riding bikes to the park and eating dinner in the grass.

Harper would lie on the ground but wouldn't let her feet or hands touch the grass.

Harper made friends (and faces) with neighboring picnickers.

New York City : 8

Graffiti Wall of Fame
106 & Park

Putting on Make-up

Harper loved getting up with Grandma every morning to put on make-up.

West Village to the Lower East Side for a happy Mother's Day good food roundup

When my mom was here we wandered out one morning to celebrate Mother's Day. We had soft vanilla waffles with cloudberry sauce at Smorgas Chef for brunch and $24 worth of doughnuts from Doughnut Plant for a snack later. And we wandered a lot in between.

The man behind the counter at D.P. thought Harper was cute enough to receive a free drink. Of course I think so, too.