Lenny take New York City

After we'd been in New York for two days Lenny turned to me and said, "MOM! Let's pretend we're New Yorkers! We can talk about how boring Toronto is*!"

*Don't worry, Toronto, when we got home she announced that her home felt "fresh and new to her".

My kid took to New York (or as she would say You Nork) like a fish to water.

We'd all be here all day if I got into too much detail about this trip (and if you follow me on social media you saw it all happen in real time) but I feel the need to record a few moments for posterity. It was one of the best trips I've ever taken and it served as a reminder of the joy that friendship, travel and music can bring.

Our dear friend and gracious host Céline made sure that Len's first time in the big apple was full of magic. Our first night in the city we were treated like VIPs at Birdland.  The kiddo had such a blast that first night (jazz! showtunes! personal attention! buttered noodles!) that we went back several times during our stay. Each visit was more magical than the next. Birdland is now one of her favourite places on the planet!

^^^ Lenny gets up close and personal with the best and the brightest (and nicest) in NYC at Birdland. L - R, Christine Ebersole, Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso and Kenny Ascher.  Special thanks to Gianni Valenti, owner of Birdland, for taking Lenny under his wing. Seriously, these are some of the greatest memories ever, right here.

We saw the sights, including Barnum's Bones (DINOS!!!) and Lenny did a lot of "nature sketching" in Central Park.

I'd say seeing Stevie Wonder close out his Songs in the Key of Life tour at Madison Square Garden is a great "first concert" wouldn't you?  She was out of her seat dancing and asleep by intermission. So it was kind of perfect.

By the end of the trip, Lenny was convinced that she was, in fact, Eloise. Not one to discourage this kind of thinking, we had to come home with a full Eloise costume, naturally.  A few more updates from the trip to come...

Summer Reading List

Tonight at bedtime I got a little too excited telling Lenny about the reading incentive programs they used to have at the Toronto Public Library when I was growing up. You'd get a piece of paper stamped every time you read a book. That was the big incentive. What? I remember it being so exciting. Reading was the reward, I guess. It got me to thinking about what I want to put on my reading list this Summer. Here's where I'm at so far...

1. Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht - Before we knew who Aliza Licht was, we were all following @DKNYPRGirl on Twitter. I'm looking forward to Licht's insights into Social Media.

2. Yes Please by Amy Poehler - What's weird is that I haven't read this yet.

3. #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso - I'm not sure about this one, to be honest. I can't decide if I'm going to find her annoying or inspiring. I guess the only way to find out is to read the book. And I'm curious enough to do that, so bonus points for that, Amoruso.

4. Believer by David Axelrod - I think I might be in love with David Axelrod, so it would be kind of rude if I didn't read his book this Summer, right?

5. Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard - It's a memoir with recipes. I think that qualifies as delightful Summer reading, don't you? It sounds vaguely escapist, which is just what the doctor ordered sometimes, especially if you find yourself on the beach or poolside.

6. Serve It Forth by MFK Fisher - Last year one of my Summer reads was Provence 1970, written by Fisher's nephew Luke Barr. I loved every page of that book. Barr really brought the people it was about alive. Julia Child, James Beard and most especially, Fisher. I've been excited to dive into her work ever since.

7. The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher - Because I have a feeling one isn't going to be enough. And I want to be MFK Fisher when I grow up.

8. A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain - Because I've read all the other books he's written. Damn it, Tony! Write a new book!

9. Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods - This is Young Adult Fiction, but after reading my friend Tanya Gough's wonderful YA novel Root Bound, I'm more open to that than I used to be. I imagine it will be a quick, compelling read, with a New Orleans backdrop. Who knows? Maybe in a couple of years it will be something that Lenny and I can read together (I know we'll be reading Root Bound)!

10. Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz For Justice by Tad Hershorn - I love Hershorn's writing and Granz is a personal hero. I can't wait to dig into this!

11. Can You Hear Me Now? by Michael Eric Dyson - It's been a good 5 years since I've read any Dyson and this seems like the right place to get my fill this Summer. He's got a way with words, this man.

12. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris - Because this is the only Sedaris I haven't read yet and I need to rectify that as soon as possible. I saw him speak recently with my friend Sarah and it was such a delight. He's so special. And weird. I just love him. Sedaris is the only author other than Wodehouse who's ever made me fall into hysterical fits of giggles on public transit. That's some sort of a litmus test, as far as I'm concerned.

Lenny is doing remarkably well learning how to read in JK and she wants to do more of it. So, we'll be keeping up our routine of board books that she can read by herself and Curious George and Pete the Cat books that we can read together. I think she's ready to put some big kid chapter books into rotation too.  It's so hard to know where to start!

1. The Hotel Cat by Esther Averill - while it's true we've already read this to her at least twice, it's still my all time favourite and the fact that she loves it too means we're going to read it over and over again. That's just how it's going to be.

2. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - because I think maybe it's OK if she breaks her heart a little bit? Maybe? I'm still on the fence about this one. Not sure I can handle having my heart broken like this again. But it's so good! Decisions, decisions.

3. The BFG - by Roald Dahl - I think this is a good place to start with Dahl? I think? And Sophie is such a fun character and the BFG is so muddled up and loveable. It's definitely gateway Dahl, and that's what I'm looking for.

4. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary - Speaking of gateway...she's already seen the movie and loves little Ralph. I, of course, was obsessed with all things Beverly Clearly as a girl, so I'm super excited to get Len started this Summer first Ralph...then...

5. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary - RAMONA! I don't need to say anything more than that, do I? (Well, that's not true. I will say that if I can't find the cover art seen above I'll be pissed. That's the only Ramona I care to know, visually anyway).

6. Ribsy by Beverly Cleary - My kid loves dogs. This will be an easy sell. And it's a great book. Henry Huggins is such fun. Ahhhh! I can't wait!

Any tips? What do you think is missing from my list? What are you planning on reading this Summer?

This one time in Buffalo

One of my favourite things about being a parent is surprising Lenny with EPIC STUFF. Last March we took her to see a production of Dinosaur Train Live without telling her first and it was an amazing experience for all of us. So when the opportunity came to take a family road trip to see the Kratt Brothers in person we jumped at the chance. She had no idea what we were doing until we were in the theatre. I feel like we unlocked some kind of parenting badge for pulling this one over on her. It was so much fun.

Chris and Martin put on a heck of a show. And Lenny walked away with her very own creature power suit. Like I said, EPIC.

Buffalo is one of my favourite cities to visit. It is so underrated. Great art, great food, great architecture. It's great. I'd love it for the Mighty Taco and the Albright Knox alone!

We even got to have Buffalo Wings at the Anchor Bar...the place that INVENTED Buffalo Wings. They were damn good too.

The morning after Operation Kratt Brothers Surprise we pulled another one on her. An interactive Curious George exhibit at the Science Museum. WHAT? So cool. She tended to Bill's bunnies, tried on the Doorman's outfit and performed all kinds of cool experiments. I can't lie, I loved it too. George is one of my favourite shows and it really did feel like we stepped in to their world.

Look at that face. This is definitely what I thought being a mom would be like. Such fun times. Thanks, Buffalo. See you soon!

Head Cold Sunday

There have been moments over the last three years where The Robeau and I have actually wondered if Lenny had that condition where you feel no pain.  Like her nerve endings were messed up.  Wasn't there a movie about somebody like that? It sounds like something Robin Williams would be in.  We legitimately worried about this.  That's how tough this kid is.  She'll fall face first on the pavement and before she can even get up and dust herself off she's yelling "NO, NO...NOTHING!" Nothing to see here, folks.  Move along.

"I like my boo boo.  It feels GOOD." That's a direct quote.  That's something she actually said while staring at me dead in the eyes.

Whoa.

WHOA.

So, when she woke up Sunday morning screaming, thrashing and looking totally insane I knew there was only one answer.  Tough guy had a head cold.  Sure she can handle anything...until her nose is stuffed up and then it's game over.

She's like a man.  A tiny, demanding man.  I knew the next 24 hours were going to be tough so I tried to approach it with enthusiasm.

I called it HEAD COLD SUNDAY! It's gonna be an extravaganza of COUCH TIME! With lots of CUDDLING! Featuring bonus TV SHOW viewings! I need a SARS MASK and mainline of VITAMIN C! MARVEL AS I TRY TO KEEP UP THIS ENTHUSIASM!!!

Poor little monkey.

The first few hours were fine.  Then the meltdowns started.  We all have breaking points.  What? You thought she was the one having the meltdowns.

Hahahahaha!

Nope.

Cats just KNOW when their people are sick.  Pickles was a champ on Sunday.

She's feeling better now, so I can laugh about the last couple of days.  Well, I can keep laughing but less manically now.

If you need me, I'll be at the Pharmacy buying a year's worth of Vitamin C, Cold FX and Purell.

Sick Day

This is Prince Lenny.  She's having a sick day.  We're figuring out ways to keep her entertained and comfy while not risking too many bodily fluids on the furniture...or the cat.

Do you have any Sick Day tips?  How do you keep you, the little ones or the man (who let's face it, is probably a bigger handful than the little ones) happy when they're feeling yucky?