Sebastian turns 5!

Five!! Five years!! It's almost too much to understand. How could our baby be five? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was pregnant? 

We had a strange birthday weekend - some fun things, but then Seb became ill and feverish, with no appetite or energy. We delayed his birthday dinner (his very specific request: steak, pumpkin pasta, peas, and strawberry shortcake) by one night and will have to take him for a fun adventure next weekend instead. But on Saturday, before he became sick, we took the kids to Stone Barns and joined in an egg collecting tour on the farm. It was cool to reach into the nests and take out the still-warm eggs, but neither child liked the chickens pecking at their toes and hands and crowding around. We also went to a trampoline gym called Bounce!, in Nyack, and let the two of them jump and jump. They both loved it, especially the part where they got to bounce into a foam-filled pit. Pictures below, although of course all the ones from Bounce are blurry. :)

 

We had presents, of course - books, a stacking game, tshirt and hoodie - which caused Liesl to have a total jealousy-induced meltdown. She couldn't understand why Sebastian got all the presents and the one sticker book I bought as a sop to her didn't satisfy.  Mean, uncaring, mommy took pictures throughout. :)   Grandma Raab came over on Sunday night with presents and stayed to look after the kids on Monday, Veterans Day, while Steve and I both worked.

Go Liesl go

Liesl is talking so much, and so much of it is ridiculously cute. A sampling of her favorite phrases, for me to remember:
I did it! Go Liesl go!
Oh, I can't do it.
She sings: Twinkle twinkle, happy birthday, ring around the rosy, ABC song
Frustrated. I frustrated.
Huh? (in confusion, asking for clarification)
Okay mommy? Okay? Boo-boo?
Shoot! (this is hysterical)
Oh my god. (she's copying Seb here)

When her daycare was closed from Hurricane Sandy, she spent the day with me at the office. It was really fun to have her there.

visiting Grammy and cousins in Massachusetts

hurricane activities

We were very fortunate to come through Hurricane Sandy unscathed. Our power stayed on, our internet and cell phones worked, and neither of us had to go anywhere for work. On the down side, Sebastian's elementary school and Liesl's daycare were both closed all week because they lost power, and for some reason our hot water went out on Monday.  But we had a mostly fun week together painting, drawing, baking chocolate chip cookies and making pizza, eating popcorn while watching the wind blow, hiding out with a flashlight in the cardboard castle, playing dress-up (who can get the most clothes on at once), visiting the library, and going out and about to investigate local storm damage. We clambered over downed trees along the trail and had great fun with puddles.