Friday, March 22, 2013

Happy Goofball Day!

Today is Goofball Day in the Koala Room.  We were concerned that Luke's chosen ensemble would be a bit over the top when he got to school but, judging from his friend just behind him, not so much.

Ooooh, was his sister mad that he borrowed her tutu.  TEARS OF DESPAIR!



Wednesday, March 20, 2013

St. Patrick's Ish

First off, an update.
Lion: Still number 1.  Receives high fives at Peekskill Brewery.



On a whim, we drove up to West Point to check out the campus (beautiful) and the museum (unfortunately dullsville for the under-10 set).
Luke did his best to care about GIANT WEAPONS


Harper checked out the atomic bomb casing
And then, we confess, we threw in the educational field trip towel and went to lunch (see above, with Lion).
But if you're a military history buff who can read and doesn't need "creative play" features to engage with displays, then by all means, go to this museum! (It's FREE)

Harper had swim class on St. Patrick's Day.  Miss Julie, ever the Montessori teacher, brought props.

LUKE PHOTO BOMB
Harper LOVES swim class!



Mama went to Baby Gap in search of a St. Patrick's shirt for Harper.  When there wasn't one, she realized that Harper ROSELLA Casey must have this shirt.
Harper was quite pleased with it. "IT HAS SPARKLY LETTERS!"

Don't you think?





So on the big day, she made do with her "FOOTBALL HELMET" shirt

The Koalas made Leprechaun crowns last week.  Luke pioneered the idea to make "moooostaches" and beards as well - and then everyone had to have one, too.  Per teacher Denise, they were all a hoot at their "dance party" in their moooostaches and beards!
"Denise tells me I am the clown of the class," he reported on Friday's ride home.  Oh boy.
At first, Harper didn't want him in her spotlight
But the mutual admiration society reconvened, with tambourine
Hand claps by Harper


We checked out a Family Fun Concert at the local library, sponsored by the kids' school.  Luke was thrilled to meet up with his bestie, Gavin
He tried his best Big Brother Tricks to charm Gavin's little sister, Vivian

She was not having any of it (at one point she narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head no once, definitively)

In other news....
The Casey Clinic practices a team-oriented approach to wellness
Now open nights and weekends

And Mama's viral marketing campaign has officially begun with the little one

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

American Aquarium Seekers

Last weekend, at Luke's request, we revisited the Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.


Harper glam rocked it all the way to the state line in her shades and her"fuzzy coat" from the Leary Infantine Collection

"BLUE TANK FISH!" they are pointing out and yelling -- it looks like the stuffed fish that came in Luke's bucket form Aunt Slater
If you don't think the luminescent jelly fish tank is cool, you are no friend of ours
Luke got right down to business at the touch tank
Harper was a little more tentative this time around (vs. last time, when we had to restrain her from climbing into the tank), so Luke handed her a shell to touch and coaxed her into touching a sea star (what they call starfish now?)

We watched the seals get their lunch
And after our own lunch, we visited the touch tank with the stingrays and nurse sharks
Again, Luke dug in; Harper, not so much (she's standing with Mama across the tank)

Luke went "fishing" off the "boat"
Harper showed off her catch

And grew tired of posing
(to be honest, I think she was in the process of making "fishy faces")
Luke sold it more, don't you think?
For reasons unknown (some dowager's insistence, no doubt), this "aquarium" has meerkats?  Luke checked them out up close
And showed Harper

It was a springlike day (the day before there were inches and inches of snow!) so we ventured outside
And visited the new African penguins


Later that afternoon....

Mama enlisted Harper's help in making Great Grandma Miller's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - rated "best" by cousin Ian.  Harper donned Grandma's apron and was ready.  Here she is probably yell-asking PUT THIS IN THE BOWL, MAMA?  ADD IT?  PUT THIS IN? OK?  I DUMP IT!  CAN I DUMP THE EGG?
She took her tasks of dumping and "smooshing the sugar" very seriously
Luke decided against making oatmeal cookies and opted for PlayDoh cookies instead.  It still required an apron


Harper, enjoying the fruits of her labor
YUM

In other news...

Harper pulled this ensemble together for a walk with Mr. Bun - winter coats and sun hats: on trend spring 2013
Ninjas and superheroes battled
Lion AND Giraffe were bagged
Obligatory "toddler with plate of spaghetti" shot

And it was a regular Pottery Barn Kids photoshoot up in here.  The laptop power cord snaking through the play area adds something special, no?
"My toes are sparkly!"
Luke's specifically requested pattern for his nails.  FIE on the girl in his class who teases him.  FIE.