Enjoying the Playground

nyc playground
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

This playground is just a few blocks from my parents' apartment. Sadie loves it. It's got a huge play structure, a sandbox and lots of swings. In the hot weather, there are also elephant sculptures that spray water. but they weren't turned on this weekend.

We were going to take her to Central Park that afternoon but got stymied by the closure of 5th Avenue and many of the park entrances. The Pope was going to come up 5th Avenue on his way back to where he was staying. It was a very good thing that we had taken Sadie for some playtime in the morning!

In a strange coincidence, this play structure is identical to the one at the elementary school in Hanover except that this one is sort of aqua colored and the Hanover one is yellow.

Pretty

gorgeous cousins
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Sadie had a wonderful time playing with her cousins Anabel and Sophie after Anabel's First Communion this past Sunday. The girls get along really well and Sadie loves that the big girls include her in their games.

Tomorrow, Nana is bringing Anabel and Sophie to visit Sadie for the day. Sadie gets to stay home from daycare and they'll all go to the Montshire Museum and just have a good time together.

Passover Time

We had a lovely Passover in NYC with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jenny, Andy, Andy's Mommy and Daddy, and Andy, Laura and Isaac. The actual seder was so busy I never managed to get my camera out, but here are some pictures of Sadie, Grandma and Grandpa getting ready for the seder by making charoset.



Charoset is a mixture of apples, cinnamon and other ingredients that is meant to represent the mortar that the Jewish slaves used when working for Pharoah in Egypt. Sadie and Grandma made a children's version with just apples, cinnamon and grape juice and then Jenny made the grown-up version, adding walnuts and Passover wine.



Sadie did not want to taste the grape juice, but she was very interested in the small bottle. She asked, "Is this children's wine?"

Cowgirl Sadie

Sadie Oakley?
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

We had a great time at Lauren and Sarah's birthday party on Sunday. Insread of party hats, they had cowboy hats. Sadie had fun wearing hers. I have to admit I was laughing at her because she looked so cute and funny in it.

We brought the hat home as a party favor and now she won't wear it. She carries it around by the string and puts things into it like it's a basket.

Sadie at Margarita's

Sadie at Margarita's
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Just enjoying some lovely evening weather. We always have fun bringing her to Margarita's for dinner because they are so welcoming to kids...she gets a balloon, wiki sticks and crayons and it's nice and noisy so she can be as chatty as she likes. Plus, she likes the kid's quesadilla meal and it's big enough to be her lunch the next day as well.


We got some great pictures of Sadie at her friends Lauren and Sarah's birthday party on Sunday...I will try to get those posted sometime this week. We head to NYC on Friday, just in time to coordinate our visit with the Pope's arrival in NYC. We're hoping the traffic won't be too bad.

Cake!

I think Sadie's favorite part of the art opening was the cake. She dug into a big slice of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.



After the art show, the cake, running around with her friends and dinner with Nana, Bob Bob, Andy, Laura and Isaac, Sadie was pretty tired and very happy to cuddle up with Nana and Bob Bob and rest for a little bit before going up to bed.

Portrait of the Artist with her Mommy

Mommy and Sadie
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

We had a great time at the opening party of the children's art show. Almost all of her classmates from daycare came to see the art and enjoy cake and lemonade. Sadie was really proud to see her art hanging up and also see a photograph of her that Jennie had taken.

In all the hullaballoo, we didn't actually get any pictures of Sadie's artwork, but I'll go back later this week and take some. We also have a few more cute pictures from the evening, which I'll post later.

Reading Material

"Mommy, is this a grown-up magazine?"
"Yes, it's called the New Yorker."


"I like New York. I'm gonna read it."


"Mommy, there are no children in this magazine. It doesn't have a lot of pictures. I'm still gonna read it"

Peek a Boo!

Peek a Boo!
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

One more cute one from our time outdoors this past weekend. Sadie has been loving the nice weather we have had this week and has come home from school every day with her boots and rain-pants encrusted with mud. Unfortunately, tomorrow is supposed to be cold and rainy with the unpleasant weather continuing throughout the weekend and into next week.

Maybe sunshine and warmth will appear for our weekend in NYC the following weekend?

A Glimpse of Spring

We were all so happy to be outside for a little bit on Saturday afternoon. We played for a while and then Sadie helped Dan rake...we found some crocuses starting to bloom and some daffodil and day lily sprouts just starting to come up.

Fun with Samuel

Overenthusiastic Love for Samuel
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Sadie loved seeing Samuel on Friday and we all had fun having dinner together at Yama. After dinner, the kids played with Sadie's toys and her dress up gear. When it was time to go, Sadie gave Sam a big kiss...he looks a little worried about all the attention from Cinderella. Maybe the next time we see Beth, Jake and Samuel, their new baby will have arrived.

Happy Birthday Nana!

We hope you have a very happy birthday and a wonderful year. We're so lucky to have you!

Her First Art Opening

Sadie's artwork (along with artwork by many of her classmates) will be featured in an art show at the Lebanon Coop Cafe Gallery, starting next week.

Her teacher Jennie, who is an artist, photographer and art teacher, organized the show to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. If you remember the beautiful school picture of Sadie taken last summer, Jennie was the photographer there. Two of Sadie's paintings will be exhibited and offered for sale to benefit MDA. If you want to buy them, too bad! Dan and I pre-purchased both of them, sight unseen. But they will be on display from April 7 through May 18, so you can stop by and see them hanging. The big opening party with cake and lemonade is Saturday, April 12.

Artist at Work

Sadie really enjoys art activities. She frequently creates projects with paper, scissors, stickers, tape, crayons and markers. Sometimes, on the weekends, I take out special art materials like these finger paints. She had a great time fingerpainting, and also using a plastic spoon and fork to manipulate the paint.





Doesn't she look exactly like Dan when she's concentrating?