Independence Day: The American Way

We ventured to Coney Island with our friends, the Porters. Jeff was dying to go to the event that is annually on ESPN's top headlines and front page. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest somehow makes national (and international) news. Why? Good question.

In the center is the champion--who ended up eating 69 hotdogs. Yuck!

We spent time at the beach. June and Paige could have played forever.

Not sure why, but June kept putting her face in the water. She made a funny sour face each time (after licking her lips)

Our set-up. We enjoyed the water and sand and then had a great picnic before packing up to take the subway back to Manhattan (about an hour trip door-to-door)

Other Summer Fun

Parks, every day. Usually involving lots of sand and water.

Mud pie. Yum.

Love that "cheese"

Helping Mommy and Daddy build her new IKEA kitchen

Meeting up with our friends Beatrice, Shalimar and Mahera (visiting from Geneva, Switzerland)

Last Weekend

Playing in the fountain with Daddy

Morning bike ride to the park with Mommy so Daddy could sleep in a little after a late night (photo on right is her "cheese" face) 

Helping Mommy get the mail. I about died laughing when she crawled inside.

Cleaning the church on Saturday. June got to play in the nursery while Mommy and Daddy cleaned. This is a photo of her favorite lizard. She somehow finds it every Sunday and just loves it.

Turks and Caicos

Back in February I surprised Curt with a trip (for our 5 year anniversary) to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. We rented a little apartment and a car and enjoyed 5 days there. Nana came to New York at the perfect time so she could watch June and we could go on a real vacation. We love June, but this time was SOOO relaxing! Thanks again Nana and Clint for taking such great care of our little bug.

What happened while we were gone: 

Many fun outings with Nana and Uncle Clint (who was living with us at the time. Nana really appreciated his extra help).

Hugging trees

 

Dancing to outdoor music

9-11 Memorial

Pier 17

 What we did:

 

First trip to the beach I saw this starfish in the water and a jelly fish

 Evening on the beach

The local church building. Sunday meetings were so enjoyable. They were in English and Haitian Creole (translated into English)

Sandcastles, snorkeling, reading, swimming and

great food (Lunch here). We ate a lot of the local food: conch (pronounced, "conk"). I really liked it. Especially as conch chowder and fried.

Time with Nana Calder

Nana Calder came to stay with us for 2 weeks. We had a blast! Here are some of the things we enjoyed:

Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn

June LOVED looking at the 'horsies' and the ticket, but during the rides she held a pretty stone face. She would pet the horse and just hold on. I was expecting giggles and smiles. Maybe next time it won't be scary. She does like watching the videos of her riding it now though.

By the carousel

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge after the carousel

Good ol' Shake Shack. June loves french fries (and "sauce") 

Walking to Georgetown Cupcake for a treat. June is genuinely happy. Her "cheese" face is nothing close to this. This face can't be staged at all.

The Guggenheim with Clint and Nana

Sunday afternoon (Fathers' Day) at the park

Outing to Roosevelt Island

The old smallpox hospital and the FDR Four Freedoms monument 

Serendipity after Roosevelt Island. The chocolate sundae was dessert (yes, their frozen hot chocolate is fabulous. It is definitely a 'tourist trap....' but the food really is excellent.

This is June's "cheese" face

Half of the restaurant enjoyed watching June eat dessert.

Hanging out at the MoMA, one of our favorite museums in the city.

 

Maybe too much time in the stroller today?

"I like cupcake!"

I gave June a cupcake of her own one day (June 10--I thought it was awhile ago since she had fewer teeth). After her first bite she declared, "I like cupcake!" I laughed. It was too cute. I then snapped a quick iPhone video. Here it is:

June responds to me:

"What are you eating?" 

then, "Cupcake."