My Little Circus Performer

Aidan did a GREAT job at his very first set of performances at Circus Juventas, debuting as a little sailor in the Toddler program. Though he's been doing this for over 2 years, this was his first show. He totally hammed it up for the audience, and definitely had a blast. He's excited to move onto the Kinder program this summer. Below, here is a video from his very first performance. Please excuse my terrible video skills - I clearly need to improve. 

And his final performance, lovingly filmed by Uncle Booke while I ran the spotlights. 

While Aidan performed in the Purple Show, I ran spots for the Yellow Show and rigged the Blue Show, so I didn't really have the opportunity to take much video of the other acts, let alone watch the show. I did have tickets for the last Purple performance today, but since they needed another person on spots (and I do so love torturing kids with the over-sized flashlights), I agreed. I did manage to get a couple of videos when I wasn't spotting, moving around mats, or running the spot lights. Enjoy!

Bungee Trapeze

Cloud Swing, Mexican Cloud Swing, and Swinging Trapeze

Great job to all the performers and volunteers for the May Shows - see you this summer for Oz!

Bipolar Weather

I think Mother Nature is a little confused this year. It seems She simply cannot figure out what to do with Spring. Observe:

4/23/2013 - Lots of fresh snow and 30 degrees. 

4/26/2013 - 72 degrees and sunny

Almost all of the snow melted, and we could swim at the lake!

Five glorious days of sunshine and summer weather! And then...

May 1, 2013 - Proof there is green grass under the impending snow. 

May 2, 2013 - 8-11+ inches of fresh snow, 35 degrees. 

[Also worth noting, friends 40 miles west of us didn't get any snow. What gives?]

Happy Spring!

...or not...

April 19th

April 22nd

April 23rd

A Day in the City

There are no photos of the beginning part of the trip because, at 3:30am, we were a bit cranky. Our flight left at 6:10am, and got into LGA around 10am.

Bus ride out of LGA into Manhattan

Beware the creepy guys dressed as cartoon characters in Times Square, who hug your kids, bully you into taking a photo, and then demand tips. We'd much rather pose in front of NY's finest. 

Brunch at Nuchas - tasty!

Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History

Studying my favorite - Archaeopteryx!

Excited to ride "the under ground trains"

Aidan decided that subways are an excellent way to travel.

Woohoo!

Kobe beef at Yakiniku West - awesome!

Finger licking good sushi!

This was our second plate of sushi; the first was devoured long before it occurred to me to photograph its awesomeness. 

Just a short walk to my favorite pastry shop from back when I lived at Union Square...Venieros! My roommates and I found it by accident long before we realized it was famous. 

After selecting a box of tasty treats to bring home, we treated ourselves to some gelato. 

Cab ride to the ferry because, after being awake since 3:30am, we felt we earned being a little lazy. 

Thumb wars on the ferry into Jersey City - these boats are WAY nicer than I remember them. Heated cabin? Comfy couches? Carpet?! Wow!

The Freedom Tower gets bigger every year!

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to just rent the penthouse at the Hilton for three months out of the year - just so I can stare at this view every night. 

Cheese!

Spotswood Fire Dept

The only thing cooler than getting to ride on a fire truck is getting to wash it afterwards. 

Spring Lake, NJ

One very happy boy, super excited to play at the beach. Never mind that it was 50 degrees outside, or that the water was who knows how cold. Nothing was going to slow down this Wisconsin boy! I guess it helps when you normally live in a climate 30+ degrees colder....

Happy 10th Birthday, Athena!

This cat is truly my soulmate: no other living creature understands my moods and knows exactly what I need. I brought her home directly after burying my mother - a tiny, confused, 7 week old kitten with a huge set of lungs and a knack for getting into all the right sort of trouble. My companion on that long drive home, I should mention, was technically allergic to cats, but never complained and was extremely forgiving (shameless plug: need an IRS EA? He's your guy). 

I'd never raised a kitten before, and Chad (then my boyfriend) had never had a cat at all. He neglected to tell his parents (where we'd be living) about her existence until about 15 minutes prior to our arrival - they, too, were tolerant (thanks!). I took her everywhere with me until she grew large enough that people complained. Even now, she travels well with us and always wants to be nearby. She sleeps under the covers at night, and is our constant shadow during the day. When we leave, she is sad and doesn't eat much :(. I dread the day her time comes, because I simply cannot imagine my life without her. So, happy 10th birthday, Athena-teena-beena. As Chad says, "You are the bestest kitty ever!"

 7 weeks old when I brought you home. 

 The epitome of cuteness. 

 You are elegant, and a wonderful example of your breed. 

 You have strange eating habits. 

 And, occasionally, an identity crisis.

 But you are oh, so snuggly. 

 And tolerant. 

 Or, maybe just lazy?

 You are an excellent coworker. 

 And you love to snuggle under the covers. 

 No water cup is safe. 

 We love you!

Very much.