Puppet Show

Did you know that Sunset Park's "Sunset Park" is an enormously busy park? I had no idea--it's like as busy, if not more busy, as Central Park down by FAO Schwarz--up on the hillside. They have a book mobile (one of four in Brooklyn), tons of summer camps, 2 watering parks, people playing dominoes and an assortment of other games--every table was taken in the sun or the shade. It was as busy of a park as I have ever seen. It was so hot T did not want to sit at all. We had to move (you can see how pink he was just from the heat). Right after this we went swimming to cool off. Then home to recuperate in the a/c.

The marionette puppet show was fabulous. The only time I've seen one of these was when I watched "The Sound of Music." It was fun to see them in real life. This is the traveling act of Central Park's Swedish Marionette Puppet Theater Group. R and S loved it. T wanted to be anywhere else (guess it is a 3 and up sort of a deal). It was packed by the way.

Pioneer Day

Last year on Pioneer Day-ish we were in Idaho and Utah. We dressed up. We rode/pushed/helped kids in and out of a handcart. We ate a picnic in the great outdoors. We hiked. We even made it up Ensign Peak. Not all of it was on the same day. As you can see it was with both sides of the family and wonderful memories were made. We love you dear pioneer family! We love and miss you a lot!

Now to figure out what we're going to do this year, indoors because the outside is too hot. We are so grateful for air conditioning!

Brooklyn Bridge Park--Metropolitan Opera Concert

On Tuesday night we went to see the opera in the park with the Breartons. It was so much fun and I am so glad we could go with them.

I'm fairly certain that this guy is Christopher Magiera, baritone.

This is the president of Brooklyn (which he states was its own kingdom).
Marty Markowitz. If you'd like to hear his accent check this out. Somehow seeing him makes me feel so politically informed (although I am not, yet).

Susannah Phillips-soprano

This is Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1's first Metropolitan Opera concert.
I brought a lot of sweets (I am not sure what I was thinking). Next time I am going to bring things like fruit and protein-ish food that is healthy and non-mood-cajoling.

Swimming Lessons

We decided to do the free swimming lessons at Sunset Park for the first session (there are three). The teacher was very good and allowed S to be apart of the class even though normally she would have had to go to the toddler class.

I think next time we'll try a different pool.

Since the picture of R was taken he has lost his other front tooth. :D I love it!

Free Summer Programs for Kids

Learn to Swim
~offered through the NYC Parks & Recreation
~7 different pools in Brooklyn
~for tots ages 1 1/2 to 5 and children ages 6-14
~there are three sessions throughout the summer
~registration is on Tues July 6th and 22nd
~tots must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Children 6 and over do not.

Here is the link so you can find out which pool is most convenient for you and your children:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/programs/ap_learn_to_swim.html


City Parks Foundation Sports (for Kids)
~City Parks offer free sports programs to kids in all five boroughs
~They offer tennis, golf & track & field
~Tennis & Track & Field is offered to ages 5-16 (a lot of the parks will let your 4 yr old participate). Golf your child needs to be 6 years old.
~Golf requires pre-registration, but tennis and track registration is on the first day of the program
~program started on July 6 but you can register on the 22


For more info about when it starts and the parks participating: (click on kids and then click on the sport you are interested in)
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/sports/sports.html

Also, if you want to take your kids to the free summer movies in the theater here is the website to find them: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=NY

NY Philharmonic Concert

Tonight the kids and I went to the New York Philharmonic concert at Prospect Park. We were going to meet Shawna M. (one the most fabulous women in my Church ward)and her sweet child. But as it happens I forgot to give her the directions to the concert and she got lost (sorry, Shawna).

We had a glorious time. Thankfully for the cheap glow-in-the-dark necklaces and such to keep my kids entertained and to make me feel part Martian. I know. You're jealous. [Hee, hee].

We sat very far in the back, which was ideal for us because my kids could throw balls and run around to their heart's content

Dearest W

Just so you know I think you are the most wonderful man, husband, father, doctor, etc. in the world. I am so immensely proud of you in every sense.

I love your good morning hugs/kisses. I love it when you give me a kiss first-thing when you get home from work. I love it when you eat my sometimes questionable food and instead of grimacing and pushing away your plate, you smile at me as if nothing is wrong and clean your plate (how do you do that?). Also, when you gather the children in the "game" of cleaning the house--especially when I am too burnt out to do it myself--and everyone ends up laughing and giggling the entire time. Just so you know the "game" does not work when I try to do it. They are on to me when I say, "Let's play a game."

I love to see you play with the kids and they cannot help but laugh a lot. Or when you are asleep with your arm out and one of our sleepy kids comes and snuggles up to you because your arm is so inviting. Or when one of the kids gets an ouchy and they run to you because you always seem to know what to do.

I love it when T climbs in your arms and studies everything you are doing whilst sucking on his thumb. I love it when you tell the kids stories at bed time. Or when we say "family first" by putting our hands or feet all together like a team cheer after family prayer.

You make me so happy when you compliment me, which is often (thank you my love). Also, when you laugh at my punny jokes or at the funny things the kids say during the day. Plus when the kids pray and ask for their hearts desires, it makes me smile to peek through and to see you smile at me. You make me feel soooo happy.

By the way, I love you very dearly!

Love,
M

Sacrament Meeting

The first Sunday of each month in our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the members are given an opportunity to talk about the things they believe or know to be true.

This last Sunday R decided he wanted to do it. He went to the front, held onto the sides of the podium proudly and then he leaned over to me and said, "What should I say, mom?"

I whispered, "Tell them what you believe."

He smiled, turned and spoke into the microphone, "I'd like to bear my testimony today. Sometimes we are late. But, if we all work together we can be on time. . . Amen."

I was proud of him. I bet you can guess what our next family home evening lesson is going to be about. :)

Next I thought I would bear my testimony too. I got all ready to speak and T decided it was his turned. He grabbed the microphone with both hands as tightly as he could and hollered into the microphone. Then I whispered some tips, he hollered, "NO." Then I said, "Say Amen." Again he answered loudly, "NO!"

Thankfully Brother Yau, a member of the bishopric, took T out of my hands for me (whew!) then set him on the ground to run free (it actually helped my sanity a lot for the moment). I don't know if any one actually heard what I said--I watched most of their eyes following T as I spoke. Oh well, at least we all spoke from the heart.