Boom Boom

A few weeks ago (I'm super behind on blogging, but we've been really busy...), we went down to the beach to watch the annual Long Beach fireworks. It was me, Lyla, my mom, Evelyn and Emma. We headed over to Riverside, where there was live music but first made a pit stop at the St. Mary's Festival for some zeppolis! The fireworks didn't start until it was totally dark, so we had a lot of time to kill before the big event. We spent most of it dancing and being silly. Lyla had more fun at the "pre-show" then she did at the actual fireworks. For the first few minutes, she didn't even realize they were going on (and I was worried that it would be too loud for her). And when she finally did catch on, she pointed and said "Boom Boom."

Lyla on the Brooklyn Bridge

On our way to the new Brooklyn Bridge Park.  We're park hoppers :)

Fourth of July

We had fabulous weather over the July 4th weekend and squeezed in two beach days and one pool day before heading back to the hot and hazy city. Nothing too exciting to report. Lyla still loves the beach and the water and she still manages to get sand in her ears, eyelashes, eyebrows and nose...

My sweet little flower...right before she threw sand in my face.


The gang. Nicolas calls Lyla and Christopher his "two babies". The other day he said "This brother and this cousin love Nicolas."


My favorite sandy faces






What are you digging for in there?


Double trouble


When Mark and I decided to stay on the beach later than Dina and Rich, Nick and Lyla were absolutely devastated to be torn apart...only to have to wait until dinner that night to see each other :) Here is how the escapade of Lyla chasing after Nicolas played out:

Looking back longingly at Lyla


Lyla screams "Niiii" (translation: Nick)


She runs after him.


She dramatically falls in her pursuit.


After two days on the beach, everyone was sufficiently exhausted so we just hung out by the pool. Lyla and Oakley got a head start before we filled up the baby pool.


Lounging with Dad


Playing with Grandma


Doing tricks for Nana


Being silly with Aunt Dina


The "fort"


Happy 4th of July!

Living the Good Life

While I was sitting in a stuffy, dark conference room on Wednesday I received a flurry of text messages from Dahlia.  She sent me these pictures of Lyla at a playdate, where she was lounging on a rooftop terrace of a luxury building in Tribeca.  Who has it better than Lyla Grace?

The Graduate

Congratulations to my sweet Nicolas, who graduated from ... well, I'm not quite sure what he graduated from, but how darn cute does he look in that hat. Love you, Nic.