Pio Pio

If you live in NY and haven't been to Pio Pio, go! Best. Chicken. I. Have. Ever. Had.

http://www.piopionyc.com/

Into the Woods

This weekend Chris, Elliot and I went to Connecticut to see my sister Mikaela in Into the Woods. She was the witch (see the foxy gray-haired lady in the picture).

It was awesome! Mikaela totally rocked (and I'm not just saying that because I'm her sister).

Also, this is my mom. After nine kids, no less. I hope I have her aging genes.

Our Son, the Petty Criminal

On Saturday, Elliot concluded that our kitchen faucet sprayer wasn't up to snuff, so he decided to pocket this bad boy at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Once we got home, he waited until we weren't looking, retrieved it from his secret (but not so secret anymore) stroller compartment, and tore into it like a kid on Christmas.

Since the sound of ripping cardboard always gives parents a bit of an adrenaline rush, we quickly discovered him and his crime. Realizing he'd been found out, he looked at us like the guilty man he was--and ran for cover.

I have since made an honest man out of him by pressing the ill-begotten sprayer into the hands of a nice stocker at BB&B--and taking off before it occurred to him to charge me $15.99 for the thing.

Next time, Elliot, make yourself useful and pick up a dish towel or two. We could actually use those.

Why My Brothers-in-law Are Awesome

They voluntarily watched Elliot while I wrote, thought, read, went out to eat, and hiked at a 10-day writing conference in Maine. They learned how to get a fit-throwing toddler into his stroller, how to pack a baby bag (never, ever forget the snacks!), and how to put a reluctant Elliot to bed. They even managed to convince him that Mario Kart Wii is far better television than Thomas (thank you!). And they did such a good job with it all that when I came back, Elliot was still asking for his uncles.

I bet your brothers-in-law aren't this cool.

(My mother-in-law covered the last five days, so basically ALL my in-laws are pretty awesome).

Also - if you have never been to Maine, GO!

Fourth of July

We had a great Fourth of July. Chris got off work (woo-hoo!) and some of our favorite Washington, DC peeps, Steve, Sariah and Ben came to visit. We hit up the boat pond and the granite slide in the morning, Shake Shack for lunch, and Riverside Park for the fireworks.