Mother's Day, Memorial Day, etc.

Mother's Day was absolutely perfect. We spent the day in Brooklyn, first revisiting a favorite breakfast spot followed by picnicking in Prospect Park with the Klopfers and Grandma and Grandpa. A visit to the zoo and a spin on the carousel were also on the agenda. We finished up the day at another one of our old neighborhood spots, and somehow we still managed to squeeze in some gelato, too. Like I said, absolutely perfect.

Well if Mother's Day was a banner day for me, then I could only describe Memorial Day weekend as Esmé's dream weekend come true. Let's see... we had Sofia's birthday party combined with an Ethan and Ella sleepover. I mean what more could any little girl named Esmé Lilly Takacs want, besides, maybe an endless supply of snacks always within reach.

We kicked off the long weekend in true holiday fashion with a popsicle. This new experience wasn't lost on Esmé. She already loves ice. Now her world has expanded to include flavored ice. I mean... wow.



Sofia's party was a blast. It included friends both old and new and plenty of cake. Birthday cake. Cupcakes. Lots of sugary goodness. The rain held off and as soon as the festivities wound down, Ethan and Ella turned up, suitcases in hand.


We introduced the kids to English muffin pizzas– a concept that was a little old-school for them, I think. And finished out the night with a movie (Bedtime Stories) and popcorn. Ethan and Ella will remember their Aunt Lizzie fondly for her "popcorn blanket." For now it's a novelty, a big picnic blanket spread out on the living room floor where (and only where) they can munch away. Later they'll see it as one of the many manifestations of their dear old aunt's overly anal-retentive behavior. Oh well. At least my couch has lived to see another day fingerprint free.

Speaking of our couch, Kristopher re-staged the picture from our last sleepover in November. You can view the original here.



In the morning we walked to the diner for pancakes. Then burned off the excess sugar at the local park. The Klopfers and Grandma and Grandpa hit the Turtleback Zoo while Esmé recharged with a nap. Then we finished the day with dinner on the patio.

So it looks like the summer is off to a good start.

I'm a little teapot...

A few weeks ago we had a little tea party on the occasion of Ella's fourth birthday. Esmé saw to every detail, even the menu. There were heart-shaped sandwiches: cheese and cream cheese and jelly. A curly carrot salad. And sweet tea, of course. The girls wore tiaras and enjoyed chocolate cupcakes with whipped pink frosting for dessert. I kept it together despite the fact that food was being consumed in my living room by people who are not known for being able to locate their mouths on the first or even second or third tries. Both I and the living room survived. And a fun time was had by all. In fact, Ella invited us over to her house for a tea party, assuring us that her tea was quite tasty, "It tastes just like water," she said.



To file in the funny things Esmé says/does department... the other night I was warning Esmé to stay away from the stove because it was hot. Next thing I know she's standing in front of it, blowing madly. Naturally. After all, this is what we tell her to do when her food is hot.