Wolfe’s Pond Park

Some hiking on Staten Island.
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WolfesPond

My week of solitude

During spring break, Yves and Sienna went to Jamaica for a week. This has been the first time I have ever been alone in my own house for that long! I was giddy and nervous about it. Mostly giddy! For reasons I’m sure you can figure out. I was nervous only because Sienna has been back and forth with the separation anxiety. It wasn’t as constant as it was when it first started but did still rear it’s head occasionally. Even the morning that they were leaving, she woke me up by saying that she wasn’t looking forward to going on the trip because I wasn’t going. I told her it was okay to be sad and it was okay to miss me because I was going to miss her too. But know that when she comes back, I will be here waiting for her.

Well, things were smooth sailing as soon as I dropped them off at the airport! Amazingly there were absolutely no issues, at least that is what Yves told me but I believe him. We made sure we didn’t Skype because I’m sure that would have set her off. Since Skippy had just passed, I was a little sad and out of it. I was still looking for him at his spot whenever I walked into a room. I busied myself with cleaning and a bit of purging. I took some photos of some items I wanted to sell. The first thing to sell was my beloved Nintendo DS and all the games. Honestly, I thought that wouldn’t sell at all! Then I had seller’s remorse especially after the woman who bought it told me how much it was going for. Boy, she got a steal for it! But I keep reminding myself that I haven’t played it in years and at least now it is getting some use (from a 4 year old boy!! WHAT?!) Anyhow, during this week besides cleaning, I went to the Museum of the City of New York, met up with Joy and Pete for dinner, finally went to Mistuwa in NJ and went to see The Grand Budapest Hotel with Starr.

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The museum had a graffiti art exhibit, which I really enjoyed. The peacock fan was in the Gilded Age exhibit and Gay Bob was in the Activist New York exhibit.

The museum had a graffiti art exhibit, which I really enjoyed. The peacock fan was in the Gilded Age exhibit and Gay Box was in the Activist New York exhibit.

Met Joy and Pete for dinner at a Japanese place on 14th Street for dinner. I forgot the name and I forgot to take photos! Boo!

I finally went to the Crochet/Knit meetup in Bay Ridge. They meet every Saturday afternoon. Before I went, I had lunch at Paneatico, a place I've been meaning to go to. I had the best salad ever!!

I finally went to the Crochet/Knit meetup in Bay Ridge. They meet every Saturday afternoon. Before I went, I had lunch at Paneatico, a place I’ve been meaning to go to. I had the best salad ever!!


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This is what we ate at Mitsuwa. The food was delicious (marketplace I was not impressed with) and the soft serve! I would go back for that alone! Macha Tea, Madagascar Vanilla and the surprising delicious black sesame!

This is what we ate at Mitsuwa. The food was delicious (marketplace I was not impressed with) and the soft serve! I would go back for that alone! Macha Tea, Madagascar Vanilla and the surprising delicious black sesame!


We saw The Grand Budapest Hotel at BAM (first time there-really cool!) and ate dinner at Chuko. Delish!

We saw The Grand Budapest Hotel at BAM (first time there-really cool!) and ate dinner at Chuko. Delish!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Skippy: in memoriam

My dear Skippy passed away 2 weeks ago. A week prior to that, he really started to show some signs. He wasn’t eating much and when he did, he threw it up. He was starting to get thinner. He had trouble walking up the stairs to the point where I started carrying him up and down. He didn’t want to go for walks. He didn’t even pay attention to Neo’s hairballs (which he previously would gobble up!) I knew something was wrong. The day before I took him to the vet, he started to do a sort of howling/yelping noise. The vet said that it was most likely kidney failure and he was dehydrated (he was drinking less and less water.) He gave me choices and I knew the best choice for him was to put him to sleep. He wasn’t in pain but I knew if he kept on, he would surely start to feel some pain. I was a mess at the vet’s office. I probably used a whole box of his tissues. They were going to do 2 injections, the first one puts him to sleep and the 2nd one does the job. I had the option to stay through the end or just to through the 1st injection. I opted for that because I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle staying to the end. He fell asleep in my arms as I held him in my lap for the last time. He has been in the family since he was a puppy and I have been taking care of him since 2005/2006 when he came to live with us. He was close to at least 15 or 16 years old. He’s at the Rainbow Bridge now.

This was sometime in 2000 in Queens, before he lived with us.

This was sometime in 2000 in Queens, before he lived with us.

Skippy and his daughter Rozie (who also passed) probably in 2007.

Skippy and his daughter Rozie (who also passed) probably in 2007.

On his way to Brooklyn, coming to live with us permantly!

On his way to Brooklyn, coming to live with us permantly!

July 2007

July 2007

March 2007 at my baby shower!

March 2007 at my baby shower!

2007, guarding Sienna!

2007, guarding Sienna!

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dealing with the snow!

dealing with the snow!

Wearing a Jamaica shirt.

Wearing a Jamaica shirt.

Red Hoodie!

Red Hoodie!

December 2013

December 2013

Using Sienna's bean bag chair! January 2014

Using Sienna’s bean bag chair! January 2014

Sienna reading to Skippy in January 2014

Sienna reading to Skippy in January 2014

Carrying him downstairs with the laundry. Can you notice him? March 2014

Carrying him downstairs with the laundry. Can you notice him? March 2014

One of the last photos I took of Skippy. April 2014

One of the last photos I took of Skippy. April 2014

March, what a month!

What a great month March was for Sienna! Besides turning 7, she found out she made student of the month for February and her science project got into the fair! And that’s not all! After the fair was over, she came in 3rd place for her grade! She was very happy about that. Also in March was the show her class did for assembly (which she very much enjoyed doing, future on stage, perhaps?). It was called “Adventures in the Land of Video Games.” You can guess what it was about. It was really cute. I was able to get a really good copy of a video of the whole play from another parent.

Team Menou working on the science project!

Team Menou working on the science project!

Posing at the fair with her project.

Posing at the fair with her project.

Her 3rd place certificate and ribbon.

Her 3rd place certificate and ribbon.

Everyone on stage! Her class and a kindergarten class.

Everyone on stage! Her class and a kindergarten class.

With her first grade teacher. I tried to get her other best buddy in (Emily T) but she is shy.

With her first grade teacher. I tried to get her other best buddy in (Emily T) but she is shy.

Student of the month!

Student of the month!

Grandpa got her a cheesecake per her request.

Grandpa got her a cheesecake per her request.

Vanilla cupcakes for her class party.

Vanilla cupcakes for her class party.

Goody Bags for her class party!

Goody Bags for her class party!

An ice cream cake to celebrate (again!) Starr's birthday is the day before Sienna's.

An ice cream cake to celebrate (again!) Starr’s birthday is the day before Sienna’s.

The cake, pre-blow.

The cake, pre-blow.


Here’s a video of the family singing to Sienna. I love the big, huge smile on her face! Password is birthday.

Happy Birthday Sienna Family from Lisa on Vimeo.

Mystic

During mid-Winter break, we managed to get away for a night. We kept it a secret from Sienna until the night before we left but we didn’t tell her who we were meeting up there! What a big surprise to have Sylvie and her family pull into the parking lot after us (timing was a mere coincidence!) She was extra excited when she found out they were also staying at the same hotel as us and we were having dinner together too! I don’t know why having dinner all together is extra exciting. LOL.

Anyway, we left Brooklyn at the insanely early hour of 6 am. I was in the minority about the time so I had no choice but to go with it! We picked the perfect day to go! It wasn’t snowing and the sun was out! None of us have been to the Mystic Aquarium before and it was nice to get there early. The price is hefty compared to the New York Aquarium but there is more stuff there AND there are people stationed by each exhibit to spew out facts about the animals! I loved the Beluga Whale exhibit. I’m sure I could have stayed there all day or at least go between them and the jellyfish and seahorses.
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Love the photobomb!

Love the photobomb!

I could stare at them all day!

I could stare at them all day!

Love the tail grabbing the plant.

Love the tail grabbing the plant.

So calming

So calming

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Turtle photobomb

Turtle photobomb

Stingrays!

Stingrays!

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They had a very interesting exhibit about the Titanic. I tried to get the girls to do the scene from the movie. LOL

They had a very interesting exhibit about the Titanic. I tried to get the girls to do the scene from the movie. LOL

We brought lunch with us and ate at the picnic tables outside surrounded by snow. Yves has a photo on his instagram. After some pool time at the hotel (Hampton Inn), we headed to dinner. Dinner was at the Dog Watch Cafe, a real cute place. I got some New England Clam Chowder (it was ok, the best one is still the one I had in New Hampshire!) and a fish sandwich.

The next day was rainy. After checking out of the hotel (photo here just so you know Nico was there too!), we stopped by the Mystic Seaport but didn’t stay because of the rain. We’ll have to go back there because it sounds like fun. We did a quick stop at a nearby cemetery for some photos and then headed to New Haven to have pizza for lunch! MMMM!

Sienna picking out her slice.

Sienna picking out her slice.

Thumbs up for anchovies!

Thumbs up for anchovies!


We went to Modern Apizza and it was delicious!! It was then time to part ways although the girls were begging to go over to each other’s houses. LOL.

January/February 2014

Dumplings at Joe's Shanghai on New Year's Day. Oh boy, do I want some now!

Dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai on New Year’s Day. Oh boy, do I want some now!

Sienna chowing down on one!

Sienna chowing down on one!

Snow day from school in early January! Password is snow

Mini snow hill from Lisa on Vimeo.

Hanging with Grandma on the bean bag chair.

Hanging with Grandma on the bean bag chair.

Made some gluten free bagels. They were a bit dense but not bad!

Made some gluten free bagels. They were a bit dense but not bad!

Abalone, one of my favorite dishes that I only get during Chinese New Year. Year of the Horse now!

Abalone, one of my favorite dishes that I only get during Chinese New Year. Year of the Horse now!

More favorites! Rice vermicilli with dried shrimp, chicken, baby bok choy and chinese sausage.

More favorites! Rice vermicilli with dried shrimp, chicken, baby bok choy and chinese sausage.

Got a little visitor!

Got a little visitor!

He came with my favorite almonds from Seattle! He came with his mommy, Amy, too!

He came with my favorite almonds from Seattle! He came with his mommy, Amy, too!

Joy and I had a girl's day and got messages at Eden Day Spa. So nice! We grabbed lunch at Breakroom Burgers and Tacos. Fish tacos on left and pork belly on right. Yum!

Joy and I had a girl’s day and got messages at Eden Day Spa. So nice! We grabbed lunch at Breakroom Burgers and Tacos. Fish tacos on left and pork belly on right. Yum!

We shared an order of their special fries! Stick fries, tator tots, cheese, bacon, jalapeno and runny egg. MMMM! So getting this again!

We shared an order of their special fries! Stick fries, tator tots, cheese, bacon, jalapeno and runny egg. MMMM! So getting this again!

I gave Sienna a balloon and special cookie for Valentine's day. Yves gave each of us a rose.

I gave Sienna a balloon and special cookie for Valentine’s day. Yves gave each of us a rose.

Sienna made us a card with a story inside and drew us inside. So precious!

Sienna made us a card with a story inside and drew us inside. So precious!

We went to visit the Transit Museum during Sienna's mid-winter break. It was fun!

We went to visit the Transit Museum during Sienna’s mid-winter break. It was fun!

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Christmas 2013

Ready to open presents!

Ready to open presents!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa in Jamaica!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa in Jamaica!

Ruh-roh! It's Scooby and the gang! Yves picked this out for her since she's been watching the cartoons.

Ruh-roh! It’s Scooby and the gang! Yves picked this out for her since she’s been watching the cartoons.

From Amy, David and Atlas! Yay! Can't wait to make some pretty paper!

From Amy, David and Atlas! Yay! Can’t wait to make some pretty paper!

I made this for Yves. Saw this as a computer wallpaper and recreated it.

I made this for Yves. Saw this as a computer wallpaper and recreated it.

Spiffy new swim goggles!

Spiffy new swim goggles!

Cutting board I made for Brian, an uber fan!

Cutting board I made for Brian, an uber fan!

These are for Starr. She loved them!

These are for Starr. She loved them!

The girls got butterfly wings!

The girls got butterfly wings!

Dinner with the Balds. Unfortunately, I did not take many photos! I made the usual pernil (YUM!). Also tostones with garlic sauce, crock pot mac and cheese, rice and peas Jamaican style, asparagus and they brought over broccoli rabe and dessert. YUM! Everything was delish!

Dinner with the Balds. Unfortunately, I did not take many photos! I made the usual pernil (YUM!). Also tostones with garlic sauce, crock pot mac and cheese, rice and peas Jamaican style, asparagus and they brought over broccoli rabe and dessert. YUM! Everything was delish!

Pooped after a long day!

Pooped after a long day!

Sienna got a few more gifts but I didn’t want to overdo the post with photos of her and her presents! LOL! As usual, a wonderful day filled with family, friends and great food and wine!

Holiday Festivities!

Just a little sad that the holidays are over. Sometimes I do stress to get everything done but in the end, I always enjoy this time of year as everyone and everything is so festive. We ended up not doing the house lights this year OR seeing the Rockefeller Tree but that is ok. I am happy just being able to be with our friends and family.

Being silly while rolling cookies!

Being silly while rolling cookies!

Decorating cookies with her BFF Emma

Decorating cookies with her BFF Emma

Atlas came over with David and Amy for Christmas Eve lunch! Sienna enjoyed holding Atlas!

Atlas came over with David and Amy for Christmas Eve lunch! Sienna enjoyed holding Atlas!

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We celebrate with my parents by going out to dinner on the Eve.

We celebrate with my parents by going out to dinner on the Eve.


Our usuals; some sort of greens, fried rice, Hong Kong style steak, Walnut shrimp and chicken. YUM!

Our usuals; some sort of greens, fried rice, Hong Kong style steak, Walnut shrimp and chicken. YUM!

Dad opens the candy before we do presents.

Dad opens the candy before we do presents.

Guess what she got?

Guess what she got?

She asked Grandpa for walkie talkies for Christmas and he buys her real ones (as opposed to toy ones!) He also got her a remote control car (which I really think he just wanted to play!)

She asked Grandpa for walkie talkies for Christmas and he buys her real ones (as opposed to toy ones!) He also got her a remote control car (which I really think he just wanted to play!)

Uncle Kenny got her Legos!

Uncle Kenny got her Legos!

I let her open Emma's present, a pair of Stompeez!

I let her open Emma’s present, a pair of Stompeez!

We also do stockings and Yves gets chocolate in his.

We also do stockings and Yves gets chocolate in his.

The furry ones get something too! Skippy has treats and Neo gets hairball treats (no photo!)

The furry ones get something too! Skippy has treats and Neo gets hairball treats (no photo!)

Santaland

So on Black Friday, we went to a puppet show at Macy’s Santaland. Brian’s mom organized the whole thing as I didn’t even know they had a puppet show! We met them as well as Masayo and her kids, Julian and Maya, at Macy’s. The puppet show was Yes, Virginia and it was barely half full! (Probably because nobody knows about it! Or also because it was the 10:30 am showing!) It was only about 30 minutes long. It was cute!
Puppet
After the show, we headed over toward Santaland. The wait said 1 hour. That didn’t seem so bad! Plus we were a bunch together so that should make the time go fast. We went through the arch and we walked through what seems like a very long and winding hallway that seemed endless. When we finally got to the end of the line, it was like the employees only behind the scenes area. And the line seemed really long. And we totally didn’t think it was going to be an hour. The men folk were almost whining about it but kept each other company. The kids seemed fine although Nico was mimicking Brian a little bit about the wait. Us woman stayed strong! We were waiting! And I was glad we did because when else would we have this opportunity with the kids together? And it really was an hour! The walk through Santaland was very cool and pretty (my very first time there!)

Lots of elves greeted us on line.

Lots of elves greeted us on line.

Loved the trains going around the tree!

Loved the trains going around the tree!

Hard to get a nice shot of all the kids together!

Hard to get a nice shot of all the kids together!

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If you are family or on my FB, you got to see the good shot.

If you are family or on my FB, you got to see the good shot.

This was right after we came out from seeing Santa. I was still in awe while Sienna stated that she didn't think that was the real Santa because she saw another little girl come out from a different area! LOL! Too smart for her own good! Apparently, there are a bunch of Santas, which is why the line went pretty smoothly!

This was right after we came out from seeing Santa. I was still in awe while Sienna stated that she didn’t think that was the real Santa because she saw another little girl come out from a different area! LOL! Too smart for her own good! Apparently, there are a bunch of Santas, which is why the line went pretty smoothly!


We got separated into 3 different groups trying to get out of Macy’s! Once we finally got together again, it was off to lunch in Koreatown! Yay! I believe we went to Seoul Garden. Half the table got BBQ, which is what Sienna ended up liking! I got bibimbop and Yves got a pork dish that was tasty but a little spicy for Sienna.
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The girls with full bellies afterward.

The girls with full bellies afterward.

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