Father's Day on Governor's Island

Yesterday afternoon I picked up Samuel from a playdate downtown, and we took the long way home...via a teensy little ferry trip to Governor's Island. (I know, I know, I have impluse control issues. Jennifer has already informed me.) We decided to come back today with Jennifer and Ethan.

We rented a 4-seat "quadcycle" to explore the island. You kind of assume that they'll just sort of go by themselves, but...they really don't, and they aren't light. The manual labor necessitated immediate shirt removal.

The view toward Manhattan was spectacular--a mere half-mile away.

Our hippie kids danced around the moat surrounding one of the two forts on the island.

Samuel and I were determined to touch the cannons overlooking the harbor, which helped intimidate the sissy Brits during the War of 1812.

Jennifer protected Ethan from bugs, a recurring theme in our recent outings.

Back home in time for baths, laundry, and walking the dog. A good Father's Day.

Samuel's Haiku

Samuel got Honorable Mention in a haiku contest. The awards cermony was last night at the UN.

Me, Mom, and Ethan
sledding down a cold hill
Aargh! A tree

The judge's comments:

"We don't know who Ethan is but it seems important that the poet includes him in this unit. He might be a brother; he might be the poet's best friend from school or from down the street; he might be Mom's friend. He might even be a pet or stuffed animal. Whoever or whatever he is, he's part of the sledding party and these three are in it, together, whatever lies ahead."

So, okay, aside from the judge's strange obsession with Ethan, all good.

Mmm

My point is, why would you even buy a candy bar and not eat it right away unless you secretly wanted your husband to eat it?

Busy Weekend

The adventure begins with a new light in our foyer on Friday. This will interest absolutely no one except Art Deco buffs like myself. I got it on eBay. Does it kick ass or what?? I get way too excited over stuff like this.

Saturday was sunny and hot. We went to the water terrace at the Museum of Natural History in between loads of laundry and cleaning the air conditioner screens.

Saturday night we had dinner at EJ's, then Samuel and Jennifer went to see "Mary Poppins" on Broadway. Ethan had no interest, and I had to finish a presentation for work (kinda makes me feel like Darren Stevens from "Bewitched"--"I'll be working on the presentation this weekend, Mr. Tate"). So Ethan and I stayed home.

Sunday was hot and sunny again. But Samuel was not feeling well, and I owe two manuscript revisions to my agent. (I like saying "my agent," as if I'm JK Rowling--but hey, maybe "The Dog Who Cried Woof" will finally put me on the map.) In any case, Samuel stayed in bed playing Nintendo and I'm on the computer, pretending it's not hot and sunny outside.

School Picnic

Here are some pics from our school picnic at Tallman State Park last weekend.

Howard Hughes made a rare public appearance.


Jennifer was looking hot in her T-shirt.


A few of us kids went on a mission to find the swimming pool at the bottom of the mountain.


Alas, it was not yet filled.


Everyone made it back to camp alive.


Note to self: do not tease Ethan with bugs.


Kinda makes you want to have a few more kids, doesn't it? I'd take three more, and they'd look like this.

Nothing Worse Than Working on Sunday

Ethan: Dad, wanna go to the playground with me and Samuel and Mom?

Todd: I'm sorry, I can't. I gotta work today.

Ethan: Why can't you just make up an excuse?

Ethanism

Ethan: It would be fun to be a caveman because then you could write on the walls without getting in trouble.

Kung Fu Panda

Somehow I got on a press list--clearly the result of some email newsletter I signed up for. So I get about 4 emails a day pitching me on everything from the world's lightest razor to picture frames that automatically display your Flickr photos.

But...I also get invitations to movie screenings. A few weeks ago I took Ethan to "Speed Racer" (dazzlingly bad). Tonight I took Samuel to "Kung Fu Panda."

Here is our review:

Samuel: "Kung Fu Panda" was a good movie. Especially in IMAX because it seems like you're actually there. I liked the Wu Shi finger hold. It's when you hold a guy's finger with your own finger and move your pinky and the other guy explodes. I would recommend this movie to others.

Todd: Clumsy, overweight panda in ancient China is accidentally anointed a Kung Fu warrior and must save the kingdom from an evil, roid-rage tiger. Light, fun, visual, and--at an hour and fifteen minutes--fast. I, too, liked the Wu Shi finger hold.