After going to the Met we were again inspired to do some art.
We saw a similar project happening with a tour group of kids.

Here is “The Cat” by Giacometti we saw at the Met:

Here’s my version of a dog:

This is another one of his works: “The Square”

…and this is our version of a Giacometti sculpture project from the Usborne Art Treasury by Rosie Dickins.

Dante made the “thin” figure, I made the “dog” and Anika made the “fuller” figure. This was a fun and simple one.

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At this point Anika is a proficient bike rider she just wanted to have her picture taken riding standing up and going through obstacles.

Sent from my iPhone

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Dante totally learned how to ride a bike today! Melvin started teaching home one day a few weeks ago and we just haven’t been able to get out since—until today. He started out not very confident wanting me to hold on to the back of the seat but actually balancing rather stable. From there all I did was keep lightly touching his back to him completely ok his own. Next was slowing down, breaking abd coming to a complete stop. After came speed and going through some posts as obstacles. And finally he’s almost got the starting completely on his own down. Now he’s asking me if he can go up the hill. Ay ay ay. That’s Dante… Very hessitant and fearful getting started but then there’s no stopping him.

Sent from my iPhone

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We went specifically to see the special Superhero Costumes exhibit before it ends Sept 1st… that and Melvin’s mom who has been in NYC many times had never been to this particular museum.

It truly was the coolest thing ever…but no photography was allowed.
We then luckily got to catch another couple of special exhibits that will also be leaving soon.

Jeff Koons on the Roof





and Tara Donovan at the Met


Other than that we each got to pick a special area. I picked modern art.


Dante picked Arms and Armor. We probably spent over an hour fully engaged. It was pure learning awesomeness.

and finally both Anika and Dante picked Egyptian Art. Anika had enjoyed the special exhibits so much she didn’t have a particular interest in anything else and since Dante really wanted to see Egyptian Art she willingly agreed and was actually interested as well.

Unfortunately, Dante, with his many fears lately couldn’t stop thinking about the Samurai costumes and Egyptian mummy coffins at bedtime.

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with Mel’s mom and dad.

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Vegan place few blocks from here Mel’s dad had been wanting to go to for months.

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Mel’s parents are in town and staying with us for a few days. (His dad is actually here on business so he’ll be off to his hotel by Monday night, but his mom stays with us.) We got to share one of my favorite activities ever…laying on blankets at the park…this time Riverside Park…

that way we get the Hudson River view.

Then we came home and made a special recipe from Mel’s dad’s veggie blog:
MiCocinaVegetariana (just a little side hobbie site of his)

They’re a veggie feast on plantains. Here is the full meal:

(The turkey on the side was just for me, the kids and Mel.)

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Friday night we got to go to Melvin’s boss’s 40th birthday party in a private room at his favorite bar (Jimmy’s 43) in the East Village. We figured it would be a good night and hired a sitter for the very first time and boy was it ever worth it! Being that we really don’t get out that much we arrived too early (9:30pm)…invite said 9pm. I say early because other than the birthday boy and his girlfriend the only other people there were the special performing guests.

the birthday boy and his girlfriend

I went ahead and ordered a bottle of prosseco and some appetizers (olives, cheese, cooked sausages) and just kind of made myself comfortable on a little table while the guys continued to work on the music equipment set up. I had no idea who the people were at first so we all just randomly started chatting after a while and before you knew it we had all the little tables lined up in a long dinner feast and just enjoyed the food, drink and conversation while the rest of the guests arrived.

I had not a clue these guys were some serious musicians which was even better because had I known I probably would have never talked to them out of sheer intimidation (plus I do not dig the groupie thing). Anyway, the moment and conversation was unique and captivating and just fabulous all around. Before I knew it the prosseco which was great was all gone though little did I know this place was renown for its beer. Bummer! By now the place was packed the music was groovin’ and it was time for what turned out to be the most unexpected and delightful treat of the evening: Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch.

AnnieWeb Little Annie Myspace

Melvin upon discovering the uniqueness of the beer there proceeded to get us a round as I wallowed in the performance …songs from a recent album…(available on iTunes)…

I just got the album and I seriously can not rave about it enough…there is her version of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and another song made famous by Nina Simone…and…and…

here’s me chug a lugin’

Ok, by now partly because of the great drink, partly because of the fabulous party and mostly because of the performance I was in sheer fun heaven!

Here is a pic of Paul Wallfisch’s other band Botanica:

The show finished, the live DJ continued and I proceed to mingle and even dance a bit til the wee hours. Actually we took off running when we realized it was 2am because we told the sitter we’d be a good bit earlier than that though she did say it would be totally fine if we stayed later.

Needless to say, I was a bit hungover the next day and let me tell you, it ain’t pretty…but in the end it was all well worth it for an overall FaBUlouS evening.

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The much anticipated moment has arrived: (well…almost)

For almost TWO years we’ve been waiting to see if Anika will have the opportunity for an appropriate public school placement, if not the future holds many years of homeschooling for us all.

WHEN AND HOW WILL PLACEMENTS BE MADE?

By the end of July, the ELA and Math standardized test scores will be combined and totaled, and applicants will be placed in
ranked score order.
Eligible students will be considered for placement based on ranked score order in conjunction with seat availability within
their zoned district.
By August 15, 2008 families of eligible students being offered placements in district schools with G&T programs will be
contacted.
Families of students who cannot be offered placements in 2008 will be notified by mail.

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It’s the new trend and it’s absolutely fabulous!!!
Stainless Steel Water Bottle

I’ve had mine for about a month now and it is perfect. I seriously haven’t bought bottled water since I got this. No need….AND no grimy buildup I used to find in every plastic water bottle I had bought in the past.

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