B in the Big Apple

We decided (at midnight before our 8:20 am flight), due to circumstances beyond our control, to take Ben with us to NYC. While this was supposed to be our first trip away without kids, it turned out to be a fabulous vacation anyway - Ben LOVED the city, we saw a ton, and Jess and I got to do almost everything we had planned, including seeing "Wicked," which was, by the way, completely wicked (thank you, Christy, for giving up your Friday night on such short notice to watch Ben)! Leaving Atlanta.
"Happy Feet" in the air.

Chillin' at the hotel before heading out to see the sights.
Ben's first meal in the city - a NYC bagel as big as his head!

American Museum of Natural History.

You've gotta love Ben's natural smile in all these pictures.

Daddy and B in Times Square.

Radio City Music Hall (and one of MANY city fountains Ben had the pleasure of tossing pennies into).

Rockefeller Plaza.

Early morning subway ride.

On the ferry to the Statue of Liberty ... can you feel the boat rocking?

Ben is dwarfed by Lady Liberty. Feeling good on Liberty Island, but ...

the ferry ride back to Battery Park put him under. Our happy boy had turned green and he passed out as soon as we got off the ferry. After about a half hour, we got into a taxi and the poor kid exploded all over. The cab driver just handed us a roll of paper towels and kept on his way.

After a short rest in the hotel (and the purchase of an umbrella stroller), we were back out to walk some NYC neighborhoods.

Bryant Park.

NY Public Library - Ben HAD to see the "handsome library lions" that we had read about in his NYC book.

Playing in Central Park.

We had an awesome view of the Hudson from our room.

The next morning we got on a double-decker bus to see some more of the city. Ben was a great tour guide.

Empire State Building.

Chrysler Building.

Flatiron Building.

Waldorf-Astoria.

Then we headed to Citi Field.

No, we didn't buy him a Mets hat - they gave them out at the game.

On our final morning, we took the uptown loop on the double-decker bus. This was in Harlem.

We got off the bus near Central Park and took a horse-and-carriage ride.

Hot chocolate break at Dean & DeLuca.

Then we window shopped down Fifth Avenue all the way to The Village and Madison Square Park, where Ben played until we had to head back to LaGuardia.

So, it wasn't in the cards for Jess and I to get away this time, but we had such a fabulous time with Ben. Planes, trains, taxis, buses, boats, and miles upon miles of walking - he was a trooper through all of it, our little jet-setter. And thank you, Booma and Papa, for staying with Noah!

Batter Up!

Ben had his first-ever T-ball game last Saturday. His team, the Tigers (as in Detroit), had a terrific first outing. He's playing with some of his playgroup friends, some neighborhood friends, and some friends from his old preschool. And again, Jess - brave soul and most awesome Dad - is coaching. The Tigers warm up before the game by running the bases. Ben was not thrilled with this drill, and clung tightly to Daddy's hand the whole time (and there may have been some whining involved).

Getting help from Coach Daddy during batting practice. He had a great hit in practice!

Admiring his work.

Then it was game time. The Tigers were up first, and Ben was second in the batting order ...

His first official hit! We were so proud of him. He refused to run the bases, but baby steps, right?
Then the Tigers took the field. This was serious business.
I mean, he's for real, folks.

Eventually, he became disinterested because the ball didn't spontaneously land in his glove (again, area for growth).
High fives after the game - all 1 1/2 inning's worth.
As with soccer, Ben's favorite part of the gameday experience was snack time.
Go Tigers!

Editor's Note: These pictures may have been better if I hadn't had a rambunctious 22-month-old squirming on my hip who was more anxious to be out there playing than many of the actual team members. Lookout, League - in another couple of years Noah's coming for you!

Ben's Backyard Birthday Bash

Last Saturday we celebrated Ben's 4th birthday with his playgroup friends, school friends, some friends from our neighborhood, and of course, family (Michigan crew - we'll celebrate with you in July!). We were excited to use our new backyard, and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The weather was incredible, the kids (lots of them) had a blast, and, best of all, Ben LOVED it.

We rented a giant train bouncey-house with a water slide.
Joseph, Maya, and Kai jump, jump, jump.

Two of our biggest bouncey enthusiasts were Marli and her Daddy Anthony ...
Micah liked the bubbles.

Malena, Sydney, and Sarah kept cool in the pool. We couldn't have imagined celebrating without Ava!

Sno-cones were a big hit.

Ava D. and Ben pause for the paparazzi.

Noah loved the water table. Aunt Julie Ann was a great playmate.

Jonah, Ben, Ava, and Jackson decorate their buckets with stickers.

Then Jess gathered up the kids for a few games ...

Freeze-Dance,

Red Light, Green Light,

and Water Balloon Toss!

Then it was pizza time.

And in case the kids hadn't hit their sugar quota with sno-cones and candy, there were Baskin-Robbins clown cones. Ben was (and is every year) a very shy boy while we sang him "Happy Birthday."

With some coaxing, he did finally blow out his candles.

Our happy little (big) birthday boy.