This past weekend we received a little glimmer of hope from the Spring Gods. A high of 55 and sunshine. Lots of it. It was just what we needed to get us out of our winter funk (even if it’s just temporary). We headed to the park to soak it all in. The snow was melting and there were giant puddles everywhere – toddler heaven! On that note, many of you have asked via Instagram just how durable our beloved Freshly Picked Moccasins are and if they are in fact appropriate for toddlers. Please see above. Lucas jumped in every single puddle that crossed his path – at this point I have given up on trying to stop him. let toddlers be toddlers is my motto 😉 – and completely soaked his moccs. These camo bad boys dried up by the time we got home and there was not one sign of puddle abuse. Hence why we love FP so so much (besides the gorgeous colors, etc., etc.!). And his jacket? It’s by New Generals, an insanely modern, chic, and eco-friendly children’s label. A new favorite!
“A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
There is nothing better than watching you and your papi play together. Although you are a mamas boy at heart, it fills me with so much joy that you are most certainly your fathers little mini-me.
So here we are. Two weeks into Nursery school and I couldn’t be more proud of my boy. There have a been a few emotional mornings (on both our ends) but my fellow mama amigas assure me this is par for the course. Just yesterday as we walked into school, he let go of my hand and ran into his classroom yelling “Mama, I go play!”. Everyday when I pick him up I’m greeted with the biggest hug and a new work of art to hang on the fridge. I’m also starting to acquire the most amazing collection of toddler masterpieces that I’m certain will be worth big bucks some day. Something I wasn’t expecting at all? Bobo (aka pacifier) weening. Well, not this fast. Each day he hands me or his teacher his bobo and he has been spending the entire day without it. He doesn’t even ask for it before nap time. A bloody miracle. The moment we leave school he asks me for it in his most pitiful voice accompanied by puppy dog eyes and I hand it over. Baby steps I keep telling myself. As much as I wanted to get rid of the dreaded pacifier, it honestly leaves me feeling a bit weepy knowing just how quickly he is progressing. It’s ahhhmazing and all sorts of sad at the same time. Mama issues I suppose.
Overall the kid is rocking it. Truly, he never ceases to amaze me. I love you my big boy!
Bobo Choses, how I love you. I have been a huge fan of BC since Lucas was infant. Each season is better than the last and their Spring/Summer collection is off the charts. A vintage wardrobe collection after this mamas heart. Both whimsical and eclectic, I’m in love with every piece. You can find an amazing selection of the collection at one of my very favorite shops, Line + Liv.
“A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
Lucas is OBSESSED with the PBS Kids app. He knows exactly where to find it on my phone and how to switch programs within the app. This is his concentrated PBS look 😉 I love this face.
This is my fourth post for volume IV of the sling diaries: everything shines. You can follow along with my fellow sakura loves here. I am wearing the simple silk baby sling in midnight.
On a cold Saturday evening my little family bundled up and walked to Museum Mile. The Guggenheim was calling our names.It fills my heart with such happiness to share all the beauty this city of ours has to offer with my littlest love. The arts played an immense part of my childhood and helped shape the woman I am today. I attended my first concert at Madison Square Garden at just eight years old (Whitney Houston, in case you were curious!). That same year I watched actors float across a Broadway stage, belting out classics from Grease as my eyes filled with wonderment. Every weekend my mother made sure to take me to a museum, an art class, or a new neighborhood to explore. I was enrolled in dance and still remember the freedom and grace that our bodies can ignite-. I want this for Lucas.
My budding, curious boy has the world at his fingers. For now it is up to his father and I to show him..to give him the freedom to touch, dance, explore. Academics are important, sure. But in all honesty I don’t believe that a standard classroom regimen is the key to success. In order to find your true calling, to find your passion, to find out who you are, the arts are key. I want Lucas to try an instrument. To feel the smooth keys of a piano beneath his long fingers. I want Lucas to dance! To feel the rhythm of a salsa ballad run through his core. I want Lucas to paint. To watch his own masterpiece take form with every brush stroke. To me, this is living, and I want to give Lucas every opportunity in the world to feel these tangible emotions and make a decision based on his life experiences on what path he chooses to take as an young adult. Maybe he will be a scientist. But he also may very well choose to be the next Felipe Polanco.
So instead of another episode of Sesame Street where a screen was teaching him about the color green, we headed off to the museum. Where he could learn by exploring and experiencing the rich colors (green included ;).
For the past few months I could sense a shift in Lucas’s behavior and needs. I felt it in my heart that it was time for him to interact more with children his age. I knew he was ready and as much as it killed me (no, really) to realize just how fast he was growing, I was certain he would thrive in a new environment. Thus began our search.
Now for all my NYC mamas (and really – mamas everywhere), I don’t know how you do it. Besides the obvious emotions of not wanting to let my baby go, I had major sticker shock. $20-30k a year for my two year old? Call me naive but I had NO idea that I was supposed to be paying the cost of a college tuition for my toddler. I want the very best for lucas, there’s no doubt about that. But there had to be an alternative. I felt stuck. Frustrated. So because I can’t afford the going rate in my neighborhood for a preschool education did that mean I would have to sacrifice quality teachers? A clean, safe environment where I would feel confident leaving my son? It just didn’t seem fair. This fueled my fire and resulted in hours upon hours (ok, weeks) of research and visiting several day care and nursery programs in our area.
We finally decided on a program that we loved and could afford. Before we made our final, executive decision, I took Lucas with me to visit. The first time we explored the school and I got to speak one on one with his future teacher. She made me feel at ease and Lucas loved her. On the second visit Lucas was able to participate in the classroom and joined in on dance time. He was in heaven! I mean, the kid loved it. Not that I’m entirely surprised. Lucas is extremely social and a total people person (I take full credit for that one ;). When it was time to leave homeboy threw an epic tantrum. His teacher was so understanding and reassured me that it was fine, and well, at least he didn’t want to go! His new teachers are also going to assist in potty training and weaning him off the pacifier. What more could I ask for? Truly!
So this morning we arrived at 8:50am. I switched him out of his wet snow boots, put on his sneakers, and headed to his new cubby. As I was hanging up his coat he ran into his classroom and didn’t look back for me. My heart sank. I followed him in and actually yelled “Lucas! BYE!” He looked back and gave me a weak “bye”. Crushed. I was crushed. I left to drown my sorrows at a nearby Starbucks and returned at 11:30, 1/2 hour before pickup, and planted myself in front of the observation window. He was eating lunch family style with his classmates. He looked so darn happy you would have thought he was having brunch in Disney World. He was SO happy. He was beaming. I felt a sense of relief wash over me.
When I walked into the classroom to pick him up he shouted “mama!” and proceeded to give me a tour of the play kitchen and all the yummy wooden produce. I’m feeling pretty confident about the rest of the week. On Thursday he has a Valentine’s Day party and I volunteered to bring the apple juice. We’re only one day in but so far Lucas and I are loving this nursery school thing.
The lovely children’s shop Carousel NY will be having their very first pop – up shop next week! They carry some of my favorite brands including Shampoodle, Indikidual, and Munster Kids. The pop – up shop will feature some serious mark downs on AW13 collections. They will also be debuting some of their brand spanking new SS14 collections. It’s the perfect event for the whole family – the parentals can shop and the kids will be entertained with balloons, finger paints, and yummy goodies.
Stop by the Soho shop anytime beginning this Saturday. The event will take place daily until February 14th. I’ll be there with Lucas and I hope to see many of your beautiful faces! Let the shopping commence.
I was recently introduced to Kira Kids..fashion goodness I tell ya! When our package arrived the first thing I noticed were the bold prints. Hip and modern (to satisfy mama) and absolutely adorable and fun (for Mr. Lucas of course). Who doesn’t love a bear rocking out with his boombox? So very 90’s chic! The fabric is soft – Like really soft, and holds up great in the wash (one of my biggest pet peeves is purchasing something for Lucas only to have it hanging on by a thread – literally – after just a few washes. major bonus points, Kira Kids!). Some of my favorite pieces in the collection include this cool dude, this guy, and this sweet dress for the princess in your life. I’m also seriously loving their curated Valentine’s shop, just in time to look extra adorable for Cupid. Coming soon..Lucas in the raddest Kira Kids NYC cardigan. xo
beanie c/o prjona plym | tee c/o kira kids | cardigan from zara baby (similar here)
