A few of my favorite shots from our weekend in Cleveland with my best girl Lauren and her kiddos. We flew in on a Wednesday so I left Lucas home with daddy and made it a girls trip with Sol. The purpose of the trip was to attend Lauren’s very first art show in collaboration with her son Keegan. The show was pure magic and I am so happy we were able to attend. I’m so insanely proud of my best friend.
We spent the rest of the time together exploring Cleveland, thrifting, and just hanging out. And drinking wine. Lots of wine ;). I can’t wait for our next trip together – we are waiting for you in NYC!
Had enough of our trip to Cold Spring yet?! These are my favorite photos from our weekend away. Lucas on his very first fishing trip which he said was “awesome!!” – his face lights up every time he talks about it. While the guys fished, the girls stayed back and played in the leaves (and took photos of course). No actual fish were caught but Lucas was stoked nonetheless. We also got caught in a downpour minutes before we left. It just added to the adventure in my opinion. I’m so thankful for these experiences and the memories we are creating together with friends and as a family. The coolest part is that we didn’t have to go far from home to feel like we had been on vacation.
We spent the weekend away in beautiful Cold Spring – just one hour our of NYC. It was just what we didn’t know we needed. Our friends recently moved from the city and have made this amazing town their home (and now I kind of have house and town envy..). We left Friday night and on Saturday morning we woke up, had breakfast, and headed out for a hike.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a day spent outdoors. At one point we even stripped out of our jackets. The foliage was INCREDIBLE and the views were out of this world. Lucas had the best time (except for a few complaints that his legs hurt from all the hiking..city boy for life ya’ll) and Lillie was happy just to be strapped to the guys and take in all the loving. I swear even Humphrey (our dog) was smiling the entire time. The kids slept reallllll good that evening. The following day we took Lucas fishing and that was by far his highlight of the weekend – post coming soon ;).
I had been itching for a getaway out of Manhattan and this weekend fed my soul. To our dear friends Jackie and Jack, I can’t thank you enough for inviting us into your home and showing us all of this beauty. We can’t wait to be back this winter for the snow!
We visited this very orchard exactly 2 years ago with Lucas – one month before I became pregnant with Lillie. We decided to skip out last year because Lillie was only a few weeks old and we thought it might be a bit much driving 2 hours upstate with a newborn and a toddler in tow. Lucas had off from school last Monday and my mom and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take the drive and go apple picking with kids.
It was honestly such a surreal and magical day. Seeing both my kids playing and walking and running through the orchard when just two years ago we were a family of three and about to embark on our journey as a family of four. I’ve said it before but time is such a crazy thing. Next on our Fall to do list: pumpkin picking!
Spring in NYC. Pretty much the best (after Fall of course ;). As soon as that warm breeze hits the air, I am itching to be out of the house every day. My very favorite place to go with the kids is Central Park. The Conservatory in particular is absolutely stunning with it’s fountains, gardens, and maze-like pathways which Lucas loves to run through. I got to have a play date there last week with H&M, Heymama, and one of my very best friends in the world (since we were 11 you guys!). Pretty sweet! Viviana, the babies, and I all wore H&M and just walked around the park. It was perfect. I’m obsessed with this seasons selects at H&M (that red dress is my absolute fave and it was only $20. I mean…) and they have always been my go-to for staples for the entire family.
The best part of the afternoon was watching our little girls kiss and interact and of course seeing all the beautiful blossoms popping up. There is nothing better than beautiful, pink covered trees. Trust me on this!
Heymama asked Viviana and I to take a little friendship quiz and it was so much fun. You can read our answers below:
Nicole
+ What do you love most about your friend?
She’s incredibly loyal and the most amazing mother to her three girls.
+ What do you think she appreciates most about you?
Our ability to get together at any point and pick up right where we left off.
+ Her favorite thing about you is?
My honesty and our trust in each other.
+ Best memory of you and your kids together?
The day she came with her daughters to visit me the day Lucas was born. To see her children hold my baby was a surreal, perfect moment.
+ How are your parenting styles different?
I actually think we are pretty similar in that we both have similar approaches and are pretty traditional. I think she might have the disciplining thing down to a science and I’m still learning!
+ Best piece of parenting advice she’s ever given you?
Patience and how to discipline with love.
+ How would she describe herself in three words?
Funny, strong, loving
+ How does she react to her kids tantrums?
Viviana has the patience of a saint and is able to be firm yet remain incredibly calm.
+ Name her favorite tv show? Favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
Sex and the City. Any of the Housewives.
+ Funniest thing she’s ever done?
We have so many hilarious moments that we’ve shared. We’ve been friends for 20 years (crazy!) so we have been through it all together.
+ If you spend a date together with your kids, what would she want to do most?
Take the kids out to explore NYC. We’d go to the Central Park Zoo and then eat authentic Chinese food.
+ If your friend could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Fiji!
+ Most perfect day for your friend “sans kids”?
A day at the spa then out for dinner, dancing, and drink with her girlfriends. A mama can dream!
+ What’s a guilty pleasure she wouldn’t want to admit?
Lots of wine!
+ Who is your friends style icon?
Kate Moss
+ If she could be anyone for a day who would it be?
Sofia Vergara
Viviana
+ What do you love most about your friend?
Her ability to stop and take a second to capture all the beautiful moments life has to offer, because lets face it how many of us value the little details of every day life.
+ What do you think she appreciates most about you?
The fact that I am always honest with her, no matter how big or small the situation is, I will always give her an honest response.
+ Her favorite thing about you is?
Being able to text me at any time for an on the spot recipe!!
+ Best memory of you and your kids together?
The best memory of the kids together has to be when we surprised Lucas and picked him up from school one day. He was so happy to see us and the girls were so excited they were able to visit his school.
+ How are you parenting styles different?
It all sums up to city life vs the suburbs.
+ Best piece of parenting advice she’s given you?
Telling me not to give up on breastfeeding and encouraging me to keep going even when I felt i couldn’t continue.
+ How would she describe herself in three words?
Funny, Classy, Trendy
+ How does she react to her kids tantrums?
Even if she wanted to scream her head off you would never know, she is always super calm with them and some how seems to talk them into realizing they made a wrong choice.
+ Name her favorite tv show? Favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
Sex and the City. Love and Hip Hop.
+ Funniest thing she’s ever done?
We were at one of the saddest get togethers imaginable but you can always count on your bestie for a good laugh. Nicole was pumping and her milk was spilling out everywhere. She peeked out of the bedroom desperately looking for the first female in the room to come help her. She was soaked!
+ If you spend a date together with your kids, what would she want to do most?
Have a picnic in Central Park.
+ If your friend could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Dubai
+ Most perfect day for your friend “sans kids”?
Sleep in, wake up to fresh iced coffee in bed, followed by a lunch date with her closest girlfriends. Return home, take a nap, wake up and get ready for a low key dinner date with the hubs.
+ What’s a guilty pleasure that she wouldn’t want to admit?
One word: chocolate! Hahaha!
+ If your friend could have one wish what would it be?
To one day own a brownstone on the upper east side.
+ Who is your friend’s style icon?
Audrey Hepburn
+ If she could be anyone for a day who would it be?
One of the many, many perks of living in NYC – absolutely amazing parties in the best parks. Seriously. It does not get better than this. Last weekend we headed down to the East Village to celebrate sweet Lucien’s 3rd birthday party. It was super hero themed and Lucas was pretty stoked to be Kid Flash. There was pizza, cake, and in true NYC fashion – live guitar playing right in the middle of the playground. The weather was perfect and it was a sweet taste of the magical Spring weekends to come.
On a side note, that black book bag in the photos? It’s our new XLR8 Diaper Bag. I wanted to mention it here because I’m obsessed. Ready for this? Besides the standard diaper bag features (changing mat, tons of storage, insulated pockets) it has a CHARGING STATION. AND A SPEAKER. Say what?! So you can be our of the house all day and charge your phones on the go (when your battery dies after taking 1000 pics of the kids ;). The speaker has been amazing for our family picnics. Who doesn’t love music in the park?
Weekend adventures. We sorta, kinda, really love you. When Friday evening rolls around the wheels start turning and I start brainstorming what and where we can go with the kiddos. I love having my hubby around and our weekends are seriously good for my soul. On this particular day we made it out to Target and strolled around Harlem. We ended the day with a trip to Applebees. Nothing fancy but man was it perfect. I’m so looking forward to our holiday adventures. Reindeers at the Bronx Zoo? Yes, please! Wishing you all a fab holiday week ahead!
A few adventure game changers: Our amazing bugaboo bee makes our outings so much easier (and chic ;). Lucas is obsessed with his board and Lillie stays snug and warm in her bassinet. Thank you, Bugaboo! Our diaper bag is from storksac and is a multi-functioning book bag that I can’t get enough of. H&M is killing it this season and this mama is staying warm and chic in wrap coat and amazing scarf (that can double as a nursing cover!). Wins!
I haven’t been to Coney Island in yearssss. Our niece is visiting from Canada and exploring Coney was on her NYC bucket list so off we went on the N train with our bags packed with sunscreen, shovels, and snacks. First thing. THE CROWDS. Wow! I can’t remember the last time we were around so many people. Second thing. The colors. The people. Talk about intense yet awesome stimulation. We parked ourselves by the kiddie sand park and spent about 2 hours on the beach before heading to the boardwalk. Lucas had a blast – especially when he joined in what seemed to be a day time trance/techno party going on by Luna Park. We finished off the day at the Smorgasbord with amazing french fries and mofongo (smashed plantain). We probably won’t be back this summer..with less than 4 weeks to go until baby makes her appearance it just does’t seem doable..but we will definitely be back during the fall and next summer with two little ones in tow.
The sweetest Brooklyn afternoon was spent with lots of friends, Lucas’s included. He adores this duo and I feel the same about their mama. There was lots of chasing, squealing, and collecting of all the acorns. Lucas was such a gentleman he made sure to help keep them safe in Sophia’s pockets ;). Such a charmer this one. We are looking forward to more awesome dates and adventures this month.
