Omi2/Oma comes to visit

This weekend Omi2/Oma came to New York. Sorin totally remembered her (we were in Toronto a few weeks ago) and was very happy when Omi2 arrived. Unfortunately the weather on Saturday was dreary, but Omi2, Mum, and Sorin went to an indoor play space we have been meaning to explore. Sorin loved bouncing on the air trampoline and playing with the trains. On Sunday, after a visit to Aunt Lollo, Mum and Dad went on a date to see a less than stellar opera (think drama club at the senior living facility). It was worth the laugh, though, and nice to get out together.

Sorin LOVES to be outside. When I pick him up from the Yellow Room in the evening he starts to say "ada," which means outside. I have to coax him up to the apartment to put our things down, but then he's right back at the door. "Ada, ada." Tonight after dinner Sorin decided he wanted to go out again, so he got his back pack, hat, and shoes, and then waved goodbye. He understands more and more every day, and you can just see him put things together in that little head of his.

School boy

This picture of Sorin makes me a bit wistful because he looks so grown up! But here he is, nonetheless, all ready to go to the Yellow Room. Sorin moved from the infant room to the toddler room a few weeks ago and is settling in very well. Mum, on the other hand, is having trouble with the transition:). There are more children in the room, and a bigger age spread (from 12 months to 2.5 years, right now). It seems, well, chaotic. But Sorin seems to like the hustle and bustle, and his favorite teacher, Eric, is there to give him a snuggle when he needs it. Every day he carries a cup, "bottle," 2 snacks, and lunch with him, so we bought him his very own backpack. He refused to wear it at first, but then I think he noticed that Mum and Dad wear a backpack, so maybe he would try...and here he is, wearing it quite proudly!

A visit with Nonno and Nonna

On Saturday we all took the train up to Westchester to visit with Nonno and Nonna, who were in town. I just had to include the picture of Sorin eating an apple on the train. He thought it was the greatest game to steal a bite, and was squealing with impish laughter. We had a lovely afternoon at Aunt Jean's house, where Sorin got to meet his Great-Grandmother Irene for the first time, play dinosaurs and "swim" with big cousin Hunter, and hang out with Nonno and Nonna. Oh, and he can say "Nonna" quite clearly--but we're still working on "Nonno":). In the evening we went to the Dobbs Ferry festival where Thadeous bumped into some friends from high school. Sorin was incredibly good natured all day, a feat considering he woke up at 5 a.m. and didn't nap the entire day! He finally conked out as we approached home, and had a good, long sleep.

Toronto trip

We just returned from a lovely trip to Toronto to visit Omi2 and Opi. Sorin and Mum flew up alone (quite the adventure with a busy toddler!), and then Dad joined us a few days later. Omi2 and Opi's house is right next door to a playground, where Sorin loves to hang out. He brings Omi2 his shoes in the morning, meaning let's go! There is also (still) some construction there, meaning trucks, trucks, and more trucks! Sorin was enamored with the backhoe, cement mixer, jack hammer, Bobcat, and others. Here's Sorin enjoying a skinny dip in the wading pool.


While we were in Toronto we went to the Toronto Islands. The ferry trip was Sorin's first ride on a "ba". Here he is with Omi2 taking in the Toronto skyline.


Centre Island has a kiddie theme park, and for Mum it was like walking into the past. The rides and "town" are identical to the way they were 25 years ago. Here is Sorin and Mum enjoying a whirl on the carousel.


One of the other places we visited was Riverdale Farm, a real farm in the middle of downtown Toronto. Now, I was sort of expecting a petting zoo a la Central Park, but this was very different. First of all, it was free, and basically empty! And then there are real barns, pens, and paddocks. Sorin heard a rooster crow, pet some sheep, goats, and cows, and watched Dad pet a chicken. Like Dad, Sorin is quite the animal lover. Here is watching Dad commune with a butterfly.


Now we're back in New York. Since our return we've visited with Aunt Nicole, had brunch with Aunt Juliet and Uncle Matt, and hung out in Central Park and the courtyard. Sorin has also found a new "fondness" for Emily. He follows her around saying, "kitty cat" (or a close approximation). He brings Mum or Dad over to Emily to pet her so that he can pet her too. And, to her great pleasure, he likes to point out her eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Now that's love:).