Poppy and the Park

I'm a pretty good sharer, but I was excited to find that I had my favorite playground all to myself the other day. That also meant I had Poppy all to myself!

He was impressed with how well I navigated the stairs on my own.

We had fun splashing around in the clogged water fountain.

But Poppy thought it was important to teach me how to unclog a water fountain drain with a straw. Just call me Little Miss MacGyver.

 And I thought if I stuck my tongue out far enough I could drink from the fountain. (I wasn't even close.) I guess my depth perception is still developing.

Uh-Oh, Spaghetti-O

One great thing about having a big, Italian family, is the big, Italian meals. Here's me and Ysabella enjoying some spaghetti and meatballs at Nona and Poppy's sublet in Brooklyn. I normally don't like being so dirty, but I figured every one-year-old needs some messy spaghetti pics for her portfolio.

Minimum Height Requirement

The whole Nicastro/Doron clan took a trip to Coney Island this past weekend. We struggled to find rides for which I was tall enough, Daddy was short enough, and Mommy was un-pregnant enough.

Who's having more fun?

Caboose-riders have more fun.

This horse was off limits to pregnant woman.

 The boardwalk was fun. Lots to look at, touch, and endless room to wander.

Totally distracted.

New friends to be made everywhere.

The bigger, the better.

Finally...freedom to roam.

Beer Island bar was pretty cool too. But since I still don't like having my feet in the sand, I got as far away as I could. That meant on Daddy's lap or on top of the table.

Here's a french fry, whether you want it or not, Daddy.

The table was already dirty, so what's another footprint?

Not So Sheepish

There was a time (only a few months ago) when I was shy around farm animals. But not anymore! I can look the alpaca right in the eyes now.

Pet the sheep? Gladly!

 I even had the goats eating out of the palm of my hand.

 

My cousin Ysabella came to the zoo too, but she seemed more excited about Nona than she was about the animals. 
(Probably because they haven't seen each other in three weeks. Nona and Poppy have been spending all of their time in Brooklyn with ME!)

Ysabella and I are making more of an effort to play together. 

I tried holding her hand. That didn't go very well.

 

So naturally, I tried harder.

 

 It was even tough to get us in a picture together.

Usually at least one of  us is not paying attention.

 

So this is the best we could do.

It was much easier to get me in a picture with a total stranger.

A Future In The Arts

Not sure whether I'll be a professional glockenspielist (is that a word?) or a professional dancer, but either way, I have a future in the arts.

Sand Between My Toes? No Thanks.

I had my feet in the ocean last year, but I was only three or four months old. And so far this summer I've been to the lake and the pool, but not the ocean...until today!

Mommy, Nona, and Poppy took me to Long Beach, NY (did you know it's only 21 miles from Brooklyn?) and while I was skeptical about the sand between my toes, I loved the waves and the water.

My first few steps in the sand were tolerable.

But then I decided I didn't like having dirty feet.

So I kept my feet up, even when I had shoes on.

And then I discovered a more fun way to keep my feet from getting sandy.

I wasn't afraid of the waves, though.

In fact, I actually enjoyed the water quite a bit.

I especially liked sucking my salty thumb.

I was going to help Poppy fly his kite, but prefered eating the spool.

Now I'm actually helping.

I loved being a beach bum with Nona.

And you can't beat the view from Poppy's shoulders.

But my favorite part was showering myself with ice-cold water from the cooler.

Good bye ocean. See you again soon.

Just wake me up when we get back to Brooklyn.

Burger Heaven

Mommy and Daddy have a new, favorite, neighborhood burger joint. We've been there five times in the past few weeks, which means they recognize me there (AND, I've consumed a lot of beef!) We took Grandma Marcia, Nona, and Poppy there this past Friday. As long as they keep giving me katsup, I'll keep enjoying my burgers (and fries!)