Boogie Down Bronx

We spent Sunday relaxing with the family on a picnic blanket in the Bronx.

Backseat nap.

Lots of hot air.

Mmmm...sangria.

Aiyana's buddy, Uncle Ahmadu.

Bubble blowing.

Pretty kite, but no wind.

Thanks for the watermelon, Uncle Jude.

Mommy didn't bring the stroller, but this will do just fine.

Ready. Set. Race.

No shirt. No surprise.

A late afternoon cuddle.

Love and Bronx BBQs,

Zadia Love

Lemon$de

For several days after our lemonade stand in East Hampton, I asked Mommy and Daddy to help me set up another one. We finally had a leisurely Sunday morning where selling lemonade seemed to be the only way to start the day. It's quite a project you know? Buying the lemons, squeezing the lemons, painting the sign, scouting out a location, devising a business plan, setting up the stand, packing a backpack full of toys, etc. It took us about two hours to open for business, but we sold out in less than twenty minutes. 

Turns out we have some really thirsty people in our building, who also just happen to love lemonade.

 

Love and seven more dollars for my piggy bank,

Zadia Love

Staycation

Mommy and Daddy will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary next week. They had planned to celebrate somewhere tropical, but decided to stay local instead. They're on a 48-hour staycation in Manhattan, and Zadia and I are back in Brooklyn with Nona and Poppy. Hmmm...I wonder who's having a better time?

 Let's see. We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with Nona and Poppy.

...followed by ice cream with Uncle Jude.

 

 Then yesterday morning we braved the 100 degree weather and went to the playground.

 After which we were soaking wet, so we got ourselves dressed in our favorite outfits. Me in nothing but a diaper and rain boots.

 And Zadia in three pieces, all with mismatched patterns (I hear that's really in style now, actually.)

Although I have to admit, lounging by the rooftop pool on a hot day does look pretty fun too.

 

But as far as we're concerned, not even a pool on a hot day is more fun than a movie night with Nona and Poppy.

Mommy and Daddy, we know you're just over the bridge and we're so glad you're enjoying your time away together. You deserve it! And don't worry about us--we're being very good girls and are having a blast with Nona and Poppy. But we do miss you and can't wait for you to come back. (Oh, and don't forget--you said you'd bring us presents.)

Love and Manhattan staycations,

Aiyana Eden

Big Celebrations

We were out in NJ on Saturday celebrating Nana's 85th birthday and Nana & Papa's 65th anniversary. I'm pretty sure Nana is older than me. And while I don't know anything about anniversaries, I did just tell Mommy that " I don't want to marry a Daddy that speaks Spanish." (I started Spanish camp last week and am having a bit of a hard time being myself with kids and instructors that don't always speak English.)

Anyway, everyone was speaking English at Nana and Papa's, so a great time was had by all.

What's a party without (messy) sweets?

And without family?

 

Nana and Papa, you are an inspiration to our family. Oh, and Nana, I hope I look as good as you do in 82 years!

Love and matching chevron dresses,

Zadia Love

Madeline Never Sweats

It was 95 degrees today. And I have opinions. What do you get when you put those together? 

A 3-year-old wearing a fleece costume to the playground on a hot summer day, of course.

I don't know why Mommy kept asking me if I was hot and if I wanted to change my clothes. I was totally fine! (She was probably just asking me because she was embarrassed to be seen with me wearing my dress-up clothes in public.)

Love and looking good in anything,

Zadia Love

Afternoon Tea

We had a few weeks in between school ending and camp starting. So we filled our days with lots of fun play dates. Mommy thought it would a good opportunity to introduce some of my girl friends to each other (especially since we'll all be in the same preschool in September.) We invited Hana (my neighbor from the old apartment) and Bella (my current neighbor) up for some afternoon tea.

There were soooo many things to get excited about. After all, this was my first real tea party. After we met Daddy for lunch that day, we stopped into a bakery and bought mini cupcakes for me and my friends.

Mommy made iced tea (which tasted yucky, so we drank lemonade instead), and we had a selection of skirts, hats, and jewelry out for all the little princesses.

Bella, Aiyana, and I couldn't get enough sugar. We each ate three cupcakes, and we kept adding more and more sugar to our lemonade.

 

Mmmm...

Hana wasn't as interested in tea service, but her little brother, Aiden, sure wished he were one of the girls that day. We're pretty sure he finished off the cupcakes when we stepped away to powder our noses.

Love and sweet afternoon delight,

Zadia Love

Helmet Head

Whether out for frozen yogurt or grocery shopping with Mommy, the helmet remains on my little head. Taking this helmet from me is even worse than taking candy from a baby. Don't even think about it!

Love and little things that make me happy,

Aiyana Eden

Potty Counting

Mommy has us count to ten when we're applying fake tattoos. Here I am imitating that process (while also going potty.)

This was the first time Mommy and Daddy heard me count to eleven, with seven, eight, and nine being my favorite numbers (see video below.) 

 

Love and cute counting, 

Aiyana Eden

Mr. Golden Sun

Aiyana was right. This is currently my favorite song in the whole world. Doesn't it just make you want to smile, even if the sun isn't shining?

 

Love and a ray of sunshine,

Zadia Love

Salt Water and Sandy Toes

After a wet Saturday morning in East Hampton, the rain tapered off and the clouds broke. Maybe because Zadia repeatedly sang her favorite song, "Mister Golden Sun." 

Finally, we were off to the beach. We haven't been to a beach since November, but we hadn't forgotten how much we love it. We were both fearless, running into the crashing waves with wild abandon. It's pretty scary how little fear I have, actually. 

And don't for a second think that we let Mommy and Daddy relax.

We like to make them work hard, even on vacation.

Love and sand in between my little toes,

Aiyana Eden