Hyatt Family Blog

Twins on the keyboard

Two weekends ago we went to the Queens Mall, where they have a jazz-themed play area. It was very nice, but two argumentative women got into a more and more heated battle about whether shoes could or could not be worn inside the play area. Security had to intervene and eventually shut down the place. Anyway, besides that it was fun.

Circle Time

One more post from preschool. Every day the kids have "circle time" where they all sit in a circle and do various things. When Greta took them on their first day, each child got a chance to jump over a candlestick. Here is Marin during her turn, looking just as happy as can be.

Allison Turns 4

On September 15th, Allison FINALLY had her birthday and turned four. She's been asking for about 5 months now, on a daily basis, when is it going to be her birthday. She got to make a crown at school and have a special treat to kick off the celebratory weekend.

After school, we went to her favorite restaurant with both sets of grandparents. She had a great time and loved the doggie Grandma Bevie brought for her.

On Saturday, I took her to see Disney Princesses on Ice. She wore her new tierra from Deb in California and was mesmerized by the performance.

Then the next day, the celebration continued with her birthday party at the Hairy Elephant, a children's "salon". The girls dressed up like princesses, got their hair, nails and makeup done, made a jeweled purse and got a cookie and a goody bag to take home. Even Jordan got to take part by dressing up as a policeman and fireman, getting his first "shave" and a tatoo. Everyone had fun, except for the birthday girl who immediately ripped out her beautiful up-do and took off her dress. So much for the big princess party she's been begging for all year!

Preschool

The twins have started preschool this past week. The first day Greta went with them to see what it was all about. They really enjoyed it, they like their teachers, and so far they are anxious to go each day. A great start to their education!

Pony ride

Two weekends ago Forest Hills had a festival. Besides the usual assortment of crafts, cheap toys, and festival-food, they had some stuff for kids. Here they are riding ponies by the festival. They really enjoyed it!

Wedding Weekend in Baltimore

This past weekend, Steve and I went (without the kids - yeah!) to Baltimore where he was a groomsman in his cousin Kevin's wedding. We had an amazing time and the wedding was truly spectacular.

We quickly learned that the "theme" of the city was crabs. Much like the cow sculptures in Chicago, they were everywhere. There was also the original Washington Monument, right outside of our hotel.

One of the main attractions in Baltimore is Harborplace, an area near the inner harbor of the Chesapeake Bay (I think!) where there are lots of shops, restaurants/bars, street performers, and boat rides. One of the highlights of our weekend was renting a little boat and enjoying snowcones on the water. The weather was perfect.

There was a wonderful rehearsal dinner at a great Italian restaurant in Little Italy. The food was great and the toasts were hilarious. The groomsman all received a branding iron with their initials on it, which Steve used to "brand" cousin Amy!

Then it was on to the big event - the wedding. The ceremony and reception were held in the Walters Art Gallery which was one of the most beautiful settings for a wedding I have ever seen. The ceremony took place in the sculpture garden amidst columns, marble and huge ancient statues looking on. The hors d'vours were strewn out on two levels of the museum. More food than you could imagine, and several open bars too. Then time for the main course, speeches and lots of dancing. Highlights were Tracy (the bride) singing a beautiful song to her groom, the yummy dessert bar, walking two beautiful women down the aisle (well, that was Steve's) and the traditional Krenzel dance for Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Zelda, signifying that the last of their children were now married. It was so great to see them so full of pride and love. What a great time!

On Sunday, there was yet more delicious food at a brunch at our hotel, then since Steve and I had a little time to kill before our flight, we went back to the museum where the wedding had been held to look around a litttle more.

We wish Kevin and Tracy nothing but the best and thank them so much for having us to this great event.

At the coffee shop

The twins went with me last weekend to Casa, my favorite coffee shop (located in Midtown, just west of the Port Authority).

Here they are marveling over their first espresso. Undoubtedly they are noticing how well made this one is. Sorry girls, in New York, it's mostly downhill from here.

I didn't let them have anything, although they did try and like some capuccino foam.

What a weekend!

Marianne and Steve went to a wedding in Baltimore last weekend and we babysat. We had a great time with the kids. We started the activities with an ice cream social at Jordan's new school, went to Creve Coeur Park, (where I chased after Jordan while he rode his bike), the Clayton Art Fair, the J to play racquetball and finally a picnic at the J. Besides all that, Allison & Jordan found plenty of time to ride their bikes and play at our house. Needless to say, Art & I now need a vacation! Now I know why young people have kids!

Two princesses

I have a coworker who goes by the moniker of "dB". He's very into photography, and from the pictures I've seen of his, he's quite good at it. I worked out a deal with him, where he takes some pictures of my kids, and I buy him and his girlfriend a nice lunch in Queens. So last weekend, we went to his place and took pictures in the makeshift studio he has set up in his Noho apartment. He has posted a bunch of them on his blog. They came out wonderfully! Check them out!

In the basement

In the St. Louis trip, the kids played in Marianne's basement with their cousins Jordan and Allison. Here they are in some dress-up clothes, coming out of a cute little house.