Day Out with Our Buddy Katie

We met outside the Plaza, then headed into Central Park.

Katie's first carousel ride ever!

Theo polished off his entire bowl of egg drop soup.

He almost finished this giant plate of fried rice, beef, and broccoli!

Crackin' Me the Hell Up

Dictator Theo is hysterical. He has rules for everything and is unbelievably demanding.

If I'm watching TV, and he's trying to get my attention and I'm ignoring him, he'll stick his face directly in front of mine and say "helloooo-oooooo." It's the funniest thing!

He has a game where he sits down on the couch and I lay down and put my legs on his lap so he can drive his little car up and down my legs. God forbid I'm not in the mood for a game or sitting up on the couch. "Mommy, sit here! Mommy, lay down! Right here, mommy! Come on, mommy!"

Yesterday morning I was putting on my bra, and it was below my boobs while I was attaching the clasp in the back. He said, "No mommy, up here" and tried to move my bra up over my boobs the way it's supposed to go. So friggin funny.

The other night I was exhausted and he refused to go to bed. Finally, I gave up and I told him "Do what you want, mommy is going to bed." And so what did he do? He brought me the pillow from his bed! The silly little sweetie!

When we get to the playground, if I follow him to the slide he corrects me and orders me to take my usual spot on the bench. He points to the bench and says "Mommy, go sit down!"

He is a riot to hang around! We're always, always laughing at what comes out of his perfect little mouth.

Sunday in Harlem

Friday, after I fired my babysitter for not being there when the school bus dropped off Theo (I'm still too mad to write about it), he cheered me up by being a cutie pie when I took him for comfort pizza.


Sunday we went to Harlem for some authentic fried chicken, and to visit that lovely side of Central Park with the gardens and fountains...it's just stunning, I love it over there.

HIT PLAY TO SEE THIS VIDEO



Theo was a daredevil on the tire swing. He is so strong, he had no problem holding on, and daddy just couldn't push him fast or high enough! That other little boy you see in the picture above--he's also 4, and he was terrified. He made his dad go very, very slowly.


Theo gathered shells and brought them to me one at a time.


Check this out...you can actually see the penny going in. Do you see it?





My handsome, statuesque husband and my fascinated-by-the-fountain cutie.

I Love This Boy

Spend Sunday with the Orecchios

I love Sundays. It's the one day we get to do everything as a family.

1. Wake up, eat breakfast. I made a power omelet - egg whites, tomatoes, and asparagus.

2. Laundry - whoohoo!

3. Dunkin Donuts for coffee and munchkins. Theo ate his usual glazed donuts until he spotted another boy with powdered munchkins. After that it was all over. He HAD to have "the white ones." Luckily, the other mom suggested a trade, so we didn't have to spend a whole-gasp-extra dollar!

4. Playground

5. Haircuts for daddy and Theo. Awwwwwwwwwwww. Theo was so excited to watch Joe get his, and couldn't wait for his turn. How do I have this kid who makes everything easy? I'm so lucky! He can get excited about anything! Laundry, haircuts. Sheesh! Someone needs to send him a memo explaining the real fun things on life.

6. Train time! Off to the San Gennaro festival we went, in Little Italy. We got some zeppolis and Theo ended up wearing white powder all over his black sweatshirt. We sat outside at some cute corner restaurant, and Theo ate most of my Rigatoni alla Vodka (grrr) and a bunch of my broccoli. [See Gloria, I give him other things besides rice and beans!! :) ]
Like I said, he's so good. Since it was a special day, I let him put way too much butter on his bread.

7. At home, it didn't take long for Theo to pass out after a day like that. Or us. We passed out watching the Emmys.

Pajama Fashion Show

Moooom, I know I look cute, just let me sleep already. Enough with the camera!





zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Saturday With Uncle and Aunt

Theo and I traveled to Bayside on Saturday to spend some quality time with Uncle Elliot. Ell bought us Mexican food, we briefly met up with the parents, and journeyed back to Ell's area.

At the playground, Theo wouldn't leave my brother alone. "Ewwwwiot! Ewwwwiot!" He made Elliot help him cross the swinging bars repeatedly, and Elliot chased Theo all around the playground. Up the ladder, down the pole, etc.


Don't you love the dual baseball caps?

Theo wouldn't let Elliot stop, he kept turning around and making sure his uncle was following him, hysterically laughing. I have some video evidence of their cuteness:



Back at Elliot's house, Gloria came home and took Theo back out to the park!

Hence his sweatiness. Theo's aunt and uncle spoiled him with chocolates, bananas and juice.

I'm really glad that Theo has gotten to know them and gets excited when he finds out he'll see them. Warms a mama's (and sister's) heart. Elliot and I sat on the couch playing video games, and he mused about Theo playing with us in a couple of years. I can't wait!

Little Genius...Future President?

Last week, Joe taught Theo about the first president while showing him a quarter. The next day, Joe asked Theo,"Who was the first president of the United States?"

Theo thought about it for a few seconds, then responded, "Quarter."

Theo's First Day of Preschool: Year Two

This morning, Theo and daddy drew together as we waited in the lobby for the school bus. Theo's been asking about school all week, and he was so excited to finally be able to go! We went to the window and his face smiled at us through the glass as they drove off. And so another year begins.

I was disappointed to see that there was a different driver and bus matron, but they seemed nice enough. We'll miss Miriam and Sharon, though!

I wonder what he's doing right now. Probably all kinds of introduction songs and having a blast. He'll be with some of the same kids, and some new kids. This year, he'll be the pro!

Max starts kindergarten this month. He'll be going on a school bus too, as Ethan and Alexander already do. All the boys are so big now, it's insane!

Munchies Glorious Munchies

Theo's got vanilla swirl in one hand and chocolate chocolate chip in the other (mommy's favorite). He was so funny alternating bites from both cones that I had to whip out the camera!



This is from our Starbucks excursion. Look at him lounging...such a New Yorker already!



Such a big boy! I love you so much, little man.

Happy Birthday Aunt Gloria

Yesterday Theo recorded a little video for Aunt Gloria's birthday while eating his spinach fetuccine alfredo! And he's wearing the PJs she and Elliot got him (one of the many pairs).

Visit to the Ladies

Here's Theo saying goodbye to Nonny and Aunt Donny after a good, long polka. As usual, this was a great visit. Before we left the house I asked Theo what we eat at Nonny's - meatballs! I asked him what we do at Aunt Donny's - cake! "Yes, we eat cake, but what do we DO?" - Dance!
I was so impressed with his answers to non yes or no questions!

We brought play dough to Aunt Don's and the ladies marveled at this advanced toy! They thought it was the most amazing, creative invention. Aunt Don took the pink play dough and showed me how to make pasta the way her mom did. There was one kind of pasta (I can't remember the name, but it was cavatelli-ish) that I couldn't quite get the hang of, which frustrated her. She thought it was so easy, you just take two fingers and give it a quick roll. She had such finesse and such skilled, practiced fingers that she didn't understand why I didn't get it right away!

Happy Birthday, Hubby Wubby!

Today is Joe's birthday. We did a switch and had cake in the morning. Theo was so excited to sing happy birthday to daddy! And he said, "No more Lisa's birthday?" We had celebrated Lisandra's birthday this past weekend. I love that he's getting that people have "turns" for birthdays. Today is daddy's turn. Although Theo thinks that daddy turned 4.

Joe just called to tell me that he and Theo are both in time out. Theo pulled over a chair next to his time-out chair and said, "Daddy and Theo sit!" And so right now, there they are, sitting in the corner together.

For You, Aunt Pia

I dare you to tell me his voice isn't the sweetest thing EVER in this video!!

Theo with Aunt Lisa, her parents, and sister Ura

We went to the zoo, zoo, zoo (How about you, you, you?)

How's Theo? Theo's 4!

Well, it was a whoooole lotta celebrating last weekend. We had the bug's 4th birthday party on Saturday, which was a great success. The party was in a local Sunnyside playground. It was in the 90s but most of us stayed cool with occasional trips to the sprinklers, which gave off a good mist without soaking you unless you want to be soaked.

Theo was excited when he realized it was his party, which didn't happen until he saw the cake was for him. He's so used to it being someone else's birthday. He finally announced with a big smile, "It's Theo birday!"



Theo wasn't too thrilled with the concept of being given presents that he couldn't play with right then and there. But after a few gifts he got the point, and by the end, he said, "I want more presents."



A whole truckload of kids from the playground came over to help Theo bust open his Batman pinata.


Click here to see pictures and videos from the weekend. (User name is eorecchio@gmail.com, password is seemypics).

Another Movie Date

Every day when I pick up Theo he says he wants ice cream from the ice cream truck. Usually I say something like, first dinner, then ice cream. Or first store, then home. He's really starting to get the idea of this sequencing.

Yesterday I told him that we were first going to get pizza, then go to the movies. He was very excited by this, and repeated as we walked hand in hand, "first pizza, n mooo-vie!" Then we passed by the ice cream truck, and he changed up the plan. "Mommy, first ice cream, n pizza, n movie!" How could I not give in to that?
He ran up to the ice cream lady in the truck, pointed to a picture of the vanilla cone, and said, "I want nilla peese!" She, charmed, gave him his order, and he said "thank you!" People get the biggest smiles on their faces when they hear my little guy's good manners. Makes mama very proud!

We passed by the playground on the way to get pizza. So after we ate, Theo changed up the plan again. "First playground, n mooo-vie." As it turned out, that was my intention anyway, since we were still early for meeting Joe and Clay. Plus, I'm thrilled to encourage this understanding of sequence.

We met up with Joe and Clay, went into the movie theatre, and bought Maow her fourth Spongebob toy from the machine (see yesterday's post). Once seated, it was still dark, and Theo said, "Mommy, where mooo-vie? I want mooo-vie!" Finally, the movie came on, and Theo sat like a perfect little boy during the whole thing. He had his tub of pringles and bottle of water, and he was set. He even laughed at various points! He seems to really enjoy the experience in being in a theatre and watching a movie with other people.

Maow and her Spongebob toy collection

Every time we go to the movies, we buy Maow this 50 cent Spongebob toy from a machine. At first it was meant for Theo, but she took possession immediately.

This video cracks me up because you can see her with all three of them. How she doesn't lose them, I'll never know. Watch as she goes from an old one, to a new one (the difference is quite clear) and then another old one. We're going to see the Simpsons movie tonight. Can't wait to bring her home another Spongebob!

I equate her Spongebobs to the Velveteen Rabbit. As you can see, the new one is yellow and crisp, and the old ones are torn and tattered. That's how you can tell how much love they've gotten.

The Twinkle

Theo has been getting a twinkle in his eye lately when he knows he's being funny or when someone else is being funny. I'm thrilled to see his sense of humor developing so well!

The other day Joe and Theo were on the train and Theo asked, "Where's mommy?" Joe told Theo mommy was eaten by an alligator.

"No, daddy. Mommy not eaten by alligator."

And to be a scootch, he calls my mom Grandma Popcorn and Joe's mom Grandma Ice Cream. Always with the mischieveous twinkle.

Little Man

I am guilty of not posting for a while. I've been meaning to talk about how cute Theo was a couple of weeks ago, when we took him to see the Disney movie Ratatouille. The movie is about a rat who dreams of being a chef--and becomes one.

Theo, who has been my sous chef, recognized some chef-like things. "Cut it!" he exclaimed when the rat chopped veggies. He yelled out other things throughout the movie, like "rain! look, rain!"

For some reason Theo insisted on sitting in the row in front of us. Is he already old enough to be too embarrassed to sit with mom and dad? Of course, he periodically turned around for help opening his drinks and food.

The Good Patient

Poor Theo has strep. But, as is usual when he is sick, he is in good spirits. He never minds going to the doc; we chanted "doc-tor! doc-tor!" on the way over, and I'm willing to say he even got excited!

When we got home, he passed out on my bed. A couple of hours later, he woke up and guided me to the couch, making it clear that it was huggie time. He's especially mushy and cuddly when sick!

He is very sad, however, that he didn't get to ride the school bus today, and will be even more upset to learn he can't tomorrow either. "No school bus? No Grace today?" "I want schoooool buuuuuus."

Central Park Sunday

Yesterday, Theo and I met up with a couple of my friends, one of whom has a five year old son, Honor. We've gotten the boys together every so often for the past few years.


Honor's a year older, but Theo's taller! What else is new?




Theo repeatedly climbed a super tall ladder and slid down a super high pole for at least an hour. I watched as other kids--who were older than he--chickened out. Theo may be a daredevil, but at least he's a skilled one.

After spending all that time refusing to go near the water, he insisted on "swimming" right as we were about to leave. How's this for a switch? He soaked his jeans and I changed him into the bathing suit I had packed to take him home in!

Annual Independence Day Coney Island Trip

We were particularly excited to take Theo to Coney Island this year. One reason, of course, was that it was Astroland's final summer. Another reason was that Theo would be tall enough for every kiddie ride!

We got there, watched the hot dog eating contest, and then devoured some hot dogs of our own--albeit not 66 of them. On the kiddie rides, Theo and I rode the roller coaster, and he rode the airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, horses, etc...



He laughed so hard when we were on the coaster. I made sure we got the best and fastest ride--the back car, of course!

By the time we went to the beach, it was chilly and about to rain. Still, Theo was convinced he was going to swim. We allowed him to take off his shoes and shirt and approach the water. Needless to say, only his feet made it in. But he sure loved running in and out of the water!



Here's Theo jamming with the street performer he gave money to.

Theo passed out on the hour long train ride home, and woke up in time to watch the fireworks from our window. Or "rain," as he called it. He was so cute shouting out the colors!

Coney Island may never be the same, but we will continue to go every 4th, no matter what. What can I say, it's our thang.

Windy Summer Morning

This morning as Joe and Theo were leaving to wait for the school bus, Theo gave me his usual hug and waved, "Bye, mommy!"

Joe said to Theo, "No, say goodbye like this." And he lifted his leg and farted.

Theo in turn lifted his leg and said very seriously, "No, not like this."

Family-Filled Weekend

Theo saw just about everyone on the planet this weekend!

He saw Aunt Lisa on Tuesday. He saw Uncle Elliot on Wednesday. And on Saturday we went with Grandma Ice Cream and Poppy to see Nonny and Aunt Donny. Then, that night and Sunday he stayed with Grandma Popcorn, Aunt Jodi, and his cousins. Talk about action-packed! And he loved every minute of it!





Especially Nonny's house, where he repeated "I want meatballs" until his demand was met by an enthusiastic, thrilled little ol' lady.

This picture of the cats is here because I haven't paid them any blog attention in a while, and they're damn cute and deserving of it!