PRE-K FIRST DAY by Micaela

Roan had his first day of Pre-K today.  I am convinced that somewhere, somehow, in the universe Lula is bringing good luck to this kid.  Not only did he land a highly coveted spot at PS20, which is across the street from our house, apparently he got THE best teacher and the best classroom.  It's a huge classroom, as big as our apartment, with beautiful wood paneling, a big bay window (covered in safety gates of course), and even a fireplace (which they don't use- but still!) It's a very old school so it looks well loved but for a NYC public school that's pretty fancy.  

We tried to meet as many other parents and kids but it was a bit of a whirlwind.  A very good, happy vibe, a fantastic variety of people all looking a bit hesitant but excited.  Glorious weather.  Name tags.  Forms to fill out.  Pretty much exactly the same as I remember my first day of school.  I think the first day of school might be the most universally uniting experience ever. 


HI MOM! by Micaela

Why is Slo Mo always so creepy no matter how enchanting the subject?  


Taken at Victorian Gardens in Central Park.

RESCUE 911 by Micaela

We had quite an eventful evening on Friday.  Thursday night my mom came out to Brooklyn to watch Roan so that Sam and I could go out.  We went to dinner (Buttermilk Channel, very good) and then to a movie (Snowpiercer, outlandishly improbable but entertaining).

Then, in a fit of generosity, my mom offered to take Roan back to her house for Friday night.  Two date nights in a row??!!  Yes please. Off they went.  I spent the morning looking up Things to do tonight  in a desperate hope that something remarkably and uniquely New York would be happening that required no advance planning and little money.  Eventually I hit on the idea of going to Coney Island.  Classic date night! Perfect!

Alas, a bit too perfect. At 6pm I got a call from Sam;  my mom and Roan were walking back from the park on the UES when she tripped and fell.  On Roan. And her wrist, which she was pretty sure she had broken.  An ambulance was called.  Date night would have to be postponed.

Apparently it was a bit of a scene. Roan was pretty freaked out and his back was sore and my poor mom was in pain.  Some kind ladies in a hair salon gave Roan a lollipop and called an ambulance.  As soon as my mom told Roan he was going to ride in an ambulance he perked up.  The paramedics were fantastic, apparently.  They took the injured parties to Lenox Hill, where my mom used to work.

It certainly pays to have connections because my mom and Roan got first class treatment.  My mom knew all the doctors and nurses attending to them and by the time Sam and I arrived Roan had introduced himself to everyone and was having a pretty grand time with all the fuss and excitement.  He had a bruise on his back but was otherwise fine.

My mom, on the other hand, did not get off so easy, but for what could have happened was remarkably lucky after all. She broke her wrist but it was her left wrist and it was a clean break. She was fast tracked into a private room and a jocked up orthopedist set her wrist (which was NO fun but my mom, knowing what was about to happen, quite literally bit the bullet) and gave her a splint.  We thought she might get a blue cast to match her hair, but in the end just a splint (which is way more comfortable, although not blue).

All the while my mom was far more concerned about Roan ("I think my elbow went into his back!  Ask him if his fingers or toes are tingling!") and the fact that she spoiled our date night. Oh, mom, that's so mom of you.  

I stayed with her that night which was a good thing because in all of the excitement we hadn't really considered how tricky it would be to do everything with one hand.  Taking out/putting in contact lenses? Opening childproof bottles?  Typing?  Not so easy.  But she's a trooper and she's resourceful and above all unflappable. 

The hardest part now is to get her to rest and not do stuff.  When I checked in yesterday to see how she was coping she said "I'm bored!"  I hope she feels confident enough to have Roan stay over as soon as her wrist has healed, not so much for us but because, if anything, this incident proved to me not that she is fragile but that she is one tough, capable broad.

Roan on his throne

Mom




RAPONDA ROUND UP by Micaela

I am forgoing the Image a Day today since I have a whole mess of cuteness that I couldn't edit down from Lake Raponda 2014.  

Gracie Whipple

A bit chilly on the lake

Nude snacking on the dock

Nude surfing

Adams Family Farm

Snacks for the animals

Bunnies!

That is one big f-ing pig

Make a wiah

Cards Against Humanity

Evening fire

More snacking

Yoga lessons

Bo tries candle pin bowling

Bday sparklers from Jason (photo courtesy of Sam)


New sport: Water smacking

Drawing time with Charlie Tim and Roan

Bo

Afternoon break

Max strikes a pose

Bo ready for the game

Jason and Bo

Synchronized peeing

Charlie with ice cream

Ice Cream!!

Ice cream makes Roan quite happy

Even these dogs got ice cream

Max ready for a swim
Bo too

Stealth attack


No pants required

Tractor

Jason and Tony

The coolest play area ever

Retreat Farm

Hatching chick

Retreat Farm in miniature

Chickens

Lucky pigs

Everyone seemed quite content at this farm

I can't even describe how big this bull was

Aggie

ShelbyLoo's Ponies

Roan gets ready to ride

Riding!
Stopped for strawberries on the way home