31 October 2011

Happy Halloween!

 Bannack posing as Puff the Magic Dragon!

The wildly unthemed costume display of the Taleff O'Casey's.  The dragon, the hotdog, and the tightrope walkers!

17 October 2011

Belmont Park or Bryant Park?

Today I decided that Bannack should do something active with horses.  Since Uncle Kev left Hotel Taleff O'Casey Bannack requests (at least daily), to watch horse videos on youtube.  He plops himself in front of a computer, points, and demands, "horsies!"  


In reading about free stuff to do with kids in NY, I found two horse-related options.  We could either go to Belmont Park and watch the race horses warm up or ride one of NY's many carousels.  I was leaning toward the live horses at Belmont, but their kid-horse-breakfast special ended last month.  Dang!  We were left with the carousel.  


This was Bannack's first carousel ride (and we already had one incident on a whirly-gig... ask Chris) so we chose Bryant Park's Le Carrousel: "This petit, European-style merry-go-round features a menagerie of animals in addition to horses. It spins very slowly to French cabaret music, making it ideal for younger children."

Choosing his horse and preparing for the ride...

Despite the moment of fear, he recovered quickly and wanted to ride again.  


07 October 2011

Bannack Turns Two!



We started the celebration with a trip to Times Square.  Bannack got to visit his Uncle Mike at the Marriott and ride the glass elevator to the 45 floor.  Then we went to lunch at Ellen's Stardust Diner where they have singing waiters!  Bannack thought this was the best thing ever.  He applauded loudly after each song and was frustrated every time there was a break in singing.  He kept saying and signing, "More!"  Our waiter, Sinclair, even sang "Isn't He Lovely," ad libbing that Bannack was Two!
We finished the evening back at the apartment with cupcakes. Bannack got to place the candle in the cupcake of his choice.  You can see he chose the lemon cupcake in the middle (a very good choice) and perfectly placed the candle.




On Saturday we had a true party for my boy with decorations, cake and a few other kids.  Bannack cried when he had to wait to open the presents until the guests arrived, but once the party started, he was thrilled.  It was a train themed party if you couldn't tell.  I hope to get more pictures from those who were there and if I do, I will do a follow up post!

06 October 2011

A Picnic in the Park with my Boy!




We packed up a picnic yesterday and headed to the park with a soccer ball and kite in tow.  We ate soup, raisins, tomatos, homemade olive rosemary bread and even oil and vinegar for dipping (which Bannack "dumped" on the raisins).  It was a delicious combo.  Bannack had fun watching the school kids have their gym class across the park.  He played a little bit of soccer in cowboy boots, which takes great skill, and flew the kite he got from his uncle Mike.  It was awesome. I got to sit on the picnic blanket with June and yell, "Run, Bannack!"