Walking the Walk

The kids are sitting on the floor playing some game I don't really understand where they speak in fake Hebrew and call each other mom and dad. Clay's reading the NY Times and Milo is practicing walking in peace. Yes, you read this correctly. Walking. He likes to walk but gets annoyed by the onlookers. Okay, he gets annoyed by Goldie tugging at him and pulling him over.

And me, you ask? I am busy obsessing about the $2.50 egg sandwich I just ate from the corner deli. $2.50 doesn't get me anything this delicious in Seattle.

Yesterday we explored Coney Island and today we'll check out a children's museum or something air conditioned. It is supposed to be hot.

I'll be back later with videos, stay tuned.

Things my Family Says and Does

You should all know I'm hanging out with wackos.

1. Today Milo dropped my sunglasses into a public toilet Goldie had just finished using.

2. After taking a bite of some unbelievably good truffle oil mac and cheese Clay said, "I don't think I've ever had mac and cheese that I really like. Except Kraft is pretty good."

3. And then while he's thinking of a refreshing beverage to have with dinner he says this, "Can you combine orange juice and milk?" Not unless it is 1978 and you work at Orange Julius.

Here is a shot from today, another playground, of course!
George and Goldie are sitting in a foam block space ship they built.

Weaponry Camp and the Brooklyn Bridge

Another fabulous day was had by the Martin clan in NY today. We started with a stroll(er) across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Then George conducted an impromptu weaponry camp at the Brooklyn Bridge playground. He took sticks and flower vines and tied them together to look like swords. He then conducted a seminar for the other boys in the playground so they could make their own swords from flowers.

Where does this come from? We Martins are a peace loving people. Are we not?






After weaponry camp we headed to Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (or DUMBO, as the area is known. Really.) We ate delicious ice cream at Jacques Torres' chocolate shop. If you are without cumber, may I suggest you get on a plane right now and head to NY for a scoop of this goodness.

George and Goldie actually finished their entire cones. See Goldie fighting us off with her spoon as we try to steal some of hers? Hmmm... Again with the improvised weaponry.





We eat and go to a playground. Then eat and hit another playground.

Next stop, New York's newest attraction: Pier 6 park, or "The New Adventure Playground," which was privately funded and cost more than $6 million." It was money well spent. Of all the stellar parks we've visited this week, this one is the most impressive.





Even Milo found something fun.

A Bigger and Better Clay

We've been walking a whole lot here in NY. Miles and miles. And it is kind of hot out, which makes us not want to eat. In my mind this translates to weight loss.

I was yakking on to Clay this afternoon that I didn't like the idea of him losing weight. And if that wasn't enough I told him if he lost weight I'd have to find myself a new husband.

Apparently, George was listening in because he piped in with, "Are you gonna get a bigger and better one?"

Since I'm so worried about Clay losing weight I sent him on another walk to the grocery store tonight to get me a Haagen Dazs ice cream bar. I even let him have a bite of it. See how considerate I am?

Here's some scenes from our day.

Talking the subway into Manhattan:


In the Museum of Natural History in front of a tree that started growing in 550 AD and was chopped down in 1896


We stumbled upon Hippo Park today on the Upper West Side. It's the best of all the great parks we've found so far.










By the end of the day our kids looked tired, dirty and possibly homeless. It was a good day.

Chocolate Babka

Just wanted to let you all know we've arrived safely in Brooklyn.

We are happy as can be stuffing our faces with a delicious chocolate babka that a neighbor brought over.

More about the birthday, NY and delicious food later.

Must. Eat. Babka.

Here is Us

last weekend at the Seattle Square. We're toying with the idea of creating a family traveling circus and touring the south. Still dialing in the details, but I think we're well on our way.

Our $5,000 Hotel Room (Yes, American dollars)

Last night Clay and I had the best hotel experience we'll ever have in this life (or any future lives). It was at the Presidential Suite of the Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Seattle. The room is listed on their Web site as available for $5,000 a night. Yes, that's American dollars. It's just under 2,500 square feet of pure swank with one of the best views of the Seattle waterfront you'll every experience. And it was all FREE.

First the Whoopie Pie contest and now this!

I won the free stay a few months back in a raffle drawing from my friend Debbie for Passports with Purpose.

We've been waiting for a chance to redeem it and decided the weekend before my birthday would be perfect.

Nana and Baba arrived with their suitcase of toys, DVDs and sugary cereals and Clay and I took the No. 10 bus downtown. (I wonder if we're the first guests of the Presidential Suite to ever take the city bus to get there. I suspect we very well may be.)

We were expecting an elegant broom closet, but we didn't care. It's a Four Seasons broom closet! And no kids!

As we checked in, the receptionist casually mentioned we've been upgraded to the Presidential Suite.

What?! The Suite Presidential?

I became giddy and overflowing with thanks. Clay, seeming confused asked, "Is this a good upgrade?" Poor, sweet Clay... He grew up in Vancouver, WA.

No, I explain. I haven't seen this room. But if Barack Obama or Bill Clinton came to Seattle, this is where they'd stay. It's "Presidential" as in "The President." (Although George Bush would probably be forced to stay at the Holiday Inn on Aurora.)

Did I mention the room is 2,500 square feet (and has no children in it)?

It does, however, have a kitchen, two bathrooms, an office, a living room, a dining room that seats eight, a slice of birthday cake, a dressing room, a bidet, a steam room and a double shower with about a dozen shower heads. If that isn't enough, it also has an enormous tub and lots of expensive smelling bubble bath. And yes, it has a king-size bed.








And this view. Ahhhhhh...



We were so appreciative and happy and went out for dinner to celebrate everything fabulous. I accidentally ordered $50 salmon and later got a black eye. The two are unrelated.

It was a perfect outing (other than the $50 salmon and the black eye). And I'm now exactly one week away from turning 40.