Category: <span>Life</span>
These days our lives are much like this merry go round; round and round they go. Events, birthdays, parties, and family gatherings keep popping up on our calendar and while it would be nice to have a few weekends or weekend days to ourselves, we press on and try our best to make it to every single one. Family and friendships are very important to us and we do our best to maintain them by joining in special celebrations.
I feel like in this day and age and especially at this stage in our lives, as parents of young children, it would be too easy to drift apart from our circle of friends. But the support and diversion that our friends and family provide from the at times deep-trench warfare that is parenthood is immeasurable. And so, at times beaten by dress-related battles and toddler tantrums, we press on to the next birthday bash and outing. In doing so we are teaching the girls that family and friends are relationships that must be maintained, honored, and cherished.
Evan and I just returned from a weekend in Mexico City. This getaway almost didn’t happen because … life gets hectic this time of year or maybe, now-a-days, it is hectic all year round. Fortunately, traveling without kids doesn’t require so much planning or diligent packing. Although it was a difficult choice between a relaxing beach/mountains destination and an active getaway in one of the largest cities in the world, we are glad we chose the latter.
Mexico City was, by far, the most unexpected and welcome surprise. I expected a big sprawling city that would feel foreign and unfamiliar bursting at the seams with ~20 million people. Instead, I found a lively, beautiful metropolis, densely packed with parks and public works of art. The architecture of Mexico City is the most awe-inspiring juxtaposition of European renaissance splendor and geometric grandness typical of Aztec and other pre-Columbian styles.
The city is lively, vibrant, full of colors, flavors, smells that are otherworldly (at least to us). Here is a Mole spice stand presenting all the chilis and spices that are called for in most recipes.
The architecture is grand and there are even government-funded musicians in the streets which play lovely classical tunes, but the food, the food is nothing short of extraordinary. Restaurants, stands open all day, every day, full of exotic treats and delights for the locals and adventurous travelers. Theirs is a food and drink culture and at the price of ~ $1.oo USD for a taco, you couldn’t not try a bit of everything. Even the crickets and ant eggs. CRICKETS AND ANT EGGS. Yes, we tried them.
Art. Art. Art. Mexico City has more museums than any other city in the world. These are Diego Rivera’s murals in the Palacio National. There’s so much to see and take in from them that, to really understand all that he is trying to convey, I’ll have to come back over and over again.
Art in museums and art on the streets. We’re spoiled with our murals here in Philadelphia but the ones in Mexico City were such a treat. Vibrant and traditional they made for welcome surprises as we explored the city.
Culinary traditions are highly respectful of seasonality and we happened to be visiting the last week of mushroom season. You can put anything into a taco including mushrooms, pumpkin (the season for it is just starting now) and huilacoche.
Authentic aztec treasures exported from the surrounding areas exported straight into the jungle of the city.
Wild, eclectic, awe-inspiring, utterly charming, and eye opening is how I found Mexico City. But perhaps the best treasure that this wonderful city has to offer are the people. Warm, enchanting, religious, traditional, and spirited they live in harmony with a great respect for one another, for their culture, and their families. So the next time you want to go to Mexico, think about forsaking the beach and going to Mexico City to see it for yourself.
There is no shortage of art in Philadelphia. There is the Art Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the countless murals gracing the sides of our buildings. I’ll never tire of Philly’s arts and do not take the city’s offerings for granted. Moreover, Evan and I try to immerse ourselves and the girls into the ever-evolving arts scene in the city.
This weekend was a jam packed with activities including but not limited to a birthday party for one of Sophia’s friends. As Eliza wasn’t joining in the festivities, she and Evan embarked on a daddy-daughter morning which included fluffies, the Race Street Lier, the Spruce Street Harbor Park, and a temporary art installation called Habitus.
Installations such as this one provide the opportunity to use one’s own experiences and perceptions to develop an [unique] understanding of the artist’s message.
Art, fresh air, and steamed milk seem like the perfect morning but the real star was simply time—time that this father and daughter shared and experiences over which they bonded. Culture and art, as we see in this picture, don’t have to be serious and, at least in our family, are balanced with a good measure of giggles.
Sophia’s birthday party and Eliza’s art-filled morning followed a day at Baba and Deda’s house where the girls relived some of my own childhood memories with my grandparents.
All kids, no matter their age or gender enjoying playing with dough and creating. Before there was play doh, there was real cookie and pie dough.
Last, but not least, we spent time with Evan’s parents, grandmothers, and sister on Sunday evening bonding over matzo ball soup and politics. And when our bowls were empty and we made peace with the current political situation, we played with the girls. This weekend, much like all the weekends that preceded it and all the ones that will follow it, went by quickly.
Just like that and without much warning the weather has turned. We cherish these fall weekends savoring each one as if it were the last one of its kind for the next few months. Trying to rest up from last weekend and all the festivities it entailed, we stayed close to home.
A classmate of Sophia’s celebrated his fifth birthday on Sunday at the Smith Memorial Playground and both the girls were excited celebrate such a big milestone. The party was great fun and included a magic show and face painting.
Sisters!
Alongside the change in seasons we are undergoing our very own changes and adjustments. Sophia is in Pre-K now which, like last year, she attends five mornings a week. This year we have added a lunch bunch once weekly hoping Sophia will begin learning the social aspects of sharing a meal with her classmates. Lunch bunch is taking some time to get used to because there is a mandatory rest time and Sophia is not a rester, much less a napper. As we work through this, we are trying to instill a sense of responsibility and adherence without stifling Sophia’s independence and expression of free will.
Eliza is also embarking on her own educational path with art and gym classes. I am especially excited about the art class as it will provide Eliza with the opportunity to explore different art mediums, be creative, and make a huge mess outside of our playroom. She will, hopefully, also begin to learn how to be in a class setting and follow directions.
These changes have been a challenging adjustment. We have forgotten what its like to have to wake up at six in the morning every single weekday, pack lunch, get two kids dressed and fed, deliver one to school, and then make our own way to work. Exhausted but sated from all the day’s accomplishments, we collapse into bed every evening looking forward to the weekend dreaming of more sleep, sunny weather, and fairies who cook, clean, and shop for us.
Many years ago, when I was a little girl, my parents, sister and I would travel from Baku to visit our family in Ukraine over our summer vacation. I am the baby of both sides of the family, and in my dad’s case, the youngest of my cousins is sixteen a few years older than I am. The last time I spent time with him was when he attended our wedding and the time before that, I was five and tortured him with my antics to no end.
He, his beautiful wife, and adorable children visited with us this weekend and we really enjoyed spending time and getting to know each other. I am still coming to terms with the fact that we’re both grown up now (well, I am still coming to terms with the fact that I am grown up) and that we have kids and our kids could spend time getting to know one another.
This picture conveys the kids’ personalities just so.
Here’s my dad playing with Eliza and his grand-niece. This picture melts my heart.
Everybody found a partner in crime and, overall, the kids got along beautifully. I was pleased to see that naughty must run in my side of the family because both Eliza and her youngest cousin have the naughty streak.
And as for the grown ups? I learned/realized/uncovered that I truly enjoy my cousin’s company. You don’t choose your family, and if I could, I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else. Sensible, well-rounded, and lovely to be around. I am so glad our family came to visit with us all the way from Toronto.
We forget how rejuvenating an extended weekend can be. Moreover, a weekend in the Hamptons, extended or not was just what Evan and I needed. Having left the kids behind with my parents, we traveled to Montauk to attend a wedding of one of Evan’s cousins. It was a beautiful, effortlessly chic, beachfront affair.
Montauk is at the very end of Long Island and it took us a lengthy, mostly traffic-free five hours to get there. As we drove through South Hampton, Bridgehampton, and East Hampton we passed old houses juxtaposed with new and magnificent estates, museums, small shops, and beautiful vistas. Harvesting was taking place at the wineries and already we saw fully-grown, bright orange pumpkins lining farm fields. It was easy to see why so many overworked New Yorkers brave the traffic to make this their summer weekend getaway. Once there, we made the most of the salty fresh sea air and the beautiful scenery as we spent time with family and relaxed.
Labor Day is always bittersweet. It is the summer’s last hurrah providing families and friends with a sun-filled opportunity to spend time together before the start of the school year. We made the most of the three-day weekend starting with Ladies’ Night on Friday. Evan was meeting a friend of his for dinner/drinks and so the girls and I took Old City by force on a beautiful First Friday. They loved visiting the galleries and felt so sophisticated sporting their purses that Baba bought them in Budapest. 
Saturday was just as action packed with a visit to my in-laws for a bit of time in the country, followed by a double birthday celebration for our cousins who turned six and seven. I loved that my family gets together for kids’ birthdays and spends time together just being while the kids play. 
The rest of the weekend was decidedly lower-key and craft filled. The girls spent most of the day on Monday at their Baba and Deda’s house and the highlight of the day was their visit with my sister. I am so grateful that she made time for her nieces and they were over the moon from all the attention.
We did continue decorating and setting up Sophia’s room with goodies we find in our basement from our previous residences. I originally picked this rug out for Sophia’s nursery but we ended up putting it away in our house in Maryland after she started walking. It really fits into her space now and makes for a cozy play corner with her doll-house and a sitting pillow. 
We’re not ready for the school year and for fall in general but we did enjoy the weekend.
Years ago, well before the girls were born, Evan and I used to go on long trips. We preferred early September and would usually take two to three weeks for our travels. A full dinner, and often more, was waiting for us when we got home. Our fridge would always have the essentials like milk and juice and the fruit bowl would be newly filled with whatever was in season. All this was my parents’ doing. This was nothing new to me as I grew up this way where coming home from long travels, no matter how exciting, was made better with a delicious homemade meal. This weekend it was finally our turn to welcome my family home from their travels. Evan and I made this homey chicken stew and oatmeal-raisin cookies for my sister and parents. Travels, culinary exploration, and fancy restaurants can all make for a wonderful vacation, but the last thing I want when I get home from vacation is another restaurant-cooked meal.
We spent the rest of the weekend soaking up the last of summer; Saturday morning was spent at the zoo exploring where we saw not-yet-released to the public pictures of a new baby gorilla born on Friday. Neither the gorilla or its baby are on exhibit yet, but the pictures of the two bonding were beautiful.
