Academy of Country Music

Lori was in fantastic and lively Las Vegas for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards hosted by Reba McEntire, and held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 18th.

Performers included: Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, and Keith Urban.

Busy couple of days with celebs and meetings and events and the radio forum and dinners and drinks......

And of course, craps.

Lori is the big winner!

Lori rubbed elbows with the fast and famous before, during, and after the show. She even got some virtual air time on Country Aircheck Today after she and Cody Alan hung out with Taylor Swift a bit.

And how did Lori end her work weekend? With a great burger with a great friend - Michele flew in for a conference, and they shared an overlapping evening. They didn't search out 'Our People', but it was nice to know that the supplied information was in their back pockets if the desire/need arose.

Happy Birthday Maria

Independent School Fair

Last night we headed down to the LGBT Community Center to attend the Independent School Fair for LGBT Families sponsored by CenterKids and NYSAIS. The Center offered childcare for the event, and we RSVP'd that we would be bringing Cooper. Plans changed when Michael needed to come over to our place to watch the NFL draft since Time Warner hasn't set up the cable in their new apt yet. So Cooper's uncle spent the evening explaining to the boy the importance of the event transpiring on the television. Go Giants!

Approximately 45 private schools were represented, but there was an extremely low turnout of parents this year. This annual event apparently is very popular, but it seems '10 was not advertised well at all. This was unfortunate for many families needing information - but serendipitous for us since we felt as if we had free rein in speaking to schools and asking as many questions as needed without taking time away from anyone else.

After getting most of our questions answered and collecting a lot of information from the schools, we headed out to grab a bite to eat. Decided on Il Bastardo in Chelsea.

What a great meal! We enjoyed a table outside. Maria had hanger steak, and Lori ordered the duck. Good wine. Delicious food.

Pager Pics

Clara and Cooper still have a great attraction to each other! We swear that we can't tell who is more excited when she arrives. Clara sent us these pictures she took with her blackberry.

Cooper finished his lunch, and due to a very energetic meal - he needed to have his shirt changed. He assumed his favorite position in front of the bookshelf as soon as Clara went to the drawer to pick out a new top. Check out the boy's pot belly in this shot!
Don't be fooled.... The kid was pretending to sleep. Cooper loves it when this blanket makes its way to the floor, and he makes a sliding dive into it every time.

The Temperamentals

Theatre! It has been so long!

We had tickets to go see the Off-Broadway show The Temperamentals last week. Admittedly, we didn't know much about the history that inspired this play to be written before being seated. This ensemble cast each gave incredible performances that showcased their talent and versatility. The venue that housed this production was New World Stages, and it was our first visit to this space.

After curtain? We had an invitation to a post-performance cocktail party at the new home of one of the show's producers. Approx 50 of us enjoyed the 360 degree views from the penthouse apartment on the 48th floor in the heart of the theatre district. We all strolled around the home admiring the the amazing decor and well-known original pieces of art. One of his assistants did an impromptu demo showing how the amenities and inner workings of the entire abode could be controlled from the iPad she was holding. (must be nice, huh?) The cast, other producers, director, and playwright soon joined the party as well. Really had a wonderful evening!

We would have like to stay a little longer, but we couldn't push our luck with our wonderful and generous (and FREE) babysitters, Michael and Christina.

See what happens when we are late? Cooper spent his "quality" play time with his aunt and uncle in a suitcase. I guess it is better than the ottoman, right?

Playing House

We recently took the twins for an afternoon, and had a great time with them. Firstly, these eloquent and persuasive five-year-olds went to great lengths to explain why going to FIVE GUYS BURGERS was the best choice for a lunch destination. How could we say no?

The twosome earned $1 each and a trip to Dollar Tree after a meal of burgers, grilled cheese, and fries was complete. They were such a great help with shelling the peanuts, and Cooper laughed and giggled at their antics throughout the entire meal. All good.


Continuing on our very consumer-driven excursion, our next stop was Costco to poke around for a couple of things. Checked out a new TV for the lake house, considered a life-preserver for Cooper, went to check out the samples (OF COURSE) of food, and picked out a few books for The Coop.

This little playhouse was being shown in the outdoor/seasonal area, and the twins asked if they could check it out. They were with Aunt Maria and Aunt Lori - of course they could! Cooper wasn't going to let an opportunity like this to pass him by either, so all three moved in to the place. And they had a BLAST.

Cooper liked controlling the door quite a bit, and we were cracking up when he would grab Mark by the shirt and move him inside or outside the dwelling. Cooper has no concept that Mark is bigger and could put him on his butt.

We considered purchasing the playhouse for up at the lake since Cooper had such a good time, but all the online comments and reports say that the damn thing falls apart very soon after getting it home. Not good quality at all. It really works out for the best, since we don't need to secure outdoor housing for any creature on Highland Lake.

Blast From The Past

15 Month Stats

We took Cooper to his 15-month-old doctor appointment last week. He is really doing great. We swear, he is the fastest growing preemie ever! He now weighs in at 26 lbs 12 oz (77%) and is 33 1/2 inches (97%) tall. Developing normally. All good. Was having a grand old time until the vaccination tray made its appearance. The kid is a trooper. Next appointment? 18 months.

Facebook Follies

Maria's friend Amy has taken on an interesting project on Facebook that is cracking up us all:

AMY: My brother-in-law has not yet responded to my friend request, therefore, he cannot see my statuses. Until he friends me, I shall devote my every status to lies about Paul Brodsky. Paul Brodsky was born on a pirate ship. He plundered half of South America before he was ten.

Here are the other status posts thus far:

Paul Brodsky kicks kittens and humiliates puppies.

Paul Brodsky doesn't recycle.

Paul Brodsky pronounces it 'nukuler'.

Paul Brodsky filibustered heathcare reform.

Paul Brodsky talks loudly on his cell phone while riding the bus.

Ryan Seacrest's life coach? Paul Brodsky.

Paul Brodsky designed the butterfly ballot.

Paul Brodsky cancelled 'Fraiser'.

Paul Brodsky manages your local TGI Fridays.

It was Paul Brodsky on the grassy knoll.

Paul Brodsky ate the last piece of pizza.

Paul Brodsky blogs at ISmellBad.blogspot.com

Paul Brodsky greenlit 'Arthur 2: On the Rocks'.

Nursery Schools

We attended this panel on Wednesday evening to begin to get a handle on the nursery school admission process in NYC. (craziness) Our initial thoughts? (oh my god) This is going to become our second job! (very time consuming) Applications and school tours and child interview and parent interview and everything else that is necessary. (told ya - time consuming) But hey, the bottom line is that we want to find a school that is a good fit for Cooper. (where he is happy) Seems that this is not going to be as easy as it sounds. (breathe breathe) Seriously, we are not so worried - Cooper is a good kid. (a great kid) Things will work themselves out. (right?)

Thursday In The Park

We tried to take advantage of the unseasonably gorgeous weather by being outside as much as possible. Cooper looked so cute in his shorts, and he is totally taking after his Mommy because he is fast becoming mayor of the playground up the street. He approaches every kid without hesitation or fear. And everyone loves him. It is just so cute to watch his personality develop.

This picture was taken seconds before Cooper pushed this poor defenseless girl on her butt.
This little girl was SO SWEET, and she played so well with Cooper.

Negotiating stairs. Going up is way easier than the trip down.
Where shall I explore next?
Where is my new friend headed?

Elmo's World

So Cooper and Maria headed to the park on Thursday afternoon in his very cool shirt, and was greeted by kids of all different ages singing the 'Elmo's World' theme song from Sesame Street.

La La La La - La La La La

Elmo's World.

La La La La - La La La La

Elmo's World.

Elmo loves his goldfish,

His crayons too.

That's

Elmo's

World.

Easter '10

We spent Easter '10 in Jersey with Maria's family. What was the final count? Not sure, but over 40 for sure. Always a good time, and let's be honest - a very loud time with all these Italians.

Cooper and his great-grandmother.

The cool blue blazer was soon abandoned because of the amazing temperatures we experienced that day. And that was a shame, since Cooper was sporting a jacket that his Uncle Michael wore 'lo oh so many years ago. We said NO WAY to Michael's old romper thing.

Cooper's cousins, Alex and Mark, were also sporting jackets. Although their mom made the twins wear ties. Cooper was given a reprieve from such torture.

Getting ready for the Easter Egg Hunt. (dude - what is that face?)
Easter Egg Hunt. We stuffed the eggs the night before. Around 200 eggs were crammed full of candy, and half had a poker chip inside - which were to be collected, counted, and brought in to Maria's father who mans the "prize table" every year. One chip = one prize. There were also 3 "bonus eggs" that contained cold, hard cash. Happy Easter.

Cooper worked on his egg collecting skills.
Cooper was trying to get the hang of things, but sometimes lapsed.

He did eventually pass in to the realm of professional egg hunter.

Informational Clothing

We are getting this t-shirt for Cooper.

Brown Eyed Boy VI

Sunny Days

Can we talk about the BEAUTIFUL weather that we have been having?

Sports 101. Discussing the rules of the game.

WooHoo! We win!

Yo! You talkin' to me?

Trying out his new-found athleticism.
GGGGGOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where is Cooper.........
There he is!