Gigi Makes Three

Our big girl is now a poolside reader. I’m so happy for her and her love of reading. Her current obsession is the Star Friends book series by Linda Chapman. She’s knocking out book #6 at the moment and will move onto 7 shortly. I brought 8, 9, and 10 in anticipation that she’ll work her way through them on our trip.

We’re in Turks and Caicos for spring break! It is absolutely perfect here and we are so excited for our family vacation.

We had such a blast at the pool this morning!

It’s so cliche, but there was just no capturing a single moment in which everyone was smiling into the camera… c’est la vie. But there countless smiles and laughs and splashes, I assure you!

Eloise LOVED the shallow area where she could stand. She splashed and giggled and raised hell if we tried to pick her up and bring her into the deeper part of the pool with us:)

It’s been a busy couple of days leading up to our trip, but we made it. We had family photos yesterday afternoon, Gigi and Dave went to the Knicks playoff game last night, and this morning we scrambled and scurried to the airport. We made it with just enough time to feed the children and chug drinks (Dave a screwdriver and me a mimosa… naturally:)).

On the plane, Gigi watched two movies, and Dave and I took turns wrestling with Eloise, who did not sleep one nanosecond.

VF came and did not disappoint! She got the girls a super fun dessert-themed beach set and a shell craft kit.

Dave and Gigi are with friends at MSG watching the Knicks compete in a playoff game, courtesy of our friend Dave Weiss at the NBA. Eloise and I are home packing…

So appreciative of my sweet family for putting up with my need to take photos on a twice yearly basis. The children are growing so quickly and changing so much — it’s a gift to me to pause time and capture us all together every spring and fall.

This spring, we took the subway up to Central Park West to enjoy the gorgeous blooms along Bridle Path. I’ll share Meg’s pics later but these are a couple of my memories from the day.

Dave and I are so very proud of Gigi! She auditioned for the School of American Ballet! She has been a passionate and dedicated ballerina since she started taking ballet classes at two, and especially since she’s been at Joffrey these past two years. In preparation for her audition, she has stretched and practiced her five ballet positions nightly.

We loved the experience! Gigi and I took the train uptown and we even ran into some of her friends upon our arrival. Dave met us there, and Gigi was so excited to see her Dada.

When we took the elevator up, we went to a ballet studio where the other kiddos were waiting for their turns to audition. Gigi walked right up to the registration table, introduced herself, handed them her passport (for identification), and grabbed her information packet and bib (lucky #36!). We pinned her bib to her chest and Gigi sat down to enjoy her book. When her number was called, Gigi gave us two quick kisses, lined up (the first in line!), and walked out of the room for her audition. She was gone a good 30-40 minutes, and, when she returned, she skipped over to us grinning from ear to ear, “I don’t think I got in,” she told us.

Upon further discussion, Gigi explained that she didn’t think she’d gotten in because some children were allowed to “go home” earlier into the audition. Gigi, along with about six other children, were kept longer and asked to do some additional things for the audition (“fifth position — one kid didn’t know how”). We explained to Gigi that we guessed a longer audition was probably a very positive sign, and assured her we were just so proud of her for auditioning in the first place, completely regardless of the outcome. She went on to say that she LOVED the auditioning process and is hopeful she’ll get in.

At the end, Gigi bumped into her friend, Greta, and wished her good luck at her audition. With that, we headed outside and got what Gigi had been waiting for all day: “A victory ice cream!”

Eloise helped me make dinner, the girls took a bath, and then Gigi and I came to the gym for a little ballet and mischief.

Gigi had a blast at Dorie’s 8th birthday sleepover! We took the elevator up to her apartment, and Gigi didn’t look back. There was a makeup artist, treats, gifts, and the sweetest little sleepover teepees. The girls went to dinner and then to the theater to see & Juliet. After, they came back to the apartment to have a midnight snack before going to bed. Gigi said she was the last to fall asleep but wasn’t one but afraid. The next morning, the girls woke and had spa treatments and then did some arts and crafts. After, Julia and Phil hosted our families for breakfast. It was absolutely perfect and Gigi already knows exactly what she wants to do for her 8th!

I told Gigi if she could explain to me what a solar eclipse was she could stay home to see one:)

Our building had a little party on the roof and Gigi was so excited to see her friend Dorie there, too.

A book and a cardboard box