Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful dance partner, expert backpacker, arch-way builder extraordinaire, and tireless real estate consultant.  Love you, Dad.

...And a happy birthday to my Uncle Bill, as well. That's the three of us below. Check out the studs!

 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss Today Theodor Seuss Geisel would be 108 years old! 

Dr. Seuss with chuck close

Dr. Seuss

Some things I didn't know about him:

  • He first used the pen name 'Seuss' while at Dartmouth.  The story goes he was caught drinking with friends in a dorm, and as punishment, was banned from extracurricular activities including writing for the college's humor magazine. So he wrote using his middle name--Seuss.
  • One of my favorite animated shorts, Oscar-winning Gerald McBoing-Boing, was based on his short story that originally appeared on a children's record in 1950.
  • His first children's book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street! , was rejected 27 times.
  • The Cat in the Hat was published when we was 53.

Did you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book growing up?

It's hard to choose, but I think mine was Green Eggs and Ham. That Sam was just so annoying. "I do not like them, Sam-I-am!"

Happy Birthday Mum!

Happy Birthday Mummy!

We can't wait to have you all over for the celebration dinner tonight...!

Isn't that a cute photo? It's from Thanksgiving...

Happy Birthday Faith!

Happy Birthday Sister!  (And happy late birthday to Bruno!) I hope you two are having a fabulous birthday, camping weekend in Northern California!

(The photo above is us at my wedding wearing the tattoos Faith had made up as a surprise. They were awesome.)

Birthday/Bachelorette Weekend in NYC

Last weekend I was in NYC for a joint Birthday/pretend Bachelorette frolic with my friend Mandy-- who's getting married the week after us!  We had such a blast.  Here are the highlights:
We started the weekend's festivities with a trip to the magical Spa Castle in Queens.  Have you been?  It's insane.  It's as if you tossed a mall and a spa together, with a dash of Disney World.  It was really fun and I recommend it to everybody.  You can kind of make it as relaxing and spa like as you want, or just stick to the more water park-ish parts filled with kids.  I think we even spotted a few birthday parties going on.  Our only regret was that we couldn't stay longer than a few hours.  We had to leave to catch an early (sold out!) screening of Bridesmaids. Which of course was awesome.  (Random note, G also saw Bridesmaids last weekend, but with a bunch of dudes at Mandy's better half's bachelor party.)
Judd Apatow + Kristen Wiig + Maya Rudolph + Paul Feig= my idea of heaven.  (Ok sure, I could have done without all the gross-out humor, but still, I was laughing during it.)  And how great is Melissa McCarthy?  She's so under-appreciated. I tried not to watch too many trailers ahead of time, but I just found this one and happily it actually uses a bunch of clips (or at least lines) that didn't make the final cut. So have at it:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6VcpnqS2Dw]
Our day ended at Radegast Hall in Williamsburg with dear, dear friends who I haven't seen in ages.  It was so good to see everyone. (Williamsburg is cra-aazy by the way.  2001 does not compare to 2011.  I know, Ms Obvious, here. But, still.)
warby parker glasses
On Sunday I managed to get over to Warby Parker's showroom and finally got to use my gift certificate from Christmas.  I chose the above pair--which technically are listed as 'sold out' online, but apparently if you visit the showroom they have a few left in stock.  Just a little tip if you're in the area. 

Before skipping town, Jane got us provisions at our friend's wonderful Vic's Bagel Bar in Murray Hill. Yummers.  I had forgotten that New Yorkers are the ones who really know that you need to slather on the cream cheese. Other cities, who toss you a little cream cheese container, are just mistaken.  You really need a pound of cream cheese to properly enjoy a bagel.  Preferably with custom "mix-ins" a la Vic's.  (FYI my brother took their product photos.)
We managed to pack a lot of other things in-- awesome dinners, shopping, some lazing around and much needed catching up.  What a great weekend.

Lucky girl.

Double Birthday...

Happy late birthday to my sister Faith, and her husband Bruno!  We filled Saturday night with beers, a projected soccer game, grilled steaks, and a rainbow cake!

Unfortunately, in the excitement, only a couple of our photos really came out... But check out those rainbow stripes!

edit: oops!  I meant to include the recipe I used.  A quick search resulted in many recipes, some more free-form, but the most gorgeous one and our inspiration is from Whisk Kid.  We accidentally had to skimp on the frosting, but she knocks hers outta the park...

A very special Happy Birthday!

A belated happy birthday to the newest member of our family:

Miss Vivienne Linda Cornwall. Happy Four Days Old!  I can't wait to meet you.

And no, the drawing does not do her justice.  

An aside: Vivienne was born on July 3rd, the same day my aunt, Nancy, turned 70.  Isn't that lovely?  Happy birthday ladies!