Typical Lily

Yesterday I closed the fridge door to see Lily standing straight up on the kitchen table, staring at me; smiling. As a reminder she is only 19 months old and has already suffered a broken wrist. My next move was calculated so I did not shock her into falling on my rock hard tile floor. I somehow calmly walked over and picked her up <insert> wailing. How dare I save her from certain injury! Bad Mommy.

Next, I turned around to see Ella (3) staring at me; this is what she said next;

"Typical Lily."

Then she went back to playing with dolls and whatnot. Stunned, I just nodded - yup Typical Lily.

"Typical Lily"

My Mommy Mantra - Make your kids an incredible part of your life, not your WHOLE life. 

Where to go, when there is no where to go...

Maybe I am losing my mind, or maybe it is just winter and I have a crazed toddler and an "eager to move" 3 year old on my hands. But I couldn't hack it today. Maybe it is the fact that for the first time in a LONG time, I had a night away from my girls, and I am a little rusty. Maybe it is just that I am human. Whatever it was, today I was losing my mind. Kids screaming, playing with things that are not toys (electric sockets), no plans with friends to distract from the mayhem, no cream in the house for my coffee, no moments of peace this morning. Just non-stop Mommy. So I scooped up the girls and we headed to Whole Foods; for cream for my much needed coffee.

Our Whole Foods has a kids play area right next to a coffee and gelato bar...score. For one full half hour I enjoyed a large latte and a cranberry pistachio biscotti while my girls happily played with new and exciting toys and the occasional kid.

A moment of heaven in an unmanageable day. I got my mojo back and we went shopping for cream (for more coffee) and for something to make for dinner. Mussels, fennel, tilapia, asparagus and crusty bread.

We went home and played in the backyard for an hour before I threw them in the bathtub...my trick to get them to take a good nap. A two hour nap later (them, not me) and I had dinner prepped and was enjoying a nice cold beer as hubby walked in. Thanks Whole Foods for saving the day. Wonder who will save the day tomorrow?

Bacon, shallots, fennel and jalapeno mussels  in a Beer/Butter broth. Say that 10 times fast.

Redefining Kid-Friendly

I have decided to pass along some of my favorite "nuvo kid-friendly" activities and restaurants to my readers. These are places that my crew enjoys on Long Island. One of my favorites is a special little place in Huntington Village. It is an incredible French Bistro, with a menu that would tantalize any diner, and guess what? They are super kid friendly. By "kid friendly" I mean that they don't scowl at you when you walk in with kids, they have high chairs, and they are loud enough to compete with a noisy toddler. Most of the noise in the place is diners enjoying great conversation and wine, not kids screaming; but a screaming kid thrown in the mix would not be noticed. Yeah for us!

There is even a section on the menu that says "Pour Les Enfants." A bit pricey, but if you are looking to have a grown-up dinner and want to bring along the "les enfants" this is the perfect place to accomplish that. Plus, my girls were able to split the chicken and fettucini dish and we even had left-overs to bring home. The food was fresh and delicious and we got to eat, drink and be merry, as a family. You can't ask for much more.

My gift to you;

Bistro Cassis  

55 Wall Street Huntington, NY

http://www.bistrocassis.com/

PS. It is next door to a Movie Theater. Dinner and show anyone?