In 1977, my dad took me to my first baseball game. It was the Blue Jays, in their inaugural year, taking on the White Sox at Exhibition Stadium on a cold day in mid-April. I can't tell you who won, but I can tell you I ate hot dogs, and shared and shelled peanuts with my dad. We bought a program, and I bought a large White Sox button much to my dad's chagrin. "Why?" he asked. After all this time, I am not exactly sure why. I just remember liking their '70's-stlye logo, the one with the geometric batter getting ready to swing. Anyway, baseball, for kids, isn't so much about the game, it's about the experience—their experience.
So this past weekend, defying the cool rainy weather, we took the boys "out to the ballgame." It was a little rough early on for Hugo, who really, really wanted to be out on the field playing. But, there were hot dogs and snacks and merchandise (note Dash's new hat) and space to walk around below the stands, AND, most importantly, a chance to run the bases at Citi Field (video below)! We had a wonderful time, and if you were wondering, the Mets lost to the Giants. I think the score was 6-1. We're are hoping this will be the first of many visits to Citi Field.
Last year, it was just a triumph to get him on stage. This past Winter's show, Jen shuffled her work schedule only to see Hugo fall apart, tears and mess, and not even make it on stage. But, how's about this?! This Spring, Hugo not only performs on stage with his classmates, but also patiently waits (which is hard for any boy, let alone a boy on the spectrum) and introduces Ms. Victoria's Class and their act! Remarkable work PS255/151Q! Thank you. Great job, Hugo!
With much thanks to my former professor, friend, and mentor, Ben Moss, I had the opportunity to participate in the Helen Figge Moss Memorial Exhibition this past Sunday and Monday. The art exhibit featured my recent work, The Interludes, printed and framed, and it was so great having Jen and our good friends from the city travel out to The Stony Brook School for the opening of the show. On Monday, I had the opportunity to teach again—instructing middle and high schoolers on how I construct these images on my mobile phone. (Thanks to Jen and A.C. for these pictures.)
Jennifer made a Costco list this morning; Hugo decided to make one, too.
According to Hugo, here's what mommy is to buy at Costco (I will decipher his ripped list): 1. Candy 2. Marshmallows 3. Toys 4. Apple Juice 5. Shampoo 6. Cucumber 7. Tomato 8. Books 9. Musical Instrument 10. Snoopy Blanket 11. Trains 12. Coloring 13. Drawing 14. Ketchup
A marginal amount of snow they said...PFFT! Almost 30 inches in East Elmhurst, Queens! No worries though, the boys loved it! And nobody on our street had a heart-attack while shoveling...thank heavens!
It kept on like this for 30+ hours!
I dug snow caves for the boys
We walked up the street to a small hill to try out the new snow disks mom got us.
About mid-way through the blizzard.
These are the Dempsey's, our downstairs neighbors. They're from Australia and have never seen this much snow, ever. Stacey's making her first snow angel here.
After a while, the hardest part was hoisting the snow to the top of the pile
Collecting snow "chunks" to make a snowman
Not interested in snowmen, would rather slide down snow piles
We took the boys a bowling birthday party last weekend...Dash rolled balls down the lane for two hours, pretty much...Who knew he's love bowling so much. The good news, for him, is that we have an alley right around the block from us!
Yesterday, Jen found an indoor trampoline gym for us to bounce around
in! The pictures are all blurry because nobody was standing still,
including the photographer…I was also bouncing. :)
