Evolution of New Years Eve

New Year's Eve has always been a holiday filled with loads of pressure around what to do, where to go, who to spend it with, or what to wear.
I believe that even if you are sitting at home watching TV with your parents you should be wearing something sparkly.
I've never been one to want to party like its 1999, but always have wanted it to feel special;.

These days New Years is special in a different way. Less about sparkles and booze and more about...
Well.
Pig tails and sparkling grape juice. 

Two years ago, Michael and I were sitting in our living room with two of our dear friends, playing games and sipping champagne, I was rolling around on a yoga ball and I was almost as big as the ball.
I was over due by three days, and thought...
This is it.
In the next twelve hours or so, it's gonna be go time.
This was New Years! The holiday of great expectations. We could have the first baby born of the new year!! We didn't.
Thank God!
Ella was born at 1:10am January 2nd. 
Two years later, I remember the pain, excitement, and anticipation, but what I think about more is the joy that the last two years has brought us.
The last few years have been such an exciting terrifying time as we navigate New York City with a child, and move in and out of jobs, and try and hold on to our apartment and sanity.
As I sit here on the eve of her second birthday, New Years Day 2013 I am remembering how thankful we are to have a happy, healthy child, jobs (I have a number of them as always) and that we have a roof over our heads. Life is full of challenges, this year has had many, but we are blessed to be able to muddle through the lows and rejoice in the highs.

This year we turned down a babysitter this NYE so that we could spend it with friends who also have a two year old (and a five year old.) We watched the London ball drop at 6pm, toasted with Sparkling grape juice, hugged and kissed and sang Auld Lang Syne.

2013 should prove to be interesting. Will we get a dishwasher? Cabinets?  Will I finally decide that one job is better than four?

One thing is certain, and two things sure. I will begin the year learning how to make croissants, Ella is going to make us pretend coffee in her new play kitchen, and Michael is going to hope beyond all hope that the new Brown's coach and General Manager will make it Cleveland's year.

Disney Junior Scalloped potatos

It's been a while since I have posted anything.
Not because I've not had anything to write about. I have.
I've interviewed and gotten a new job. So I now have 2 1/2 jobs not including Mom.
It's all good. I still have time to spend with Ella, and being a real live music teacher (not just private lessons) is super fun.
A shit ton of work, but fun. When I got the job it was sort of like when Broadway called that one time. Exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
I digress.
Because of our busy schedule I've tried to stock the freezer with all things tasty for dinner. But I don't defrost every night, because sometimes I figure out short cuts to super yummy things that will take you only a 15 minute episode of Mickey, Doc, or Jake and the Neverland Pirates to make.

This will be my first blog post with actual recipes. I've avoided this in the past because I think it's sort of over done in the mommy blog-sphere. But maybe I have a different point of view....

I'm not crunchy enough to keep chickens. We don't live in the suburbs. I think it would be looked down upon to keep them on the fire escape. AND I let my kid watch TV, and don't apologize for it. She doesn't watch it all the time, and she knows how to play by herself, dance, and color, we just like TV, and there are some pretty darn good shows out there these days. 

I also let her have sweets occasionally. Mostly stuff I've made, or we have made together, but she gets sugar sometimes, she's not addicted to it. It doesn't make her act like a lunatic. It doesn't keep her from eating her broccoli.
Yep! I've outed myself.

Here is the recipe for Disney Junior Scalloped potatoes for two. You could add more potatoes and make it for 3 or 4

2 medium red skinned potatos
Shredded mexican blend cheese
Smoked Spanish Paprika (to taste, a sprinkle per layer)
Salt and Pepper
Milk
Panko Bread crumbs
Cooking Spray
Olive Oil

Peal (or not) the potatoes and slice thinly.  Spray individual ramikens with cooking spray. Layer the potato slices with the cheese in the ramikens adding salt, pepper and paprika as you layer. Toast the panko in a skillet with a small amount of olive oil till golden brown. When you have finished the layers of potato and cheese, pour a small amount of milk in the ramiken, just enough to keep everything moist in the oven. Sprinkle panko over the top, and bake until cooked through and bubbly about 20 min covered, and 25 min. Uncovered at 350*.

The handy thing. And what I did. Was let Ella watch an episode of Mickey this morning while I put these together and then I pop them in the fridge to bake off later this evening before dinner. They will go along with the turkey breast that I cooked yesterday wrapped in bacon and seasoned with Herbs d'Provence.
With Salad, not bad for a Monday night.

Into the Deep

Today (in my mind) marks the day where we begin the delicate, strategic, and sometimes terrifying navigation through the New York education system.
Ella had her first day of what I like to call Preschool Lite. A 90 min. class broken up into large motor time (that's preschool speak for the playground,) snack and free choice (Ella chose art and lining up farm animals.) The morning is guided by a teacher and the parents.
Since we are enrolled in the parent toddler program we don't have to line up at 6am like a chorus call for Lion King at the Apollo for regular preschool registration in January. We get a week head start. Which is why we are doing the class, well... And other things like academics and stuff. This place was on my radar before I was even married let alone had kids. All that being said I still have a list of other places to look at and tour. I even have a list of elementary schools although Ella is not 2 yet. Looking ahead is imperative.
I am convinced that we can give Ella a good education without spending 35 thousand dollars a year to do it.
Yes friends. 35 thousand dollars.
Here we go New York! I accept the challenge!!!

Blessings for Baseball, bananas, and Boker Tov

"Back in the olden days before Jews lived on the upper west side. They lived in tents and were kind of like cowboys. They wore boots and stetsons, and in the morning (when there was a bright golden haze on the meadow) and before they would even say boker tov they would come outside of their tents and shout Yeehaw!" said the Rabbi this morning.

I love Rosh Hashanah. I love making all the food, it's better than the January New Year. It's a wonderful time for reflection and renewal as we go into the fall and winter months. Since Michael and I have been married we celebrate with our urban family, our wayward Jewish and non Jewish friends here in New York. The last two years we have celebrated as well with the lovely Ella.

Today we went to the children's service at our Synagogue and had a great time. This year the parents were on good behavior and there were much fewer women wearing stilettos that would puncture the little darlings toddling across the floor. Not so last year.

Last year the hard working Rabbi's didn't stand a chance against the upper west side elite. The children's service was fashion show/social hour. Meh

This year, well meaning adults and their children and grandchildren did their best to listen and enjoy the wonderful child centric service. When it came to the part of the service to talk about what everyone was thankful for one mom raised her hand and said "I'm thankful for a wonderful children's service that we can enjoy with our kids." I second that, lady. Her son was thankful for Banana's. To each his own.

The rabbi was funny, and engaging. He told the tales behind the prayers that we say, and told them in a a way that everyone found the humor, terror, and wonder of the old stories. We had warm ups, and snack time, and Ella's timer was up just after the Torah parade, but luckily they did the shofar portion of the service (the Shofar player dude had just a quick min. to spare away from the adult service.) So we hit the highlights this year, and didn't have to fear for Ella's fingers and toes!

Happy New Year!
L'Shana Tova!

I am thankful for my family and friends, our continued good health, and that we have jobs, and a roof over our head.

Mystic Crystal Revelations

For weeks now I've tried to figure out how to say thank you to my parents, to CATCO, to Columbus, for such a magical wonderful summer.

As Brian says to Kate Monster at the end of Avenue Q. "Just say, thanks."

So.
Thanks. Thank you, The whole Monster Community thanks you!

This summer has been one of big revelations, and discoveries for me. And thank you, if you were a part of that.

On the family end of things, it has been a truly amazing summer for Ella. She has gotten to know her grandparents (all 7 of them) and various cousins and aunts and uncles in a way that will ensure that she
most likely will remember them come holiday time. With the aide of skype for the in between times.

She has enjoyed playing in the backyard every morning with the dogs, and been a regular at the pool.

And most importantly she has had amazing bonding time with Daddy. This summer would have not been possible with out Michael playing Mr. Mom. And when he had to return to the city while I was in tech, my parents and Anna of course did a bang up job covering!!

On the job end. Avenue Q was one of the most rewarding theatre experiences for me. I have enjoyed playing with old friends and making new ones. Furry ones, and of the people variety. I've learned so much and had so much fun in the process.

We/I am very glad though to be back home in New York. The city has become home for us and our little family and this summer has made us realize that fully. The biggest question on everyones mind when they saw us in Columbus was "Oh! are you back?" or "Oh! Are you moving back now that you have a kid?" And the answer is.
No.
We have learned to appreciate our small space, we realized how much we really don't like driving, and while the city smells in the summer, and is slushy in the winter, you can get any and everything delivered, and things are open all the time.
We love it.
And besides we are kind of tied into our quirky money pit of an apartment.

But what about the schools, you say? Where will Ella go to school?
We don't know.
BUT! We have a plan. I have lists! Of preschools, of elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
Middle school, now that will be tricky.... but maybe not.
We have some time.

Now that we are home the biggest question by the regulars on the corner is "where'd you go? We thought you hit the numbers!!"
We wish.
You've got to play them to win them.
Good Night and Good Luck Columbus, see you next time.

Bryden Road Express

I miss the subway.

I never thought I would say that and mean it.
Particularly during the summer when the smell and heat of the New York subway platforms burn the inside of your nose, and eyeballs.
I miss it.
Well, not the burning sensation. But the ease at which you can go to and from, and can read while doing it.
Ella likes the Subway too. The weird people, the attention from little old ladies. The car just doesn't offer the same perks. Only Raffi. Which she sometimes needs to hear so that she forgets the restraints of the car seat. She loves going places, but doesn't like to be in the car to get there.
I have to agree with her.
Does this mean that I am a New Yorker now?
I wonder.
Does it also mean we're full stop new yorkers when Michael and I talk about how less space is not such a bad thing with a toddler around.
Maybe so.
The backyard is great, the quiet at night is wonderful, and being able to be in an amazing show with amazing people has been really terrific.
We open this week, and I am so excited! My shoulder blades are smarting, and I have one giant bicep from all the puppet work, but the anticipation of an audience overrides all of the pain and lack of sleep. It has been one of the most rewarding rehearsal processes I've ever had and I'm looking forward to a successful run.
In the mean time we'll keep driving the BRE in the Chevy SUV the two miles to the theatre, and quarter mile to the grocery. And know that when we get back to the city in September cooler weather will be close, and the burn of the stench will begin to wither away, and I'll be whisked away through a whole in the ground once again. It'll only be a matter of time when we will pine away for a giant car to shlep things too and from storage, or go to the New Jersey IKEA.

Belting before noon... Day three.

It turns out I can still bring it before noon.
Singing for preschool kids in the classroom doesn't count.

I'm talking full on belting my face off at day three of Avenue Q rehearsal.

After a five year hiatus I have found that getting back into rehearsal and performance mode is just like riding a bike.
However, it's just a bigger heavier bike!
I am grateful for all of it. The job, my entourage consisting of Ella, Michael, and of course Luna who are willing to part with me for the majority of the weekend, and weeknights. And my parents for putting is up for our two month adventure.

My reality is just so extraordinarily different than it used to be.

All that being said I have found in the last few days that this job, this whole experience might lead to my best and most rewarding work on stage....
Stay tuned.