Rock Shic

#888 Camping with Dad! Just me and my dad ⛺️🌳🔥

Tonight we read a cute book about quality time with dad… via camping and making fires, fishing, and telling ghost stories.  It was, to be fair – incredibly sweet and then munchkin insisted on re-creating a drawing of him and dad (though I dare say it’s odd that they’re both the same size).  

One of our favorite things to do is to pretend like we’re going camping!  We would make big tents with pillows and also “roast marshmallows” (be it real or fake). 

In that regard this book is perfectly lovely for little kids to follow along… and given that munchkin is five, it is right up his alley! Plus, let’s face it, Mr. Mercer Mayer – author and illustrator – father and grandfather, is a legend who has forever left an indelible imprint in our literary world, for both adults and children.

Up next… I’d love to read “Just Going to the Dentist” with the little man.  What better way to ease his nerves and quench his curiosity about the dentist than with a fine children’s book?

 

#887 The Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center 🍎🎪🤸🏽‍♂️

 

Big Apple Circus

 

Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park – 137 West 62^nd Street, NYC

 

The wintry weather here in NYC didn’t stop us from gallivanting out and about the city this long weekend!  We had loads of fun and enrichment, first off with the Circus this Saturday!  

I’ve always heard about the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center (now in its 41st season!!), but have never ventured to experience it myself until now (it always seemed like something befitting for families and my kids were never seemed quite old enough... or yet to be born, ha!).  However, now that my oldest is five, it seemed like the perfect opportunity and venue for him to experience the circus!

First off – I was happy to report that there were no clowns (which I find rather creepy).  Moreover, there didn’t seem to be any overt cruel treatment of animals, which is a big thing in my book.  No elephants, lions, and the like (hubs told me that apparently it’s illegal to have elephants in Manhattan? I looked it up and it’s true!).

There were some gorgeous horses and cute puppies, but the real highlights for us were the performances by humans.  Indeed, it reminded me of Cirque du Soleil performances, plus what was back then called the “Absinthe” production that hubs and I saw at South Street Seaport (many, many moons ago, before children).  The circus show is aptly hosted by Ringmaster Stephanie Monseu and features quite an impressive roster of artists performing various astonishing feats.

So in summary, I must admit that I rather enjoyed it!!! It is a "One-Ring," two act show (with a twenty minute intermission) in between.  Sure it can be (to pardon the pun) “quite a circus” at times when you’re there (thought the production itself is located right inside Lincoln Center, and I am always happy to be there as I find the grounds and architecture absolutely stunning).  Hubs was lamenting that it wasn’t a great place for him to be with his arm injury, but dem the breaks.  There are tons of other kids around, and I love that they had a VIP lounge with entertainment for children beforehand, plus an opt-in opportunity to do pony rides, in addition to some delightful pre-show entertainment right by the snack box!

Of course, if you ask munchkin, he’ll probably tell you that some of his favorite moments entailed: (1) eating cotton candy; (2) playing with his shiny new spinning toy; and (3) possibly something to do with dudes doing quadruple flips on Trapeze (which admittedly was insanely awesome!).

I believe this week might be the LAST week to catch the Big Apple Circus in NYC (tickets here) #bigapplecircus – as they’re headed next to our nation’s capital in DC in February through March.  So please catch them at Lincoln Center (btw now and Sunday, January 27, 2019), if you can!!

 

Related: 

A Neverland Puppet Show

The Hamptons Film Festival

The Lion King at Minskoff Theatre, Broadway

#886 Enduring Love and the Test of Time

Everyone’s been talking about the #tenyearchallenge… and I wanted to share the above, as I stumbled upon these frames while tidying up tonight.

The top one was taken in 2007, at a friend’s farewell at Stanton Social.  The funny thing is, back then the lower east side seemed so foreign to me, as we lived all the way on the upper east side.  To think!  For the past eight years we’ve staked our claim down in the LES.

The bottom was taken in November of last year, at a friend’s wedding in Tulum.  My first reaction is that we both look weathered, older.. but a voice inevitably pops up and says “we were so young!”

Indeed we were, and we didn’t even realize it at the time.  2007 was the year we had finally settled in Manhattan, I had just started my new job and we were engaged.  It was a rather tumultuous year to be honest, it wasn’t my favorite one… we had fought a lot and nearly broke off our engagement.  I chalk some of that to the pressures of me starting a new job, us buying our first place together, and just plain old pre-wedding jitters.  There could have been other issues too, lord knows – life can be so complex at times.

Fast forward some eleven, almost twelve years later (it is 2019 now after all), and here we are… with two kids in tow, a family of four.  We’ve upgraded from a one bedroom on the upper east side to a three bedroom on the lower east side, and we’ve stopped wondering about wedding expenses and start worrying about private school tuition.  We’ve weathered so many storms together, shed many tears and laughter, and most importantly, there is this implicit understanding and love that I believe serves as the very rock and foundation for our union and commitment.

It’s funny, sometimes I wonder what the formula to a perfect marriage is.  I don’t think it exists really.  We’ve devoted, of course – to our family, each other, our children, our careers and livelihood – but the ultimate glue is our trust in each other.  I trust that the man I married and the one I go to sleep with every night is going to have my best interest at heart and always be there on the other line when I need him the most, I trust that he will be the best husband and father and human that he could be, and I have faith and confidence in him succeeding in this fundamental way.  Everything else is just window dressing if you ask me.

But is this tacit trust and understanding enough to withstand the longevity test?  Well – only time will tell!  So far so good… and we are literally ten years into our marriage if you can believe that (I can hardly believe it myself -- I still remember our wedding day like it was yesterday).

One thing I do miss, however, is the art of writing. We chat, we e-mail, but it’s never romantic or thoughtful anymore… not the way it used to be when you can literally compile a man’s letters to his wife (and vice versa) and publish a book of beautiful sonnets and verses that will withhold the test of time.  It just doesn’t happen anymore.  Perhaps that is something we could start doing for each other, just writing a note every once in a while, something tangible that we can both hold and cherish, that can withstand the test of time. 

 

 

Related Features:

 

On weddings

"Couples Only" moments -- Reminiscing on our trip to South Africa

#885 Life doesn’t frighten me

Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou

Illustrations and passage from munchkin's favorite section

Loving the illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat

 

Life Doesn't Frighten Me

 

by Maya Angelou, with illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat, edited by Sara Jane Boyers

 

This is a gem of a book, and I first encountered it at a little merchant stall downstairs from my old job.  It uses a poem written by the great Maya Angelou with illustrations by the ever so talented Jean-Michel Basquit (I do harbor a soft spot for him! So short-lived and yet quite prolific during this days). 

 

The poem goes as follows:

 

Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou

 

Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn't frighten me at all

Bad dogs barking loud
Big ghosts in a cloud
Life doesn't frighten me at all

Mean old Mother Goose
Lions on the loose
They don't frighten me at all

Dragons breathing flame
On my counterpane
That doesn't frighten me at all.

I go boo
Make them shoo
I make fun
Way they run
I won't cry
So they fly
I just smile
They go wild

Life doesn't frighten me at all.

Tough guys fight
All alone at night
Life doesn't frighten me at all.

Panthers in the park
Strangers in the dark
No, they don't frighten me at all.

That new classroom where
Boys all pull my hair
(Kissy little girls
With their hair in curls)
They don't frighten me at all.

Don't show me frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I'm afraid at all
It's only in my dreams.

I've got a magic charm
That I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor
And never have to breathe.

Life doesn't frighten me at all
Not at all
Not at all.

Life doesn't frighten me at all.

 

The story can be interpreted in so many ways, but for the young imaginative mind — it teaches them courage, endurance, compassion, and humor.  My little one can recite the whole thing by heart, especially this particular passage below, which he wrote for his school’s project.

 

I also love the lesson taught here, that no matter how difficult and dark the obstacles and nights may seem... we are never afraid, and we shall prevail — because life doesn’t frighten me at all... not at all. 

 

 

Related Features:

 

A big Moon for little star

 

Jackson Pollock

 

  

 

#884 Dreaming of the Beach 🏖

First beach trip of 2019!!!

Having the whole beach to himself #dream

Cooling down on a hot Florida day!

Selfie with bubs... of course he's too busy with sand-play to even look up!

Brrrrr!! Baby it’s cold outside!

We are bracing for a cold cold MLK weekend ahead 🥶... which Mamma is less than thrilled about. 

Having said that, it’s moments like these that has Mamma really missing the sunny beaches of Florida.  Sure I get antsy after a good week, searching for new adventures, isn’t that what wanderlust is all about? 

I won’t lie though, there is nothing more thrilling than stepping off of a plane and heading straight to the beach, when you’ve just left wintry New York behind.  New York, I love you, and your possibilities are bar none, but sometimes it takes leaving you to truly appreciate all that you have to offer! 

I’m also missing this little munchkin of mine... from our glorious day on the beach.  We weren’t there for very long (it was too hot would you believe), but we had a blast while we were there! Plus it’s always good for Mamma to catch some rays.  

 

Related Features:

Birthday Celebration in Florida

Reminiscing -- Walks on the Beach

Beach Resolutions

The Naples Weekender

Beach Style Baby

 

A little post ocean milk -- refreshing!

Hmmm.... he may or may not have fallen into the water after I took this pic. :)

Shade seeker! (and mess maker)

We headed to nearby Waterside Shops after the beach -- a favorite spot!  For more info check out "the Naples Weekender."

 

#883 Sound of Music – Do Re Mi 🎶🎵

 

The Sound of Music

 

 Artis-Naples

 

5833 Pelican Bay Blvd

Naples, Florida 34108

While we were away in Naples over Christmas and New Years, munchkin and I caught a performance of the Sound of Music – one of my all-time childhood favorites.  Suffice to say, little man is also OBSESSED!!! The Sound of Music Theater Production is touring at the moment (see information here on "Sound of Music on Tour") and we were oh-so-lucky to have caught them while they were performing at the Artis-Naples Performance Arts Center.

You will recall that Artis-Naples is near and dear to our hearts from way back when (we are utterly in love with the Chihuly ceiling they have!  Plus some very rad Andy Warhol paintings).

The performance was lovely and I was particularly enthralled with the Reverend Mother (anyone else out there get the chills when they hear “Climb every Mountain?!”).  We sang along (with our inside voice of course) to all of our favorite tunes – including the classic “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” the quirky “Lonely Goatherd” and the ever so melancholy but beautiful “Edelweiss.”

We glossed over the whole Austria-Nazi historical undertones (I’ll let hubby cover that tricky bit when our little guy is older).  Overall I thought it was a wonderful performance, thank you Artist-Naples for such an enriching afternoon!  Little man and I are still humming our favorite tunes and will continue to do so!

P.S. Mamma’s looking forward to introducing the joys of the Sound of Music to Rockshic Baby 2 once he starts preschool!

 

Related: 

A Neverland Puppet Show

The Hamptons Film Festival

The Lion King at Minskoff Theatre, Broadway

#882 A look-back at Christmas 2018

Christmas is over and it is now time to start packing away our ornaments and tossing out the tree! (Which always makes me quite sad to be honest).  This year we ended up having a live tree in our apartment in downtown Manhattan (munchkin picked it out himself right down the street!) and a prosthetic tree in Naples, Florida – as we always do.  We typically celebrate Christmas in Florida – as you can see from our treasured visit to Old Saint Nick on the beach.

This year marked my oldest munchkin’s SIXTH Christmas celebration (gasp!), and let me tell you, he gets more and more into it every year!!!  Even my little guy is getting into the groove, and I must admit, it rather puts the pressure on mamma to make sure that everything is perfect… with every single detail just so! (Note that one of my big guy's present this Christmas was tickets to see the Lion King on Broadway, covered here). 

In reality, anything has got to be better than what happened in 2017, where we closed on our apartment on December 22, 2017 (the day that shall forever remain imprinted in my memory).  The next night, I think I flew to Florida… and come Christmas eve – my little guy even had to go to the ER!! Eeks.  

Suffice to say, I felt a bit “rushed” with getting everything ready for the holidays that year, so anything was gravy compared to that!  This year, hubby was immersed in work for the most part, so it was really up to me to get everything ready (I think I must have wrapped about thirty odd presents compared to his give?).

Speaking of presents, there is something quite fascinating about them, isn’t there?  Nobody what you do, you can wrap a piece of coal (quite literally), and the trimmings and packaging will still make it seem glistening and beautiful!  That is life for you, isn’t it… and growing up with little ones.  No wonder the Sound of Music had the lyrics: “Brown Paper Packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things!” 

So here are a few of my favorite moments from Christmas Day.  I must admit that after the day, there was this sort of “anti-climatic” unease that immediately set in – whereby I asked myself, was that it?  All that I just did, was that everything?!  It’s hard to believe that weeks and weeks of work just dissipates in a matter of minutes, but perhaps that is just Christmas for you, and it is something that I must come to accept over time.

Thank goodness that writing about Christmas (and the general anticipation of it, in addition to the passing of Christmas afterwards), still remains.  No matter that the reality, the feeling of something never escapes you!

Related:

Christmas Eve -- Saw Old Saint Nick on the Sandy Beach

The Magic of Christmas in New York City

All I want for Christmas -- 2017

Holiday Spirits in the Hamptons

 

#881 A Big Mooncake for Little Star 🌟💫🌕

 

A Big Moon for Little Star

 

by Grace Lin

School is officially back in session and we have fully embraced the joys of reading in this household (not that this passion ever truly goes away but there’s a new sparkle in our lives!)

Munchkin is doing a reading challenge at work (he crushed the last Harry Potter one at his school).  Needless to say, each challenge becomes more demanding as the day goes by (as well it should be!! Same goes for life right).

One of our first books was called “A Big Mooncake for Little Star,” written by Grace Lin.  We’ve enjoyed many books in this household by Lin, including a favorite called “Dim Sum for Everyone!”that we love sharing with his multi-cultural classroom.

"A Big Mooncake for Little Star" is somewhat different from Lin’s other work, as it is more focused on a single, imaginative narrative (more keeping with the typical children’s story tradition), rather than adopting an overarching educational tone as so many of her other books focus on doing. The storyline takes us on a journey with Little Star (no doubt modeled after Lin herself when she was a little girl) as she “eats” her way through a mooncake (aka the moon).  The process of reading this with your little one is super fun… as it really helps them visualize the ever changing shape of the moon!

For more info, you can see one of my previous posts on how we celebrated the Autumn Equinox by devouring Mooncakes and making paper lanterns (we didn’t quite light them, haha – fire hazard – but you can find yourself an LED light, which would certainly do the trick! Must safer too!!).

 

Related Features:

Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival

Jackson Pollock 

Life doesn't frighten me

#880 The Lion King 🦁

 

The Lion King

 

Minskoff Theatre

200 W. 45^th Street

New York, NY

I have long wanted to take my little buy to see the Lion King on Broadway.  As a matter fact, I’ve even wanted to see it myself when the show first came out! Can you believe that the Lion King has been playing on Broadway for twenty odd years!  It really is incredible.

When munchkin turned four, we treated him to a special show of Aladdin… he may have been a bit young at that stage (though he did sit through the whole thing), but he didn’t have a lot of feedback at the time for us.

What truly sealed the deal, for me at least, was when he performed “I just can’t wait to be King” for camp last summer.  What a delight!  We were so proud of him as he roared and soared on stage, and that was when I knew that it was not a question of “if” but “when” he was going to see the real thing on stage! 

We went with his fellow buddy/summer camper, and I loved every moment of it.  The classics were as familiar to me as they were to him (perhaps much more so to me, who am I kidding!) – though I did try to familiarize him to the songs and plot summary prior to the musical, with both books and film.  My favorite part was when they stitched together Mufasa’s image with stars – all done via seamless choreography (you have to see it to fully comprehend what I mean).  It was simply gorgeous! 

The Minskoff theater itself was breath-taking, with so many lovely details paying tribute to “the King.”  We also loved that there were live exhibits of the gorgeous, Tony-award winning costumes on display.  So much to take in!  Munchkin went home with a little snowglobe that played “the Circle of Life,” which was the best treat!

Related: 

A Neverland Puppet Show

The Hamptons Film Festival

The Lion King at Minskoff Theatre, Broadway

 

#879 Magical Winter Wonderland – St. Regis in Salt Lake City

I believe OM is in order! #saltlakecity

Those oh-so-sweet snowflake stories I was telling you about!

The great thing about entering New Year and re-living those highlights from 2018 is that you also get to revisit some of those perfect memories – like mamma’s Spa Retreat to the St. Regis, Deer Valley in Salt Lake City.  I was there just for the long weekend for a good friend’s Bachelor party.  We had been skiing (well yours truly was mostly falling down but who’s counting).  In any case… what better reprieve than a day at the spa?  It was precisely what I needed.  You know mamma loves a good spa!!! For more Rockshic Spa excursions, see here.

The grounds at the St. Regis, Deer Valley was absolutely gorgeous, just want you would expect… with grandiose luxury coupled with a cozy, cabin feel.  I loved the juxtaposition of the snow as well as the hot pool (is there anything more picturesque than those mountains?).  Oh, and the DIY hot chocolate? Say yes to that!!!

Mamma got their hot stone massage (mmmmm), I literally melted into the massage chair… followed by some retail therapy for the kiddos (Salt Lake City has so much cute stuff for the little ones!! Think yetis, snowflakes, skiing moose, the list goes on and on).

At the end of the day, I was sad to leave this little winter wonderland.  Would you blame me?  That said, we had more festivities, brunching, bellinis, and apres-skiing (my favorite part of skiing) to tend to.  So off I went! To new, greater adventures.  For more on our Salt Lake excursions see here.

Of course... it all began with a walk down memory lane -- a la highlights from January of 2018!!!

Related:

Wedding at the St. Regis -- New York

Escape to the Adironacks -- Mirror Lake Inn and Spa

A Luxury Afternoon at Thann Sanctuary Spa

A look back at 2018 -- Best of January -- the start of a New Year!