April highlights {dentist, Nick's birthday, Jerry Seinfeld, science center, AGO gala}

back again, three months after the fact... why do I always think I will have more time to blog in the summer with all of the kids home and all of their activities? this particular summer has been particularly blog-less due to solo parenting while Nick and Cece were in Europe, a very busy season at work that has necessitated putting in extra hours at home charting and covering messages on my days off (compensated, but still!), and starting up 10K training (so I've been working out during times that previously were perfect for uninterrupted blogging time). 

but three months ago, we were still in the groove of the school year and kicked off the month with an exciting development:

1) Elizabeth's first dental cleaning. Greta and Cece had their first cleaning with our new dentist earlier this year, and then it was Elizabeth's turn, for her first trip to the dentist ever! she did great! at that point she was still using a pacifier at bedtime (and other times throughout the day if she could find one) and I asked the dentist about it. the dentist said they don't worry too much about permanent issues with their palate/teeth until age 5, but as luck would have it, Elizabeth lost her pacifier a few weeks after that and despite a few nights of sadness, she adjusted very quickly and would often pronounce "I'm a big girl not to have my binky, because the dentist said my teeth are so shiny and clean!" I'll take it!  

they were so great with her, explaining things in kid-friendly terms and letting her choose a show to watch on the overhead TV during the cleaning

so proud to get a special token to use in the vending machine and get her very own squishy toy just like her older sisters did after their cleanings

2) Nick's birthday. how I love this man! he is such a good husband, father, and friend. his birthday happened to coincide with performance week for Greta's show, so for his birthday dinner, we went out to EatnPark (the Pittsburgh staple) after the performance. 

Cece pointing out the details in the card she made for him

thanks to Kira for capturing these. 

peanut butter chocolate cake, his favourite!

he also celebrated his 500th wedding played at Heinz Chapel and the staff gave him this sweet little commemorative card! surreal to think about how many hundreds (if not thousands) of wedding ceremonies he has elevated with his music.

3) Jerry Seinfeld. one of Nick's Christmas gifts was tickets to go see Seinfeld on his Pittsburgh tour! he was here for one night only, and by the time I went to purchase tickets, the 7 PM show was already sold out, leaving only the 9:30 PM show. Nick is a night owl so I knew he'd be fine with that, but I was a little concerned about my ability to power through the evening. I need not have worried! we went with our good friends and had a delicious dinner at Gaucho beforehand. the show itself was hysterical. Seinfeld has such a lyric poeticism to his comedy. his sense of timing and control is legendary. I'm used to feeling a bit of secondhand vulnerability at a comedy show -- I just feel nervous for the performer if a joke doesn't land or if they seem to be stumbling a bit for the next thing to say. that never, ever happened with him. even when someone in the front row pulled out their phone to record (after the PA announcement that all recording and photos were prohibited), he immediately went over to them and said "yes! record away! I don't give a damn" and then turned it into a bit about how none of us are going to go back and look at those pictures anyway. 

two of my favourites: Nick, and a platter of meat ;)

these are two of our favourites too!

first time taking the jumpsuit out for a spin. I felt like Julia Louis Dreyfus would approve

4) Science center. it's not very liturgically apropos, but for the second year in a row, we went to the science center on Holy Thursday. the kids are at a great age for the science center -- the younger ones can actually participate and enjoy it, and the older ones aren't too old. we arrived just in time for a little live show in the theater which was geared toward the preschool ages, and snagged front row seats! 

making a fish face

they loved these Lego building stations

if Cece ever records an album, this has got to be the cover art

Elizabeth did it too!

she lined up after several 9/10-year-old boys who looked like they spent hours on Little League fields and confidently took her turn in the batting cage. so cute!

sprinting in slippers, what could possibly go wrong?

round 2

we then did go to the Mass of the Lord's Supper and later that evening, Nick took the girls to meet up with our friend John and they did the traditional visitation to the seven churches while I stayed home the babies. they didn't even meet up until after 9 PM since John plays for a later mass on Holy Thursday and these photos are timestamped 10:45 PM. the girls were troopers! 

beautiful altar of repose

the tradition on Holy Thursday is to pray with Christ just as he asked his disciples to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane

meditating on the instruments of the crucifixion

St. Patrick's church has a replica of the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) in Rome. traditionally, pilgrims ascend on their knees while saying a prayer on each step. here's a glimpse at the original stairs!

5) AGO Gala. Nick's organ professor at Duquesne, Dr. Ann Labounsky, retired this year and gave a recital as part of the American Guild of Organists gala. it was fun to get dressed up and go back to our alma mater where we first met. the sense of deja vu was pervasive, from sitting in the chapel listening to the pipes and pedals (just like I used to listen to Nick's recitals), to seeing former classmates I haven't seen for (shhhh) twenty years, to the reception in the Union ballroom where most of our college social functions were held. 

Nick greeting his teacher as she came down from the loft after the recital

raising a glass to Dr. Labounsky!

organ students who are carrying on her legacy!

6) bonus round. signs of spring -- the magnolia tree blooming and the first Antney's of the season! 

the same tree from a different angle. this was the most robust bloom we have seen for years!

photo of the menu to peruse as we wait in line. almost fried ice cream was a hit!

two Broadway shows in one month (!!), plus a little Broadway action happening in our kitchen during dinner cleanup. 

Peter Pan was fun - a modern interpretation with impressive special effects, and the men who played Captain Hook and Smee were absolutely hysterical

another fun show with incredible tap dancing!

the 25/26 season announcement! plus special shows Chicago, Six, and Les Mis. I can't wait!

the girls came running into the house one afternoon screaming that they needed help. turns out they found a baby mole stranded on the sidewalk. by the time I arrived on the scene, Greta had already used a stick to gently transfer him to the grass. they named him Pippin, and kept watch for a while to see if his mother would come back for him. 

Cece asked if she could delegate her Thursday chore (window washing) to the babies, which I sanctioned as long as she is the one actually spraying the Windex and performing quality control checks (i.e., if they want to help her, they can, but she is responsible for making sure the job gets done thoroughly and safely). needless to say, she ends up still cleaning the majority of the windows herself, but she does enjoy the supervisory role! 

and finally, rounding it out with some toddler cuteness. 

playing naptime -- my favourite game

Elizabeth likes to pick the lint out from between Victoria's toes. she will say, "Vicky, let me get your toe crumbs!" and Victoria obligingly scoots right over. 

dinner of champions outside the school gym one night. it is SO nice to have warmer weather!