My Grandson Turns Two - Already?

Oct 15, 2008

Groucho once said, and how true it is, "time flies like an arrow. ... and fruit flies like a banana." My grandson Ethan is turning two on October 17th and we wanted to be witness. So we loaded up the van and drove the nine hours to Hampton, Virginia to visit that sweet little boy and his family (Dani and Erik, the parents). Stacey and I constantly bemoan the fact that they're not closer and, thereby, more accessible. On the other hand, we like road trips and gas is so cheap nowadays (down to $2.79 in parts of Maryland - just in time for the election, huh?)

We talk to Ethan on a Skype-like program (that goes by the name of Oovoo). We can see him and hear him on our computer. But that's a poor substitute for holding him, talking to him face to face and observing the enormous changes that accompany his growth from infant into toddler and little mensch. Words have become sentences sentences become more complex. You can watch the wheels turning inside the head as he makes sense of the world around him ... it's a joy to watch. Being away from him for such a long time each time has its downside - we miss him too much. But it has its advantages becasuse the absence gives us a good sense and appreciation of the large changes in him that might not be nearly so clear on a day-to-day basis.

So here are some photos of Ethan as he turns two. Consider this as one of occasional progress reports that I'm intent on sharing with you. I know that grandparents going on about their grandchildren can get boring but for those of you already there, you can appreciate the kvelling. For those who have not reached that stage of life, please just enjoy the pictures of a delicious little boy. - Matt

Ethan on the cusp of two years old.

Ethan - a lot of bounce in his step. When he wants to do something on his own he let's it be known: "Ethan dood it." In front of his house in Hampton, VA.

At the library this morning with his play group.

My grandson, Ethan, one day short of his 2nd birthday.

Shopping at the base exchange, mirror in hand.

Ethan and a mirror to occupy him while Mommy shops at the Lancome booth.

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October 17, 2008 --

We kept busy the few days we were here. But the "business" had to revolve around Ethan's schedule - lunch around noon, an afternoon nap, dinner when Daddy comes home. In between, we made visits to the Naval base Exchange for various sundries. We accompanied the child to his reading group at a lovely local library a block or two away. And on Friday we drove to nearby Newport News to see the Virginia Living Museum - an astounding place where kids (and us kids too) can commune with, and learn about, nature.

On Friday night, when Erik came home, we celebrated Ethan's second birthday - presents were opened and chocolate cake (yes, Stacey's famous chocolate cake) savored. Tomorrow, we would be driving back to Brooklyn. The visit, though short, was memorable. I have a feeling we'll be missing our little grandson the moment we drive down the block on our way back home.

Ethan - he's two years old today!

Ethan plays the xylophone at the Viriginia Living Museum.

See the turtle?

At the Living Museum in Newport News, Virginia.

A mommy and her two-year old son.

Signs of the times ... in Virginia. Click the picture to see it larger ...then hit back to return.

Here comes Bamba with her homemade birthday cake - just for Ethan at 2 years old!

Blow out the candle beautiful boy. Happy birthday.

Click for a gallery view of all my photos from this trip.

Click for a slide show of all my photos from this trip.


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Aunt Bea Comes To Visit - Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th

Monday Oct 6, 2008

We took my aunt to the airport today. She'd spent nine days with us and we hoped we hadn't exhausted her. Well, too much anyway. We did want to keep her busy so she couldn't find too much time to think about the recent loss of Walter, her husband of 71 years. As I've written before, Bea is utterly remarkable for a 93-year old woman. She kept complaining that I was treating her like an invalid, holding her arm when she crossed the street or hopped off a curb. I just couldn't get use to how able and energetic she is! Each day we did a little something - shopping, theater, touring. And this last weekend of her visit to New York was no different. On Saturday, we drove out to the Long Island section of the Weinstein family: Marlo and Malte and their family live a lovely house in Islip on the south shore of Long Island. Jessica and Ed and their family just moved into a beautiful new home, nearby, in Bay Shore. And Lee and Alexis - well they live in between (so they can babysit in either direction).

We were invited to lunch at Marlo's. Joining us would be Kris and Mirjam and Jona. They took the Long Island Railroad out to Islip and Lex picked them up at the station. In our car were Bea's son, my cousin Peter, who arrived from Detroit the night before and his mom and Stacey and me. We arrived around twelve and Marlo was setting out the food - some lovely salads and quiches.

Stacey, Peter and Bea - on our way out to Long Island.

Jona meets her cousin Olivia.

Olivia and Luke.

Hi Marlo!

Lee and his Aunt Bea. Today was also Lee's 66th birthday.

Omigod! Kris, Luke and Olivia doing the trampoline thing.

Marlo and Jona, watching action on the trampoline.

Mirjam and Stacey - just chatting.

Peter and his cousin Lee.

And here's Peter and his mom.

Happy birthday Lee! Olivia helps the older man blow out his candles.

After Marlo's we drove over to Jessica and Ed's house to visit and see their new home. Their delicious daughter Jordan welcomed us and gave Grampy Lee his homemade drawing. Ben, their son, was sleeping but soon awoke from his nap and made himself well know to his guests - new family members he'd never met before. A new Mosher is on the way as well - Jessie is pregnant and is due in December. (The third Weinstein daughter, Corey, is expecting her first - a boy - in November).

We visited Jessica and Ed's new home in Bay Shore. Another Mosher is on the way ... scheduled for December. Jessie and her mom, Alexis, having a "heart-to-heart."

Aunt Stacey feels the baby kicking.

Mirjam does the hula thing on Jess and Ed's deck.

And this is my great grand niece, Jordan.

Ben got tatoos. Yeah, man!


To see ALL of today's photos just click here to go to my GALLERY on Smugmug.

To see a SLIDESHOW of today's photos just click here .

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After visiting the Moshers, we drove to Lee and Alexi's house - Bea and Peter had not ever seen it. Time was getting late so instead of heading home for a late dinner, we ate at a local Chinese restaurant (it was good!)and then took the hour-ride back to Brooklyln. A wonderful family day out on the Island.

On Bea's last day in New York, Sunday, we strolled around the Atlantic Antic. This is one of the city's largest street fairs. It attracts tens of thousands of people and the magic diversity that is Brooklyn is on full display. Less homogenized than your typical New York street fair, it has a wonderful mix of local vendors, restaurants and community organizations (including my peace group - Brooklyn For Peace.

We had a great time exploring the various booths and then sat down in front of La Mancha, a Spanish restaurant on Atlantic Avenue, for fresh grilled sardines and paella, washed down with a pitcher of sangria. Yum! After, we drove my cousin Peter to the airport for his return flight to Detroit.

Hungry for change?

Stacey and Bea peruse a vintage tchotchkes table.

Grilled sardinas at La Mancha restaurant.

Bea's visit had come to an end. The next day, Monday, we rose early and drove her to LaGuardia Airport - a trip of 25 minutes. Again, her energy and independence amazed and thrilled us. I just can't imagine too many 93-year olds flying back and forth, here and there, unaccompanied and on their own. It had a been a wonderful visit. How many times had Stacey and I been guests at the Schaffer home in Deefield Beach. It was a privilege to return a tiny percentage of that hospitality to my Aunt Bea, my mother's sister. We're going to see her again, in November. Her grandson Sloan (Peter's son) is getting married in Miami and we'll all be there for that happy event. But we're also hoping Bea will return next year when it gets too hot in Florida or when hurricanes are stirring down there. She'll always have a room waiting for her in Brooklyn.

View ALL of Sunday's photos as a GALLERY - CLICK HERE

View a SLIDESHOW of today's photos - CLICK HERE.

Aunt Bea Comes To Visit - Thursday, October 2

October 2, 2008

We'd been running around every day - Fairway, Ikea, Prospect Park, Times Square. Today we stayed home. And some family came to visit. Bea's father, Sol Kaplan (my mother's father as well)had a brother Laser. He and his wife Sophie had a large progeny; so many so that I can't even name them all. (Ellen, please fill us in using the comment form below. Thanks!) These were Bea's first cousins. At some point there was a falling out between the two brothers and a break between the families. That's why I didn't really know that side of the family until much later on. Harriette Schleiffer was one of the Kaplan girls, daughter of Laser and Sophie and Bea's first cousin. So it was quite a wonderful thing to see a reunion of sorts at lunch at our house as Harriette and Ellen, her daughter, came to visit.

My nephew Kris and his wife Mirjam came over as well. With them was their precious little baby, Jona, their daughter of 18 months. They live in Hamburg, Germany but had been in the States for the past few weeks visiting Duba in Pittsburgh and at her country house in Ohio. Making their way back to New York (and this coming Monday, to Germany) afforded a perfect opportunity for a visit.

Stacey prepared a wonderful lunch and old times and new ones were the subject of lively conversation.

Cousin Harriette holds the newest addition to the family - Jona. Jona's dad, Kris Weinstein-Storey looks on.

Here's Kris. Nice smile, no?

Two first cousins, reunited after many years: Harriette Schleiffer and Bea Schaffer. (both nee Kaplan).

In the kitchen - Stacey and Ellen.

The table is set. Lunch is served. Thank you Stacey!

Three cousins - Bea and Harriette and Ellen.

In my next, and (sigh) last post - a fabulous family gathering out on Long Island with the other third of the Weinstein family: we have lunch at Marlo's and Chris, Mirjam, Jona, Luke and Olivia, Stacey, Lee and Alexis and Bea have a grand old time. After, we drive of to Jessica and Ed's to meet that family. Be sure not to miss it!

To see ALL of this post's photos in gallery form, just CLICK HERE.

To view it as a slidehow, just CLICK HERE.

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Bea Comes To Visit - Wednesday

October 1, 2008

Stacey and I wanted to be respectful of Bea's age and not load her days in New York with excessive activity. This care proved to be unwarranted though. Sitting around the table later in the week, we reviewed our activities for the entire week, day by day and we all couldn't believe how much we had done.

Wednesday was no different. We had purchased tickets for a matinee: Gypsy which was playing at the St. James Theater on 44th Street. . It was nice weather but rain was predicted for evening. Instead of walking the two blocks to the subway, I drove and lucked out - I was able to park directly across the street from the Q train station. In a few minutes the train arrived and less than 25 minutes later we took an escalator to frenetic Times Square.

On our way to the theater, we take the Q train to Times Square.

On the Q, bound for Manhattan.

We find a seat and Eleanor, Stacey's former co-worker (and fellow retiree).

The sight that greeted Bea as we exited the subway at Times Square - big changes since she last saw it decades ago.

Making their way through the maddening crowds.

On line at the St. James theater.

Gypsy was wonderful. A real throwback to the great musicals of the 40s and 50s. It's said that Patty LuPone is one of the few contemporary actors who can come close to the belting and boisterous presentation of the late, great Ethel Merman. I thought that was a bit overreaching but, nevertheless, her performance was stellar and the production very entertaining. The songs were great old melodies and wonderfully familiar. Bea enjoyed the show and we talked about it all the way home and days later.

In the mezzanine, perusing the Playbill.

Exiting the theater, Times Square was coming to life and to light.

42nd Street - old and new.

We headed home and as predicted, when we exited the station it was beginning to rain. We jumped in the car and drove the few blocks home - a very satisfying visit to the Big Apple.

At Times Square station - heading home.

To see these photos as a slideshow, CLICK HERE.

Aunt Bea Comes To Visit - Tuesday

September 30, 2008

On Tuesday, we decided to visit the old neighborhood that was a large part of the Schaffer family history: Manhattan Beach. We made a date with my Aunt Sissy, who lives in adjacent Brighton Beach and drove down to have lunch in a little Russian cafe in Sheepshead Bay - The Coffee Spot Cafe. Stacey picked that place because they serve the most delicious blintzes. We knew Sissy like that and Bea approved as well.

Three beautiful women: Stacey, Sissy and Bea.

Lunch at the Coffee Spot Cafe.

Yum! Blintzes!

After lunch, we took a car tour of Manhattan Beach, stopping first at West End Avenue. My famiy lived on that street and so did the Schaffers, just a block away. Bea marvelled at the changes that had occurred since she and her family moved to Baltimore in 1960. As everywhere else in Booklyn, four and six story, and often much higher apartment houses have appeared where once little houses lined a street. These new buildings all have the requsite marketing appellation Luxury Condos applied to them. Apparently, there are no other kind of condos except luxurious ones. But what they do to a neighborhood is quite another unluxurious story and it seems that there is no control, foresight or planning that goes into the widespread construction of these domiciles. The politicians, well shmeared, look the other way as once peaceful, quiet and low-rise neighborhoods are transformed, with total disregard for their original qualities, into out-of-context, congested bastions of condo dwellers. The only ones who make out in this kind of deal are the well-connected developers who are given total freedom to build whatever and wherever they please.

The old Weinstein house at 220 West End Avenue - overgrown and untouched since it was sold in 2003.

During our tour we stopped at the home of Bea's old friend (and our as well), Anne Yellin. Anne didn't recognize Bea after an absence of many decades but she realized who she was she embraced her with all her might. We chatted for a while and then drove to Brighton to visit Sissy's old house on Brighton 3rd Path. Brighton has been particularly hard hit by the condo construction blitz and, as a result, the once-quaint and eccentric beach feel of that neighborhood with its small bungalows and warren of "courts, paths and walks" is rapidly disappearing. At the same time, the homes that still stand are deteriorating for lack of care and maintenance as developers pressure residents to sell. "For Sale" signs are everywhere and the neighborhood looks rundown and unkempt.

An old and dear friend, Anne Yellin, and Bea recollect the good old days.

Sissy remembers family life at her old house in Brighton Beach.

We returned home in time to get Bea to our doctor in Park Slope. She had to have some stitches removed from a minor surgery she had undergone in Florida. Another interesting and lovely day in Brooklyn, New York.

To see all of today's photos in gallery form, just CLICK HERE.

To see all of today's photos as a slide show, just CLICK HERE.

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