The Bridenstines -- Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff

Monday, December 14, 2009 --- Nicholas' 2nd Birthday Party!

Yesterday afternoon was Nicholas' 2nd birthday party! Wow - it seems like just yesterday that I was driving down in a horrible snowstorm....ah, you know the story. But what a good time had by all yesterday. The turnout was steller; fellow 565ers Michelle and Lucy, as well as Lindsey, Brian & Emmett; fabulous French friends Jerome, Claire & Nicolas, old playground buddies John, Suzanne & Maxine; music class mates Blair, Kay & Connor; new 'hood honchos Cal, Nikki & Sage, and fellow 12/14/07ers Ian, Emily & Dylan [although Dylan didn't even know he was there as he slept the whole time!]

Fun was had by all, including the kids playing with all of NJ's toys, the Moms getting the dance party going, people consuming lots of pizza, soda and vegs, Dad making the same old stale jokes, etc. But the homemade banana cake and homemade cinnamon ice cream seemed to be a hit (mostly due to everyone's recognition that insulting a man's cooking within his own home is not recommended.) NJ got tons of nice toys, like a new choo-choo, truck, book and much more than I can list right now. Formal thanks will be coming from him, cause that's how we roll in the Bridenstine home.

Check out the pics and video below. And happy 2nd birthday Nicholas James Bridenstine! WE LOVE YOU!

Nicholas does something silly to make Mom laugh, while Lucy and Michelle
see equally amused. Courtesy laugh? No, that's usually reserved for Dad.

Four rugrats having a ball of fun while Claire and Kay watch to make sure everyone is sharing.

Dad's homemade cake, with not-so-homemade Curious George cake topper. Ebay rocks!

Nicholas enjoys a piece of his own birthday cake while Jerome feeds Alex his
birthday treat - the same old bottle as he always has. Oh well. Next year Alex!

Nicholas' newest good friend, the very cute Sage!

Good neighbor and all-about-town man Brian holds the adorable
Emmett, also a serious candidate for NJ cake #3 at next year's birthday party.

The one - The only - Nicholas Langella! Best friend and juice box lover.

I know he wouldn't want me giving out his secrets, but Nicholas would not be able to have a great birthday without his secret crush, Lucy Pennebaker. Have some cake girl! Yum!

Super cute and super silly Maxine sits in the baby chair, trying to recall a day not so long ago.

At the end of the night, Nicholas' energy was still at 100%,
evident here as he rides on Mommy's back. Not sure if he'll be
able to do that next year, given how big he's getting, but we'll see.

Thanks to all for coming (and best wishes to all who couldn't come.) You are the best!

Sunday, December 6, 2009 --- Sunday with Dad and Nicholas

While Mom ran downtown to see a movie with a friend, Nicholas and Dad went on a little local adventure. It entailed the following; swinging in Bennett Park, getting cookies at 181st street, walking down to Wiggles & Giggles only to see it closed, then walking down to the Little Red Light House, playing with NJ's new bus on a deserted tennis court, walking up to the Psychiatric Hospital and taking their elevator back to civilization, sticking our head into the Track & Field Museum, taking the choo-choo back to 181st Street, getting a slice at George's pizza, grabbing two donut holes at Dunkin Donuts, making it home hours later to have NJ crash on my shoulder while watching "Wall-E." I'm tired too, especially as I didn't take the stroller. What a day! Here are just some simple video moments of fun. Enjoy!

Labels: 181 street, Nicholas, pizza, psychiatric hosptial

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The Bridenstines consist of five sentient beings of various intellect, value and potential, specifically:

Lori -- Wife and mother, taking a government-sanctioned maternity break from her personal training gig to birth, rear and guide her son as he begins his life and ends hers, a.k.a. “eating the metaphorical bon bon.”

Nicholas -- Newest addition to the family, born happy, healthy and eager to start blaming his parents for ruining his life. Predicted first word – Why?

Brummie -- Elder female feline, happy with warm belly rubs and cold bowls of milk. Tabby in coat, Tiger in heart.

Maya -- Deadly-but-delicious younger putty tat, with a soft face to melt the hardest heart and a proclivity toward urinating on Mom and Dad while they sleep.

Michael -- Husband and father, busy writing, producing and directing the next great American sitcom, if at least in his head. Loves to multi-task while on the phone, often by dusting while yapping.