The Bridenstines

Michael's Book!

2010-02-02T12:52:00.002-05:00

Michael has finished his first book, and it's online for you to read! - http://www.towheadproductions.com/SUBWAYCANDY-FACEBOOK.pdf - Fingers crossed something good comes from it!

Bowling

2010-01-08T12:14:00.003-05:00

I know we haven't updated in a while, and we'll get to it, but isn't this the cutest picture of Daddy and NJ bowling? Had a ton of fun on our Xmas break, and we'll eventually show you.

Nicholas' 2nd Birthday Party!

2009-12-14T06:47:00.007-05:00

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 with Dad and Nicholas

2009-12-06T18:59:00.004-05:00

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!

Fitz's 40th Birthday Party

2009-11-15T09:50:00.003-05:00

To celebrate his 40th birthday, Best Friend Fitz (i.e., Mike FitzPatrick) and his lovely wife Amy came to NYC for a little fun, food and friends. We hooked up with them last night at Bagatelle, a "see and be seen" Meatpacking District restaurant. And we weren't alone! Rounding off the table were fellow former Detroiters and current friends, Joe Kronk and Jennifer Pfieffer, along with their better-halves, Joe and Liz. A great time was had by all, and here's some pics and video to prove it.

The four boys of the night.

Amy & Lori

Liz & Jen

Joe & Joe

Mike (Birthday Boy) & Michael

The whole gang outside the restaurant. Good lookin peeps!

The Fall Leaves

2009-11-09T17:12:00.003-05:00

Lori, Nicholas and I took a walk down the West Side on Saturday, all the way from 185th Street to 125th. Along the way, we had beautiful sunshine, a quick look at the famous Little Red Lighthouse, a kick through fallen Fall leaves and lots and lots of laughs. Take a look at some video and pics! [Notice how I kick a few too many leaves on Lori's face. Sorry honey!]

Dancing on the bed!

2009-11-03T17:58:00.002-05:00

Nicholas loves to dance on Mom and Dad's bed now. Look at him go!

Zoned out

2009-10-11T11:16:00.004-04:00

Looks like NJ is following in his parents' footsteps, as you can see from his utter engrossment in the television viewing process. It's probably too late for him already.

2009-10-07T15:05:00.002-04:00

Who said you need to live on a 19th Century farm to put your young kids to work? Check out NJ trying to keep the place spic and span. Work it boy!

Movie Fun!

2009-09-25T09:27:00.006-04:00

Just wanted to post a few fun videos that I took this summer with my camera. Good silly fun.

Tickling on Governor's Island

2009-09-15T07:58:00.003-04:00

We all went to Governor's Island on Sunday and got this great clip of Mommy tickling her little man, Nicholas. The man loves to laugh. Hear the giggles!

Test from the blog administrator

2009-09-11T19:53:00.003-04:00

Test, test, test -- hello, Nicholas!

Styling!

2009-09-10T20:21:00.002-04:00

Just a funny little video of NJ trying to use the hairdryer. Stay away from the bath!

Coney Island Cyclone Game!

2009-08-10T08:54:00.010-04:00

What better thing to do on a hot, New York August Sunday than take the kids to a Minor League baseball game? Nothing! That's exactly what we did yesterday, along with our new good friends, The Pennebakers, which includes JoJo, Michelle and little Lucy. We threw everyone into a borrowed van (Thanks Brian and Lindsey!) and bolted all the way down to Coney Island. After a little stroll on the Boardwalk, we hit Keyspan Stadium, which is very "Bull Durham", and I mean that in a nice way. The stadium was only about 1/3 full, so it was great for NJ and Lucy to run around and have some fun. We had hot dogs, ice cream, beer, soda and wound up buying both the kids a big, red styrofoam "We're #1" finger. [Plus, NJ got a hat and Cyclones ball, but that's cause he's spoiled rotten.] A good, clean day of fun was had by all and we look forward to going again sometime sooner than later. Here's a very cute video of the kids, hanging out down by right field. [Another blog entry will follow in a day or two with pics!]

Milkshake Fun!

2009-07-31T16:24:00.003-04:00

The whole family got to go see the great kid's rock band Milkshake last weekend, and NJ loved it. He danced around and had a ton of fun, making it a point to clear out from most kids and make his own dance floor in the reception area. Mom decided to buy a CD from the band, and before you know it, Dad was talking to the lead singer about their prospective TV show! Who knows what will happen, but Lisa from the band was nice enough to send us the Milkshake DVD and a t-shirt for NJ! Great stuff and great tunes. I suspect we'll be tapping our toes to Milkshake for a long, long time. Here's two shots of NJ modeling his new shirt!

Saturday in Red Hook

2009-07-20T13:28:00.004-04:00

This past Saturday Michael tried to take Lori and Nicholas on the same bike trip he took on July 4th. NJ did really well, and we had quite the day. All the way down the West Side on the bike path, then across Tribeca to the South Street Seaport, where just south we picked up the IKEA water shuttle to Red Hook. [Kind of a cheat, but he's only 1 1/2!] We got lunch at our favorite little, Hope and Anchor, and although NJ didn't eat much, it is always great to enjoy NYC and it's amazing sites. Here's a little clip of Mom and NJ sitting down, enjoying lunch together.

Dancing in the 360!

2009-07-11T08:41:00.003-04:00

On "What Not To Wear", the show has a segment where the contributor (the person who's getting the makeover) steps into a 360 degree mirror to be critiqued mercilessly by Stacy and Clinton, the show's hosts. Well, check out the youngest contributor to ever enter the 360! Nicholas James! Mom and NJ came to visit Daddy on set and had a ton of fun getting his grubby hands all over the mirror, while eating a cookie of course. Take a look at the dancing fool!

On the Stairs

2009-06-15T00:08:00.003-04:00

Just a simple picture of me and my son, hanging out on the stairs in our apartment building. He's so cute it's both hilarious and unbelievable at the same time. Drink in the cuteness.

100th Post

2009-06-08T10:59:00.003-04:00

Blogger.com tells me that this is our 100th posting! So, in tribute, I have attached first-hand pictures of Nicholas' battle yesterday with a soft-serve ice cream cone. It was a tough fight, but I believe the little man came out victorious. Next stop - FROZEN CUSTARD!

2009-05-22T21:26:00.002-04:00

Nothing is as cute as a little boy eating his ice cream cone. Now this little boy is a bit scratched up, with a forehead marked up from flipping off his changing table, and the remnants of a bloody nose from the previous day's fall. And his mother says he had no desire to share his cone. So all that said, maybe NJ was a bit on the blue side that day. But I'm sure the cone helped, nonetheless...

Early Summer Pics

2009-05-08T23:42:00.004-04:00

Just a few fun pics of NJ to post.

Here's NJ smiling widely at our friends Matt and Kathy's baby shower. Just a happy kid.

Now the picture below is a classic. Dad, doing what he does best, opening his big mouth. And NJ calmly assessing how he can take the photographer's wallet while she's shooting the pic.

This one is on a playground in Central Park. He just loves drinking fountains!

And the pic below strikes me as particularly funny. Nicholas James just has a blended look of half-sadness, half-fatigue. Or maybe it's just 100% pout. It's anyone's guess.

Kickin Daddy

2009-05-03T22:47:00.003-04:00

Even though you can't see Nicholas laughing his head off, believe me, he was. I guess kicking Daddy in the head/chest is just hilarious to a 17 month old!

Dancing!

2009-04-28T19:44:00.003-04:00

It's a hot day in NYC, but that doesn't stop NJ from shaking his booty! Check him out.

Easter Trip 2009

2009-04-14T18:19:00.004-04:00

The whole Bridenstine clan set out to the Midwest for Easter 2009, starting with a trip to Grandpa and Grandma B. We were lucky enough to stay at Uncle Tom's, as he was out of town, and we got a chance to see how Grandpa B is doing. The report? A+ and straight on till mornin, if we can mix our metaphors. Then we hit the train to Chicago and got a chance to spend one fun night with cousins David and Lisa. Right in the heart of the Big Second City. Nice! We also got a visit from good friends Aaron and Diana, and their lovely daughter Sienna. A full day at Navy Pier and the Children's Museum made for a ton of fun. From there, we hit the suburbs and stayed at Aunt Stacey and Uncle Larry's, and got to hook up with the whole family; Grandpa and Grandma M, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Julie, the three girls, and cousins Seth and Ava. Six kids reeking havoc all around the house - and we wouldn't have it any other way. Take a look at some our our pics.

Below we see Dad and Nicholas playing Wii. Dad has that clueless look on his face of someone who doesn't understand advanced gaming, or maybe even multi-syllabic words, while Nicholas is doing the best thing you can with a microphone; eat it.

Below Nicholas is practicing his licks for "Rock Band 2." Jam man!

Here's Grandpa B, smiling for the camera.

Below you see Uncle Steve and his very large paddle for rowing with his French Nature club, whose name escapes me. [Actually, I don't speak French, so I'm off the hook.] Nicholas looks up in amazement, hoping his stern looking Uncle has no plans for the paddle and NJ's behind. Below that is a pic from Uncle Tom's porch of deer, looking for a handout. Tell Ted Nugent that only thing we shot them with is a digital camera.

Here's a really cute picture of Nicholas and Siena, sitting on the Chicago grass in a park.

Below you'll see Nicholas was NOT happy about riding Thomas the train at Navy Pier.

The two kids play in the background at the Chicago Children's Museum while Aaron talks to a really hot Mom. Or not. I forget. But it sounds funnier when I write "hot Mom."

On Easter Sunday, all six of the kids looked for eggs in Uncle Larry's backyard. Here Seth frantically looks to add up on his total haul, while NJ works the yard with Mom as Isabella uses her bunny ears to sense exactly where the hidden eggs may be.

Later at Grandpa and Grandma's, NJ works the kazoo.

Isn't NJ styling in his cute new hat? You go girl!

Another egg hunt? Yes, that's right people. Grandpa's backyard had almost 200 eggs hidden in it's many nooks and crannies, and the kids had a very fun time searching and gathering.

With a little help from Mom, NJ finds one under a branch.

When you need help finding hidden eggs, call for Dudley, the super sniffing dog! [Master Uncle Corey, out of frame, is gladly keeping Dudley from eating all the egg's contents.]

What a cute couple! Mom and son, happy on Easter day!

Nicholas in the park from 3/16/09

2009-03-30T17:52:00.003-04:00

This is a little old but thought it was cute. We rotate parks that we go to and this is a new one for the wee ones. He was practicing his walk/run! You will see his friend Nicolas chasing after him.