With Reagan off gallivanting around Chicago, Piper and I have spent the last couple of days maximizing our daddy daughter time. Sunday, we went for a walk outside. Lately all she wants to do when she isn’t riding on my shoulders, is try to figure out how to climb back up onto my shoulders. Apparently she never get’s bored up there. She just settles in and is appears to be totally content, even if we are just sitting around enjoying the weather. When we were walking back across the parking lot to go inside, she was walking and holding my hand. It was still relatively early in the morning, so there were some long shadows. Piper was mesmerized by hers. It was so cute to watch her try to figure out what was going on with the whole shadow situation. I could imagine her in her head “what is that little grey thing on the ground that looks just like me and copies my movements?” So cute.

And here is one more shot of her watching a bird through the glass, while doing a sassy pose. These are both blackberry cam shots, hence the poor quality. But it is tough to carry a Piper and a big camera. Plus sometimes it is nice to have a break from photo duty.

It was a pretty good one. As a bonus, the light was extra pretty while we were driving. Not a bad way to start out the week.

If you haven’t entered to win the Manfrotto kit, hurry up. I’m closing comments on Wednesday and announcing the winner on Thurs. Get stoked.

We had a great visit with Piper on Saturday. I think that she did miss me. She was definitely jonesing for some shoulder rides. We had a super busy morning, so we hung out with PJ pretty much all afternoon, into the evening. We gave her a bath and put her in her PJs, then tucked her in. She was nothing less than absolutely adorable throughout then entire visit. I included some shots of bath time, below.

And finally.. probably my favorite shots of the day–

Man, it was good to be back and see Piper over the weekend. She was super cute and in a good mood both days. We mostly just lounged around, had some shoulder rides, watched movies and snuggled. Good times.

Saturday was Piper’s birthday. I can’t really even believe it, she turned 4. We headed up to her house bright and early, and arrived just as she was waking up. Reagan dressed her in her new little yellow dress and flowery crown (that Reagan made, btw). She was also rocking some new little sunglasses from her grandma b-holt. The weather was phenomenal for hanging around outside. So we sat out on the lawn and chatted/played for a while. When it started to get overcast, we took PJ inside and played with her until she was all tuckered out. It was a really fun time. It was especially cool to have her Baker grandparents and her uncle Jesse in town, as well as her great aunt Gail, who Piper met for the first time. There are a boat load of photos below. There are even more over here.

First of all, the weather was basically heaven. This fact makes it sting a bit more that I was feeling under the weather for the entire weekend (and still am today). But I’ll take the beautiful weather, sick or not. We went kind of crazy with the photos this weekend. I’m not really sure why. Above: walking to our car to go visit PJ on Saturday. Below: Piper got her hair did.

Sunday was, of course, mothers’ day. So I started off the day taking Reagan to the Donut Plant, on the LES. They have some seriously crazy donuts there. Reagan, was going nuts. I won’t say how many she ordered (and ate, hehe).

Walking back to the car, Reagan saw these rubber bouncy horse-like things hanging from a Chinatown bodega awning and asked if we could get one for Piper.

We picked the green one. Piper was pretty stoked about her little horse. I think that she is still getting used to it. But she definitely appreciates both the practical fun aspect, as well as the humor.

After she had a chance to give her green pony a ride or two, we packed up and headed outside.

And just when you thought this post couldn’t get any more photo-heavy, here is one more fave from the weekend (ps, plenty more over here).

Saturday, Piper and I had a nice little visit. She was a in a great mood, and played until she was all tuckered out and fell asleep on my lap. Reagan returned home late Saturday night. We woke up early Sunday and visited Piper. I suppose that I should mention, the weather was beautiful all weekend long. So, we took Piper outside. Unfortunately, we were only out there for about 10 minutes before the battery started to die on the vent. Such a bummer. So we took her back inside and plugged in the vent in one of her favorite little nooks, to mess around for a while. Reagan got most of the good pics on Sunday. Probably because Piper spent most of the time climbing around on me, hahaha.

“Oh, hey. Just hanging out on dad’s shoulders”

After a while, sitting on the shoulders wasn’t cutting it. She needed to stand on my shoulders (then head).

And, there was a little dancing with Reag.

I’m so glad that spring has finally showed up in NYC. I even went for a nice run on Saturday. It was the first time all year that I have broken the 10 mile threshold. It felt pretty good, even though I ended up with a blister. I hope that everyone else had a fantastic weekend.

It is currently raining like there is no tomorrow. It has been pretty much all day. Yesterday, we were able to have a bonus visit with Piper in the morning (I normally don’t get to see her on Fridays). We drove back into the city and were able to get lunch before I went into work. First we snapped the shot above, of Reagan on Carmine Street. Apparently that stupid cupcake place isn’t the only “Magnolia” in the West Village.

Today when visited Piper, we mostly just lounged around in our comfy clothes and watched the rain through the window. Piper was in a very snuggly mood.

After our visit, we headed down to Chelsea, so that I could shoot a gallery exhibit that is opening tonight. I brought Reagan with me, since it would be low key and I was shooting it before it opened. The artist it Haroshi. He makes wooden sculptures out of old broken skateboard decks. So awesome. Here are a few shots of Reagan checking out the art.

The rain is supposed to stop by tomorrow morning, and there are rumors of sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’m crossing my fingers (and toes).

Piper was in a really mellow mood last weekend. On Saturday, we watched movies for a bit, then she fell asleep. Sunday, it was the same story (substitute walking for watching movies).

The weather was pretty nice all weekend, and I feel like a total slob for not taking advantage and getting up early for a run. It is supposed to be warmish for the rest of the week though. So, I really don’t have an excuse to get out at least once or twice before our race this weekend.

Here are a couple of additional randoms–

Above: waiting for Reagan in the parking lot at the Bronx Target. Below: Tulips from Trader Joes.