Family

Gymkhana Weekend at Thacher

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This past weekend, the family flew out to Ojai, California, to be a part of the Gymkhana Weekend at Cruzzie’s school. This “Gymkhana” is the culmination of Thacher’s mandatory freshman horse program. As a freshman, you are given a horse for the year, where you are responsible for them, day in and day out. EVERY SINGLE DAY, the freshmen have to muck (before classes — rain or shine, Saturday and Sunday), feed (every evening), and learn how to ride (5 afternoons per week). This program teaches discipline, routine, courage, care, and skills. Gymkhana is one of Thacher’s central traditions where the ninth graders (and many upperclassmen who continue to ride) compete on teams in all sorts of horse races: barrels and poles, the rescue race, ring spearing, even the notoriously-difficult Silver Dollar Pick-up. It was a one of a kind weekend — so proud of Cruzzie, so proud of his classmates, and in awe with their hardworking, dedication, skills, and heart.

 

Practice on Friday afternoon when we arrived.

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Pierce’s Pledge

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Heartbreaking story that almost is too difficult to write, and definitely too tragic to make sense of — but one that must be shared. Our friend, Jim has a beautiful girlfriend, Lesley. In 2021, Lesley’s 9 year old son, Pierce, was shot and murdered  by her ex-husband. One cannot imagine the pain and despair of losing your beloved child, in a horrific and preventable tragedy. Let me repeat that again — Pierce was shot while sleeping by his own father. Who then took his own life. Lesley, the mother, did not find out about the death of her own son, until she went to school to pick him up the next day.

 

Pierce.

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Leatherman’s 10K Trail Run

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Tusia and Ken completed their first 10k Trail run this past weekend — so much mud, water, cold, dirt, AND fun! The Leatherman’s Loop — 10K Trail run.

 

It was not only Tusia’s first mud race, but her first 10k. And in tough conditions with cold and mud. And she loved it!!!! It helped her that her friend and friend’s dad were there to encourage and help one another. Made all the difference. We were laughing because there is NO WAY WHATSOEVER Tusia would have been ok to do this race alone. Having a friend made all the difference.

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No Cap Candles Co.

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Super cool, my bestie’s daughter created a candle company as a class project for her school, Girls Middle School (in California). The assignment was in her entrepreneurial class, in order to teach the students how to create a business from start to end.  Rosie, along with three other friends, started No Cap Candles. This company is a brand of candles with trendy names, designed for teens.

 

As a supporter of Rosie, I of course, was going to buy at least one candle. But because the candles are SO creative, zesty, full of fun and spark, I had to buy one of each! How could I not! I am so so so impressed by Rosie, her dedication to this company, and how the end result is so great.

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Two New NYC Restaurants

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This past weekend, we wined and dined in some new restaurants — both of them we loved and would return in a minute. Therefore, needed to tell you all, as both are special and must visits.

 

Cafe Louis Vuitton

 

Located on the 4th floor of Louis Vuitton’s NYC flagship, this cafe is a gorgeous location to have a special meal.

 

Tusia did her hair and looked gorgeous for our mother-daughter Good Friday (aka no school) date.

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Green Goddess Salad

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My daughter does not eat salad. Like ever. Never have I ever seen her eat a salad before. And yet, somehow, she not only devoured this entire salad at a friend’s friend’s house (yes, friend of a friend), but demanded that I get the recipe and make it for her. So when that happens, you FOLLOW THROUGH. Thank you, Dana, for giving me a new salad to feed my child and finally saying she eats salads! Ok, so this salad is from Baked by Melissa (who knew she did anything other than cupcakes?) — and trust me, make it. Your non-salad-eating-child will change their mind. It is basically a lot of healthy, nutritious, delicious greens all in one — dressing and the salad itself.

 

Ingredients:

 

GREEENNNNNN

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Currently Loving March 2025

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Week n umber 5 million of Spring Break….and here is what I am loving.

 

1. Survivor Season 48

Granted, I am a huge Survivor fan, but there is something about this season (season 48) that is so good. I love it so much and HIGHLY recommend it — great for families or solo, but it never disappoints. And Jeff Probst — you are the best host ever.

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Paris Art Exhibits

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For the final three days of our trip to Europe, we went to Paris, where the days were filled with walking, shopping, eating, and art. We saw two different art exhibits that I absolutely loved. Although they are closed now (we went to both in the final days), if you have the chance to see either of these artists in the future, I highly highly recommend.

 

1. Olga de Amaral

Olga de Amaral is a Columbian artist known for her fiber art — and holy crap — this was one of the best exhibitions I have ever ever ever seen. It was in the Cartier Foundation — a museum, I had never stepped foot in before — so it was also fun to see a new spot (randomly, it closed this past weekend and will be moved to the different side of Paris in the next couple of years).

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Crans-Montana, Switzerland

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One of the difficulties of having two kids in two different schools (in two different states!), means that they have different spring breaks. Our son, Cruz, had the first two weeks of March off, and my daughter, Tusia, has the last two weeks of March off. FUN FUN FUN! So for Cruzzie’s second week, I went with my friend Catherine,  her son, and another one of their friends to Crans-Montana and Paris. Crans- Montana — NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE — but you should keep on your radar, because it is such an incredible place.

 

Crans-Montana is a ski town in Switzerland. It is a 90 minute drive from Geneva, and super easy to get in and out of. And don’t you love meat, cheese, and pickles?

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Catbird Rings

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My 7th grade daughter, Tusia, has been on the search for the perfect rings for quite some time. Problem is, she has tiny little fingers, and we didn’t want to break the bank with a ring. So when I remembered Catbird — a Brooklyn based Jewelry company that I fell in love with two decades ago, I knew it was the perfect place for us to go look at for rings. And it was EVERYTHING and more than we had hoped for. The staff was incredible, all the jewelry beyond perfect, reasonable prices, and exactly what we were looking for.

 

We ended up getting two rings so she could stack them. She wanted them on her pointer finger — and they literally had every size imaginable — so it was perfect.

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Chocolate Croissants x 2

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YUMMMMMMM. One of my family’s favorite food items is chocolate croissants — I mean, WHO doesn’t love chocolate croissants??? So when in the Flatiron area of Manhattan last Friday, I fell upon not one, but two, different bakeries, that were so beautiful and scrumptious, that I had to get something at each. First off….

 

Lysee

 

The store looked like a museum. On the ground floor, there was a sit down cafe, and to order take out, you walked up the stairs to where the baked goods were all displayed and where you placed the order. Even the bags are beyond chic and beautiful.

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NY Historical Society Exhibits

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It has been exactly one year since Flaco died, RIP. If you don’t remember, Flaco, was an escaped owl from Central Park Zoo, who roamed Central Park for a year’s time. I, along with many other New Yorkers, became enthralled and fascinated with Flaco (see my post here from March 2023)

 

I spent many many hours (and steps) searching for Flaco. I followed specific websites to find location, and just fell in love with the story of Flaco being free.

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Currently Loving February 2025

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February has been an insanely busy month. On top of the normal parts of life, I have also traveled to California, Montana, and Florida. Yes, lots of times on planes, but of course, all worth it. Here is what I have loved this month.

 

1. Family Time

 

We went to California to present with my uncle his story on the Holocaust to the Thacher School. It was an incredible assembly and experience, and I was so happy to have been a part of this special event. And yes, Cruzzie’s jeans are gigantic.

 

2. Erewhon Hailey Bieber Shake

 

While we were in CA, we stopped in at Erewhon, which is the most incredible health food store I have ever been to. Had I not had a carry on, I would have bought everything to bring back to NYC. In particular, this smoothie was delicious. Worth the hype.

 

3. The Getty

 

Despite rainy and cold weather, we went to The Getty to kill time before our red eye that night. We loved looking at the views, the art collection, and just being there. Highly recommend. And did you know it was free?

 

4. Governors Island

 

In between all the travel, the family went to Governor’s Island to see the Ice Sculpture competition. Although it was fun to see the ice sculpture, it was even more fun just to walk around the island, even in the cold weather.

 

5. Bedazzling

 

Bedazzling!!! The new fun hobby! It takes a lot of patience and time — you have to glue every single one of the pieces of glitter (!), but look how fun and cool my AirPods look. Thank you, Tusia!

 

6. Blockus

 

This has always been one of my favorite board games — but I always seem to lose the pieces (not good!). We just bought a new set, so here we are playing it. Love this game!

 

7. The Motherload

 

I devoured this book in two days (which says a lot because these days I am a very bad reader). Dark, raw, vulnerable — loved this book.

 

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What are you loving this month? Do share! I hope you have a great week.

Achilles NYC

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If you are a long time reader, you know that I have run two marathons with Achilles Interntational — an organization that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. The marathon experiences guiding my blind athlete, Eddie, have been absolutely incredible.

 

My first time running the NYC Marathon as an Achilles Guide was back in November 2018. It was an unforgettable experience.

Even back then, I had the habit of taking selfies of my coffee before the marathon. Love how things never change.

That year, Eddie ran a 3:36 — which was an incredible feat for him! I was so happy that day!

We ran again together in 2022 — it was a very very very very difficult marathon.

It was extremely hot that day and Eddie ended up fainting at mile 26. ALL THAT SAID, Achilles is the most incredible organization and I believe in it and its athletes 100 percent.

This was before he fainted.

Mid faint

 

Why am I telling you about Achilles now? 2 plus years later? Because we decided that it would be a great community even for 12 year old Tusia to get involved with. So after watching videos, passing all these different tests, and forms, we completed our first workout on Saturday morning.

 

We ran 2 miles with Andrew in Central Park. Andrew was INCREDIBLE. Such a brilliant, calm, patient, soothing blind athlete, who helped Tusia learn how to use the toggle and how to speak with him when he ran.

We are so excited to be involved with this organization and look forward to many more Saturday runs together.

And yes, Tusia was the youngest volunteer by far, and yes I have to be present for all the workouts, but I cannot wait. Such an incredible organization and I love being a part of it — with and without Tusia.

 

Hope you have a great week!

 

Alex Talks AI

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Over winter break, I spent the day with some of Ken’s classmates from Stanford Business School. Not only was it fun, but also super informative. One of the friends, Alex, left her job in technology, and is building a company on teaching AI to those who don’t know how to use it (like ME!). She has been giving workshops on “Time-Saving AI Solutions for Busy Moms,” and as a clueless, busy mom, I decided to host a workshop.

 

Alex, our friend and fearless AI leader.

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Currently Loving January 2025

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Last week of January — longest month EVER!!!! — it (always) feels like it lasts a full year instead of just a month. Especially this year. Here is what I am loving this month!

 

1.  The Let Them Theory

 

I am currently listening to this as an audio book — and I love it so much. Every part of it — and it feels like Mel Robbins is speaking to you as a friend. HIGHLY highly recommend reading it — but even more, listening to it.

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Sleeping Bag Suit

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It is so cold in NYC that it is hard to go outside. But that makes life VERY hard, because city living requires you to go outside at all times. ESPECIALLY when you have a dog that needs to be walked. And even MORE so for the people who are avid dog park lovers. (I have a dog, I love my dog, I don’t go to dog parks). But one of my besties goes to Central Park with all her dog friends EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING. of EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. So as a gift, I got her a sleeping bag suit — so that she would be warm and cozy on even the coldest of cold days. Not sure if she loves the present, but I LOVE it for her.

 

Not my friend, but isn’t it so cute?

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Luna Luna + Din Tai Fung

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At the VERY start of break (yes, I am very behind on all posts and catch ups), we went to one of our favorite dumplings spots, Din Tai Fung, and also to a fun immersive art experience, Luna Luna. I highly suggest going to both — for taste, color, experience!

 

Luna Luna

 

Lots of color — and super cool to learn about everything. (It was VERY cold and we stayed in our coats the entire time)

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Fun NYC Activities Dec 2024

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Just a couple of days left until Winter Break…and we have squeezed in so many fun activities in the city. If you happen to be in NYC in the next couple of weeks, highly suggest doing the following:

 

1. The Rockettes

 

Is there anything more beautiful than Radio City Hall?

Tusia’s bestie performed at the start of the Rockettes, which gave us an excuse to buy tickets and go see the Rockettes. Always puts you in the holiday spirit! And her bestie ROCKED it. Future rockette!

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Thai Diner

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Always on a hunt for an adventure and a new restaurant, I read about Thai Diner and knew it was somewhere I needed to try. So I dragged the family there this past weekend — and loved every minute. HIGHLY recommend if you are in the city! Or if you come to visit — loved it. A mixture of diner food and Thai food — lots of flavor, spice, and deliciousness. It opens at 10 am, we got there at 11:45 am and had a 45 minute wait, but. we roamed the streets of Soho, so didn’t feel like a wait. There was a line around the block for 2 hours when we left. 2 HOURS!!!!

 

Located in Nolita on Mott street — across the street from my favorite (but no longer there) retail store, Warm, RIP). Easy to get to from our place on the subway.

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