AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

Amanda has wanted to take Sylvie since she was six months old to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. With the LA Marathon today in Los Angeles, and the route literally in our backyard, we decided today was the day to go on an adventure. Out the door 10am sharp, in the L.B. by 1045am, exhibit one under our belt by 1105am. Sylvie was super tourist, leading us every which way from exhibit to exhibit...she did not let up and set the pace for the day - pirates booty in hand. The big mission of the morning was to find Nemo, the good news...we found him. From clown fish, to sharks, turtles, sea lions, king crabs, rare birds, turtles, eels, etc - you name it, they had it. Afterward, we ventured outside into the marina where you could see the beautiful cityscape backdrop. We came upon an old lighthouse at the Shoreline Aquatic Park. Sylvie finally submitted to her coat when the wind picked up and almost blew her into the Pacific. Great to get out of Los Angeles for the day.

NEVER AGAIN...WELL, MAYBE...

It's tough to think of stuff to do over the weekend when you've practically done it all, or at least pretty much everything in the greater Los Angeles area. On a whim, we decided to go to Chuck-E-Cheese in Burbank...ohhhh shit! The chic outfit was thanks to Sylvie Rain herself who put the top with the skirt with the uggs. Talk about a place that rakes in coin. Making it there was no problem, W. Olive Blvd all the way across the valley. We arrived around 6ish only to discover that 1000 other people had the same idea as we did, not to mention we were probably the only Jews in the place. I think Sylvie was even shocked by the look on her face. We had fun though, Sylvie is a whiz at ski-ball...she has a certain tactic as we like to call it. The night was cheap fun, only cost me 10 bucks and Sylvie collected enough tickets for a sucker and bracelet. Would have taken more photos but the battery went ka-put pretty quick.

TEMPLE ISRAEL PURIM CARNIVAL

A week overdue, but thought I'd post anyway. Temple Israel was throwing their annual Purim Carnival, which is code for "an excuse for Sylvie to put on her princess dress." Good to see The Rosenberg's, Beaubaire's and Saphire's. Sylvie went on a tilt-a-whirl/t-cup kind of ride - she did pretty good, but her homemade princess crown was a highlight.

"I WANT TO BE A DANCER"

Short video of Sylvie at her first ballet class last week.

Sylvie's First Ballet Class from Andrew Calof on Vimeo.

BLACK SWANS

Sylvie was so excited for her first ballet class. I wasn't kidding when I posted the day she was born that she already had her sight on the Julliard School of Dance. Sylvie went directly into class and didn't look back - Amanda cried, Daddy beamed. With all the parents gathered in the hallways, I felt like I was in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer - it was a bit surreal, every parent watching, yes they are only two years old, but you can't help but think years down the road. Not many shots inside the studio because it felt like there were more candid moments to be had outside. Her dear friend Sylvie Bea was there for the class before.