Mazzy is a very observant little baby. She stares at colors and shapes intently until she's sure she has completely taken them in. Every time I think she's moved on, she comes back a second later for another look. It is because of this penchant for observation, that I decided she would really enjoy going to a museum. And I, being a creative person who rarely takes advantage of all the culture NYC has to offer, would enjoy it too. Mazzy would surely study each piece of art in a way that would make me linger and appreciate it like I wouldn't have otherwise.
Because I live in the East Village and Mazzy is on a strict napping schedule, I made the brilliant decision of taking her to the New Museum which is close by. It opened up a few years ago and I had yet to go. I was probably at home catching up on numerous seasons of The Biggest Loser and The Bachelor so it's not like I wasn't doing anything culturally important. The current show going on at the New Museum was Skin Fruit which sounded innocent enough.
After we made our entrance donation, we ventured upstairs to see our first works of art as a mother-daughter team. A bonding moment that would surely become tradition for years to come. When the elevator doors opened, we were confronted with our first pieceβ a larger than life statue of a naked warrior woman spray painted gold with a pistol sticking out of her crotch. Lovely. Mazzy was entranced. "Look, shiny…" I said, as we spent ten whole minutes inspecting the woman's vagina. Next up was a large installation of half-human, half-pig like creatures having anal sex while rolling in money. Mazzy's eyes widened. "A pig says 'Oink Oink'!" I volunteered. After tearing her away, we rounded the corner and were faced with a ten foot tall man who was half covered in slivers of broken disco mirror and half eaten by numerous taxidermied squirrels. "Ooooo…can you see yourself in the mirror, Mazzy?" Her eyes settled on the squirrels. "Yes, cute and furry…"
And on and on it went. By the time we left my head was swimming with images that could at best be described as completely inappropriate for a small child. But Mazzy didn't mind, she had totally enjoyed herself. And I was rightβ she did make me see things I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. For instance, if I hadn't been staring at the flesh-eaten squirrel man for twenty minutes, I never would have noticed that he was also covered entirely in bits of real human hair. I guess 'notice' is one thing, but 'appreciate' is something different entirely. But that, I gather, is what 'art' is all about.
I love everything about you..can’t think of anything I’d really like to see more of. I feel with Snapchat you get so much of your day to day life and the girls..We(my 2 boys 4 & 2.5) love Mazzy and Harlow..it’s always my favorite story! And as for your blog it has lots of great stuff but is definitely more “business” but I clearly enjoy it all..and of course insta2yearold is just perfect! You rock! Xo
In terms of the actual post, we had a similar experience (albeit not nearly as explicit!) at the Museum of American Art in D.C. when I was trying to kill time on a rainy day. I kept having to move my toddler on… “Let’s look at this over here…”
As for the giveaway, I would love to see more personal posts about both the highs and lows of parenting that aren’t really related to any particular product.
Would love to see more of the Harlowisms , the silly logics only she truly gets. LOL Love that kid!
I would love to see what your actual schedule is! I’m jealous of the amount of time you get with your girls while you juggle work and a social life! Also – any advice on potty training your girls!
I would love to see more of the Monday morning series and more of your day to day stuff like you have on Snapchat.
I would like to see more about Harlow’s development and her little sister antics! And of course her singing and dancing!
I love hearing your family anecdotes and stories, a lot loke the one in this post.
I’d love to see more sister moments between Mazzy amd Harlow! Love those girld of yours! Also your amazing parties and product reviews! π
More of how your girls interact with each other. My second is on the way and I love reading the sibling stuff.
Great post! I’d love to see more of anything….
After you mentioned Ruth and Arami the ither day, I remembered when Harlow listed Ruth as the person she would want to have dinner with… It made me curious, do the girls have a new Nanny?
I’d love to see product reviews so we know about how you feel about the free stuff you get.
I would love to see more readers featured. I really enjoyed the Monday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Would be great to highlight even more families.
I love seeing the videos of the girls and when you do projects with them! Love seeing the girls grow up!
I’d love to see more of these tyoes of funny stories and also about when things are challenging. Everyone makes their life look pretty put together online but we all have those crazy meltdown moments…..right?
I would love to see more family adventures and really loved the Wednesday evenings stories
More of the Wednesday evenings type series would be good. I’m also loving the snap chat stuff!
I would love to see more of the Wednesday night at home photo sessions with different families! LOL! Too bad the Museum did have disclaimer before you entered the exhibit. Making memories!!
I would love to see more of the Wednesday night at home photo sessions with different families! LOL! Too bad the Museum did not have disclaimer before you entered the exhibit. Making memories!!
I’d love to see more of the books you and Mike are reading… As well as Mazzy and Harlow!
Loved Wednesday evenings and just the usual hilarious stories!!
I’d love to see more about you and your hubby. How you balance work, kids and each other!!
i would lovee to keep seeing everything! you guys are fabulous! i love seeing the relationship mazzy and harlow have, and all the cool things you guys get to do!
I would love to see more every day life posts! Mazzy and Harlow crack me up on your snaps!
I’d love to see how you manage it all between kids at home, kids at school, you at work, home with hubby!! It’s so much and you seem to do it all so well. Please share your secretsβΊοΈ
More Sunday evening posts or whatever evening posts in the same style
I absolutely loved the Wednesday Nights series and would love to see more things like that. I also love the posts with your girls and your product reviews!
I want more shopping guides and more everyday life for the girls. I have two of my own and I love watching everyone grow and learn.
Looking forward to seeing more cute pictures and complete honesty about parenting!
More Monday mornings and Wednesday evenings-like series. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and while some may say I am an old pro at this parenting thing, I feel far from it. I learn so much from these beautiful mommy communities like yours and how other families go about their morning and evening routines. It really does take a village to raise a child.
I miss the Mommy Show. I’d love to see new episodes!
I want to see more of Harlow in her fashionable outfits! Product reviews are great too!
I love watching Mazzy and Harlow interact. One of my favorite things about being a mom is watching my two little ones love one another. Show me more sibling love.
I would like to see more parenting humor, that’s true to your life.
I hope 2016 brings more pre-school tips! My daughter is the same age as Harlow π
More advantures around the city with Mazzy & Harlow.
More Wednesday evenings! I love seeing how every family is different yet very similar!
I like the voting contests you do, such as the craziest baby hair.
More of the entire family in 2016! Mike, the grandparents, Baby Neve and Jack, Uncle Mikey, Dr. B. You have a great extended family!
You’re seriously the best and baby Mazzy is adorable!
More Monday mornings! I love the glimpses into other moms’ lives!
in 2016 i want to see more “normal” families it’s great looks who others families are, also I love the contests I never won anything but it’s funny enter in everything!! LOL also I want to see baby tips because I’m a new mom of a baby girl of 8 months!
by the way I love all the post of Harlow!! insta2yearold i love the humor and the sarcasm!! π what a beautiful girls you have! π
I love all the things in the swag bag! I would love to see more of your adventures in the city, and more from InstaToddler as well.
(Aka Insta2yearold……but she’s three now!
I especially love Harlow stories. My babe is almost exactly one year younger, so it’s a little peek into our future.
I would like to see more life hacks with two kids!! I love making things easier while having two working parents.
I can honestly say that there isn’t anything that is missing for me. I always enjoy reading about your adventures, your lovely girls, and New York.. It’s the best of all worlds! Keep it up! β€οΈ
I would like more Ilana and Mike! Balancing a relationship and being a mom, how you make time for each other, etc. I would also like more of your real life posts, and not as many staged ones. I love it when you put it all out there and let us in on something that us fellow moms can relate to, which is why I am an avid snapchat follower!
I enjoy what you do and would love a little insight into the nuts and bolts of how you do it! Like some advice/tutorials for mom entrepreneurs such as myself or for those just starting out blogging, etc. Thanks for considering! You rock :). Oh and more baby cheek contests of course π
In 2016, I would just like to see more of what you already show us. Though my favorites are just highlighting the normal day to day moments in the lives of your family.
I love the funny everyday stories about the kids and the behind the scenes stuff. Can’t wait for 2016!
More Mazzy! Harlow is cute, but I miss Mazzy videos!
I loved reading this post and having a throwback Mazzy memory! And seriously, skin fruit does not sound innocent!
I would like to see more pics of you and the girls out and about doing daily life in the big NYC. Just more daily stuff so we can see how in the heck you manage a successful blog, raise two girls who seem to be thriving, and still manage to look put together and with humor intact! Fellow moms can never get enough glimpses into another moms’ life! That said I love your blog and really just keep doing what you’re doing π
I would like to see how you keep yourself together.when do you do your hair, go shopping , see your girls ? It seems that between work and my kid I can do one thing a month (and feel guilty doing it). Me, who never let a gray hair show for more than 2 days, who waxed all year round and hit the gym , has now become a gray haired, flabby, hairy mess. π
In 2016, I would love to see more of your show! It was hilarious and I loved seeing the celebrities visiting your apartment, so great! Also, I adore the Monday Mornings, Wednesday Evenings series, so more of that would be wonderful. I would love to see a Saturday or Sunday series. It would be lovely to see how women spend their ‘down’ time with kids. π I love your girls, and their friends Gavin and his brother. It’s fun to see you and your friend with the girls and boys. You’re wonderful and so is the blog.
More heartwarming posts like the Wednesday evening series and maybe some guest posts from Mazzy & Harlow eg their tips/rules for parents π
Um I though it said Mazzy loses her incontinence at the museum. I was like, this is nice way to say blow out.
Sorry, hit submit too fast. Would love to see more wed night series. And I love the contests!!! Still so proud of my Brooke!!!!
As I would love a day in the life of a blogger post/video. Think that would be cool.
I would like to see more of mazy cooking!
Since next year, we both will have entering 1st graders- I of course want to see more of how Mazzy and the family adjust to school!
Love your blog!!!
I’ve been a reader for over three years, just before you announced Harlow was on her way, and miss the more day to day life posts! So happy for you to see how big your blog has grown over the years!
More toddler friendly meals π
More healthy toddler friendly meals π
I would love to see more product reviews especially the latest products
I’d like to see more babies in mugs π And ew to your museum blog post. Human hair? Yuck!
Would love to continue to see more pictures of the girls and hear more about their daily adventures. My daughter is 3.5, so I love hearing about Harlow and seeing what they are doing that is similar/different.
I would like to see more about what your kids eat on a daily basis, since my toddler’s diet is mostly goldfish crackers and milk at the moment.
would love to see more of the Monday mornings/Wednesday evenings kind of stuff. how about date night? I’d love to hear how people can handle a date night without involving the logistics of invading a small country π thank you, and happy everything!
I’d like to see more posts about all stages of motherhood, and also about mothers of boys.
I really enjoyed the Wednesday evening posts. I love getting a peek inside other family’s’ lives and realizing how much we have in common, and also marveling at how some families do it.
For 2016, I’d like to see another mommy show-esque type video series!
I would like to see a series similar to your Wednesday evenings but instead do Monday mornings.
I would like to see more of your favorites
I love the silly stories and photos.
I love the silly stories and photos
More about boys, please!
I would love to see more “Wednesday evening”/”Monday mornings” style posts. I also loved “the mommy show”!
I would love to see more stories about your struggles getting Harlow to sleep at night. I need inspiration! Haha
I am fairly new to Mommy Shorts, but I love reading your posts! I enjoy the trials, tribulations, and adventures you go on with your little ones. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
I love everything you publish, but you know I’m particularly partial to funny lists π
More Harlow. Never enough Harlow!
Would love to see more snapchat. I love the girls input too – the fast day was my favorite.
In 2016 I would like to see more about how to keep family centered. You live in New York and are able to juggle family life, jobs, and family time while maintaining a social life! I love reading your blog!
I would love to hear more about your favorite products and services, especially available nationwide!
I would love to see more of what you are doing! I love everything you do now and I really love your snapchat stories. Thanks for letting us peek into your life.
I really like Mommy Shorts right now and would like to see its current direction continue π I especially like Mazzys instructional videos lol!
I’d love to see more of the activities you do with M&H. With a 3 yr old here… I like to borrow then π Thanks
I’d love to see more of NYC and things to do with kids. Also keep up the product reviews!
Product reviews, home stuff, love posts about the girls milestones and how you handle certain situations!
I would like to see more of everything!
I would love to see more of the interaction between Mazzy and Harlow. I also have 2 girls(6 and 3) it makes me feel less lost as a parent if that makes any sense
I would love to see travel tips, specifically for traveling with two small children.
I’d love to see more day to day life with the girls and adventures around NYC. I have a 4 year old and a 15 month old and would also love to hear how you deal with the craziness of 4 year old behavior. I’m having a time with it! Thanks for the opportunity to win the giveaway!
I would love to see more of Harlow’s antics in 2016. She is adorable. I am also looking forward to seeing the change in dynamic with Ruth’s baby and the kids.
I would love to see more aboutt life as a parent in NYC…Maybe how it differs from small town parenting or even a series on parenting in different cities like you did with the series of different family mornings/evenings you featured before.
I love this blog the way it is but I wouldn’t mind hearing more about you. Your kids are adorable and I love hearing and seeing them but Moms are important too.
I would love to see the Wednesday evenings series continue in 2016.
I love your Monday morning and Wednesday evening. Maybe your next one would be Saturday afternoon? Following parents around the weekend rush of squeezing in household chores with kids activities. Also, more regarding your book ????
I like seeing how other real NYC families manage life with kids and I love the Wed evening series.
More Ella, of course!
I would love to see a weekly date night post! (Or biweekly, whatever). I love getting ideas for things to do with my husband, and you always have such great ones.
And of course…more pictures of your beautiful girls!
I would love to see more of the Monday mornings/Wednesday evening series. I loved seeing other families managing those tough days of the week and snagged a few ideas to use on our own routines.