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 piece— 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 right— 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 would like to see more day in your life adventures. It’s fun to see the similarities and differences in raising kids in NYC vs small town Iowa.
I’d love to see more actual Mommy shorts! I miss those videos!
I like the product reviews with giveaways and your funny stories.
It was already said, but I second more on marriage with kids. Its nice to hear about Mike too, but anything you put on here has my attention!
Would love to hear more about your childhood and how it may be different than your leading ladies 🙂
I would like to see more shopping successes (at the Maxx!) and product reviews!
I just love all the stories about the girls….and the parties!
I want to see more about how you juggle this crazy life! And more snap chat! I love seeing a less curated view into your life 🙂
I think you are doing a great job curating content! I would love to hear more about your family- kind of harken back to the earlier days of mommy shorts. (And you didn’t ask, but I really really dislike the “argument” posts from your guest contributor.) Thank you for giving me fun little moments each and every day!!
More day-to-day and how you balance life with 2 kiddos, a husband and a work-from-wherever you can job! And always more pics/videos of the girls doing something silly for a laugh break 🙂
I have always followed you on instagram but just started getting newsletters so I don’t know what I want to see more of. I love seeing the kids and your tips for staying sane
More and more real as hell parenting!!! New museum?!? I died laughing just me and my coffee (my 2 kiddos still sleeping)…such real motherhood and getting out in the world to experience it all…that’s why I subscribe and so enjoy your work! Keep it real sister!
I love seeing real life moments-successes, “fails”, tantrums, parties, dinners with kids not eating, brekfasts that everyone eats–real family life. I also like product reviews-for moms, kids, and families. I also love your collaborations with Little Miss Party-great ideas that even *I* can do AND pull off.
Love the photos and funny stories. Keep it coming!!
First: LOL–that was awesome!
Second: My daughter is about a year older than Harlow, but her interests skew older. I’d love to see more about the types of toys and activities Mazzy enjoys.
Would love to see more specials like Wednesday’s nights! Looked forward to that every week!
Hi! I would love to see/read more on the transition from one child to two as I will be doing this soon! I know this is probably an old topic for you but any advice would be helpful.
In 2016, I would love to see more videos of Harlow dancing! I also love the gift ideas you have for the girls, it helps me find amazing things for my daughter (who is exactly one year younger than Harlow!)
I would love to see more tips..even if it is posting old posts..about becoming a mother of two and the transition there. You seem to have it down pretty well so would love any advice or tips!
I love the Average Parent Problems!
I love the more “unfiltered” posts (like the recent Holiday Newsletter with Plum Organics!). It makes me realize that even awesome bloggers have some of the same issues with their kids that I do. 🙂
Dancing and singing videos!! Also, the craft tutorial was awesome.
I would love to hear more about how you became a blogger! And I agree with one of the other comments… more stuff about boys if possible 🙂
I’d love to see more about family life, day to day stuff, helpful products for families and kids. Thanks!
I love the daily life. Funny kiddo stories, funny husband stories, decorating stories, life in NY stories. I love stories about your day to day fun
I agree with some other ladies here–more Wednesday evening posts!
I would love to see more stuff about your relationship with Mike! I love that he cooks the dinner…so does my husband! I have a feeling my daughter is going to think I can’t cook someday! Also, more mornings and evenings with other families…love them!
I would love to see more about you! How your job works, what a day consists of, your favorite parts of living in the city, things about you and Mike, etc.
In 2016, would like to see more about the dynamics of how the girls get along, how you and your husband balance the different needs/wants of both girls. I’m due with my second girl in 5 weeks and both my girls will be roughly the same age distance apart as your two girls.
I would love to see more of your everyday life and kid meltdowns! More Harlow POV too!
I would love to see more about life with your girls as they grow, and also more Dr. B on some of the new stages and issues that arise as kids grow.
I love Mommyshorts! I’d love to see more Wednesday evening/morning series and I love the posts of kids crying with Santa, chubby cheeks, etc!!
I would enjoy more personal anecdotes on ordinary daily things. Crazy stuff that happens at the grocery store or whatever. It’s interesting to read about parties and events but I think your funniest posts are about stuff that just… happens. 🙂
Love seeing glimpses into your life and the lives of other families, makes me feel like we’re all in this together!
I just love following your blog. I don’t even recall how I came across it, but I’ve been a huge fan for a couple of years. I love the videos and snaphchats….I even signed up JUST so that I could follow! I really liked the Wednesday Evening posts…the interviews. That was great! OH! And the difficult conversations with kids – I took notes! But mostly I love how you share your life and the girls are so funny and so great to see them grow….and then you mix in a little of “keeping it real”.
Haha! I love that you stuck with bringing her through the whole thing. Skin fruit is an interesting name for a bodies exhibit.
I would love to see more picture series hilariously captioned by you!
In 2016, I would love more strategies for dealing with challenges like sleep, potty training, dealing with mean kids, etc. I love your approach to parenting and your kids are each about a year older than mine. I can recall many past posts that I have tried out in our household. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Love the Monday/Wednesday series. Love day in the life type posts.
I would love to see a day in your life and things you do for yourself.
I love the Wednesday night series, the Mommy Show, and just the posts about your day-to-day life.
I would love to see more of the Wednesday Evening series, and more about you and your relationship with your spouse as you navigate parenting.
Sweet baby jesus! this is the most bizarre and hilarious post that I’ve never seen! love it.
I love those contests with picking your favorite picture (especially the funny ones with kids being “bad”) even if its not a contest I just love looking at those funny pictures.
Next year I’d definitely like to see more of everything! Your girls are adorable, and I love the glimpses I get of NYC through your photos. I really enjoyed the series on other families, it’s nice to see how other families do things.
Hilarious I hadn’t seen that one. In 2016 id like to see more posts about family adventures!
I would like to see more photo contests. They’re so fun! Epic hair, chubbiest cheeks, best Santa fail… Seeing those pics totally makes my day better.
I would like to see more about how you juggle work and home life. As a SAHM, who used to work, I would like to go back to work, but can’t see how to juggle everything so that my kids still have me around.
Monday mornings/Wednesday evenings were my faves – I always looked forward to new posts. Seeing families day to day lives, not all posed perfectlyfor the camera , I think makes us all see that we’re doing the same thing, and full of love.
I’d love to see another series like those. And – in the same vein – yes your day to day life as well!
Also – good call on making us post on an old, random post. Totally forgot about this one.
Would love to see more adventures in the city and at the shore – fun to see everyone enjoying themselves and great ideas for our own adventures!
I’d love to see more everyday parenting stuff. I can always relate!
I would love to see more stories about Mazzy and Harlow!
I’d love to see more weeknight (or morning, mid-day, whatever) features with other families. It’s great seeing how many shades of normal are out there, and it always makes you realize that you do what works best for your family and it isn’t necessarily wrong.
I’d love to see the Wednesday evening / Monday morning series back in 2016. Love that series!
I’d love to see more stuff about how to balance everything while being a working mom!
Is love to see more Day in the Life type posts. I’m loving your snapchat stories!
That’s hilarious!! I’m a fairly new reader and am glad you’re linking to older posts! Thanks~
I’d love to see more tips on the balancing act. I love reading your blog because you’re a mom but still maintain other interests, etc. that you’ve incorporated into mommy life – sometimes this can be challenging and I’d love to see tips on maintaining the balance.
I would love to see more of the Wednesday evenings and Monday morning series. I loved reading them and I loved the follow up posts you did with the families after their posts went up. It was so refreshing to see so many families going through the exact same things that I deal with on a daily basis!
I would love to see more real parenting stories. Loved the Wednesday evening series! Oh, and more stories geared towards parents of boys please!
I would love to see more product reviews and how you manage two kids! Going to be a mom of 2 next year (toddler and baby) and would love some tips!
Love it all. More tips for kid pics since yours are always so amazing!!
I’d like to see more of your life and family mis-haps…love seeing how real your family is and that you are not perfect! Makes us everyday-ers feel more normal! Love your blog! 🙂
Would love to see more of your house decor. So jealous. Wish I had your (and your kid’s) style. Love all that you do
What would I like to see more of? More Harlow singing and dancing OF COURSE! 🙂
More picky eaters club 🙂
I love your hilarious posts about parenting tribulations and funny stuff your kids do! I’m looking forward to read more of those in 2016!
We’re in a food rut right now so anything food related!!
I would love to see more product reviews, more witty posts they’re my favorite!
She is such a cutie!
My favorites are the photo contests!!
I love following you on Snapchat! You make me laugh and I love seeing your ‘day in the life of’ so I’d love to keep seeing kind of stuff. thanks!
I love seeing posts w
Sorry. Activities with your girls and home updates!
I would love to see more of the Monday Mornings/Wednesday Evenings series. I think it’s awesome that we get to see into others daily lives!
I love it all! More Weds. Night series, crafts, and maybe how to balance it all!
First, this random post is hilarious. Thanks for choosing it for comments. I really enjoyed the Wednesday nights series this year. I would like to see of the Snapchat stories, without having to join yet another social network. So if its possible to share some of those, that would be great. If not, keep up the good work. i love reading your blog and thank you for the swag bag giveaway.
I actually really enjoy your stories and anecdotes about your everyday life. I am also raising 2 little girls in a city (chicago) so I can relate to a lot of the stories!
My three year old requests more of Harlow dancing, please. 🙂
Haha…great post. I also think this pic of Mazzy looks so much like the pic of her at Rockefeller Center looking at the Saks light show recently. Just add some hair around her face and it’s the same look of intense, delighted focus. Too cute…
More funny and embarrassing stories
I would love to hear more funny stories. You have a great way bringing out the humor in any situation!
I would love to see more Wednesday evening posts!
I’d love to see more reflections on how your parenting styles have changed over the years.
I would love to see and hear more unfiltered (similar to what was in your Wiles family newsletter) — great, funny stuff that any parent can relate to! Thanks for the laughs.
I would love to see more Monday Mornings and/or Wednesday Evenings. I also like product reviews and makeovers (yours or others). Yay for a Mommy Shorts 2016 🙂
I would love seeing more of your day to day life and hilarious stories. The parties are pretty neat as well!
I would love more funny kid stories!
I enjoy the pintresting section of the website. I’d love to see more articles there!
More Harlow dancing!! It’s so entertaining!
I would love to see more of the Monday/Wednesday Mom series!
Love everything, especially posts about your family and living in New York.
More daily real life moments with your family. My daughter is a few months younger than Harlow and we also live in NY so it’s nice to see how another mom handles stuff like, potty training, food issues, bedtime, leaving the house, etc.
I would love see more day in your life with your cuties M & H! (and by M I meant Mazzy not Mike! =p =p =p).. Like that snap chat video
More Arguments of the week! I really like hearing about the parenting dynamic and home management strategies.
Obviously LOVE your cute kiddos- seriously, my 2y/o daughter and I are obsessed with Mazzy and Harlow but I would love to see more family shots!! That means you included mama!! Lately you have been sharing more family pictures/outings-keep it up!!
Also, more Pinterest posts!! I’ve already stalked all your current pins! Esp love the parenting wisdom and LOL parenthood!
I would love to hear more of your funny stories and hear about the exciting life in NYC!
I would like to see more of how you and Mike keep close, and how you keep closeness with your girls, especially when they have bad behavior.
I want to see more honesty. That’s what I really enjoy about all of your posts. Makes me feel less crazy when I know that my almost 3 year old isn’t the only one who refuses to use the toilet. I also love seeing Harlow, not that I don’t enjoy Mazzy as well but I feel like she is constantly learning more words. AND last but not least, more of your favorite mom gadgets, toys, life things whatever. I enjoy hearing your opinion on things. Keep being you!
I would love to see more of the day to day. How you manage two littles and both parents working.