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 love to see you blog about travelling to different countries, how about continents(India would be great to start off 🙂 ), exploring different cultures with your adorable daughters. I have a toddler and reading your blog makes me believe kids are the same with the crazy combination of their innocence and fun in all parts of the world and I can’t wait for your book release, hope it gets available worldwide.
I’d love to see more about mommy fashion! How to not look like a stay at home mom on a budget ! 🙂
I love the day to day life stuff! Keep it coming!
I would love to see more family features, more stories about Mazzy and Harlow, and of course more fun videos!
In 2016, I’d love to see more about about how Mazzy and Harlow interact, the good and the bad! I’ve got my second on the way and need to know what I’m in for 🙂
I’d love to see more funny Mazzy and Harlow stories! My boys are also 6 and 3, so I feel like I am your kindred spirit (although living in a suburban Massachusetts town, raising two boys….)!
I would love to see more Harlow videos! She makes my day!!!
I would love to visit the New Museum if I’m ever in that area! Sounds like fun!
I would love to see more of you. You work hard and showcase your little ladies, give yourself some credit and fun too! I love seeing the adventures of your littles.
I love and miss the Wednesday Evening series!
In 2016 I would love to see more of tough side of parenting. And of course Harlow dancing.
I’d love to see more of your ordinary, day-to-day life as well as more series like the “Monday Morning” and “Wednesday Evening” series. Basically, I love getting to peek into the REAL lives of other moms (including you!) to see that I’m not alone in my daily struggles and to glean useful tips from other moms. (I’ve really enjoyed following you on snapchat for exactly this reason.)
more photo contests! I love them!
Product reviews for things made for mom/kids that live in the city – i.e. easy to store, collapsable things. Tips on traveling with kids. Things to do on snowy/raining days in the city – specifically in different places than just your neighborhood. I live on the UES.
You said to comment for entry into the Swag Bag contest…I read the article about your trip with Mazzy to the museum….I have no comment…I’m speechless.
Love, love, love your blog! I would like to see more parenting advice, tips/ tricks on issues like bedtime, tantrums, etc. The struggle is getting real with my 3yo!
More Wednesday evenings!
Loved Wednesday evenings!!! Made me feel like my life is not as crazy as I thought and I’m not alone in the parenting world.
I especially like your posts about your adorable girls and the product testing/suggestion posts. I love the baby accessories advice!
In 2016, I would love to see more series that highlight the everyday life of different families across the country. I would also love to hear about how you and your husband tackle parenting together – both what works and what doesn’t work.
I would love to see more contest 🙂 so that I have a better chance of getting some swag. 🙂
I would love to see more about your daily routine with the ladies, I know their amazing antics are often on Snap Chat but the day to day stuff would be great too.
I love seeing your posts about city living and how that works! It fascinates me as I love NYC but am so used to raising my kids in a more typical suburban lifestyle. I love also to see what products make parenting easier for you!
I can’t wait to see what MommyShorts has in store for 2016!!
Hello!!
I would love to see more how you manage to be a parent in NY, do you have a full time nanny?
I would like to continue seeing the times that kids’ actions derail adult expectations & how other parents deal with & diffuse the situation. Thanks!
I would like to see more date night ideas. Part of being a good mommy is taking care of yourself and hubby, and I need more ideas!
Love to see more of your real life mommy moments!! Especially with us coming into our terrible twos for the third time!
I always love reading your thoughts about raising kids in the city. The pros, the cons – from the frustrations of trying to find parking spaces with fussy kiddos in the back, to the lovely parks and museums and cafes you can walk to.
I would love to see more posts about your beautiful and hilarious kids!
I wouldn’t change a thing…love your posts. Thank you.
I would like to see more articles about talking to your kids about the hard stuff. My daughter is still young, but it gave me somethings to remember for the future.
Love this blog! Love the snap chat. My kids wI’ll ask me what Mazzy & Harlow are doing today. I would love to see more of Harlow’s singing.
I would like to see more celebrity interviews in 2016. Especially when the celebrities are super uncomfortable with kids or that they are super comfortable with kids. Those are hilarious!
I would love to see how you get it all done. You seem to be a pretty organized mom and working parent. When I see all of your posts from the blog, insta accounts and book work you are working on I always wonder….how the hell does she do it?!?
You know what I’d love to see more of on mommy shorts this year- you! How the heck do you make it all work? I’m going back to work in 2016 and need more of how you make it all happen
I would love to see more about life as a parent in a big city. When you live in a small city with a population under 10,000, it is so interesting to see how you live and function with kids in NYC.
I Love the photo contest… I don’t enter any because my toddler is only 18 months but pictures are always hilarious or adorable or both!
I would love to hear more about you! I also really enjoyed the Monday morning/Wednesday evening series.
I love seeing what your girls are up to. I have boys with a similar age difference.
I would love to see more about crafts and fun activities to do with my girls! Also, more about how YOU juggle parenting two kids! How do you do it? I’m expecting my second and so overwhelmed with the thought of caring for two humans (emotionally, financially, etc.)
I would love to see more mommy shorts with new celebrities! Every time I change my baby’s crib sheet I think of you!
I love everything you post! I would love to see the Monday morning/evening series continue to smaller towns!!! Thanks!
More of your kids interviewing celebs.
That museum sounds horrifying!
I just love everything about your blog! I think maybe id like to see more contests that can be won by those of us whose kiddos are older, but don’t have grandkids yet. Sometimes id love to try and win an item, either to save for my grandkids or for my sisters kids, but I don’t have adorable little kiddos around to take photos off to even try. But, not just contests like that- I seriously do love the seeing everyone else’s crazy cute kids!! 🙂
I’d love to see more cousin time!
2016 I would love to see more of a day in the life of normal families from all over!
I love all of your posts here, on Instagram and on snapchat. I would love to see more about your city life (small town southern girl here who finds city life so intriguing), and more about stuff that interests you and products you love as a mom. I look forward to seeing what 2016 brings for you and your family!
I want to see more Wednesday evening posts since that was my favorite series. I think if you did an entire weekend with a family that would be very fun. I just loved how all of those people were willing to share their lives with everyone. I also want to see more of the parties that you and your family get to attend. They always look so fun.
I’d really like to see more Real Mommy Stories – photos and stories from real families all over the U.S. I found the series inspiring, heartwarming and relieving in many ways. Thank you!
More funny stories! I love when other people have weird things happen to them, too.
More of your hubby! And how you balance work/home life!
I love your funny stories of your girls, keep them coming! You make me want to go to NYC again.
I would definitely love to see more on how to deal with meltdowns and the mouth of a fresh 4 year old. I am at a loss when it comes to this for sure
I would love for the Mommy Shorts show to come back!!
I love seeing how your family does all of the normal things we do every day. Kid wrangling, meals, errands, etc. Although, your special event posts (parties, etc.) are so much fun and help me dream a bit!
Loved the Monday Morning & Wednesday Evening series’. Would love to see more of that!
I would love to see the Mommy Show come back! Also, I just realized that I comment and subscribe with two different addresses… I’ll never win anything that way! Should I cancel the one subscription and set up a new one, or is it possible to change it?
Monday morning/Wednesday evening — series that show all sides of parenting, not just the slick photos.
More of the same in 2016. Mommy Shorts is the best mom blog- you highlight all the best and worst parts of parenting and keep it very real! Plus your daughters are the same ages as mine which I love; )
Day-in-the-life posts and parenting ones, too.
Big fan of the funny stories! More of those!!
I’d love to see more posts about dealing with the tough aspects, particularly behavioral milestones. LOVED your posts about sleep-training… and could have used some laughs about my potty-training battle. You mention briefly that Harlow is working on it (not very successfully), but while cool clothes and products can be fun, (and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your snarky fun day-to-day and holiday/special event chronicle posts – OMG that fancy garden party for kids!), it would be great if you went a little more towards helpful hints and discussions of challenges, too!
Also… your snapchat ROCKS!!!
Would love to see more of the Wednesday evening series! And anything Mazzy and Harlow :).
More real life stories about your family and the Monday mornings/Wednesday evenings!
I enjoy seeing you guys ride the bus, cabs, subway, and walking down network city as a family, so I’d like to see more of that. Going about a big city with kids is quite the adventure.
I really enjoy (even more now that I follow on Snapchat) seeing everyday life in the city. Especially since I live in the armpit of CA and have never traveled anywhere really amazing, I love seeing/reading all the places you visit and how you manage to do it with two small ones! Look forward to seeing more!
As a working mom, I’m always hungry for anything about balancing a career and kids. Happy Holidays!
I would like for you to write a piece on working mom hacks. And, I would love to see another series along the lines of the Wednesday Evenings/Mornings All State series that were so beautiful and rich. OH! And, I’d like to hear more about your book 🙂
I love all the product ideas – with two little ones I don’t have time to shop so I appreciate the honest reviews and tips. Those miracle cups have saved my car and rug so many times already.
I would love to see more of your “day in the life of…” series. I’m a stay at home mom. I like seeing how other parents make their lives work with my same situation, and while working.
I’d love to see more Snapchat posts!
I would live to see more posts including Mike, they always crack me up! Especially when he’s alone with one or both of the girls and how he handles styling them! I also enjoy advice from your sister!
I would love to see more quotes of things your daughters say. My kids are always saying funny things and mispronouncing words. I love your posts about that!
I would love to see more helping with the day to day thing like the picky eater and bed time routine. More of the comedy posts. I love all the funny picture posts.
Oh my how did I miss this story!! Hope you are having fun in Jamaica! I would love to see more Monday mornings/ Wednesday evenings. Reviews and tips are great! Funny stuff! I love everything you give us! Happy new year!