My Joss: February 2016

You know the punchline: practice, practice, practice.

She did. Which earned a first place at a competition and that got her an invitation to play at Carnegie Hall in a winners' recital. Six minutes onstage, just her and her accompanist.

So we made a vacation out of it.

XX was pretty excited about being in NYC, so sported her whiskers on the first day.

We took the subway.

By chance, Uncle Ed and Uncle Steve happened to be in town on the first day.

Their hotel was host to many of the Westminster participants, so we also got to meet some of the interesting breeds as they waltzed through the lobby.

Then we headed to the Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaurs. Of course, we also had to see the Moai as the "gum gum" lines are some of XX's favorites.

A pair of pteranadon wings were too good to be passed up. XX is pretty sure they catch the wind and give her some lift, so she wore them most of the rest of the visit.

We woke Sunday to find the temperature was zero. Not wind chill zero. Zero. We walked two blocks to breakfast and froze! Even inside the restaurant was cold.

We didn't schedule anything else, trying to keep it lowkey so XX could rest for her afternoon performance. She was anxious about working with a new accompanist, but just twice through and they had it. Simon is her new hero.

Afterwards, we dropped her off at the stage door of Carnegie. It's unsettling to leave your child by herself ... in NYC.

My friend Joy and her Aunt June made the trek up from North Carolina to see XX so we met them in the lobby. It was so great to see them and even better to watch XX walk onto stage, spy her Aunt Joy and beam.

There were some amazing musicians, mostly pianists, mostly from the NY/NJ area. Still, as it was an international competition, performers were from all over the US, Canada, Russia and Mongolia. XX felt honored to be in the company of some of these accomplished musicians.

She got a beautiful certificate, her name on a list of kids who garnered perfect scores, and was pleased to find she won one of the cash awards!

With all this though, she was most interested in seeing another friend and her kids the following day. Unfortunately, the stomach flu hit, so Heather and kids were not able to make it down. XX and Pammie used to play when babies, and XX thought hanging out in NYC with an "old" friend and her little sister, Sara, would be awesome. With luck, next time!

Even without the girls, Monday was still amazing. First, we had breakfast with Uncle Jack.

We were lucky to spend the day with Joy and Aunt June again, learning all about Vikings at the Discovery Museum. We also walked Times Square and did a little shopping. XX was amazed at a whole store devoted to M&Ms.

There was snow falling! XX loved walking in the new snow and made a small snowball late in the evening. She brought it in and put it in the farthest corner of the small room fridge's freezer, checking it several times that night. She was sad knowing she would not be able to bring it home.

Tuesday found us in nearly 60 degree weather! We had breakfast in front of the magnificent mural of Sugar & Plumm.

Then we took a train to Yonkers to look at our old house, where XX had fun exploring the secret room behind the bookcase and other fun places that old houses hold.

It was a quick trip in and out, because XX had noticed another exhibit she wanted to see at the Discovery Museum ... the Body Worlds Exhibition.

Though it sounds gruesome, it turned out to be fascinating. XX spent a lot of time looking, reading asking questions and questions and questions. It was fantastic.

We lingered in Times Square, did a bit more shopping. XX could not take her eyes off a pair of Princess Jasmine dress-up slippers.

And then we went to see "Aladdin."

It was her choice. She thought "Lion King" had sad places and she didn't want that, so we went with fun. I hoped John would enjoy it, too, as I thought it might be too silly.

The show turned out to be perfect. John was mesmerized and found it all magical. XX laughed and clapped at the silliness. She asked loads of questions about "how did they?" She came up with some answers and nodded wisely, and others, decided it must have been real magic.

Indeed.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. On our last day, we spent a few more hours at the Museum of Natural History, seeing the planetarium, and staring (XX likes to stand and gaze for long periods at animals or exhibits) at the whale and so much more. We wish we had seen the giant tardigrade, one of XX's current interests, but will save it for next time.

I love this photo of XX. She feels very grown up, wearing her Jasmine "heels." But they're too big by about two sizes, so she stuffed some tissue paper in the toes, wore her thick athletic socks and shuffled along as if she were wearing some of my shoes; she's got her pteranadon wings on and she's carrying her beloved Steggie. All grown up, and yet, not.

It was an amazing trip. So many old memories churned up, so many new memories patted in.

And all because of a little practice.

Brava!

XX has a new friend.

His name is Eli and he's a Highland cow. He's also an acorn calf, which means his mother ate too many acorns when pregnant, so he's somewhat stunted, making him extra adorable.

XX got permission from his owner to feed him carrots though she warned he wouldn't stand up if he was lying down.

She was wrong. He learned quickly, and now gets up as soon as XX steps out of the car. He's not fast, but then again, he's a cow. He ambles over and happily accepts carrots, which XX cuts into small pieces so she can stay as long as possible. She scratches his head, he licks her hands.