Sam turns 4!

Sammy started celebrating his birthday by bringing a cake to school. His dad called a local bakery to order a cake and asked them to make one in the appropriate size for twenty 4-year olds. This is what they came up with...

Maybe they thought we meant twenty 4-year old Tyrannosauruses?

Zappos - Delivering Happiness

Natural history museum in New York

Sam especially liked the big whale, giant turtles and the mammals.

That dinosaur looks like he could have used a chiropractor

Planetarium the Natural History Museum

NYC subway beats any natural history museum in opportunities to see weird life forms and specimens... although unfortunately they are in no danger of growing extinct.

Fort Lee excursion

With George Washington Bridge in the background (Fort Lee, NJ is across the river from New York city)


Hmmm.... what kind of mischief is best to do in a park?



On the site of this park, George Washington fought during the revolutionary war. Some historical buildings and recreated artifacts are still around.

A random New York outing

Riding the Path (the suburban subway going to New York from New Jersey) was really fun.



New York, New York...


This art is a bit too modern for my taste...


...but fun to jump off of!

Chasing pigeons.

A couple of videos

Crepe with Nutella. That's my kind of food!

Priorities

Priorities: Learn how to use Skype first; how to use the potty - later.
Sam talks to his grandparents, who live in Russia.

Halloween 2011

Spiderman waving to the fans.
Oops. Am I being too immodest?
I'm just going to hold on to that rope with handles.
Pumpkin picking. Gotta grab the biggest pumpkin!
And I won't give to anybody. Nah-ah! Don't even think about it.
Think. Hard. What's the best place to go trick-or-treating? Hmmmm. A candy store!!!









Trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.

The scariest part is that there's snow on the ground already!

School event

Sam's school had a parent night. Here, Sam's showing off his coloring skills.

Grounds for Sculpture

In August, Sam went to see Grounds for Sculpture (a sculpture garden in New Jersey). Here, checking out a Monet...





... and a Renoir...

Just about the only way to keep Sam in one place is like this...














...being suspended above ground (and stuck between 2 parents) can also do the trick (for about 5 seconds).


Catch me if you can!

South Street Seaport, NY

This was a carousel powered by solar power. Sam really liked the "green" ride.



And of course, what outing is complete without ice cream!
Sam's favorite flavor of ice cream: red.




Playground near South Street Seaport, near Elena's work in NY.

Sam's friends Noa and Zia come to play

A major construction zone ensues...

Whippany rail museum

This museum had some real-size historical trains outdoors and some small-size models as well. Here Sam is checking out Thomas and other trains.
Grandpa Yura and Grandma Vera are also in town.

Here Sam is checking out an indoor train model, complete with bridges, a town and a haunted house.

Liberty Science Center

This is a model of a river works and dam - Sam's favorite part of the museum.




















That's a whole lot of rice!











Painting on the water wall














Now Sam knows all about plasma energy!


















and tide energy too!