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Grinnell's Favorite Things

Alligator shirts, roman holidays, and a few more of Toland's faves

By Rory Evans

Playtime: "The joy of parenting a 3-year-old is that he wants the name of everything—he wants specifics," says Toland. So when the two go on expeditions in Prospect Park, "it's not just 'That's a bug,' but 'That's a dragonfly; that's a flying beetle.'"

Destination: Roman was to some extent named after Rome, one of the Grinnells' favorite cities. They also chose the name because they wanted it to be uncommon. It took them two hours to decide on his name but weeks to come up with "Mr. B."

Fast Food

"Toasted Van's flax waffles are the only frozen ones that are tasty and crispy, no matter what," he says. "Roman will always eat them."

Organic soy-and-flax waffles, $4, Van's

Top Read

"A Day with Wilbur Robinson [by William Joyce] is about this kid visiting a friend's huge house. They're always in one defined space, but their adventures keep going and going."

HarperCollins, $17

Fave Gift: For his birthday, SunHee gave Toland a signet ring with his interlocking initials (a spoof of Louis Vuitton's "LV"). "I lost it for two months once, and Roman ended up opening a drawer that it was in. That's when I realized it was the best gift ever."

Uniform

"On the weekend, Lacoste shirts are all I wear," says Toland. "It doesn't matter what color." Also part of his uniform: a Tardini wallet and a Treo, which is "like the mob—once you're in, you can't get out."

$75, Lacoste for stores

Art Haunt: For a little art appreciation, Toland and his son head to the Victorian room at the Brooklyn Museum. "The Noah's Ark was my favorite thing when I was little, and it's thrilling to bring Roman to see it, too," he says.