Swimming class

Shay has been asking for swimming lessons since we got here and he found out there was a pool in our apartment complex.  Unfortunately, the pool was being renovated until recently, and then I found out that the classes were a little pricey (I'm not sure why I was surprised!).  I had been meaning to look into the pool at the local recreation center across the street, and was able to sign up Shay for the lottery for the last summer session of swim lessons. 

And we got in!  It's only 4 classes, but he was super excited and has been doing great.  It's still a parent participation model (which I was not super excited about), but it's much more ummm...swimming-oriented than the classes we took previously, which mostly focused on being comfortable in the water.  Shay loves sea animals and says he wants to be a "diver", yet doesn't like putting his face in the water.  We have been working on this.  He has actually been blowing bubbles, scooping his arms in circles, and kicking simulteously, while I hold him.  He even did it while in a pool noodle.  The last class is tomorrow, but I am going to put his name in for the fall session in the indoor pool.  I'm crossing my fingers that we'll get lucky again!

Outside the rec center

Shay in his swimming gear.  I got an email from the pool that he needed a swimming cap, though when we got there, maybe one or two other kids had them.  I think he looks like a match, but donning the swim cap is one of his favorite parts of the lesson.

Enjoying free breakfast from the rec center

Settling in

I guess we are settling in here, since there are no huge developments to report. Well, Shay did start at a new school, which I love, since it's much closer and I think it's a better fit for him.

Daily sign-in

From parents' sack race event, organized by the school to go with their summer Olympics theme (we didn't win, but had fun cheering everyone on!):

Recently, we did venture over to Brooklyn Bridge Park (via the ferry again - I wish they had frequent rider discounts!). I had found a "music festival" online, but turned out it was a small event at a restaurant. Would have been fun for Shay, but he fell asleep on the way after not napping at his new school the day before. We headed to the park near the dock instead for refreshments before heading home. Still a nice day.

We went to the front of the ferry - really fun and a great breeze!

The kids, of course, continue to entertain, exacerbate, and delight us as they grow.  
 

Mila is saying a few recognizable words now (up, mama, dada, help).
     

Sunglasses fun: 

I really need to get better at recording Shay's musings. He is so funny and constantly surprises me with things that he remembers and the way that he processes things. When I told him about Mila's formula, he made a joke that it was "for Mila" and had a hilarious time sorting it all out.

Visit from Nana!

Shay has been talking a LOT about his Nana (my mom).  He has periodically been asking for her and mentioning her in various contexts.  If we see a bee, he says, "You know who doesn't like bees?  Nana."  Or he asks if she's coming over or going to meet us at the park.  I know he is expressing that he misses her - I do too!

Shay spent a lot of time with Nana in California.  In addition to taking him on fun outings, she picked him up every week for months so I could go to my Anatomy & Physiology class.  She was definitely a stable presence in his life.  She must have a lot of time of her hands now that we are gone, though I know she keeps busy. 

We have been talking about the fact that Nana is coming to visit for a while.  I actually waited to tell him that she was actually in New York until the morning that we were going to see her; I thought that he would be too excited to sleep if I told him any earlier.  That morning, there was a flurry of texts about how to get to our place.  There are only certain streets that cross FDR drive to our complex, and there's some construction going on that limits the options even further.  But she figured it out and the doorman buzzed her up.  Shay was adorable when I told him that Nana was here; he said "I'm so excited!!" while jumping up and down.   After the apartment tour, we showed her around the complex, including the sprinkler park, of course!

All day, he was checking to see where she was and asking if she was staying.  He asked if she was staying at the Disneyland Hotel (they stayed there together previously).  Jermaine was on call that night, so we had to go to Hane Sushi without him.

The weather didn't exactly cooperate.  Nana's flight was delayed due to rain, and the air was kind of muggy during her visit.  Rain threatened on Saturday, so we stayed close to home.  Luckily, there was a puppet show on the plaza.  Nana took Shay down, and Mila and I joined after Mila's morning nap.

 



Making his own puppets after the show


On Sunday, we were determined to see more of the city.  We ventured via the East River Ferry to Roosevelt Island, which one lady had described to me as "the backyard for New Yorkers who don't have a backyard."  No one lives there, but apparently there are big open spaces to bike, run, and play.  Sounded perfect, as long as it didn't rain. 

On the ferry ride over.  It took an hour, so Shay got a little antsy. Luckily, Mila was asleep.

Due to the weather, there weren't many people on the island.  I think we and a couple of bike rides were the only ones who rode all the way to the island (the last stop on the ferry).  We gathered some information from a couple of friendly girls posted at a table near the dock, and kind of wandered around aimlessly.  There were nice views of the city and a wide bike path seemed to encircle the whole island.  People were riding around on what Jermaine called "family bikes"; the kind that you can rent at the beach, with two bench seats that seat about 4 people.  Maybe next time.

The information girls had mentioned a place to eat next to the "beach", which we finally found.  Mila hasn't had her feet in the sand for awhile, and thought it was pretty weird at first.  Of course, she was soon running around with Shay and working up an appetite.  After lunch, we planned to catch the ferry back before the kids got too exhausted; they seemed to be fading fast.  We didn't get to the bikes or the children's museum, and the glass blowing demonstration didn't look too kid-friendly.  The hour-long ride had eaten up a lot of the morning.  So we visited the gift shop, where Shay got a coloring book with the Statue of Liberty in it, detailing the history of the island (I think).  Then ice cream before hopping back on the ferry.  We're hoping to come back for more summer fun soon!





On the way back with ice cream, of course.  Seems like this is getting to be a trend....