It's Your Birthday, Mama?

Shay's question at dinner, which was immediately followed by "it is going to be my birthday?" Preschoolers - so self-centered!

All in all, it was a great day. Mila and I walked to the Central Park Zoo with friends from our apartment complex. Mila was not too happy near the end if the hour+ stroll, but she perked up watching the sea lions once we for there. I didn't get any pics; I think I was so tired from walking, I forgot.   Mila eventually got tired and fell asleep.  She missed a close up of a snow leopard and a seal lion show.  I had a fun time!




Shortly after Mila fell asleep in the stroller, we headed back. I had originally planned not to walk the approximately 50 blocks back, but a cab or bus ride would have woken her so I decided to hoof it. Unfortunately, with the cacophony of afternoon traffic, she woke up at 1st ave & 53rd st, which is maybe halfway. She was not happy. Luckily, Jermaine was off early (!), so he picked up Shay from school and met us for dinner at our favorite kid-friendly sushi place.

Though the kids were tired after a busy day, they enjoyed dinner and green tea ice cream.

The biggest surprise of the day came when we got home.  Jermaine actually put some thought and effort into getting me some birthday flowers! 



First train trip

We were so excited for our first train trip to Washington DC/Virginia to visit Tio Jay, Nubi, and Maya. I headed out with the kids on Thursday afternoon. It's hilarious that I thought I could manage 2 kids, a stroller, a rolling suitcase, a backpack, and a shoulder bag of toys and good alone at Penn Station in the middle of the city. Luckily, Jermaine was on call the night before and was able to accompany us.  I'll have to add more pictures later, since I also forgot my phone in the rush to get out the door, and took pictures with Jermaine's phone until he arrived on Saturday.

No matter how much you prepare, a 3.5 hour train ride with two young kids and one adult is going to be bumpy. So I was so happy to see Jay at Union Station in DC.  We made it to his house in Falls Church, VA, had a little playtime with cousin Maya, and got the kids to sleep.

On Friday, we took the kids for a walk around the amazing lake that's right down the street.  We saw a crane and lots of other birds, and Tio Jay entertained us with stories of recent beaver attacks in the area.  There was also a nice playground that kept the kids busy for a while.

Jermaine was supposed to arrive mid-day on Saturday, but, due to a train delay, he didn't make it until late afternoon.  We visited the local farmer's market to stock up on supplies for dinner.  Then we spent the day cooking, eating, and drinking while we waited. Nubi surprised the kids with crayons that spelled out their names and had other fun shapes.  Shay created a "newspaper" that he took everywhere for the rest of the trip!
 



Mila loves Maya



Sunday was our last day in Virginia, so we ventured out to a "soft park" a few towns over.  On the way, we got a taste of life in Virgina: brick houses; tons of trees; and a few dead animals (a rabbit and a deer, complete with vultures!) on the side of the road, which was pretty new for us.  The park and playground was really fun; they even had a carousel!

After a yummy lunch from the Vietnamese deli, it was time to head to the train station.  I was so happy to have Jermaine's help on the return trip. 

We got introduced to Utz chips - yum!

All in all, it was a great trip. Fun times, great food, and a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.   Thanks Tio Jay, Nubi, and Maya - see you again soon!

Enjoying summer in NYC

I forgot to write in the last post that we finally made it to Central Park! Well, at least Shay and I did. I had never been there and wanted to feel it out before venturing with both kids in tow. Jermaine had some reading to do, so he stayed home with a napping Mila while Shay and I hopped on the bus. It took us 2 buses and about 30 minutes to get there. I wish it was a little easier, since there was so much to do and see, especially in the summer. We saw ducks in the pond, people performing, peeked at the zoo, and looked at the line for the free summer concerts (it was really long!).

Shay was a trooper and excited about everything. Since it was a kind of last-minute idea, I hadn't brought any food for us, so we had a special hot dog, ice cream, and potato knish lunch (I made him eat extra veggies later to make up for it!). He really wanted to ride the horse-drawn carriage; maybe next time!

We also got a chance to return to Dim Sum Go Go, where Mila and I had gone with my dad when we first arrived.  Everyone really enjoyed it!  These days, Mila loves anything in dumpling form.

Waiting for the bus after a good meal

We have been visiting our local farmer's market, which is conveniently located in a complex close to ours (Peter Cooper Village/Stuyvesant Town).  It's nice place to lunch and stroll.  There's a big lawn where the kids can run around.

There are always more parks to explore.  There's not so much greenery, but there's usually a play structure every few blocks.

Madison Square Park is a few blocks from capoeira class.  Mila and I hung out here while Shay and Jermaine went to class, then they met up with us afterwards:

Mila and I visited Bryant Park, right in the middle of the city, with the bird lady:

The kids caught a little cold recently.  Good thing that there was a playground around the corner from the pediatrician's office.

Shay and Mila have been becoming buddies (I guess they don't have much of a choice!).  Shay is (generally) a great help and has a lot of concern for Mila:

 

So I can't complain too much about summer in New York.  It's starting to cool down, so fall/autumn may be on the horizon.  For now, we are appreciating nice views like this one from outside our apartment.