Polar Bear, Polar Bear, How Do You Stay Cool ...

When the temperature is 90+ degrees and the humidity makes your skin practically boil? For the polar bears at the Central Park Zoo, the answer was easy. Hover near-fully immersed in the water in the shadiest corner of your pen, watching everyone watch you, like so:

Penguins, Penguins, how do you stay cool? Um...that one's easy. They're of the arctic variety, and their water and enclosure is very cold. It was also very crowded as everyone lingered in the cool room for a little longer than normal. Mason, per usual, got up close and personal with one of his feathered friends, and even wowed him with his Happy Feet dance.

Mason Man, Mason Man, how do you stay cool? Why, at the Heckscher Playground, of course! We kind of discovered this playground late last year, but it quickly became a favorite. It's got this really cool series of walkways that are filled with water and connect to various places to climb up or down and a couple of slides -- which Mason learned today shoot you to the bottom at bullet-like speed once they (and he) are a little wet! In addition, there's not one, not two, but three separate sprinkler areas.



He was a little timid to start, but once he poured water over his head it was over. He LOVED it. He was running all over. Mommy ran through once with him, but a poor wardrobe choice (read: too much white) limited her to the sidelines, despite the fact that the misting sprinkler, especially, felt oh-so-good.

Once the little man was thoroughly soaked, we packed up, but, you know ... it was hot, so a little ice cream was in order to finish our day off right.


Afterward, Mommy dragged Mason to a few stores in Columbus Circle. As we were waiting in line at our last stop, he announced he had to poop. By the time we made it through the line, he was quite literally, too pooped to poop and had passed out in the stroller (where he still is, which is why I have time to write on the blog!) Success all around.

It Happened Again...

So, I've let it slide. Again.

Apologies for the month-long absence from the blog. I wish I could make a triumphant return with tales of a recent trip abroad, or somesuch, but I have nothing of the like to report.

Instead, here's what we have been up to as summer has engulfed the city, bringing with it sunshine, but also humidity and heat...

Without further ado, here are some long overdue adventures with our urban toddler:

Hanging out in beautiful Central Park and enjoying our new favorite activity: duck feeding.

So far, we've discovered they like stale bread the best (actually, doesn't everyone know that?). The turtles at Morningside Park went crazy for some Veggie Booty, while stale pretzels are a little too hard to handle. Stale bread is also the least preferred food by Mason, while he has a hard time sharing the Booty!

We also checked out NY's annual Fleet Week, we got to go aboard the U.S.S. Kerasage. And. It. Was. Big.



Aboard the ship, we got to climb on everything: Looking over the edge of the boat.



Popping out of a tank (with another Dallas Cowboys fan/marine, who wanted a picture with our little Cowboy-clad cutie).



On a hover craft, which some kids had unknowingly started inflating earlier in the day, because they literally let the kids climb and play everywhere, cockpit included.



On the deck of the boat.



Climbing in and out of helicopters.



And finally watching a Canadian ship docked just upstream from us head out to sea, police escort included.



We spent Memorial Day out at Coney Island in Brooklyn (home of the hot-dog eating contest where we will NOT be next week).

We broke in our new WCS membership with a trip to the aquarium where Mason was reacquainted with the walrus.



We also saw the sharks and sea turtles. Mason even got to handle a starfish at the touch pool.

Also a highlight: Watching the sea lion show at the Aquatheatre.



After that, we headed for the boardwalk where Mason got to spend some time on the rides at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park.

Mommy was a little nervous that it was too much for her little man, but as you can see, he had a blast!



We met up with some friends, and he and Sophia loved riding the rides together.

After a brief break from the park -- to refuel with some cotton candy and Italian ices -- the whole family braved the Wonder Wheel. So fun ... and a bit terrifying, since the Ferris Wheel cars swing around as you're sailing through the air.



Some more of the views...

Thanks for checking in. I'll try not to be so tardy with the posting. It can be my July resolution...