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...

Birthdays, Birthdays Everywhere!

So, three weeks ago, we had our friend CC's party. Followed by Kellyn's pony-ride inspired party a week ago as well as her daycare party the following day, where all the kiddos got to wear these colorful headbands, which did their best to tame the Mason-man's hair.



The latest addition to the birthday club was 2-year-old Roger, who welcomed us to his family's East Village store for a little celebration on Sunday.

The original plan called for an outdoor party at Roger's favorite playground, but rain put a damper on the celebration. The boys didn't seem to mind as they put on their party hats and danced on the sidewalk.



After posing for a picture with Roger's mom, Jojo...



The boys headed inside to share some snacks and a delicious chocolate-raspberry cake.



By then, the rain had let up enough that we made our way to the park for a bit of fun.





We're looking forward to a repeat visit somewhere down the line!

Showing Off Our City

Mommy's college friend Dorothy flew in for a weekend graduation and Mommy and Mason were lucky enough to steal a whole day to spend with her. Her only request: We show her some of our favorite spots in the city. Oh...that, and she wanted to go to FAO Schwarz.

Our first stop was the Carousel at Central Park.



After that, Mason pulled Dorothy all over FAO, while I chased them with the stroller and the camera.

First, the train set.



Next, the Harry Potter section.



Later, the dinosaurs (that is his *cheese* face).



After wearing ourselves out, we decided to grab some good old-fashioned NYC hot dogs and sat in the corner of the park watching the carriages and the cabs pass by. Of course, no warm-weather lunch is complete without a Mr. Frostee ... or two!



We finshed off our journey with a walk through Times Square before heading home for a little R&R. Of course, there's no rest for the wicked. We had a date with some steamy NYC pizza and finished our day in the most perfect of ways: A Magnolia Bakery Cupcake.

Pony Ride Videos

As promised ...



And one more ...

A Really Big Day

Sunday marked Mother's Day, Auntie Jenn's birthday and the day before our best friend Kellyn's birthday, which could only mean that we headed out to Brooklyn for a party in her honor.

First on the agenda: pony rides!

Birthday girl Kellyn got first dibs...



... but it wasn't long before Mason got his turn upon Chip, the little black pony. A video post will come later (trust me, Mommy was a little paparazzi-esque in capturing his first ride.)




As you can see, the helmet kept falling down over Mason's eyes. It didn't seem to bother him, as he was smiling from ear to ear for his whole ride.

Sisters Kaya and Fiona got a chance, too...



As did Hope -- aboard S'mores, who Mason comically was chiding to "cover your mouth" when the horse started coughing.



After lunch, we headed over to nearby Prospect Park and spread out a blanket for a picnic...




Followed by some playtime...





And some cake. The kids took some swipes at it, and turns frosting each other's noses. It was pretty funny!

After that, it was time to make the long trek back into Manhattan.