Pedal, Pedal, Pedaling

Mason got this tricycle for Christmas from Grammy and Papa (and the cool helmet from Auntie Jen, but she won't admit it!) and until this week, we'd been pushing him up and down the block with the handy dandy push bar. Well, no more. The kiddo can cruise under his own power now and here's the proof.


And some more:

Let's Go Rockies

Made the trek out to Shea on Sunday night to catch the Rockies take on the Mets. Unfortunately for *our* home team, things didn't work out for the Rockies. We still had a great time, and posed for this family photo to prove we've been to both NYC stadiums in their final season's of competition.

Out 'n About

This weekend brought some beautiful, humidity-free weather to our area. A few things we've been up to:

River Flicks at the Hudson River Park. It was a beautiful night and the classic Wizard of Oz was playing on the big screen. Mason was very excited for the free "popcorny." We'll go back, but we need to invest in a more-padded picnic blanket and arrive a bit earlier so we don't get stuck behind the one family who brought chairs again!

Saturday found us at Highbridge Recreation center, and my friends with small children, if you haven't been...go! Olympic-size wading pool with a maximum depth of 2-foot-2-inches. We had SO much fun splashing around in there and watching Mason be able to run and jump (like a frog) and play in the water. It was some quality, free fun!

Today, Mason and I were headed to the playground. It was locked for some reason unbeknownst to us. Instead we found a blimp (or bimp, or pimp...as he called one last weekend with Dad-O) hovering overhead.

That was cool, but not as cool as the firetruck across the street, which stopped us in our tracks when we were heading to a different playground. Seems it was fire-drill time for the firemen, so there they were, practicing window rescues in the vacant building across the street. We stayed out there for a good half hour watching them run up the ladder, repel from the top and, of course, wave at the Macey man. The fun ended abruptly, though, when there was an actual fire they had to head off to! Hooray for the brave firemen, Mason yelled as they sped off, siren blaring.

The kiddo is off to nap now, preparing for our next big adventure: Watching our Rockies take on the Mets at Shea tonight!

Spontaneous Fun!

A dance party broke out following bathtime tonight. Too cute not to share...

As is this photo. He later topped his ensemble (or lack there of) off with his circus hat. Too funny...

Happy Fourth of July!

Friday brought the Fourth of July, and with it a trek downtown for us, to take in the annual Macy's Fourth of July fireworks. It was our first trek with Macey in tow.

On the way down south we ran into this:

It's a 'Statue of Liberty on Parade." They're stationed all over the city, but of course, none is more near and dear to our hearts than the Rockies. Unfortunately, she was inside the police tape, so we couldn't get any closer to take a photo with her. Nonetheless, here's proof we tracked down our hometown representative.

After picking up some food at an overpriced deli ... and more at a street fair, not to mention a new library for Mason (we love those cheap, yet good, street fair books!) we headed onto the FDR Drive with our neighbors, Chris, Asa and Emilio to stake out our spot. Luckily for us, the rain scared some revelers inside, so we had space to picnic, and for the boys to run around while we waited for the big show to start. The weather held out pretty well too, at least until showtime, when the drizzle started.

To say that Mason was excited to see the fireworks is an understatement. To say that he was scared when they started falls in the same category. The poor kid was glued to Dad-O and I for the duration of the half-hour show. As in years past, it didn't disappoint.

You can see from this later clip , Mason eventually got into the action -- at least for a time. He was almost more interested in the display going on up the East River than the one going on off *his* (read: Macy's) barge right in front of us. I guess we underestimated the boom factor.

Nonetheless, the real proof he enjoyed himself came this morning: When I asked him what he wanted, he excitedly replied "Can we go see the fireworks again?" Alas ... we'll all have to wait 'til next year...

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...