Raising a child is a constant battle. As many parents have told me, it's been a tough journey- some things get easier, but different challenges arrive. This week's dealings with Taiyo not taking enough naps have been a serious one. He's been very tired with active days but he may still wake up in transit between stroller to bed. This afternoon was a failure- he woke up as I put him down in bed and then he cried and screamed for half an hour. In the meantime I still had to take care of business; I felt bad for the customers who walked in to a place with a screaming child. Other times Taiyo provides entertainment singing to the bicycle pump as his microphone, playing the ukulele or the harmonica, bringing food or check to the table, or simply running around giggling. Ask him if he's a baby, and he would answer, "No, a boy!" He can kick on his scooter, and currently working hard to pedal his antique tricycle. He picks his shirt to wear in the morning, and today he even successfully put it on! He puts his shoes on, and when he comes home, he takes them off and neatly place them by the door.

In between, we don't forget to continue on our dining exploration. On Wednesday lunch, it was El Castillo De Jagua on Rivington near Essex. I was pretty sure that this type of old neighborhood Dominican joint had to be kid-friendly. Of course, there was already a large family with a bunch of kids feasting near the door as we entered. They asked me twice if we'd like a high chair. But not being a baby anymore, Taiyo would not sit in a high chair. He picked a table and climbed up himself. We went for a plate of beef stew with rice and beans, and he immediately started serving himself onto his plate. He happily ran around the restaurant in between his bites and no one seemed to mind. The entry was easy with a stroller, and there's plenty of room to park one near or away from a table, we were served quickly, food was fresh and tasty, and under $10 for the food and my beer was quite good value. Recommended.