Last summer weekend begins

We kicked off our last summer weekend morning in Bryant Park on 42nd Street. This is a beautiful oasis in the heart of manhattan, filled with such calmness, especially on weekend morning. Taiyo first got busy siting alphabets with the box of wooden magnetic letters. He quite accurately sited most of them. Then there was a dance movement workshop on the lawn, which we joined in briefly, but Taiyo noticed the carousel and ran screaming toward it.

He did three rides on a white bunny- he simply refused to get off and I had to keep running back to the booth to pay for another. It's a cute little ride for $2, or $15 for 10 rides. When I went back to the booth the third time, the lady said I should've gotten a 10-ride card. He could've ridden the whole 10 rides. They played French chansons when the ride went around. Something you wouldn't do if you're not with a little kid. I enjoyed the lovely ride. There were children's books to read by the carousel but if stayed around he would've wanted to go back to the ride. So I snatched him to Kinokuniya, a Japanese book store, across the street. There, of course he went crazy grabbing cute little books and tiny stickers.

I thought maybe we could lunch at a Korean place on 35th street, but he suddenly started demanding food right in front of Pax Wholesome Foods on 6th Avenue. Entry is easy, but there's only four little tables downstairs, and it will be tricky to go up the stairs to more spacious dining area upstairs. We left the strollers downstairs and Taiyo happily walked up. I wished they had larger windows, which would've made the dining area more airy and pleasant, but hey, this is a fast food. They probably don't like people to stick around too long. Maybe that's why they make these chain stores a bit unattractive. There's no high chairs, which is fortunately no problem for us. Food was actually pretty fresh and good, although pre-made sandwiches are usually not attractive for me. Taiyo very much enjoyed Mozzerella Pesto Melt Pressata sandwich, and of course loved the fresh orange juice. Taiyo kept checking out the Korean girl behind him, but he didn't get a responce so he flirted with a young black girl a few tables down. It was good casual dining option.

Later in the afternoon, we took a ride up to 34th Street along the river and visited Glass Garden at NYU Medical Center. It's a beautiful little indoor and outdoor garden with a pond and birds. I used to live only a block away from there and never knew about it! I only heard about this secret garden on some kids activity listing on internet. I must say this is truly a best kept secret around town. Taiyo of course enjoyed meeting all the birds in cages, and this guy even saidi hello to him.

There was also wonderful children's playgarden right outside, where Taiyo was greeted by a naked girl. Of course he loved the place! I must say this was the most well-designed little public playground in the city for a tot with lots of different activity- little house with doors, little sandbox, little slide, a hammock where the naked girl's father was sleeping, musical tubes to bang on, with a rocking horse, several wagons to push around, a scooter and a trike, and it was so relaxing and beautiful with flowers and herbs all around. This is going to be our new favorite spot.

We headed downtown on second avenue and stopped at Shima, a Japanese restaurant at 12th Street. Twenty years ago I lived a block away from there and I worked at the spot when it was a different Japanese restaurant. Interior was completely different, and it was just I thought it may be: rather uninspired Japanese restaurant with exactly the same menue with 300 other places around town. They offer all the basic "Japanese Food" Americans expect to have in a Japanese Restaurant. But the place was spacious, and staff were all friendly, food was nicely presented according to the manual, and Taiyo very much enjoyed shrimp tempura, rice, miso soup, and shumai. The bento box was good value, and this is definitely no surprise dependable dining option. Recommended. They also have outdoor tables on the avenue, but the traffic is steady and felt a bit noisy and dusty to dine out.

To top our busy weekend, we stopped at Toy Tokyo on Second Avenue at 5th Street. Of course Taiyo went crazy checking out little toys on very isle. The place is full of tiny fun things that you cannot leave without spending a few bucks. I got him a tiny kewpie doll, which he lost on the ride home. We have to go back there to get another one.