Usual Wednesday. We hang around at the laundromat early afternoon. Taiyo worked on his photography skill and carefully took a picture of his shoe, above. When I was younger, I wondered how some mothers can let their toddlers roll around the floor at the laundromat. Now I understand. Some would dare not let their kids roll around the floor like that, but I'm with the rest. Whatever. He's comfortable with it. So Taiyo enjoys his activities at the laundromat. Tap dancing, pushing carts back and forth, running under the table, and of course, getting comfortable on the floor. Wednesdays are best for all these because usually they are not so busy.

Then we went to have 'Restaurant Week' lunch at DBGB Kitchen and Bar at Bowery and Houston. Chi-chi restaurant like this is still a bit intimidating for us, but the Restaurant Week deal definitely seemed worth trying out some place like this that we may normally go for. They had spacious and bright bar dining area, which was pretty empty and perfect for us although the main dining room was almost full. We took a little table by the window, with a wooden bench Taiyo enjoyed walking along. We had butternut squash soup and parpadelle and short ribs bolognese. Taiyo didn't like the drops of balsamic reduction; "It's yacky, this one." But after I scooped up little dark dots, he ate most of it. In between he also enjoyed some pasta, although the sauce was a bit too salty in my opinion. Then of course he totally went for the dessert- orange vanilla sundae, with lots of whipped cream, ice dream, and even cookies! It wasn't too sweet, so I let him have a lot of it. Service was friendly, and fast, and food definitely kept him in his seat. Easy entry with a stroller with a ramp to the slightly lower floor from the street level. We had pretty nice lunch experience. Recommended.

Finally they arrived. Saturday morning, I had my first snow shoveling duty of the season. We really have no snow this year- it's already late January. Last year Taiyo was quite enthusiastic and grabbed the shovel and dragged it around the sidewalk, trying to do the job. And he got millions of pictures taken! This year to my surprise, he wasn't interested anymore. He stuck his hands in his coat pockets and watched me shovel light accumulation off the sidewalk. Now he can say "See you later, alligator," and already working on "in a while crocodile."

Despite of my suggestions, Taiyo decided to spend another Sunday naked in the house today. He loves to roll around and jump on the bed while chanting, "No more Taiyo jumping on the bed!" Clearly, that book about jumping monkeys teach kids how fun it is to jump on the bed. At one point, he was also riding on a imaginary motorcycle with his grey kitty on his lap on the bed, "We're going to museum!" So it was also a doing-nothing Sunday for me too, and I didn't mind it at all with this kind of entertainment. We ordered lunch from Sauce on Rivington and Allen, and it was pretty quick but the delivery guy didn't speak a word of English and the bill didn't have a total. So after some hand gestures he called the restaurant and had to talk to a spanish guy and they he had to go talk to a guy in front. Meanwhile Taiyo was jumping up and down beside me just in diapers (at least he wasn't all naked) asking for the food. I handed him the package and he finally stopped screaming and ran into the house. I had to then ran to the package to grab the bill to explain to them what I had ordered to get the total. But now the delivery guy has no change. I had to look for some more change to pay for the food. So it was a kind of awkward ordering experience from them, but food was pretty good. Taiyo did like the hero sans meatballs, and potato and kale gnocchi with marinara sauce.

Last Wednesday, we had lunch at Phebes on Bowery and 4th Street. The Restaurant Week was on, but just didn't feel like going to a pretentious place, and this joint had a perfect sunny and laid back dining room for us. This used to be a dive with a scary bathroom, some 20 years ago. Sometime between now and then, probably the ownership changed, and they cleaned it up and turned into 'tavern and grill,' to match the changing scenery of Bowery. It still had a neighborhood pub feel, with a waitress who seems to recognize many regulars hanging around the bar, but the spacious place was served only by her, which was a bit crazy although tables weren't to busy. When we walked in she asked us if we want a high chair, and Taiyo answered yes, but she never had time to bring it to us, and she also forgot my drink which she realized toward the end of my meal. But Angus burger was pretty good although sauce was a bit too salty, and Taiyo of course was happy with the crispy french fries. I just really loved the feel and brightness of this place in the afternoon. Recommended.

Extra day off this weekend for Martin Luther King Day. Yesterday was a perfect day to be lazy in the toasy apartment- outside was in the teens all day. Taiyo totally enjoyed staying naked- and he can use his potty quite well now but only when he's naked. He still refuses to wear underwear so he's not ready to lose diapers. Today, we were still feeling lazy for the first few hours, then Taiyo suggested to go see "Train Show." It was a little too late to catch the last day of the Train show at the Botanic Garden, so we went to check out this one in the Grand Central Terminal. You can't have enough "train show" for a little boy! It's a little train exhibit, but quite charmingly done with feelings and details of both New York City and some quaint old town. Taiyo also picked out a perfect little toy train in the store, which has been the best toy ever for the rest of the day.

We stopped at Dishes on 45th street between 5th and Madison Aves. It's bright modern sterile looking deli. It's like one of those fancier deli chain- pricey, but food is generally fine. It was not the best time for the buffet table, obviously, late lunch on a slow holiday, and we didn't have much choice but enough to assemble a small plate for us- mainly mirin and soy flavored rice. It was pretty tasty Taiyo ate most of it. We also liked coconut crusted chicken fingers. For $12/pound it's pricey for a salad bar, but food quality seems good and place was kept very clean and neat. It's also spacious and plenty of room to park a stroller, although it would probably get kind of hectic for midtown business day lunch.

At Bryant Park, the fountain has turned into beautiful ice sculpture. The ice skate rink had a very long line. There was a outdoor terrace with comfy seats around a fire or heat lamps hanging above. It seemed like an interesting place to hang around one of these cold days. And Taiyo had to go on a carousel, of course. When we got there, I just pointed at the little horse in front of me and asked him, "This one?" He answered, "No. Rabbit!" And I realized, Oh, yes, they have a rabbit here. And of course he remembered that he was on a rabbit last time- about 6 months ago.

Across the street, we have to stop at Kinokuniya Bookstore. Downstairs, they have the cutest Japanese stationaries and other little goodies to entertain a little person forever. Taiyo picked out a set little erasers in shape of pots, pans, cooking utencils and a plate of a steak. This was the second best toy ever for him for the rest of the day.

First week of 2012 zapped through us. We had some cold days, some warm days, and I had lots of catching up to do in the kitchen. A year ago I was jotting down new words Taiyo blurts out, and this year it's full phrases and sentences. Since he is only 27-months old, he still has good amount of unreasonable demands and tantrums. But he makes me laugh plenty to make up for everything. He's hilarious, sometimes unintentionally, often so clearly intentionally like above, and neverthless he's darn cute.

"What to do during cold months" is a concern to many mothers with little ones, but lately Taiyo like to be lazy and hang around the apartment, often naked. I work so much all week I totally don't mind. So we didn't do much over the break and that's one reason I'm slacking off on this blog. Plus I often fall asleep with Taiyo because he requirs a company going to bed. Today was another pretty lazy day, and we never did any of the activity options I've researched. I still like to keep my antenas up to make sure we won't miss some fabulous events. January is a mellow month- not much is going on. So we hang around the house for hours before heading out for a shopping trip to Chinatown. We stopped at the playground on Hester and Christie. This is one of the newer better designed playground in the area, but also the most loud and crowded. I was also saddened to see that it was so poorly maintained. Most of the musical things in the toddler area didn't work. The sandbox was full of garbage. But of course Taiyo wanted to go into the sandbox and play a while. I managed to get him out by suggesting some dumplings across the street. He agreed.

C&L Dumpling Houseis right next to the park, on Christie between Hester and Grand. It's one of those self-service dumpling joint with cheap and fast food. The plate of 10 dumplings for $2.50 was not bad at all. They are very greasy, but pretty tasty. They probably use very fatty ground pork. The skin is not so thick, which I liked. Taiyo kept chugging down the skins (he doesn't eat the filling- even with my gyoza!)until there was no more on the plate. He ate the skins of seven big dumplings. His appetite is often other mother's envy. I often don't have to feed him either. If he likes the food, he'd help himself and eat a regular adult serving. So, their dumplings were approved by Taiyo. They kept him at the table, and kept him busy. The noodle soups other people were ordering seemed good, also. Recommended.