The memorial day weekend felt like more like mid-summer than the beginning of summer. We were blessed with strong sunshine and overwhelming humidity. Taiyo and I have been already back on the bicycle for a while, and oh, yes, it's the greatest way to explore the city. On Sunday we rode up to Intrepid to see some ships but the line was pretty long already at noon. Taiyo wasn't crazy about getting in the line and I was definitely not crazy about getting in line. "I want to have breakfast," Taiyo mumbled. So we turned around and stopped at Pier 66 Maritime along the waterfront path.

This turned out to be the great destination for us. First he enjoyed walking on the old railway as we entered, then there was an old train car he loved to hang out for a while. The popular deck on the roof was pretty full, but there were plenty tables around the ship to settle. After we ordered, they gave us a device to let us know our food was ready to pick up. Very nicely set up, wonderful relaxed outdoor setting with a view, and there were plenty of other families with kids. While waiting, Taiyo scooped out all the little fruit bits from my sangria, then he was focused on the french fries. He didn't care for the burger or wild mushroom asparagus crostini, althouth they were all nice and fresh tasting. This will be one of our favorite stop this summer. Highly recommended.

Further down the river we hit the carousel at Chelsea Piers. He got on a seal next to a big white rabbit, which I got on. Ice cream bar after the ride was also extra yummy. He crashed soon after we got back on the bike.

Next day, it was again sunny and humid, and Taiyo asked me in the morning "Where are we going?" "Where do you want to go?" "I want to go to the zoo!" So back on the bike, we rode up First Avenue to the Central Park. We did all his favorite stuff, seeing the penguins, listening to the sea lions howl, feeding the goats, and eating (more) french fries at the cafeteria.

Then finally we got on the Carousel in the Central Park. In the past attempts he fell asleep before we got there or it was closed off season. We both enjoyed the ride very much. Riding through the park, I very much miss my running days- I probably ran through this park hundreds of times- in the snow, in the rain, in the heat, and everything in between, and now I enjoy this park in the whole different way. Now I know more about all the other great things around the park. Of course Taiyo fell asleep on the way home.

Later for dinner, we checked out Pala on Allen near Houston. This didn't seem like a kid-friendly pizza restaurant, but they had at least one high chair, which Taiyo was offered immediately. The pie took about half an hour, but it was very tasty and fresh, and different from thin crust pizzas we normally enjoy. Our choice was the simple one, Bufala Cruda, with buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and basil, and Taiyo mainly enjoyed the chewy crust. He didn't touch my spinach salad with pears, walnuts and gorgonzola. The waiter was very nice to Taiyo, asking him how he liked the pizza. But overall, it really didn't feel like a kid-friendly joint. And the bathroom was really dark it scared Taiyo. Even if you were not a parent, you may wonder how they can clean the bathroom with that light. If your kid can wait for a pizza for half an hour, it might be ok place to dine.

I've been slacking from blogging lately, but life with Taiyo is never uneventful. And thing he says these days! This morning when he saw an arrangement someone made with his toys on the counter in the restaurant. "Kitty holding a kazoo. That's funny." Last week we took a nice ride along the river. "What's that building?" He points across the river. "That's an old sugar factory." "I see. How about that one?" "I don't know. A warehouse, maybe?" "It looks like a big supermarket," he said. The other day he held a small rectangular frame that came in his Play-Doh set. "This is my iPhone." He wants a violin, a flute, and marimba. His loud screams, big smiles, and various dance moves are recognized around the neighborhood. He gets lots of pictures taken by strangers and sometimes I wonder where they are. Oh, yes, he's fabulous. He's an amazing two-year-and-eight-month-old. Yet he's still a normal two-year-and-eight-month-old. He's making a very slow potty training progress. He can do it time to time, but overall, refusing to cooperate. He may do it only when he's offered a piece of chocolate or a new toy. His doctor told me at his check-up two months ago. "Boys are always later to be potty trained than girls. It's Y-chromosome. They are emotionally less mature." Oh, boy. Don't all of us women know that men are hardly emotionally mature ever! And I can see in the way Taiyo plainly refuses to drop the diaper and put on an underwear, that if men are left alone they would gladly stay in diapers until 35 or so then say, "Gee, maybe I'm getting a bit old for a diaper." And I still can't help but to ask him in the morning, "Do you want to go pee?" And he says, "I'll pee tomorrow."

Yesterday, as our Mother's Day tradition, we spent a day at Bronx Zoo. On this sunny early summer day, the park was full of happy families. We rode the monorail, and saw elephants, rhinos, a tiger, and various deers and wild horses. Around the park we saw zebras, bears, giraffes, and bison. At the butterfly house he turned into one. As we waited in line for carousel, his mind was set for a red ladybug. When the gate opened for us, he ran straight for it and got on. I rode on a yellow caterpillar next to him. We lunched with peacocks who meowed like cats, and before we left the park, he made sure that goats were fed. I don't think I've ever enjoyed going to a zoo as much as I do now.

Last Saturday when his beloved babysitter Seiko was leaving, Taiyo wanted to go home with her. Although both Seiko and I were giving him the idea of sleeping over at her house in the past, he always said no. But suddenly he really wanted to go with her clinging on her. We felt unprepared, so Seiko quietly left that evening. But this afternoon when she walked in he shouted, "I want to go to your house! I want to! I want to!" "You're not going to cry for mommy?" "No! I want to go! I want to go!" We were skeptical, but I packed up his bag and she took him to her place in Brooklyn. So first time ever he was born, I came home alone to my quiet apartment. My cat is not even here. Seiko sent me a text at midnight that he was sleeping. My bed is going to feel so big tonight.