It's like we never had winter this season. Although Taiyo and I were still admiring the toughness of sparrows sleeping parched on the bare trees in cold night early this week, we truly dived into spring, it seems. I've lost four pairs of gloves, including one I treasured for five years, but maybe I don't need to find replacement in a hurry. Trees are almost ready to bloom in the neighborhood. It was the first day we kept the door wide open for fresh warm air today, but Taiyo was still just content to be in the restaurant and hang around with his favorite customers.

Yesterday when we walked out for lunch, I tried to talk him into ramen but Taiyo's mind was set for pasta. We ended up at Virage on Second Avenue and 7th Street. The place was pretty empty and the waitress was very friendly, letting us choose a table. We settled on the comfy bench near the window facing the side street. There was a few steps up from the street, but inside was roomy for easy stroller parking. Because he kept insisting on pasta, we settled for Linguine Aglio Olio lunch special. When a small bowl of cream of broccoli arrived, Taiyo knew he would like some. He had most of it. Then pasta arrived, and he was totally excited. He had at least half of it, carefully twisting his fork to wrap pasta around it. The owner didn't seem too impressed when Taiyo began to walk back and forth along the cushy bench, but nobody tried to discourage him. Food was pretty good, and made him sit down if I asked him to eat. Music was not so good in my opinion, playing some top 40 type of station, but Taiyo still enjoyed playing his imaginary guitar walking along the bench. $10 for the lunch special was easy on the wallet, too. Quite lovely lunch experience. Recommended.

Presidents' Day! At 1:30am monday morning I'm truly appreciating that I have extra day off today. It's much needed and deserved holiday for me. After this I have cooking classes every week through April, which make 6-day work weeks. Mentally/emotionally I've been feeling like on the verge of burning out for a while, but it really takes a lot to burn me out. And clearly Taiyo got my genes. At 11pm when we close up the shop, he would literally run around each of my employees a bunch times, then he runs to hug that tree, then runs to the other direction to shake that tree. In his pajamas. It's the cutest thing.

We lunched at Jin on Grand Street yesterday. Upon entry, a waitress asked me if I could fold the stroller, although the place was fairly empty and there were lots of empty corners to park it. Then she tried to squeeze us to a little table right next to a couple dining, although the place was pretty empty- only three other tables were occupied. Taiyo ignored her and settled at a big round table, so I shrugged and followed his lead. Then although the place was rather empty, and Taiyo was chanting for "Sushi and Gyoza!" we were left unattended for quite a long time, until I asked the bus boy to send someone for our order. So the impression in the first 20 minutes was pretty bad. We had gyoza, sushi delux, and an eel/avocado roll. This place was not Japanese owned, which I could tell from menu, decor, and the fact that there was no wasabi on sushi (they served only on the side). Well, which usually makes the food mediocre, which was this place. And with absence of good service, I would never return to this joint. Taiyo did enjoy the food, despite of the funny expression in the photo above. He ate all the skin off the gyoza, eel/avocado roll, and some more rice from not-so-delux plate of sushi. Happy hour special helped, but otherwise this place is totally overpriced for the food.

Today we caught another show at New Victory Theater, "Brazil! Brazil!" It was so totally cool and much more enjoyable for me than last week's Bubble Show. Filled with great music, dance and acrobatics, they could've easily have a good run outside of children's theater. The films they had from Brazilian cities reminded me of Cuba, and I thought it would be a great place to visit one day- with Taiyo. He seemed to really enjoy the show, although he got restless sitting on my lap after 30 minutes (he refused to sit on his seat even though they give you a handy booster at this theater). We survived another theater experience. Everything's great about this theater, but they seriously need more bathroom. It's impossible to go to bathroom after the show.

We escaped the crowd at Times Square and went to have lunch at Tabata Ramen at 9th Avenue and 40th street. I've heard of the place and was meaning to check it out for a while, but we rarely travel that direction. Today we were as close as we'd get. And it was perfectly quiet at the restaurant, too. We were directed to a comfy corner with a bench. Of course Taiyo was already chanting for gyoza when he got to the table. So I ordered gyoza, fried chicken, and miso ramen. They promptly brought him a water glass with straw, cute plastic bowl and kids utencils, giving them high points for a kid-friendly restaurant. And food was wonderful, too. Especially the ramen was so tasty, and had lots of veggies, too. Extremely satisfying kind of ramen. This place became the best ramen place in town for me. Highly recommended. Since the waitress was so nice to Taiyo, he took so many pictures of her, one of which is this.

On the last day of Off-Broadway week, we went to see The Gazillion Bubble Show at New World Stages. They were running Rent in the other theater, where Taiyo posed for a photo in front of a cool mural. The theater at the Bubble show was full of little people, and although I purchased a seat for him, Taiyo wanted to sit on my lap. Artistically the set and music was so tacky and cheesy, but Deni Yang did some interesting things with bubbles that I've never seen. There were some really cute bits with kids pulled out from the audience, and overall it was quite enchanting and entertaining. It is something you'd never think of seeing without a small kid, and I'm happy to experience something like this because of Taiyo. He also really enjoyed the show; he behaved very well, mostly sitting on my lap. He wanted run up the isle at one point during the show, but I told him not to and he listened.

After the show, Taiyo was over-stimulated and tired, and insisted for gyoza as he often does when he's exhausted. We wondered around and stumbled upon Rio & You on 45th Street. It was a nice little authentic Japanese restaurant with an old Japanese chef at the sushi counter. There was another older man on the floor, perhaps the proprietor, along with a Japanese waitress. It was not busy for Sunday lunch, and a few other tables had mostly Japanese patrons. Taiyo immediately picked a small table in the middle, although the waitress suggested a larger table for four with more room. She probably wanted us a bit away from other customers, too. Taiyo stood on the bench, and started chanting for gyoza. They brought him a glass of water with a very long straw- it was too tall for him seated. I had to hold the glass every time he tried to sip from the straw. We had gyoza and sashimi lunch set, which had beautifully arranged plate of sashimi, fried fish, kinpira gobo, salad, rice and soup. It was a great deal for $18, and food was very nice. Taiyo ate all the gyoza skins, and some of the fish. He didn't care for any of sashimi, which was fine with me. However, the waitress seemed bothered by Taiyo's behavior. She kept telling him to sit down when he was standing on the bench, and also told him to stop running around the restaurant. He only ran to the back when I asked him to get our check, and to bring the money to her, then maybe one more time for no reason. It made me uncomfortable to stay there too long, so for the service I don't recommend it for dining with a child.

Last week, Taiyo discovered a smearing technique by dubbing wet hands over drawing in the window. I swear the actual art work on the door at SOY is more interesting than this picture. You probably know some people who think their kids' art works are ones by a genius. Oh, yes, I'm one of those.

Taiyo can sing ABCs to the end, so we sing it about 50 times a day, often when we are walking around outside.

When we went back to Cafe Petisco on East Broadway, which is one of Taiyo's favorite places, he headed right to the side table to look for some reading material, sat down next to the lamp where he could get a good light, opened the newspaper and read. For a long time. He kept making some ruffling noise with the paper also. He looked really serious. The first section he was 'reading' was The Dining section, of course. Oh, yes, the girl next to us thought it was the cutest thing. It was.

Last sunday was Karin's 3rd Birthday party which we couldn't miss. We hadn't seen her for over two months, and when Taiyo stormed into their apartment he stood right in front of her face to face, and uttered, "Karin doko da (where's Karin)?" He also had never seen her so dolled up. Taiyo then tried to hug her but she was a bit shy this time. Later in front of her baby sized cakes he stood next to her like an old man with his hands behind him. And the party was so cute and caotic and wonderful, with 8 small people jumping, running, screaming, fighting over the toys, laughing and staff. Maybe it's good that he doesn't have too many friends his age, because we don't have to do too many of these crazy parties.

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.