I just wrote an entry but browser crashed and lost it.
Maybe I'll redo it but not now.
Anyway, we had a great day in Coney Island. Got on the Wonder Wheel. Loved the view but hated the height.

There's definitely something romantic about shooting in film. I found a roll of slide film and decided to develop it. I had no clue when it was shot and what was on it. It turned out to be from my last trip to Japan five years ago. Color was faded, but some are still beautiful pictures because they were from my favorite old city of Kamakura. It was kind of like running into an old lover. Missing a little, but it's something I left behind.

So I really wanted to make it to Bronx Zoo before summer ends. This seemed to be our last chance. Last few times when I asked Taiyo, he didn't want to go there. But this time he agreed. He wanted to go. So we did. But this became a doomed trip. I wanted to try the express bus, but he insisted on subways. Oh boy he loves subways. The ride was smooth and uneventful. But when we got off the station and headed toward the gate, I could see a crowd blocks ahead. It was a donation day, free admission, and it seemed like every large-numbered minority family from five boroughs gathered there for a convention. There was a long line down the block from the entrance, which was inching ahead. As we made a slow progress to the zoo, thunder roared. I managed to purchase an umbrella, just a minute before it began to rain, soon harder and harder. The $4 umbrella was so leaky it was terribly uncomfortable. But soon the line suddenly started moving. People just pushed themselves through the gate, and we were in! But it was raining so hard we just stood under a little tree which wasn't giving us much of refuge for 20 more minutes. Then we just got so sick of standing around, so we went to nearby indoor exhibit. Despite we got a little wet, Taiyo was in good spirit. Then we saw some mice, butterflies, giraffes, rode the bug carousel, and went to eat. By the time we sat down it began to rain steadily again. We were outside but under a roof. We ate, and sat- for a long time. It didn't stop for quite some time. I decided not to look at the clock. Taiyo found some friends - he makes friends everywhere - a cute giggly toddler girl with amazing Afro hair, and older girl with beaded braids. They chased each other around, which was such a cute sight, like kittens playing in a ball. After they left, Taiyo was already tired. I was also wet and tired. I wasn't sure Dinasaur Safari was supposed to be operating in the rain. Even though that was the main reason to go there before the end of summer, we had to let it go. I got him a mini light sword at the gift shop, and we were heading home- when I realized, "Taiyo, where's your kitty?" He took his stuffed kitty with him today "because the kitty's never been to the zoo." This was his favorite grey kitty he slept with almost everyday of his life. The kitty was his baby. The kitty was his love. We lost the kitty. This was a disaster. Taiyo probably left it at the cafeteria. I was tired and wanted to just go but of course Taiyo wanted to go look. We did. We couldn't find the kitty. Taiyo dragged feet to the subway with his head hanging. I was impressed that he didn't go nuts over this event. When we got onto the subway, he just wanted to sleep. So the ride home was pretty quick. When he woke up after getting off the subway, of course he said, "Mama, I want the same kitty." So I searched, after he went to sleep at night, and it's like another internet miracle, I found the same kitties sold on eBay. The new originals are not in production anymore, but used ones are listed on auctions. Taiyo once decided to call it "the famous kitty" and it was true. It was a famous kitty. It was a character from a children's book, and it was kind of a "collectible." So of course I ordered one and it's on the way! I think it will end well after all.

Today was the second attempt for Taiyo's dental treatment under full anesthesia at Mount Sinai. Last month he became sick the night before. This time at 6 am I got a call that the doctor is calling in sick. So again, it didn't happen. I decided to keep our day off. I really wanted to get it done, but now maybe next month, or the day before his first day of school. That's kind of cruel, but I don't like the idea of further delay. We are getting better at brushing at least three times a day, but I'm still so nervous to make it any worse. So anyway, we enjoyed a gloomy day, less hot but still very humid, out and about. We went to Intrepid, a place I would probably never go if I didn't have a son or had to pay for it. My membership to Brooklyn Children's Museum, which we think is one of the best places in the city to go, gives me access to Intrepid, also. It's super touristy, way too patriotic, and although Taiyo loves to sit in a rocket, a little helicopter and a boat, mess with some buttons and turn some knobs, he doesn't care too much of any of those stuff anyway. I asked him if he wanted to see Space Shuttle, but he didn't really care. This is extra admission($7)to the rip-off price of entering Intrepid ($24), so I didn't mind missing it. So we spent about an hour there and we were bored. A bowl of nice ramen noodle soup at Tabata on 9th Ave, then we were ready to head home and relax. It was mellow but still exhausting day. It's still too hot. But only a month and a change left of this summer I kind of miss it already.

Already past summer solstice, and already the end of June, which means the day's getting shorter and one third of summer already gone. Taiyo now can climb up the big sphere in Union Square Park playground. "I'm so proud," he says. I'm so proud he's been almost tantrum-less these days. I can't believe we were battling over toilet training just a year ago. Yesterday, we were at the library, and he came to me with a little book, "Look, I found something for you." It was "The I Ching or Book of Changes, a guide to life's turning points." Is he trying to tell me something? I decided to take a look at it. It seems like an interesting book.

It was supposed to be the finale of hectic two weeks. I wasn't looking forward to it but I really wanted to get it over with. And it would've been the longest day ever at the hospital. We were summoned to Mount Sinai Hospital uptown at 7:30 this morning for dental procedure under full anesthesia. I was very nervous about the whole thing, of course. How was I going to get there by 7:30, and how was he going to react that he couldn't eat or drink anything when he got up? I'm sure there will be long wait in between every move, and I was told that we'll be at the hospital all day. So the night before, Taiyo who hardly gets sick and was sick probably only once in the past six month, became sick. He had a little fever, cough, and terribly stuffy nose. He kept tossing and turning, asking for water, asking for tissue to blow nose through the night and I knew we couldn't make it to the hospital. The doctor told us that it cannot be done if he is sick. So Taiyo successfully sabotaged the surgery. So we had a day off after all. He was just as content and energetic as when he wasn't sick all day. We went to the west side and played a while in a playground with water fountains. Interestingly he didn't seem to mix well with Tribeca crowd. So we decided to have lunch at PJ Clarke's at World Financial Center. I wanted sit outside, but Taiyo voted for inside. "It's too hot!" It was pretty hot and muggy.

We've been there. Maybe I wrote about it too. It's fairly kid-friendly not the greatest food and of course a bit overpriced for what it is but comfortable and friendly place. Taiyo settled for mini sliders and per extremely friendly waitress Diane's recommendation I got halibut. Oh the fish was so gorgeously presented but dry and curiously flavorless. Taiyo loved the mini cheese burgers and fries. Overall it was still nice and relaxing dining experience. We were brave to head back in the rain and thunder. We were drenched by the time we got home, but he didn't make a fuss. I was proud of him.

Taiyo had his first salon hair-cut! Last week, we went to Beehives and Buzzcuts, and he had his hair cut while driving a car and watching a movie. It was so amazingly quick and easy. Then he jumped out of the chair and went to play with great toys they had- kitchen set and trains on tracks, two of his favorite kind! He was the only kid in the salon, so he had these all to himself. Meanwhile, I had my hair cut. This was also very quick, and it was really, really bad. Oh, well, this was a kid's hair salon. Kids look cute and fabulous no matter how you chop their hair. I wasn't really looking for the greatest haircut ever, but I didn't think it could be this bad. And the set-up was just too perfect I had to take a chance. There aren't any regular salon where I can take Taiyo where he can play safely while I get my haircut. Too bad this couldn't work for me. Next day Taiyo was talking about his salon experience to everyone.

I finally upgraded my personal bike and we really had to take a ride yesterday. It felt chilly when we left, but by the time we got to the Central Park, it was rather warm. Taiyo wanted to climb a big rock and run around first. It was a perfectly mellow kind of spring day, and fortunately the park was not too crowded. After we did all his favorite things at the zoo, Taiyo wanted to go home. Of course he fell right to sleep on the back of the bike, and I took a long detour around the park to see some cherry blossoms. The light pink ones will be over by next weekend. But darker pink ones were not yet in full bloom. We've been seeing more flowers at the Children's Magical Garden. Such beautiful season, but usually a short one around here.

It was our Easter Sunday tradition to go to the Central Park Zoo. The weather was cloudy and a bit chilly, but the park was lively with lots of people, some of them in festive hats. We did all our(his) favorite things- said hello to sea lions, monkeys, penguins, had a glimpse of sleeping polar bear and a snow leopard, and fed always hungry goats. After chicken fingers and french fries, we climbed and admired a nice view on top of a big rock then Taiyo went wild at the long stone slide in the playground. He didn't want to stop even when we felt some raindrops.

First Wednesday off for me this week since the beginning of the year. This time my cooking class series went every week until last week. We were getting ready for our second annual family vacation- we're going to the Disney World! After hours of shopping plus making a stop at the playground- when we were at Union Square, we usually have to spend some time at this fabulous playground- we decided to have dinner at GustOrganics conveniently located by F train at 6th Avenue. I passed by there so many times and the name was especially intriguing. It's 'organic' so probably not so terrible. When we enter, it felt like a one of those hipster joint, but they were kid-friendly enough to ask us if we need a high chair as we were led to the table by the window. The menu was short and boring, and I settled for that sounded so boring but something Taiyo would eat. The waiter was skilled enough to up-sell to Taiyo to add bacon to his mac & cheese. So that's a sure sign of a kid-friendly restaurant. And Taiyo sat, blew hard and ate his tiny dish of mac & cheese. My rotisserie chicken was fair size but so boring I couldn't eat half of it. Taiyo enjoyed some of it. It was ok experience but would not return for food nor it's '100% organic' price.