What a week it's been! I took a week off, but this really wasn't much of vacation for me. It began by scrubbing years of grease off the wall in the kitchen in the middle of the night. Then it was painted in light yellow "moonlight." I also scrubbed the floor and patched holes and replaced some tiles. Most of these were done in the middle of the night or late afternoon while Taiyo was sleeping. So it was extra tiring week for me- working through the night and still having to somewhat meet the demands of a menacing toddler. But of course we had fun, here and there and everywhere.

I really couldn't use my kitchen downstairs while renovating, so inevitably we ate out and ordered in a lot. It was also nice not to cook during a heat wave.

It was so hot and humid on Sunday, but this izakaya on Clinton Dodompa didn't have air-conditioning but they had all the front window panel open, which was kind of nice. Although it was so hot and noisy there, Taiyo agreed to stay this time. (One time we tried to go there but he said the masks were scary on the walls and we had to go.) So we had ramen (of course!) and gyoza (of course!) and some yakitori (he didn't care but they were lame anyway) and daikon salad (delicious but he didn't care anyway). Food was mostly ok, but it was just so hot and noisy! The waitress brought Taiyo a little cup of water with a straw, which is a good sign of a child-friendly joint. But it was so hot and noisy! Benches are easy and fun for little kids but no high-chair.

The story of our week will continue-

Taiyo sometimes disapproves my wardrobe choice. It's summer and I want to wear my cute summer dresses or tank tops on Sundays. But Taiyo may say, "I don't like it." He doesn't seem to be pleased with more skin exposure. "How about a shirt?" he says. Then I would take other clothes out and ask him, "How about this one?" until he says, "I like it." So the other day when we came across a street fair I let him pick a dress for me. We did agree this time.

On Sunday he wanted to go to the zoo again, but I convinced him to head to Governor's Island for FIGMENT art festival. The ferry was pretty crowded, but as soon as we got off the ferry, there were plenty of space, and oh, boy, so much fun things to participate at this great festival. He painted, did some swords fight with other toddlers, went up on a tree house, and practiced patting at miniature golf. I wanted to explore some more, but he was exhausted in just over an hour. Sun was strong and we got really hot in the big field, too. There were long lines at the food trucks, and he was too tired to think of food anyway. We couldn't cover too much, but it was very New York kind of wonderful event. Maybe someday he would realized that he's growing up in an amazing environment. He crashed as soon as we got off the ferry back to Manhattan.

Last sunday, I convinced Taiyo to go check out the Science Fair at the Washington Square Park, although he wanted to go to the zoo. "Let's go to the Science Fair first, then we'll go to the zoo. He agreed. The fair looked amazing, but when I tried to lock the bike, I realized I forgot the lock. After he posed in front of an orangutan, and a big grasshopper on stilts, Taiyo still wanted to go to the zoo anyway. So we headed back home first, and biked all the way uptown. There was Israeli Parade on the Fifth avenue, and it was hell to go across to the park. It was one of many parades you wonder- why do we have to have this? Because we have more Jews in NYC than the entire country of Israel? We managed to get to the zoo eventually, and he first spent a quality time in the gift shop, and picked up a toy to make me buy. He was going to be obsessed with it for maximum two days. Then we went to see the penguins, and oh boy it was so crowded in there but being so small and determined Taiyo can make his way right at the front to enjoy. After that he wanted to go to the cafeteria and have some burger and french fries. I really hate this cafeteria; it gets so hectic and service at the food counter is so slow, rude, and unorganized, but Taiyo always insists. So we did. Fortunately we beat the serious rush when it started raining steady outside. By the time the rain subsided he ate pretty much all the fries and some of the burger, and he was tired. "Should we go home?" He nodded. Oh yes, just for these little things he made me bike all the way uptown. That's ok. This was still not much of workout for me anyway. I used to run up there and do a loop or two of the park. Tomorrow is Puerto Rican Parade- I really have to talk him out of getting up to the zoo.

Today he just wanted to go to the park with a sandbox. I asked him, "Do you want to go to Union Square park, or Thompkins Square park?" He replied, "I want to go to Thompkins Square park." No problem. We get there, and he ran around for a while and it started to rain again.

I tried to talk him into having a brunch across the street, but he just wanted to get a slice of pizza next door. So we did. By the time he chugged down a slice the rain subsided and we took a short ride home. He kept saying he wanted to stop at the toy store, but I simply pretended I didn't hear.

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.

April went so quickly! I finally ended almost four full months of cooking class series. I've done so many sushi classes this year and I joke that I'll turn into SOY Sushi School. And yes, our vacation story has been a great joke for everyone who asked about it. The other day, Taiyo conversed with Peter who came for lunch. "How was your vacation?" "Not good." "Did you like airplane?" "No. I like subway." "Was there anything you liked about the airplane?" "... Orange juice."

Yesterday we went to check out a new pizzeria Via Tribunali on Ludlow Street. Taiyo liked the sight of the fire of the brick oven, but initially he refused to go in. "Ok. We can go to our usual joint." But two blocks away when we crossed Essex, somehow he changed his mind, and told me to go back. By the time we went back, the small dining room was getting filled up. We were able to secure our table by the door where they left the windows wide open. He really liked the setting, although he couldn't see the oven. The bench at the open window was the perfect stage for him. He immediately began to jump around, dance around, and play his newly acquired kazoo to the audience inside and out. Margherita pizza was very nice, with very thin crust, which he ate most of it. He was still standing on his stage through his meal, but surprisingly he didn't get his clothes dirty at all! Service was also nice and friendly, and it was another good dining experience. Although the space is small and not very accommodating to a stroller, but fairly recommended.