So the last two weeks was like a blink. I took a whole week and a change off, but since the school was out, "Taiyo 24/7" was never that relaxing. We took a weekend trip to Washington D.C. "Vacationing" is still premature activity with him, mostly. It could've been fabulous destination if was ten years-old: all kinds of museums are there all for free, easily accessible from the airport, lots of good restaurants, and so on. But it's so full of tourists and quite crowded everywhere. Omni Shoreham Hotel we stayed was pretty nice. Since one of their selling point is "family-friendly," the place was full of families with small children. When we walked in the lobby, Taiyo mumbled, "This looks too fancy for me." But this first impression didn't discourage him- when we went down to the restaurant, he decided to check-out the comfort and fun level of the bench. He took his shoes and socks off, and started run across the bench. Fortunately the place was quite empty, and of course I tried to calm him down with no success. Since the restaurant's atmosphere was chic and elegant, I was impressed how tolerating the staff were. We did get a warning eventually for "his safety" to stop running across the entire length of bench, which was about 20 yards, but it took them a long time to express their concern. So the hotel was wonderful, and there was a great coffeehouse/diner across the street, and it was right by Metro and the Zoo. Overall, definitely recommended for family stay. I only wished that they had an indoor swimming pool. Also the escalator at the Metro station was so deep it really made me aware of my fear of height. I had to go up and down this horrendously long escalator three times during our stay and it nearly killed me every time. The trip was smooth mostly, and we had plenty of fun. The zoo was open late for beautiful "ZooLight" show with decorated trees, light sculptures and other kids activities. Taiyo also learned to wrangle a sea lion through the glass with his little yellow frisbee. The next day, we hit some museums at the mall, but Taiyo's main concern was what I would buy for him in a gift shop. He's so highly cultured in NYC environment, and museums were really not a big deal. We only saw parts of Air and Space museum, Natural History, and American History museum. Discovery Room at the Natural History museum was a big hit- we spent a whole hour in the little room full of hands on activities for small people. We ate well, mostly, and we also had amazingly bad pasta; I think it was because this "Pasta Italiana" was owned and operated by Indian people. They didn't know what they were doing in the kitchen. Garlic bread was strange. Barely tasted garlic. Taiyo had kids' spaghetti and meatballs. It was bland and tasted like generic bad diner food. My pasta was with canned artichoke hearts and boiled bacon pieces and cumin seeds. It barely had flavor. And what's up with the cumin seeds?? It was truly inedible. And yet this place was not cheap. Location, location, location. It was right across the Metro station, and near the zoo. The next day we had much better luck across the street at District Kitchen. It was a perfect spot for us: creative and original small plates with good drink selection in casual setting. Taiyo felt so comfortable roaming around the restaruant, but all male staff were well-tolerating. Everything was fresh and delicious. After gourging on home made ice cream sundae, he exclaimed, "This is the best restaurant ever!" That was definitely the highest praise he's ever given to a restaurant. So yes, after all, despite of some frustrating moments, it was successful vacation.

So this year, Taiyo really believes in Santa. School is partly the blame. But I believe most of the information comes from media. "I know he's in his workshop making toys for kids right now." "How do you know that?" "I saw it on Elmo." So I was debating whether Santa should come to our house for the first time this year. Most of the adults I consulted said yes, Santa should come. So I suggested we go see Santa at Macy's yesterday. Taiyo was so animated and decided to work on his wish list. Well, I had to write it down of course while he dictated: a toy race car that I can control, a toy airplane that I can control, a toy spaceship that I can control, a teeny tiny toy box of LEGOs, a spaceship that can fly all the way to the outer space. He signed his name. So we headed to Macy's at 6 o'clock Sunday night. We didn't know what we were headed to. I expected a long line, but maybe an hour wait? How naive I was. I've never done this before. I've never even considered it. When we got to the 8th floor, yes, there was a long line, and I saw a digital clock: "Wait Time to see Santa" then underneath: "3:30." I asked a big solemn-faced elf standing nearby a damn question. "Three and a half hours? Is that accurate?" He nodded. I couldn't believe people were willing to wait that long to see some fake Santa guys to have picture taken. And of course they were all with small kids! I told Taiyo that we couldn't see Santa because the line was too long, and he was disappointed that he couldn't deliver his wish list. But he didn't protest too much because I told him we can still mail him the list. I was somewhat relieved that Santa didn't get the list- Taiyo wasn't going to get any of them. We went downstairs and admired the window holiday display. Something you'd appreciate a bit more with kids. I totally enjoyed looking at Taiyo so enchanted.

My turkey was perfectly roasted with bacon on top. It was my biggest Thanksgiving dinner with 16 of us including kids. Everything was so good and beautiful, the company was fantastic, and of course I have no decent photo to prove. And so much more happened between now and then, and it was already December, and feeling the end and the new beginning approaching.

Three years ago when I started this blog, I was so excited with possibilities. He was just beginning to eat all kinds of food, and actually enjoying them. He was open to try anything, and was always excited to eat. I thought in a year or two, we would've covered even fine dining restaurants all over town. Well, development doesn't always happen in one direction. Often only food he ask for is pizza or pasta on weekend. He probably heard me complaining to someone; he declared the other day, "I like boring pizza." But we tried a new restaurant this week, although it feels like regressing a bit- IHOP on 14th Street near 2nd Avenue. At 12pm on Sunday, the waiting area was already full. The hostess told us the wait is about 15 minutes. I never want to wait for a table, but Taiyo wanted to wait. He would wait for that bit stack of pancakes. The wait was just about 15 minutes. The service was efficient and fast. They gave him a coloring/game sheet and crayons. So it was not so bad. Of course the huge stack of pancakes with banana, strawberries and whip cream on top was like an amazing lunch for Taiyo. He went at it, without stopping, and chugged down 90% of it. My chicken crepe was not bad. It was just about what I expected. As much as I hate to admit it, since it's just another chain restaurant, since it's like going to MacDonald's, since it's way too predictable, since it feels cheap to be there, it was not a bad experience. We may go there again. Better coffee, at least stronger, would help.

Then on Veteran's Day, we did something neither of us have done. We visited Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Park. The beautiful steel Unisphere was so gorgeous under the sun and that sight itself was worth the long train ride. It was a family day for the museum which just reopened after renovation. The place was happening but not terribly crowded. We had to check out "Panorama" of course, the architectural model of NYC five boroughs that includes every single building from 1960s. Taiyo was quite impressed, but he kept asking me where Japan was. "It's too far away. You can't see it." He didn't want to accept the answer. Then we walked over to Hall of Science and played a while in their "Science Playground," another thing we've never done. Then we made super-giant bubbles inside the museum for a while. We always love this museum. It's always worth the trip- but it is far. Only if we could fly.

Halloween came and went. My little muscled superhero (Captain America this year) did enjoy dressed up and go trick-or-treating briefly. He tested his strength against other superheros he encountered. But he is my kid. We are not so mainstream after all. Usually one hour was his limit on wearing his disguise. Yes, having a child you realize how important this holiday is, but this is another super commercial mainstream holiday- we really couldn't care less. I told him, "We are going to go trick-or-treating maybe only three places." He was fine with it. We went to two restaurants and a deli, and he still scored enough candies we were done for the night. Maybe because of the mild weather, we had more trick-or-treater traffic this year. Or maybe we really had to make it back for the lost time last year for Sandy. Oh how dark it was a year ago!

Then Marathon sunday came and went. This was the most important day of the year for me for ten years before Taiyo. It still pains to watch the race. But it is really nice time to look back fondly. It was big enough and crazy enough with half the field; I really can't imagine running with 50,000 people! I don't think I can do it again, but I surely miss it. Every time was like triumph and defeat at the same time. It's really, really hard at times and still so much fun other times. You run through five boroughs. It's just an amazing race. I couldn't convince Taiyo to go across the bridge this year, so we just watched it on TV at home. It was still very emotional experience for me. Maybe I'm crazy enough to do it one more time one day.

Monday- Columbus Day. My favorite holiday because it feels so insignificant and there's no pressure to do something or be somewhere. We were blessed with a beautiful warm extended summer day. Initial plan was to go to Bronx Zoo, but in the last minute we decided to get on a train to Coney Island- one of the items that was never crossed off from "things to do before summer ends." This is the subway trip to Coney Island as recorded by Taiyo- totally unedited.

"I'm going to take a picture of that guy," he said.

He's holding it himself, by the way.

He loves his little feet!

This is my favorite: his palm.

It was exactly a year ago when we visited Coney Island last. I love the irony and contrast of Coney Island. One corner is busy and happening, then one of the landmark Wonder Wheel stands in a unpopular dark alley. You have to walk through some stares of shady characters tending game booths to get there. But Taiyo wanted to get on, so we did. This one is pretty expensive too- $7 each. As we ascended, I realized I am really scared of height. I was simply terrified. The second time around was a bit easier. Taiyo loved it. He seemed comfortable. Then I convinced him for a very jerky thrill ride. He hated it. We stopped at Aquarium, going through serious rebuilding after Sandy. It was barely open, but felt like we had to stop by for support. He had two corn dogs and ice cream on the boardwalk, then played a while at the playground giving me some quiet time staring at the ocean. It was just perfect day in every way.

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.