The MTA Meltdown and Recovery

It is no secret that Chase LOVES the subway, he like many other New York kids are fascinated by it, he studies the maps and knows each stop and transfers. His speech therapist gave him a placemat with the subway map on it, it is by far one of the most played with "toys" in our house along with the toy subway trains (we have 7 of them). Chase is constantly "playing" subway conductor around the house, and every once in awhile he'll say a name of a stop, that is unfamiliar to me and he'll pull the map out and show me where it is. He know's his subway, which you can catch a glimpse of in the following account of what happened before bedtime a couple weeks ago.

Chase 's trains & photography

We were walking a long 23rd street when we past 6th Ave where the F, V trains stop and Chase noticed that the sign said F, M trains. I mentioned that the V train would stop running in a week or so and the M train would be replacing it, so many questions...and eventually we went on with our day. Severally hours later it was bedtime. Chase and I were laying on our bed getting ready to sing a few songs, he was almost asleep and then...

Chase - Why is the V train not working...

I tried my very best to explain to him why the MTA was cutting the V train services, to help with cost and so forth, the M train would replace it...

Then the tears started, he was crying for 20 minute about the V train. He was upset that the M train is now orange instead of brown, which then lead to him stating "I don't like the J M Z trains. I want the V train, its suppose to be orange, not the M train."

I couldn't help but smile as the tears ran down his face, I knew Chase loved the subway but I had know idea how passionate he was over lines/trains we never ride. The only way I was able to calm him down is by promising we would ride the V train before it was gone.

The promised V Train ride.

Thankfully, the Key to the City had just the place for us to go, Eddie's Ice Cream shop in Forest Hills, which allowed us to ride the V train all the way to the last stop.

As we wondered through Queens on our way to Eddies Ice Cream shop, we entered the Garden section of Forest Hill, and can I say it was beautiful. I never would have believe it except I saw it with my own 2 eyes...I couldn't help but take pictures of houses, Chase running on the lawn and walking down the sidewalk with grass on both sides.

Eddies, the key opened up a box where you could leave a message and a discount on yummy ice cream, I think the boys where in heaven.

Writing their message for the box

Chase loves his vanilla ice cream with sprinkles

We had a great day venturing out on the V train.

** It should be noted that I was a bit surprised he wasn't upset about the W train, which was also cut.

Make Music New York

This week we celebrated the 1st day of summer with Make Music New York, over a 1000 free music concerts around NYC. We started it off by the Harlem Meer, listening to a piano player, playing one of the many "Play Me, I'm Your's" pianos that have been positioned around the NYC for anyone to play at anytime. We were able to meet up with a group of friends and head over to the Great Hill in Central Park for "Mission to Mars" world music. I was a little wary when we walked up and saw two guys setting up with a drum and a sitar, an instrument from India, however I was pleasantly surprised when the kids started dancing once the music started. The musicians where great and even let the kids play the drum.

We headed down to Lincoln Center to watch kids group from Hoboken, NJ called "The Fuzzy Lemons" who were teamed up with "Little Miss Matched" who were handing out free socks. We enjoyed the group so much that we picked up a CD which we have listened to every day since. As we walked up the Upper West Side we stopped along the way listening to different groups Rock, Jazz, Classical, etc.

I look forward to this event each year and this year was especially fun with Chase, whether it was dancing to the sitar or listening to Beatles song or a piano player he enjoyed every minute.

Fantastically Fun

Summer time brings endless number of activities all over the City and the best part is most of them are free. Given life can change at any time and we really don't know when we will leave New York my good friend Ashley and I decided to have a summer of no regrets...3 years ago. So here is to summer #3 of no regrets.

Shakespeare in the Park started last week, we waiting in line on opening day got tickets however it was rained out so we tried again this week and were lucky enough to get tickets to Winter's Tale. I have to admit in the 5 years we have lived here, this was my 1st experience and I loved it, it was also great to see so many Harlemites in attendance.

We always enjoy the free kid concerts at Madison Square Park and on Thursday "Bubbles do Beatles" were playing, who can resist the Beatles? We met up with Ashley and Tamara with kids in tow and enjoyed watching kids and adults rock out to all the great classics. We then headed over to the Shake Shack for lunch.

There is currently an art instillation, in the same area called "Event Horizon", 31 life-size body forms have been place on roof tops of the surrounding buildings and at ground level. I'll say I was a little unsure if Chase would 1) be into it 2) if he would even be able to see them but figured we would give it a go. Chase, Tedrah and Eliot couldn't get enough, they loved looking for and finding all the statues, Huge Hit.

It was such a beautiful day and to early to say goodbye so we head up to Time Square and are now proud holders of Keys to the City ; let the adventure's begin.

waiting in line for Keys to the City

You have exchange keys with someone, I had Chase and Riley exchange in consideration of being a good sister/brother. Very cute.

Friday, we decided to take advantage of our new key and free time at the NY Hall of Science in Queens. I think this is the 1st time we have ventured to Queens with the exception of a couple Met's games and the US Open. We headed out on the 7 train which Chase was elated about and stopped for lunch at Tortilleria Nixtamal and used our Key to the City to head down to the kitchen and see how they make their corn tortilla's from scratch and to enjoy one made just for us. Side note, I also learned how to use my own tortilla press, very excited tortilla's here I came.

Chase and Eliot were able to sign the door

Chase's 1st dissection, a cows eye

It has been a fantastic week, great activities, great food, great company and better yet great kids. Summer here we come.

4 day weekend part 1

Tyler had Friday and Monday off for Memorial Day and we enjoyed every minute we had with him. Here is the first part of the weekend and Riley's bday.

Friday morning Chase and I headed to Wave Hill with a little preschool group we've been going to, it was beautiful and definitely worth a repeat visit.

All the kids loved watching the frogs

Friday afternoon for Riley's Birthday we headed down to Central Park to ride the Carousel and play in the park. Chase doesn't really care for carousel, so he and Tyler just watched and took pictures. It was a prefect evening to be out - We walk along the upper west side, stopped by Lincoln Center to enjoy their new green space and window shopped along the way. It was one of those evenings you just don't want to end . . . and then the meltdowns start, and you have to go home.

We tried to take a pictures of the kids together and this is the best one.

A view of the Temple from Lincoln Center