A Day at the Bronx Zoo

It's Been A Loooong Day at the Zoo

Looking for a Camel Hiding in the Grass

In the Babboon Section

Finn and Wyatt are 'Lil Buddies

Watching for Sea Lions

A couple of Wednesday's ago, Wyatt, William and I went to the zoo with Finn, Emma, Finn's caregiver, and new friends Hunter and Trudie. Wednesday is "pay what you want day" at the zoo, or as I like to call it, "free day". Well, we weren't the only ones who decided it would be fun to go to the zoo on this beautiful day in August. I guess a lot of families decided that there wen't too many free Wednesday's left before school starts, so we mingled with a crowd that exceeded the population of many medium sized college towns. But we had fun. We all enjoyed the monkey house and inside the childrens zoo we saw an otter up close and personal, prairie dogs, lambs, kangaroo and donkeys. There were lots of animals to see, but I think the babies were just as interested in watching all the little kids running around in gaggles, each with their day camp logo plastered on their matching, bright colored  t-shirts. By the time we left the zoo, all three were fast asleep. Zonked out in their strollers.

More Adventures in Bryant Park

After hanging out in front of the New York Public Library with Patience and Fortitude, the famous NYPL lions, we went 'round back to Bryant Park where there is lots of grass, plenty of seats to sit and pass the time in (Wyatt ate lunch and then kept a beat with his new tambourine) and a great Alice-in-Wonderland-style carousel, which we hopped aboard and enjoyed great European-style Edith Piaf carny music as we rode round and round.

Patience and Fortitude

 Wyatt says, "Grrrr!!!"

All You Need Is...

B is for Bathtime and Bubbles

Wyatt loves the water and he loves taking a bath.  No matter how tired and fussy he might be, a nice, warm, soapy bath that he can sit and splash around in makes him very happy.  Initially, I thought that an evening bath would be part of a relaxing wind-down that would then lead to post bath slumber.  I was wrong. All the splashing and crazy-armed water slapping, just winds him up and it takes a four ounce bottle and much back rubbing to send him off to sleep.

First Watermelon!

Last Monday, we were invited over to Ben's girlfriend Jami's apartment. It was a gathering of mostly Southerners - Texans,  Alabamans, Floridians and a couple Northerners who'd spent time in Austin. So it was fitting that Jami cooked us up some tasty chilli accompanied by jalapeno cornbread. Chips and real Texas style guacamole were served as an appetizer. After everyone was finished with their hearty main course (as we were all pulling up chairs to the table for a little game of Classic Rock Catch Phrase), our lovely hostess, Jami, came out of the kitchen with a refreshing summer treat - a big plate of  watermelon slices. Wyatt couldn't resist. They were cool, juicy and a great texture to sink your teeth into.

I Love New York

Since we have only a few more weeks here, we have taken it upon ourselves to be tourists in our own city. And what tourist can pass up a photo of a couple of New York's Finest on mounted horseback? They were very nice policemen and when I told them of my desire to document all things New York because of our impending move, one of them asked where we were moving to, and  I said San Fransisco, then Texas. "Please take me with you," the one on the right said.

Funny, here I am missing New York already, not quite able to comprehend how I'll survive without a daily dose of my beloved city, and this guy, a life-long New Yorker, just wants to get the heck out of here. It's all relative, isn't it?

Thursdays are Fun Days!

The Parachute Gang: Anna, Matteo, Wyatt and Sophie

Wyatt and His Good Buddy, Mateo

Wyatt and Sophie Under the Ribbons

Wyatt Brushes Off Sophie's Playful Advances

Wyatt's First Crush: The Adorable Juli

About a month ago, Wyatt and I traveled to Brooklyn to meet up with friends Neelam and Marte, two wonderful girls that I met in pre-natal yoga, and their little guys Varick and Mateo. Neelam had just moved into a beautiful new apartment in Fort Greene and had invited us over for a little get together. She also told us about a new class in her neighborhood that she'd seen a flier for and asked if we all wanted to go. Sure, why not, we thought.  So we headed down the street and arrived at Dancewave in time for class. We were the only moms and babies there, and didn't quite know what to expect, but the class teacher, Juli welcomed us with her warm, animated smile...and then, the fun began. Babies were placed under a big, colorful parachute and then the moms got in a circle and lifted and lowered the parachute much to the delight of all the babies. We sang songs, we swung babies over head. We played soccer, this was done by taking a beach ball  and having the moms swing their baby and the baby would "kick" it to another player. All babies had a BIG case of the giggles when that game was played.! We were all constantly moving, running around the room with babies and singing and spinning. Everyone had a blast! I honestly thought that because we had trecked all the way out to Brooklyn,  this class would be a one off. But Wyatt loved it too much not to come back and Neelam and Marte and I all agreed this would be a regular Thursday date. Over the course of the month, we got a few more mom and baby friends to join us and Wyatt and his dad even went together one day when I couldn't make it. William agreed it was well worth the trip to see such a happy little guy.

Wyatt Explores the American Museum of Natural History

In the Jaws of a Dinosaur!

Diorama Mama!

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Admiring the Great Bison

This might be news to some of you, but sadly, we are leaving the great city of New York soon. Perhaps I'll leave the pertinent details on that subject for another post or for a conversation that we can have in person. But that being said, the Philpott family is on a mission to experience as many of the highlights that this city has to offer as we can fit into the next 30 days. And if it's free or nearly so, all the better. 

A few weeks ago, Susie Storytime at the Mullberry Street Library anounced to those babies and parents in attendence that the children's library had complimentary tickets to the Museum of Natural History and to pick some up before they were all gone. So I did, and last Thursday we hiked up to the Upper West Side to take in all the dinosaurs and dioramas that we could possibly stand in one afternoon. It was fun. It was educational. We expect that Wyatt's IQ went up at least 100 points just being there.

Just a Swingin'

Wyatt looooves to swing in the swing. And the place where is is most often found doing just that is at Thompkins Square Park in the heart of the East Village. Hardly ever a line, lots of great people watching and lots of time to just swing and swing and let out big ol' belly laughs. Oh yeah, and as an extra bonus, there is a great dog run where you can enjoy watching tons of East Village dogs chase each other freely.

Wyatt and Simone Picnic Together in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Simone Reunites with Old Friends and New!

Wyatt and his Dad Havin' Fun with Friends

Wyatt Sez: Hello, Momo!

Momo Sez: I am Going to Squeeze You, Wyatt!

They Come in Close

They Hug!

I know most of the photos on this post look kind of similar, but please indulge me. This super-sweet series showing Simone and Wyatt hugging, smiling and sharing such nice moments together just kills me. There were even more, but I somehow had to edit out about 3 or 4 pictures from this series. It was hard.

Anyhow, Simone, "a.k.a Momo" and her family, Nico and Sarah, were in Brooklyn visiting their old neighbors in Fort Greene. Their old apartment was right across the street from Fort Greene Park and I remember heading over there last year about this time for Momo's 2nd Birthday and Going Away Party, as they were departing for San Francisco within a few days.

This time, they rounded up some old friends for a relaxing afternoon in the park. As the day came to an end, it was nice knowing that we will be seeing them in a couple months out in San Francisco.

Back in Texas! First time in the Pool.

Wyatt Gettin' Some Love From the Barry Girls, Bailey and Beverly

First Day in the Pool 

Joined by Cousins Dave and Lauren 

Good Times

At the end of June, Wyatt went down to Texas for his third visit. His Mom was working there for a couple of weeks, and unfortunately, his Dad had to stay back in New York to hold down the fort. 

The weather was sunny and hot, like it usually is down there in the summer, but we had a way to beat the heat. Wyatt's Grandma has a swimming pool and so we hit the water almost everyday. His first day in, Wyatt took to it like a little fish, splashing and slapping the water and smiling from ear to ear. When extended family came down to celebrate the 4th of July with all of us, my cousin, Dave, his wife, Bridget and their baby, Lauren (who just turned one), brought some fun swimming supplies. This little floaty tugboat, which Wyatt  loved to be pushed around the pool in, was one of them.