NY Summer

Before we went to California for the summer we made a plan. We started with 2 poster size calendars for June and July and made lists of all the fun city things to do. I was so afraid that I would miss the fun (and the kids too).

One of our favorite places to go is the American Museum of Natural History. Once it gets warm the sprinklers turn on just outside the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The boys loved splashing in the gutter outside of the Planetarium...amazing!

We also visited the Bronx Zoo and took in some of the sights that don't take place year round. The Monorail takes travelers across the Bronx river to see up close and personal animals that you can only see on the Monorail tour.

The kids loved playing "where's waldo" with the tigers, deer and other hidden animals. Some animals like the elephants they have no problem finding.

Our other favorite place in the Bronx Zoo is the butterfly exhibit. In the summer it does get a bit stuff in the green house. But the beautiful classical music, the tiny waterfalls and the flitting butterflies just capture the kids attention and they are at peace.



The boys can spend hours looking at the koi and waterfalls. They name the fish, try to touch them and watch as they play fishy tag.

Two of the "rules" are that you may not pick the flowers and you may not pickup the butterflies. However the kids have learned that there is no rule against the butterflies "happening" to crawl on your finger if it "happens" to be sticking out. Simple joys.

Taking a ride on the bug carousel is a must. The kids love to go around over and over again until I get dizzy and need to get off. With each ride they insist on choosing a different bug. Claire loves the ladybug.

A beetle, caterpillar and praying mantis are some other favorites to ride on.

Another NY city must is testing out the water from a cracked fire hydrant. Lance was so excited about the chance to see up close and personal how this wonderful thing worked.

He was so good (thanks to some coaxing) he did not get to soaked, but the possibility is still in his mind.

I don't know who was more warn out with our short NY summer, me or the kids. I did start a list for next year of some of the things that we missed or loved too much to miss out on next year.