Tastes of the city

Out and About

What can I say except that just as school starts and it begins to feel like maybe, just maybe summer is over, they go and give us a 4 day weekend. Oh, okay. So we decided to use it up like it really was still a perfect summer break and get out and enjoy this city. On Sunday the 7 train extension to the Hudson Rail Yards was officially up and running so we made that our destination. Except that it wasn't actually going past Times Square until after 1pm. And we got there at 12:45pm. Ugh, we're never early for anything! But that day we were. So after deciding we didn't want to hang around the station for the first crush of passengers riding the new hop to the West Side, we headed south towards the end of the High Line and made our way north. That worked out perfectly since we grabbed some falafel from 14th Street on our way over to the water park on the piers around 13th Street. Later we packed it up and started the long walk up to 34th Street. And amazingly, the girls did a pretty good job of hoofing it without complaining too much. Ice cream and lots of time to explore helped. We found a cool art installation at the end of the High Line (the new, new part was temporarily closed past 32nd Street) where you could add your own LEGOs to the cityscape. And then we were back down to Earth and off to check out the new station. It was perfectly shiny and empty which means it's only a matter of time before it all goes to hell. But for now at least, it is a novelty I'm glad exists.

 

The next day we were ready to tackle another place I've been meaning to get to for some time: Bailey Arboretum. I've seen several friends post pics from there, and I've wondered how it would be for a family photo shoot. So we drove out midmorning for a look around and to enjoy the almost fall like temps. Considering it's just under an hour away and free, it feels like another world unto itself. The girls were instantly taken with the animal rescue huts on the property which mainly house hawks and owls recovered with injuries nearby. And I loved the scenic lake and willow tree, the absolutely stunning redwoods and the fact that you can kind of create your own adventure in any direction you want. There was no clear path and I loved it. I would think a return visit for foliage might be mandatory later in the season. But for now, it was a perfect day trip distraction from the school routine that is taking hold of our lives. A day of glorious respite was just what I needed and the swing into Trader Joe's on the way past Garden City made it a well rounded day. Maybe we need more days off this month. Oh right. We're going to get them...

Starting Off

This week brought us another round of new routines.  After Labor Day, Elisa's bus to school started back on Tuesday morning which made life a lot easier. No more moving the car every single morning and searching the nabe for parking when alternate side makes it a nightmare. Carolina enjoyed one last day of freedom before school started, but unfortunately that involved a round of vaccinations to prepare for UPK on Wednesday. She handled it like a pro and was rewarded with lunch and ice cream at Shack Shake.  It was a beautiful morning in the city so we walked through Union Square later as she pleaded to find a toy store. The girl does love her toys. But alas, all we found was a Trader Joe's Wine Store *wink, wink*  So we made it back home to Queens a little loaded down, but just in time to take a well earned nap and let Carolina sleep off some of her shots. She hasn't napped much at all this summer, so it was especially sweet to see her collapse after about 5 minutes of stalling and flopping around her bed. The kid was out. And yet, she slept fine that evening too. Getting it all in before the big day... 

And then school for Carolina officially started.  UPK. Full day from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It's one of those transitions that I have been anticipating for months, maybe years. And now it's here and it's better than I could have expected. She is so happy to be at school with her friends. There is no hesitation. She loves it. She smiles like that every day. She is a hoot, and I love her enthusiasm beyond belief. 

And finally, tonight, September 11th, we made it back from the park late enough to see the lights shining bright over Manhattan. After a second full day of school and her first dance class, I would have thought Carolina would be ready to pass out. But she was eager to climb the stairs with me and check out the skyline aglow. Elisa was too. I prefaced our climb to the top with a little story about the lights and how there had been two big buildings there years ago. But they were gone now. "How did they come down?" Elisa asked. I told her as best I could that some very bad people wanted to destroy them. "What if the buildings hadn't come down?" "Well, then, things would be different." "The world would be different?" Yes, it would. I wish I knew how. It's not something I want to make them aware of until they are ready to ask about it. How can any of us understand the meaning of that horrible day? Tonight we just watched the beams of light shooting up into the clouds. They moved slowly by and somehow the clouds started to shine like a portal into another world. I teared up a little. It was time to go back inside. Yes, it was late and I was tired. A week of new beginnings and lots of things to be grateful for. Life. This life is good. Even when it overwhelms me. 

Quatro!

A year and a half ago we met a Spanish family at Lou Lodati playground in a friendly exchange that Nacho uncharacteristically initiated. They had just moved here from Arizona, had a second child and were trying to navigate the wilds of Queens with the enthusiasm of people who had finally found a home in this adopted country.  Fast forward a few months and we were seeing them around the neighborhood quite a lot. Carolina and their son German were at Amazing Magic Beans together and we started taking little trips around the city to solidify our blossoming friendships. It helps that Irene and Jose are such likable people and little Valentina is willing to play the part of favorite baby sister to all. We've been to PEEC twice together and there's talk of a Spanish vacation reunion next summer if we can all get to Almeria at the same time. They have blended into our social fabric with such ease that it feels like they've been here much longer.  So naturally when they were looking for a new apartment in the neighborhood, we kept all ears open and managed to put them in contact with another friend who was losing a tenant in their building. That the apartment was cheaper than their current one AND offered membership to our private oasis of Sunnyside Gardens Park was almost too good to be true. But it was. And it meant we'd be seeing a lot more of them around the hood and the park which is like a communal backyard for most of the summer. We racked up a lot of hours watching the big kids dig out the sandbox and Valentina scooter around the black top. We made it to Brooklyn on the ferry and Central Park to run around the lawn.  And we even managed a barbecue with sardines for this growing Spanish community. 

As August drew to a close and school beckoned, they decided to throw a birthday party for German at the park over Labor Day weekend. I love it when a party falls on the actual birthday which was the case for German's 4th. Lots of their school mates from AMB were around this time (unlike at C's party) so it really felt like a last hurrah of summer before the return to school. There was a mask making craft, plenty of pizza and chips and the kids managed to entertain themselves like only a gang of 4 year olds can. Mostly what I saw looking back at the photos I took was a smiling, happy little boy who has made such a lot of friends in his short time in Sunnyside. It really makes you appreciate our community and the kinds of people we are lucky to call neighbors. I've been using the hashtag #sgpfamily a lot on my Instagram lately and it really means something to me. It speaks to how many of us celebrate these important milestones of birthdays and holidays with friends instead of far flung family. And how very fortunate we are to have the park as such a great hang out spot to foster these friendships. So why not have a family portrait in the very heart of it all? Seeing how relaxed and happy German and his family are here makes me smile. It was a perfect summery day to ring in this new year for him. Four is going to be a lot of fun.