Raaawwrrrr!

A few months ago when I was working in Manhattan I was waiting with a few people for a conference room to clear when we started talking summer vacations. One person was going camping, which led everyone to share camping stories. And, like everywhere you go in the world, a little more than half the people were natives to the area ... and their camping stories were all about a little place called Bear Mountain.

"Where's Bear Mountain?" I asked. You should have seen the looks I got. Finally, when I got a chance to speak I think I was forced to promise that I would go visit Bear Mountain. And so, with Barbara and Bill eager to visit in August, a plan was made. Bear Mountain here we come.

It had a decent zoo, a large pool, a sparkling mountainside lake, a new carousel, a tower on top of the mountain with views of NYC, lots of hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail, which we explored for a few minutes), a cute family of dear on the Appalachian Trail, and beautiful views of mountains and the Hudson River. Check it out.

On the way back from Bear Mountain we stopped by a place called Tiorati Lake for a dip. It was one of those beautiful summer days that is overcast (no sunglasses necessary) and about 75. Perfect for just about any activity ... except taking a dip in a chilly lake. Unfortunately, the one who would have minded it the least (the H man) fell asleep with a banana chip in his mouth. 

We also managed to spend a good part of Saturday at Ye Olde Renaissance Faire, which is just about as good as it gets for a 3.75 year old with a love of princesses, stories, live entertainment (knife throwing, juggling, etc.) and fair food. H enjoyed it as well...at least as much as a 1.5 year old could.

In the last few weeks, when offered a snack in the house Henry has had this very cute penchant for climbing on the bed and making himself extremely comfortable before having this snack served to him. (Clarification from Kate: I do not serve Henry snack in bed. Rather, whenever he is walking around with a snack, think apple slice or pretzel, he bee lines it for my pillow where he likes to recline and munch. In the hotel, he did ask to have his snack served in bed; I obliged.) I suppose he wants to make the event as pleasurable as possible. Think being fanned while being fed grapes. Actually, considering that Henry really loves fans and grapes, this is probably in our near future.

Henry also got a tattoo recently. It's an upside down mermaid. I think she was trying to swim where it's better (down where it's wetter), take it from me.

Cloudy Carolina

Earlier this month, the kids and I joined my parents for their annual trip to North Carolina. The kids enjoyed themselves despite the rainy weather we encountered. They were happy running around the house, getting into my mom's makeup, smearing food on each other while eating, poking the dogs, washing the car, and waking up my mom every time she tried to go "night night." Interspersed with these amusements were trips to the sound (in an oyster free section) and the beach where they had fun digging and swimming. 

We also took a trip to the local aquarium, 

enjoyed cake pops from CiCi (a family friend),

ate popsicles daily,

flashed our winning smiles,

played with story-telling cards,

"posed' on the beach,

jumped in holes,

posed some more,

and tried on new "hats."

As usual, I forgot to take any pictures with my parents.

Pecos was also on the trip and enjoyed his time digging in the sand. I also failed to take picture of him. He is doing well, is very gray, and likes to sneak inside so he can sleep under a bed.

Lower Manhattan

After all the city tourism trips we took in Europe Kate and I decided to continue the fun here in the States with the understanding that our new city trips would be limited to the five boroughs. One such jaunt took place this past weekend in lower Manhattan, home of Battery Park, Wall St., Chinatown, and a free museum on Native Americans. 

After waving at Lady Liberty at Battery Park, Elizabeth and Henry listened to this nice man with the pumpkin hat sing funny songs about people as they walked by. (Entertaining for adults too.)

Henry was enamored by the dancing fountain.

Elizabeth and Henry both liked the Native American museum. In addition to this really great teepee, they had a bison fur that Henry loved (and hugged a little too much) and a movie about the Native Olympics, which included seal skinning (just as gross to watch as it sounds).

These are the best two shots of Elizabeth and the Wall St. bull.

Henry was jealous of all the Elizabeth shots, so he had to cheese it up a bit outside the Stock Exchange.

Finally, we got a bucketful of dumplings in Chinatown. We took our food to go because there was live traditional Chinese music in a nearby park. Afterward, Kate and I both agreed that we prefer Western music.

We finished the day with a sprinkler dash at the playground. It may not be London, Paris, or Rome, but it's a fun city we live in ... and we're glad we get to explore it!