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Posts Tagged ‘Central Park’

The Weekend Snapshot

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »

It is hard to believe that October will soon be drawing to an end. The back to school and fall season is turning into a blur. We have had numerous activities, fun adventures, visiting friends and of course the day to day insanity of work, school and life in general.  Oh, and living in Manhattan does not help, there is a constant pull to just keep moving at the frenetic pace of the city. Sometimes I have to remind myself to just pause and take a deep breath. Wooosaaa! This past weekend we had vowed to catch up on a little bit of family time and also to try and find some time to chillax and I think we managed to find a nice balance.

On Friday R and I dropped off A at her band rehearsal and instead of jumping back on the crowded rush hour train we decided that we were going to walk home. It is at times like these when I realize that my little munchkins are becoming true New Yorker’s. She walked 50 blocks and didn’t complain, even once. Although, she did insist that we stop at the Disney store as our walk took us through Times Square 😉 Every time I am able to really walk the city I find myself falling in love with New York all over again. Pounding the pavement and seeing all the sights at street level is where you really feel connected to the energy, people and places of NYC.

R doing "tree" pose in Times Square

Saturday started off with our usual “bagel in pajamas” breakfast followed by an afternoon at Chelsea Piers where the girls take classes. Both Ron and I were able to fit in a morning run in perfect sunny and cool weather. The girls had a blast at their classes, especially A who had the opportunity to skate this week. She did her Canadian roots proud as she glided (fairly gracefully) across the rink.

Skating at Chelsea Piers under the Canadian and American Flag!

Rink Rat 😉

On Saturday night we had a wonderful time re-uniting with cherished friends from the ‘Creek who were visiting NYC. We had many drinks, tons of laughs and one hell of a good time. We started off with drinks at the Whiskey Park Bar and then made our way to Tolani Wine Bar where we shared incredible food and perhaps a bit more wine 😉 It was a great evening and I loved seeing some much loved peeps from Ottawa!!

Nina, Me & Jane =)

Andre, Dennis and Ron... don't ask!!

So, even though we may have been moving a wee bit slow on Sunday morning, after some strong caffeine, all was good. Ron headed off to the Jets game so the girls and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to Central Park. We paused and relaxed in Sheep’s Meadow, strolled through the Central Park Zoo and tried out various East Side playgrounds. The weather was spectacular and we had a great day. Sunday evening was time for snuggles and reading. Absolutely perfect.

A perfect day for handstands in the park!

Sea Lion

Sisters 😉

Beauty at the Zoo

Fall in Central Park

The Boathouse

It was truly both a restful and fun weekend. Working on that whole life balance thing is well, a work in progress. Every once in awhile you just have to stop and take a stroll… Have a great day my friends!!

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Taking A Breather In Central Park

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on September 18, 2011| 2 Comments »

The first full week back at school is always exhausting. The girls are getting used to the routine, new teachers, homework and being back in the classroom full days. And I also have to get my head back in the game. I feel like I spent the week going to meetings, arranging activities, putting out real (and imagined) crisis, re-connecting with friends and filling out the endless start of year forms. There seemed to be very little time for taking a breath, let alone reflection. So at after school pick up on Friday, when my youngest suggested that we go for a walk in Central Park it seemed like the perfect idea to shake off the stress of the week. It was also a nice opportunity for her and I to spend some time just the two of us without big sis.

Me and my little goofball!

It was a beautiful sunny, crisp, cool afternoon. The kind of day that just begs for you to escape into the outdoors. We entered the park at 81st street and joined the rest of the people enjoying the last few hours of daylight in the park. Children laughed in the playground, cyclists flew by at frightening speeds, runners kept pace, lovers walked hand in hand, street vendors offered refreshment, families picnicked, balls were thrown, teenagers lounged, tourists looked at maps, ducks were fed and R and I strolled and chatted, taking it all in.

Taking advantage of the wide open spaces...

Checking out the turtles at Turtle Pond.

I am always a little awestruck by the beauty that is Central Park. Right in the middle of the concrete jungle is an amazing natural oasis. Here in the park it is impossible to walk at a fast pace, the sounds of wildlife and the soothing rustle of the gently blowing trees force you to slow down a bit, look around, drink in the spectacular sights.

View from Turtle Pond

A Peaceful Moment

Reflection

View from Belvedere Castle

A balancing act =)

Sunset approaches...

We could have just as easily gone back to the apartment and vegged out on the couch but we would have missed out on the incredible NYC backyard that is Central Park. It was exactly what my end of the week needed. Taking a big ‘ole breath and letting out a much needed sigh of relaxation… Hope you are all enjoying your weekend =)

Finding a space just for her 😉

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The Perfect End to Summer

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Well, it is Labor Day and with it comes the unofficial end to summer. Soon the weather will be turning cooler, the sun filled days will shorten, school will start and schedules will need to be followed. And while I have to admit I am very much looking forward to the promise and excitement of new adventures to come in the fall, I am always get a wee bit sad at the end of the lazy, hazy days of summer. Luckily we managed to jam pack tons of NYC adventures in to this past weekend and I feel like we did our best to have a rockin’ good time saying bye to a fabulous summer =)

My brother was in town this weekend and it inspired us to do some exploring and galavanting around Manhattan. We started the day off on Friday morning by taking the Staten Island Ferry over to SI and back. We waved at the lovely Statue of Liberty and took in the breathtakingly beautiful sunny views of downtown Manhattan from the water.

Well, hello there Lady Liberty

Hopping off the boat we made our way to the World Trade Centre site, amazed at the awesomeness of the Freedom tower and taking a moment to reflect at the memorial for those who lost their lives on 9/11.

The Freedom Tower

We will not forget

We continued to South Street Seaport where we had lunch and took in the views of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO. The kids even convinced us to let them stop and play at one of their favorite parks- The Imagination Playground.

Paul, Andrea and the girls with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background

Can't you just feel the sibling love?! 😉

View of downtown Manhattan from the pier

For a change of scenery all together, we jumped on the subway and headed right into the heart of Times Square. The girls wanted to show Uncle Paul some of their favorite places which included ToysRUs and of course, The Disney Store. By this time we had already but in a long day and we soon realized the crowds and chaos of late afternoon in Times Square on a Friday, was something we had very little patience for. Cool drinks back at the apartment were the perfect end to a jam packed touristy day.

Hanging out with a new friend at ToysRUs

Gotta appreciate the honesty... oh Times Square

On Saturday we spent the day doing a whole lot of walking. We ventured from one side of Central Park to the other and then we made our way to Chelsea where we had a deliciously late brunch at Dos Caminos, sampled some treats at Chelsea Market, got yelled at (me) for taking a picture at Hogs and Heifers (where I had to do penance shots and BARELY left with my bra), eye balled some crazy behaviour at the Standard Hotel (gotta love those windows) and strolled along the beautiful HighLine park.

Wall of bras from Hogs and Heifers- Meatpacking District

Street view from the Highline

Yesterday was truly one of my best days in NYC, it was my first NY Yankees game! What a thrill, it was an awesome time. It really is hard to describe the feeling you get when you enter the stadium among the sea of blue and white jerseys. The air is filled with excitement and the die hard fans are ready to cheer on their team. We had a blast! It was an exciting game and fittingly they were playing my old home town team the Toronto BlueJays. Don’t worry we were cheering for the Bronx Bombers as they easily defeated the Jays. There really is nothing better in the summer than sitting in a baseball stadium in the afternoon, sipping on a beer watching a great game.

On the subway on the way to the game...

Yankee Stadium

The view from our seats

My little Yankee family

And today, well today we decided to hang out at the park and go for a walk with Dopey. (Bogie wanted to stay home in the air-conditioning). It is supposed to rain tonight and the weather is going to cool off. I am already getting organized for the first day of school for the girls on Thursday. Shopping needs to get done, activities are scheduled. Yep. It is that time of year again. But right now, I think I am going to cherish these last few hours of summer and the weekend by chilling out on the couch with a good book and a cold drink. I am sure I can convince someone to join me 😉 I am raising a glass in your general direction- “To Summer!!”

Saying goodbye to the lazy, hazy days of summer

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My Top Ten Favorite Places to Explore in NYC

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 24, 2011| 4 Comments »

In keeping with my top ten list theme, I thought I would end the week by sharing some of my favorite places in the city that I love to explore, hang out at or just can’t get enough of. I know that the list is always expanding as I find new and wonderful spots in the incredible city of Manhattan but here are some of the places I have really come to love as part of my new home.

1. Central Park– I mean really, what is not to love? I have lived here for almost a year and I have not even come close to exploring all of the wonders that the park has to offer. As you wander into the beauty that is the park, you are instantly forced to slow down, breathe deeper and just let the serenity of the nature surrounding you relax and calm you. I love wandering through the ramble, looking for turtles at Turtle Pond, admiring the skyline of the surrounding city that peeks over the trees, sitting by one of the many bodies of water daydreaming or simply relaxing on a park bench watching the people stroll by. On a beautiful Manhattan evening there really is nothing more magical than a hand in hand wander through the park.

Central Park in the Fall

2. Chelsea and the Meatpacking District- This is one of my favorite areas of the city to explore. I love all the various architecture in the buildings, the amazing restaurants, the hip nightlife, eclectic shopping and the vibe in this part of town. There is soo much to see and do and it seems like this neighborhood is always evolving. It also includes two of my other favorite spots: The Chelsea Market and The Highline.

Street View- Chelsea

3. Chelsea Market– Chelsea Market is a fabulous indoor market that includes too many mouth watering restaurants and stores to mention. This is a family favorite to go to on the weekend where we treat ourselves to various yummy delights such as homemade bread, cookies, brownies, chocolate milk, cupcakes, crepes, fresh pasta, etc. (not all at once!!) There are also specialty non-food shops and the occasional sample sale 😉 It is a great way to start or end your Highline (see below) walk.

Eleni's Cookies, one of our faves at the Market

4. The Highline– The Highline is truly a wonderful gift to NYC. They have taken the old railway tracks and made a beautiful garden/outdoor/walking space. You can walk for blocks elevated above street level with fabulous views of Chelsea, Meatpacking District, The Piers, Hudson River and of course, the many amazing buildings surrounding the area including glimpses of the mighty Empire State Building. A must see!!

The gorgeous Highline walkway

5.Brooklyn Bridge And The South Street Seaport– There is truly something awe-inspiring about the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking across it or simply standing under it and looking up is mesmerizing. And the view from the middle of the bridge, is worth the huffing and puffing to get there 😉 If you make it across the bridge- DUMBO is a very cool spot to hang out.  I also love the area right beside the bridge on the Manhattan side, the South Street Seaport. It is a fun place to visit in the summer where you can watch passing boats, have a drink on a patio or simply watch the kids play in the funky Imagination Playground.

Clouds over the Brooklyn Bridge

6. The Rockefeller Center and Surrounding Area– Yes, I know that this is an incredibly touristy area but it is one that I don’t mind fighting the crowds in. I really enjoy all of the different seasons at Rock Center. It is especially magical at Christmas with the tree and the outdoor skating but I also enjoy it in the summer months with its large outdoor patio. The girls love the stores in the neighborhood including American Girl, Lego World and FAO Schwarz. The walk down 5th Ave. during the holidays is incredibly spectacular. My goal is to enjoy tea at The Plaza this year!!

Rockefeller Center and the Tree

7. Riverside Park– This is a bit of a lesser known park than the ever popular Central Park but that is part of its allure. More of a neighborhood park than a tourist site, it is one of my favorite spots to walk the dog, go for a bike ride, pound out a run, have a picnic, talk to the water, play with the girls in the park or simply hang out on a bench and read my book in a shady quiet spot. The views are pretty spectacular too!

The Girls on one of the piers in Riverside Park

8. The American Museum of Natural History– There are tons of museums in the city and I have to say that I really do love them all but if I had to choose one right now that is my favorite it would be the AMNH. I love the building that it is housed in, the diversity of the exhibits and the proximity to my apartment. If it is a rainy day or an extremely hot day or just a day when we are all a wee bit bored we can head on over to the AMNH. Even if we go for only an hour, I always learn something new.

A large Dino hanging out at the AMNH

9.St. John of the Divine Church– There are also many beautiful churches in the city, but I have to say that St. John of the Divine Cathedral is truly one not to be missed. It sits on an incredible piece of property near Columbia University and is a majestic building with a deep history. It is a calming area of escape from the hustle and bustle of the streets. Also Morningside Park behind the church offers a stunning view into Harlem.

St. John of the Divine

10. Home Sweet Home (My Nabe)– It is hard to believe that we have been here almost a year. And yes, although there have been many adjustments moving from the ‘burbs to the big city, I guess I just feel lucky to have such an incredible opportunity to really get out and explore NYC and the surrounding area. I love where we are living. I know my neighborhood shopkeepers, the local doormen, the people I see on my dogwalks, the fruit guy, my fresh direct delivery man etc. I have favorite restaurants, food shops, clothing stores, delivery options etc. It feels comfortable, happy, safe… it feels like home =)

Ron and his girls relaxing at home!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!

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Spring Break- Day Four And Five

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

So, one week of Spring Break and I have survived. Actually it has been a lot of fun hanging out and exploring the city with the girls. Although, it was much nicer having Ron around for Thursday and Friday. Having a bit of back-up in the parental department does not hurt 😉 We spent Thursday and Friday having fun outdoors exploring various places in the city. Feeling like we had been spending a wee bit too much time indoors we wanted to get out and enjoy the sunny if cool, days.

A’s bike arrived from Schwinn on Wednesday and as soon as she woke up on Thursday and it wasn’t raining she was begging to go out and try it. So the girls strapped on their helmets and we headed on down to Riverside Park and they rode their bikes along the pathway. I strolled behind, leisurely checking out the wonderful flowers and trees coming into bloom.

A & R getting ready to ride!

Pit stop at Hippo Park

Daffodils, my favorite flower

After a quick refuel (lunch) back at the apartment we decided to park the bikes and hop on the subway to Soho. The girls had a blast exploring The Scholastic Store and Ron and I popped into a couple of our own favorite places to browse including Kate Spade, Paul Smith and Animazing.

Corner of Prince St. in Soho

The Scholastic Store

Our adventures continued as we skipped through NYU grounds and ended up in Washington Square Park. It was packed with people enjoying the wonderful sunshine. The many street performers offered lots of entertainment but I found the people watching far more interesting.

Washington Square Park

A taking a break

R catching some air

Of course at this point the girls were STARVING so we decided to make the walk to Chelsea Market to see what kind of Easter cookies the fabulous people at Eleni’s had on display. Lets just say that no one was disappointed 😉

Flirty Birdie Cookies and Ronnybrook Chocolate Milk- YUMMY!!

Royal Wedding Cookies

The day ended with quality couch time as both girls were exhausted by all of the outdoor exercise.

On Friday we spend the afternoon in Central Park at one of the kids favorite playgrounds- Hecksher Playground. They spent their time climbing the rocks and chasing each other around the massive grounds filled with climbing structures, swings and other activities. We then ventured over to the Upper East Side where we stopped at Dylan’s Candy Shop to see what kind of Easter treats were on display. It was CRAZY in there and we were barely able to move. Luckily there was lots to look at. The whole area was a little bit chaotic and I was quite happy to give my feet a break as we jumped into a cab and headed back to the apartment.

My little explorers

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple 😉

Today, it has been wet and rainy. We haven’t left the apartment. There has been movie watching, homework completion, book reading and spring cleaning. It is exactly what we needed. After all, there are still two more days of holidays- Mon & Tues… I am already working on a game plan.

Happy Easter!!

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Wordless Wednesday: “A February Walk in Central Park”

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on February 9, 2011| 7 Comments »

I have been feeling a bit under the weather over the past couple of days… there are lots of yucky winter viruses going around. However, on Monday morning the sun was shining and the temperature was pleasant, so I decided to drag my butt out of the apartment and go for a walk through Central Park. I am constantly amazed by the never ending pathways, the beauty and peace in the park. It was a glorious morning, hope you enjoy the pics! =)

Bordering the park at Central Park West and 77th...

The American Museum of Natural History

Street Views from the Park

ahh... the sun!

Dopey on the squirrel hunt

Buildings peeking through the trees

Sheep's Meadow

Mighty Trees

Heading over to the East Side

Snow Animals

Upper East Side

Wandering...

Walking up Fifth Avenue

The Resevoir

Heading back to the UWS

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Dopey Dog In The City

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on September 24, 2010| 3 Comments »

We moved all the way to New York City, the urban jungle, the concrete playground, the mecca for tall buildings so that Dopey dog could finally discover wildlife. This is not a joke. Back in the suburban hood life of Findlay Creek, the only other animal that he was exposed to was the neighbour’s cat. Not so here. He has a new obsession, the common squirrel. In the Creek, the trees were not large enough for the fluffy tailed critters. Here, in NYC, lots of big old trees equal lots of fast moving friends to be chased. And chase he does. You are probably thinking to yourself “so what?”. I mean what could possibly go wrong with a 100 pound dog trying to reach a squirrel up a tree on a Manhattan sidewalk crowded with people? Starting to get the picture? Yep, it isn’t pretty. Especially when I am also trying to hang on to the old man (Bogie- dog) and usually a large bag of freshly picked up dog turd. I can often be heard saying out loud to no one in particular, “Now Dopey, stop chasing the squirrels, they don’t want to play” as I am firmly planting my two feet, trying not to be pulled off the ground, while horrified Nannies give me scathing looks as they are sure Dopey is about to eat the children they are in charge of. I feel like telling them “Don’t worry, he only goes after squirrels, pigeons, rats and the occasional cockroach that crosses his path on the sidewalk”. Somehow I don’t think this will reassure them. All the while Bogie stands there looking horribly embarrassed and disgusted by the behaviour of his dog brother.

Yesterday, in a move resembling nothing short of brilliance, I decided to take Dopey with me when my mother and I went for a walk in Central Park. I guess I had forgotten how many trees there are in the park and well, you know, squirrels. It was a battle of wills and sheer strength but in the end I think I made my point. I was the human dammit, and he would listen or not…

On the hunt...

Success! Squirrel!

We survived. My shoulder is a bit sore today and Central Park squirrels remained safe. Dopey dog seems to be tired out. It is hard being the Dopey Dog in the City. People stop to admire him, want to play with him, ask about his fashionable Canadian leash and sometimes the occasional paparazzi (tourist) wants a photo with him. It’s a dog’s life!

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There Is A Hint of Fall in the Air in NYC…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on September 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday we woke up to an absolutely glorious weather day in NYC.  Well, it was glorious for me.  There was no humidity and the temperature was in the 60’s, high of low 70’s.  A perfect day for a light sweater or a hoodie. Yes, my absolute favourite time of year- crisp mornings, warm days and cool evenings.

There are other clear NYC indicators that the Fall Season is right around the corner. The traffic on the sidewalks has nearly doubled since Labor Day, the uniform of the colour “Black Only” clothing is emerging on the streets, Fashion Week is in full swing and the New York Film Festival is starting in mere days.  Also, who could forget the multiplying billboards advertising new Fall television shows.  There is a definite buzz in the City. The energy and pace has moved from semi-relaxed (I am not sure New Yorker’s ever really relax in the City) to LET’S DO THIS!

I know I am being a little optimistic and by this time next week we will be sweltering in the 90’s +, but yesterday we got out and enjoyed a day off from school and embraced the Fall like weather. Since it was one of their last official days of “summer” before the first real week of school started, I let the girls decide what they wanted to do.  Naturally, they wanted to be surrounded by friends, eat lunch at the Shake Shack and go to one of the coolest spots in Central Park, Adventure Playground. Off we went, here are my favourite pics of the day:

Ahh... the Shake Shack. I might just have a cheese fries addiction.

The kids waiting ever soo patiently outside for their lunch

Adventure Playground (@CPW and 67th)

Love all the space in this playground

The walk home took forever as the kids explored EVERYTHING!!

Ahh, the beauty of Central Park. Can't wait for the leaves to change...

It was a truly wonderful day even if my friend Carol (NYCityMama) and I were exhausted by the end. We figured it was a success, we may have lost a few sand toys but we did make it home with all six kids!

A & R have decided today that we will be heading downtown to Imagination Playground, so I am grabbing another cup of caffeine and am putting on the running shoes.

Do you know what another good thing about this upcoming season is??!! The kids will be in school full time and this tired tour guide will get some much needed alone time… shhh.. don’t tell anyone =)

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The Kids Are Going To Be Alright… and the dogs too.

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on September 5, 2010| 2 Comments »

When we were first even considering making the big move to New York City my first thoughts revolved around the children.  How would they deal with such a big move? What would life be like for them? We would be moving from a house in a community surrounded by green space and a big backyard to an apartment with no outdoor space and very little room to run around. What would their new school be like?  Could they handle the constant noise, fast pace and frenetic energy? How would I cope with two young children and the traffic, small spaces, distractions and the crowds of people.

Put quite simply, it has been a learning experience for all of us.  I shudder at the thought that I have actually said “Do NOT lick the subway pole”.  Yet, it was only last night that I came to the realization, that the kids are adjusting just fine.  As I was chilling out in the bathtub (a spot where I do all of my best thinking) I reflected on our NYC day.  That morning we had done our back to school shopping in a very crowded Macy’s, dragged our purchases home on the subway, and then visited a local Asian restaurant for dumplings and noodles.  Back in Ottawa, my children would never have suggested dumplings for dinner. Here in NYC, they seem to have adopted a much more open mind, I think you have to.  After dinner it was a truly glorious evening. Ron and I walked through Central Park while the children rode their scooters up ahead.  They manoeuvred through the throng of people like old pro’s and they never once complained that they were tired.

This is the thought that struck me last night.  The kids are no longer complaining about the walking.  They have found their NYC legs.  For those of you that have ever visited NYC or live here, you will know exactly what I mean.  It is impossible to not come home after a long day of pounding the pavement and not feel it in your tender tootsies.  Over the last couple of weeks the kids have stopped complaining about not having a car and put on their running shoes and go.

A reading to R on a subway ride

Now, trust me, things are not all sunshine and lollipops and I would be lying if I said I did not have days when I feel like having a meltdown because one of them has to pee and there is absolutely no clean place around to do so OR when they have a moment of homesickness for friends OR one of the children just breaks down because they have had a really long day in a City that can sometimes be very unforgiving.  And I am sure that there are many challenging moments ahead. But, all in all, these moments are outnumbered by the many positive adventures and by the fact that I still think to myself, “Holy Fuck,  these kids are growing up in NYC- what an amazing opportunity!”  A truly amazing opportunity indeed.

A different day, a new adventure!

Now, as for the dogs… well it would be going a lot smoother if Dopey would just get over the whole pooping on pavement thing… but I think I will save that story for another day! 😉

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