Can't get enough of CP

The "locals" call it CP.  Or at least, that's what I'd like to think.  We've been so blessed by living right near Central Park and I can't get enough of it's fantastic views.  It seems like every time we walk out of our door we have a different picturesque view of this giant city.  Here are a few of my favorites so far.

I took the kids to Belvediere Castle the other day.  Calvert Vaux, co-designer of Central Park, created the miniature castle in 1869 as one of its many whimsical structures intended as a lookout to the reservoir to the north (now the Great Lawn) and the Ramble to the south. Belvedere provides the best and highest views of the Park and its cityscape. It's fitting, considering its name translates to "beautiful view" in Italian. 

There were one-way steps to get to the top that Hannah really enjoyed climbing.

Random adventures

We have been trying to make the most out of our weekends here and fill almost everyone moment with some sort of adventure.  After naps the other day we decided to run down to Time Square again and check out the world's biggest Toys R Us.  It was a dream come true for Hannah and she even rode the seven story ferris wheel that is INSIDE of the store.

After leaving the store I was trying to get an artistic shot of the family until this guy photobombed it.  Also, Hunter is not amused.

This is how most days end at our apartment.  The two kiddos are waxed... and so are their parents.

The Central Park Zoo

We've heard lots of good things about the Bronx Zoo and we fully intend on checking it out, but since we are living on Central Park we decided to check out their zoo... and the kids petting zoo.  It was pretty neat, but it was no Riverbanks.    Everyone still enjoyed it though.  And, the sea lion show was awesome!  Seriously, they did more tricks than dogs do.  It was pretty amazing.

Kid Art

Most days on our walk to the subway we pass this school that has these cute paintings on the sides.  There are many more murals like these, but here is just a sample.  I'd like to think of some cool way to use them as art in the kids playroom at home as a way to remember our time here.  

July 4th in the city

We got out the door early on the 4th to go and take part in the Annual Children's Parade.  It was a great little event and there were probably about 150-200 people with their kids and lots of bikes and scooters and wagons.  The police closed off a few blocks of the street and we "paraded" down the lane, following a fire truck.  It was a really special thing for Hannah to get to walk in the street.  Then, at the end the parents moved away and the firemen turned on the fire hose to spray all of the kids.   

Day at the museum

On Saturday we decided to check out The Museum of Natural History.  Hannah really wanted to see the bones... Todd and I wanted to see all the stuff from the movie "Night at the Museum"... Hunter just wanted to eat snacks.  Anyway, turns out there isn't much that's actually from the movie in the museum, but it was still pretty cool.  And even better that it was free with our military IDs.

This was about the only thing from the movie.

Then of course we had to get some pizza.  I think that an NY slice is now my favorite style of pizza.  De-licious!

Giant bubbles

There were a few guys doing these giant bubbles in Columbus Circle on Friday.  Hannah kept asking if she could go and do one but I reminded her of the incident in Times Square with the character picture and so she walked up to the guy and said, "Do I have to pay you if I do this?" He laughed at her sweet southern accent and told her no.  So here's the video: