image source: Picture Book

So Saturday is usually our big family outing day.  We all look forward to it very much, especially Chase, who has in the past expressed his displeasure with being cooped up in the house all weekend long.  Well late last night while languishing on the couch Derek and I agreed that tomorrow (Saturday) would just be a "chill day," where we'd both entertain/play with Chase but, for the most part, lay low at home.  We decided that we'd maybe walk him down the street to the neighborhood park around mid-day, push him in the swing for a bit (lest he get cabin fever, as he tends to)… and that would be the extent of our travels. It had been a long work week for us both and we agreed that we deserved to just take it easy. The longer we talked about it, the easier it was to convince ourselves that this was a great idea.  LOL, oh so lazy! *smh*

So we woke up this morning to discover that it was a gorgeous summer day out – 92 degrees in the city to be exact. Ay-yi-yi-yi!!! I got up with Chase around 6:30 am and we played for a bit on his activity mat and watched Ni Hao Kai Lan and Blues Clues on Noggin.  Derek joined us later and read him a story.  He enjoyed these little activities, but wasn't overly impressed. 

When we laid Chase down for his nap we jokingly asked one another if we had thus far given him a day comparable to his fun, activity-filled school day (this is really important to us, that he be sufficiently stimulated daily, even on the days that he isn't at day care).  In our hearts we knew the answer was a resounding NO – and we knew it even if his bored, restless disposition hadn't revealed this. When Chase woke up refreshed, giggly, and bursting with new energy, we said screw the laziness, we've got to take advantage of this beautiful day! 

So we packed up our stuff and headed to Coney Island, BK with the intentions of visiting the New York Aquarium.  Aquarium parking was full, so we drove on a few more blocks to a parking lot by Coney Island amusement park.  Mind you, I'd never been before…. but had let many people (including Derek) convince me of how filthy, disgusting, unsafe, and bootleg the park is.  We nonetheless decided to walk along the board walk to get to the Aquarium….. and TWO HOURS LATER we were having such a blast on the board walk we were wondering whether or not to save the Aquarium for another day.

Omg, fun!!!! I'm talking music on the beach, dance parties on the board walk, live band, rides, side shows, funnel cake, hot dogs and pizza, popcorn, kids' games, and open bars (that allowed kids, LOL).  At one point, when we were at the bar, Chase just started beaming and then laughing all hard.  It was kind of out of the blue… Derek had downed his beer and I was slowly sipping my pina colada.  I was feeding Chase baby carrots and he was drinking his organic baby apple apple juice.  He was just enjoying the music, the vibe, people-watching, the warm weather with that cool breeze… and maybe it just hit him.  He started cracking up! LOL!!! He wouldn't stop laughing… and looking around appreciatively, at all the people, sights, and sounds.  Oh, he is his father's child – a real social butterfly! *smile* I think Derek got it on video. Cuteness!!! We finally made it to the Aquarium where we spent another hour.  Chase wasn't really sweating it as much… it was a bit slower, and also took some effort/concentration to be able to see many of the sea creatures underwater.  We ended up leaving as it was getting late (didn't want to overdo it for Chase) and we decided to return in a couple of weeks. 

Maaaan, Derek and I were just talking about how awesome this summer has been.  It's been a real packed, fun-filled summer and we owe this all to the babe.  For real! Cuz knowing us, we wouldn't have done a darn thing, except maybe 1 or 2 local festivals and a picnic, like prior summers.  Having an energetic baby at home just motivates you to get up off your hiney and make the most of the day.  In just the last couple of months we've been to Maryland to visit my family, Rye Playland, Coney Island, North Carolina, Disney World, the Bronx Zoo, the Aquarium, Hudson River water bank, Build-A-Bear blogger meetup, and a Greek Picnic at Morningside Park.  Fun, fun, fun!!! I've lived here for 8 years…. and am just now realizing that New York City in the summer is the best – BUT only if you get out and take advantage.

We got lots and lots of video of today so be sure to check my YouTube channel out in a couple of days!

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