The Playgrounds of New York

Let's see what else our photos tell us we did in New York. It looks like we went to a lot of playgrounds - 4, I think

We took Bluet to the ancient playground a couple of times, where of course she played on the swings. She loved the playgrounds in New York, probably because they are both awesome and full of other kids.

And then we also went to Charles Shultz Park, near our old apartment, where Bluet played on the swings

And then we went to Tompkins Square Park, where Bluet played on the swings. This is one Bluet had never been to before

And finally, on our last day, to the Imagination Playground, where there are no swings, but there are hula hoops and sand

After the imagination playground, Ilona was knackered, and fell asleep on a seat in a restaurant.

A sort of homecoming

This last week Bluet and Ilona's daycare was shut for 'Spring Break' so we took the opportunity to return to the city that never sleeps, the big apple, the place of Bluet's birth, New York.

What a week that was.

Whilst we also didn't sleep so much (so many places to see, so many people to meet, so much to do, and a small one bedroom apartment with 4 people and steam heating*) but we had a wonderful time, and it makes us really excited to be moving again to a real city (Zurich) rather than the never ending suburb in which we currently reside.

So it is going to take some time to sort out the photos, but never fear, they are coming. In the meantime, here is a video of Bluet hula hooping at the imagination playground. You may recall, this is something she has wanted to be able to do for a long time, and now she seems to have mastered it.

*the only bad thing about New York is the steam heating, which heats all the apartment buildings through radiators. Unfortunately the temperature appears to be set for the oldest person in the building (i.e. much, much too hot) so you have to have the windows open all winter to adjust the temperature, and then in this apartment Bluet and Ilona were in the bedroom with windows, and Emily and I slept on the sofa in the room with no windows, and anyway, I digress. I also feel I might have written this before. 

Imagination

This Sunday we returned to the imagination playground. After eating a delicious ice cream, Bluet was free to play to her heart's content. This time, the water was off, so instead she played in the sandpit. After that, she went down a big slide, which went fast, and appeared to be the most fun she has ever had (see video). It was still fun for her the 10th time. This baby has no fear.

Last Week's News Today

I guess we are really busy these days as I haven't caught up with last weeks activities yet. On Saturday we went to Imagination Playground, some kind of hippy utopian playground where children are encouraged to explore their imaginations through play with giant blocks and water features independent of adult interference. Bluet got so wet and we were so unprepared that Emily had to go round the corner and buy new clothes for the journey home. Bluet loved every minute. We are going back on Sunday morning.

On Sunday we spent some time in the park, where Bluet looked at the flowers, and ran around. Then  we went out for Emily's birthday where Bluet was extremely well behaved for 3 hours, entertained by drawing, and throwing things on the floor of the establishment we frequented.