31 Cents

Today was Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night. They raise money for America's firefighters. The Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation™ (NFFF). Leah stopped over there and they had a deejay & face painter. The other day Leah wanted to have her face painted at the zoo but there was at least an hour wait. I'm glad she finally got what she wanted. I think she looks great.

The Bronx Zoo

We went to the Bronx Zoo today. The Bronx Zoo has a special place in my heart. Many days were spent at the zoo with my family going up. As a preteen (tween) I spent many days there with friends. The zoo was literally a 5 minute walk from my house. I also volunteered there and even worked there for a short while during my teen years. Needless to say I am always up for a trip to the old neighborhood and zoo.

Matt bought us a family membership. I already have trips plans to the Prospect Park & Queens Zoos. I am looking forward to using the membership this summer.

We met up with Lindsay and her friend Susy & Susy's two beautiful kids Silas & Jack. Leah was excited to spend the day with Silas & Lindsay.

We spent the afternoon walking and looking at the animals, chasing the kids around and enjoying the really nice weather.

On the way back to the exit after leaving Lindsay & company we stopped at the Children's Zoo and then stopped for an ice cream cone.

We weren't far from my where my dad lives so we stopped at his house. My mom came over. I cooked dinner & we all hung out for the evening. I miss home a lot. Home to me is the Bronx. No matter how many years have passed since I last lived there, it is still where I grew up. In my heart it is home. I love sharing it with Leah & Louis.

Fun with Fish

We went to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead today.

Leah brought baby Bella in her new ERGObaby - Galaxy Grey doll carrier. It matches my carrier.

We stopped and watched the sea lion show.





Then we fed & pet the southern stingrays & white-spotted bamboo sharks.





Leah could spend hours at the Touch Tank. She spent time touching sea urchins, star fish, crabs and other sea creatures.


Matt absolutely loves sea life. I keep expecting him to decide to take up diving as a hobby, just as his big sister Lindsay has.




Checking out the penquins




My two pirates :-)




Leah took time to show Louis around from tank to tank.




On our way out Leah made 3 wishes at the fountain.


After the aquarium we stopped at Tanger Outlets and I bought the kids more summer clothes. We scored some pretty good deals at Carters & OshKosh B'Gosh.

Jeopardy Time

Growing up there was a nightly tradition my father always managed to observe when he was home. We would watch Eyewitness news at 6 p.m., World News Tonight (with Peter Jennings) at 6:30 p.m. followed by Jeopardy at 7 p.m. I credit World News tonight for my interest in Global affairs. My dad was a doorman in the building where Jennings lived and I remember stalking the lobby hoping to bump into him.

Some my earliest memories are of watching Jeopardy as young as 5 years old. It sounds silly but I always said that I needed to end up with someone who enjoys trivia as much as I do AND is good at it. Matt loves it and is very good at games like Trivial Pursuit & Jeopardy.

Leah now watches nightly with us. We record it so even if we aren't home we can still watch it the next day. She has Louis watching as well ;-) and her baby doll Bella.

Easter Loot

Easter 2010

Tea Time with Leah

We went to Manhattan today. Leah, Louis and myself. We took the LIRR to Penn Station and headed uptown to Alice's Tea Cup-Chapter I for brunch. The meal was delicious and Leah enjoyed being there.







After brunch we walked up to the American Museum of Natural History.

Leah spent nearly 3 hours on the 4th floor going through the exhibits one by one. She was very curious about the different geological eras & the common ancestors among living animals.









We met my friend Jasmine & her newborn baby boy Ethan on the 4th floor. We walked through the rest of the museum and visited the minerals & rocks last. Leah's favorite. She is showing a great interest in all things geological. She has always liked playing in the dirt :)





After the museum we walked around and bought dinner at the Shake Shack at Columbus & 77th Street. We took our food over to Central Park and ate it on a bunch by the lake. After eating Jasmine & baby Ethan went off to go shoe shopping. Leah wanted to stay a bit longer so we went to one of the playgrounds so she could running around.

Around 7 in the evening it was time to head home.

A good time was had by all.