Waterfront

On this brutally hot Thursday morning, Nate and I biked over the Pulaski Bridge into Long Island City. We didn't really know where we were going and so we meandered towards the waterfront, where high rise rentals gleam and loom. There, we stumbled into a kind of kid/parent paradise. Seriously. Hammocks and wooden lounge chairs lined the perimeter of a lovely lush lawn, all bordering on the East River and glorious midtown manhattan. Then a bunch of sprinklers awoke, and soon Nate was running around like a suburban kid. I took these photos from the hammock, where I lounged lazily.

Afterwards, we discovered a playground on the western border of the lawn, with funky and innovative jungle-gym equipment -- not your run of the mill NYC playground stuff -- like climbing mountains of ropes, chairs that spun 360 at 45 degree angle, and plastic slides that didn't heat up to 1000 degrees. It was great fun in the sun. Long Island City. Who knew?

Park in the Morning

As we roll into summer, Nate has hit kind of an angel phase. He's just -- I don't know -- delightful. He's sleeping better, communicating enough to sidestep major frustration, and displays a sweetness that we bath in giddily, like we might if we found ourselves in a Jacuzzi filled with whipped cream. Or pudding. Anyway, I'm looking forward to being outside with Nate, traveling around with him, etc. Here's a nice photo sequence of Nate at McCarren Park. Did I mention that he's in an angel phase?

Nate with Nana

Nate spent the weekend with Nana and Grandpa in Huntington, as Shana and I took a little weekend getaway to Woodstock (gig with Bro Jo at the Bearsville Theater). Nate was in good hands. Before I left, me and my mom took Nate to Heckscher State Park in Huntington. It's got a lot of goose poop, but it's a cute park with lots of stuff for toddlers to look at and play with. Here's my mom holding Nate as he sits on a rocking horsy...