Well...MAYBE Carnivals are Cool

The Carnival was given a second chance on July 4. This time, though, Daddy was an attraction in himself. The rides that had bored Alex only two days before now took on a new light, what with Daddy around to watch him ride!

The games were fun, but the prizes didn't excite. Who needs a giant red, blow-up crayon when there are sharks to fish? The hit was the light up sword that was a guaranteed win at the bell-ringing hammer game.

Alex has apparently decided that sharing ice cream is passe. As promised, he and Mommy began a shared vanilla soft-serve cup with rainbow sprinkles. It wasn't long before he was pulling the cup away from me, pushing my spoon away from it. 'No!' he declared. 'No more ice cream for Mommy. No sharing now.'

And he meant it too, because after he was done with his vanilla cup, he grabbed and stole Dan's chocolate cone.

We wondered how Alex would fare with the fireworks this year. When he was 1 year old, we'd taken him to see the fireworks - being sure to stand even behind the whole carnival in the parking lot of Harbor Island. Even that was too close for the then Baby Alex. He wanted out.

The 3 y.o. Alex gave it a little bit more of a chance. When we stood 'too close' (1/4 mile away), he decided we had to go. When we found a spot under a tree not much further away, he was fine. Then he watched the fireworks with as much glee as his tired little self could muster. After all, they started at around his bedtime.

It was still magic for all involved.


Happy Independence Day, everybody!

Sunday, July 4

Ya Gotta Have Frie-e-e-ends!

This morning, I heard Alex 'introduce' me to someone, 'And this is my Mommy', he said.

I asked him who he was introducing me to and he said 'Max!' I asked 'Max, the bunny? Like in Max and Ruby?' He said 'Yeah!'

I would learn that Max sleeps on Alex's big boy bed while Alex sleeps on the beanbag on the floor. Another friend, Spiderman, also stays on Alex's bed at all times.

An imaginary playmate or two - cool!

Sunday, July 4

Ice Cream Makes a Comeback and the Beach Wins Again.

After having conquered a fear of ice cream trucks from last summer and after having passed his bizarre distaste for ice cream when younger, Alex has decided that ice cream is A-OK.

The rides and games of the Fireman's Carnival took a back seat to ice cream. It was all he asked about, even while waiting to get on a ride. We got a vanilla sundae cup with rainbow sprinkles and shared it as we sat on a bench overlooking the marina.

Once we were done, Alex decided that the fishing pier and beach were much more entertaining than any boring ol' carnival. I mean, where's the 'Dult Ferris Wheel that is big like Playland's huh? Small ferris wheel means Alex is out.

Beach it was!

Friday, July 2

The Sprinklers Tell the Season

Alex has taken to loving the grass-watering sprinklers. Running through them on a hot day has got to be one of the more refreshing moments of summer; something Alex soon discovered.

On Friday evening, I told him that I would take him to the fireman's carnival at Harbor Island Park. He must be all done with rides - what with the season passes to Playland and stuff. He took his time getting there, choosing instead to wait for lawn sprinklers to make their rounds back to any sidewalk we were passing. Sometimes, he made a double pass.

Ahhh, sprinklers - you are so underrated.

Friday, July 2

The Jester Cap Truck

While we were walking home from school this afternoon, a delivery truck passed us by on the Post Road. It was a white truck that had grafitti across its side, advertising the name of the company. Alex noted that it looked like his 'Jester Cap shirt'. We had the shirt done at Playland. It reads 'Alex' in modern-day grafitti letters, with a jester cap hanging off the letters.

'That truck is delivering my Jester Cap shirts.' Alex declared.

I couldn't believe he recognized grafitti style lettering as unique.

Friday, July 2

Red, White and Blue Week Part II

For a little guy who wasn't too thrilled about being left at school, he sure seemed to have a good time while there. After I picked him up from school, I asked him what happened that day as I usually do. This day he was really excited to tell me about it, along with explaining about the American flag that he made.

He told me that Ms. Winter stood on a coyote. (sic 'on') When I said 'A coyote??' He said 'Yeah, a coyote. It's like a dog or somethin' It goes 'Arr-roooo!'' Then he infomed me that Daddy works in Greenburgh. It's near White Plains.

Then when we passed a hole in the sidewalk that once held some sort of metal pole, Alex asked me what it was. I said it was a hole. He asked what it was for. I said that it held a pole once.

He said 'A hole for a pole. Mommy, you rhymed!'

Ya learn something new every day.

We had lunch at the Red Plum that afternoon. We went there because Alex loves the look of the place, especially their waterfall fountain with the koi in it. The waiter was showing Alex how the koi will respond to sounds above the water, as if they're going to be fed. Alex was thrilled!

He wasn't so thrilled with the sushi that they serve, however. That didn't stop him from talking up eating at the Red Plum and stating that he was a cook at the Red Plum while he played with his kitchen at home.

Friday, July 2

Week 2 - Red, White and Blue Week

Today, we kicked off Week 2 of Day Camp. Alex was all sorts of thrilled to walk to school, because it means that he gets a nice walk with Daddy in the mornings. He's even learned to tell us that he needs a 'break' and stop at a stump in Florence Street park along the way.

Leaving him at school didn't go so well. Daddy and Mommy have to learn how to slip out of the Blue Room no matter how much he cries. Thankfully Ms. Winter was quick to distract by painting a shark just like the one on Alex's shirt.

Separation anxiety part II. Stay tuned.

Thursday, July 1