Meanwhile, Back in Make Believe World

Alex didn't want to go play mini golf today. He was busy playing with his doctor kit.

"Doctors have a lot of work to do. They don't have time to play golf." he told us.

Sunday, August 21

Aye, Aye Cap'n!

This rainy, crummy day was brightened up by sailing. Remote control sailing that is!

With nowhere to go and a Sunday schedule on the buses (read: not at all), Mommy decided to go to Manhattan. With not much argument from either Alex or Grandma Orquidea, we were off in a flash – or two. (We caught a 2:26 train.) After a slow train and an even slower bus from 125th, we were finally at Central Park.

It’s a good thing it was rainy today. It started to rain while we were at the first playground we stopped in. Mommy decided to head the group to shelter in a restaurant. Le Pain Quotidien filled up too quickly. Mommy remembered that the Boathouse was huge and steered the group there. When we got there, we were greeted by striking workers who asked us to boycott the place. They sent us east towards another more labor friendly place.

I’m not sure I found the place, but I did find boats! Lots and lots of remote control boats for rent! At 11/half hour, I was all in. As soon as Alex understood that it was the all-white sailboats or nothin’ (instead of the personal blue battleship he spotted), he was all in too.

Then there was some part of the half hour spent on explaining how the remote control we were given controlled only ONE boat. After he got that down, he was golden.

What a blast he had! “I’m driving this boat!” he exclaimed anytime I tried to help him out of a jam. After a while, I realized that he’d have more fun in jams than out of them. So, I let him just go to town.

 

 

When the half hour was up, Alex wasn’t having any of it. “I’m not ready!” he told the guy who came to get the remote back. “I’m still on the boat!” I told him that there were some goodies I spied back at the rental counter. That’s where I overheard the price of the Captain’s hat – 20 dollars for a boat and a hat. I showed the lady my receipt and she gladly charged me 9 dollars more for the captain’s hat. Alex was thrilled now.

“I’m the Captain and you’re the General”, he told me. “Now, come on! Let’s go!” I wasn’t sure why the Army would be listening to a Naval officer, but he was in a fun little world, so why rock the boat?

Sunday, August 21

Aunt Ellen Comes for...Playland!!!

Aunt Ellen visited for lunch this afternoon - or so she thought.  Little did she know that today would be Alex's day with his godmother at his favoritest place in the whole wide world: Playland!

Lunch was had at Poppy's cafe, where Alex had the chocolate chip pancakes.  Then, a necessary stop at the Country Store was in order.  Then, it was off to Playland!!!  Alex was soooo excited that Aunt Ellen was going to see it and even ride the rides with him.   That was, after we talked him into going on the rides at all.  He really wanted to show Aunt Ellen the arcade and the souvenir stand.

The "Macks", as Alex likes to call the Convoy ride, were first.  Alex and Ellen even got the first car!!

There were some bird nests behind the Convoy ride in the rafters of the train station for the Playland Express.   I tried to get some photos of them.

After the Convoy, it was off to the Antique Cars where Alex did some flirting.

It was so hot, we all decided to head for a cool drink.   Nathan's did the trick with some shaded picnic tables nearby.   Alex was soon chasing seabirds and pigeons, calling out "Come here!  I want to give you a hug!!"  They weren't interested.

We took one last ride on the Carousel, where Alex insisted that Aunt Ellen join us.   She took Alex's favorite seat of last year - the benches.  Alex, for his part, wanted to sit on a horse he hadn't sat on before.   He choose a second row horse.

Aunt Ellen told Mommy that she had to go soon.  After all, she had just planned on lunch!  That wasn't good enough for Alex, though.  He wanted her to see a show, but, sadly, it wasn't until after 6.  Alex settled for a stop at the treat stand instead.   Popcorn - his favorite.

Aunt Ellen dropped us off, hoping to see us two weeks from now.  She said something about a real lunch at the "crepe place".   Alex, for his part, slept really really well that evening.   He doesn't sleep like that when we go to the Rue des Crepes.   Just sayin.'

Can't Touch This

As promised earlier today, I took Alex and Grandma to the Mamaroneck Shares block party on Mamaroneck Avenue.  Grandma asked Alex if he expected to dance there.  He said "No!" quite vehemently adding "I don't like dancing!"

After a dinner at Cafe Mozart and some walking around (and a promise to return to Dunkin' Donuts that evening), we came across a dance party for kids.  That was when Mr. "I Don't Like Dancing" busted some slick moves.

Even breakdancing with chalk (drawing circles) to Taio Cruz and Ludicris.

When the bouncy castle closed because of lightning, I thought it all deserved a trip back to Dunkin' Donuts.

Mama Has a Test Today

We had to travel to Greenwich today.  Mommy had a CT scan scheduled at the hospital there.  Now we find out just how well the operation went.   Alex was cool with it, though.  For one thing, the waiting room had the largest doctor's office activity cube he'd EVER seen.

AND it had a cool saltwater fish tank.

But Alex will tell you that the BEST part of Greenwich (besides the ferries to the islands), is the Oreo Cake.  We stopped at My Favorite Place (that's its name) for lunch - over Alex's protestations.   That was, of course, until it was time for desert.   Oreo Cake for everyone, which turned into Oreo Cake for Alex mostly.  He was even double fisted with flatware.

The fun postscript to the day were the sunflowers we spotted outside the Italian diner in Harrison, across the street from the train station.  Alex just loves sunflowers.  He was so excited to see just how tall and big they get.

Alex says, "I'm being a bee here".

He wasn't too happy to be going home, but Daddy had an interview that day.  I promised Alex that I would take him to the block party that evening.   A promise is a promise.

Alex Delgado, Rule Maker

I needed to get out this afternoon.  It's been so gloomy with all of the rain.  This was the first day I've been off the Keppra (illegitimately).  It was the first day I felt clear minded since my surgery. I needed to go out into the sunshine. I suggested that Alex come with us on our walk.

Yeah!  A nice peacful walk - dominated by Alex's barking out orders on how we were to walk there.  (Mamaroneck Ave).   At one point, after having screamed that we were NOT walking through the park, he said "I make the rules!"  Dan took out the camera and asked him to repeat it.  He had another order instead.  "Don't camera me!  I said turn it off!"   So, Dan did - after Alex's protests were significant, of course.

As soon as Dan shut off the camera, of course, Alex said "I have rules."

A Day Out With Ice Cream (of course).

Mommy needed to get out. So did Alex.  Off we went to Mamaroneck Avenue with Daddy.  A day for...the Marina Playground!!!  But first, some gelato.  Alex had the usual, Oreo flavored.

THEN it was the Marina Playground.

It was pretty cool to sit down and watch Alex as he climbed around on the ships by himself.  He was able to make friends, get himself out of jams and even know when to take a break.   It started to drizzle, though.  And Mommy was tired.  Alex wasn't too happy about leaving.   I promised I would take him out the next day.     Getting out and about has been good for both of us.