I used to dislike it when I got to the end of the summer and felt I hadn't done anything much. Life with a family means that no longer happens and I doubt it ever will. Lydia always makes me a tiny little album of the previous 12 months for a Valentines present and I always ask 'where's that?' 'Wales', 'where's that?' 'Ireland' etc etc and I'm always amazed how much things we cram in.
Well anyway we went to visit the Horca Stones in Ireland a month or so ago which was a low key but pleasant trip. Olive seemed to get more attached to her 2 other cousins and when we got back kept saying 'Maya?' in a slightly wistful way. Quite sweet really.
I don't like airports much but this 1 hour flight was a useful dry run for our next trip. Lydia had been grumbling that we hadn't any plan for her birthday on Oct 8th so I decided that we should use our wedding present fund (which we hadn't touched) to book a trip to New York. My friend (and usher) Dominic lives in upstate New York in a suburb called Pelham and had offered us a place to stay. He has a boy William who is nearly 4 and Stella who is 2 1/2 and said his house is very child friendly. I decided that 5 nights would be enough time to see some sights but not outstay our welcome. I spent a good while researching flights and discovered that British Airways were the only airline that provided a 'bed' for an 18-month-old so we booked with them. Olive had quite enjoyed the flight to Dublin. She likes lots of people to smile at and there is usually at least one person nearby who smiles back. We weren't that lucky on the way to NY - a couple in there mid 50s sat next to us and didn't seem too chuffed to be next to a baby. Olive only cried a couple of times tho and slept a little bit in her tiny bed.
Anyway we had a great time when we there. The first day we just went into Manhattan and wandered around, having lunch and just soaking up the atmosphere. There really is nowhere else like New York.
Rockefeller Park - Olive stretching her legs
The second day we took Olive to the Bronx Zoo. I was really looking forward to this as Ol has never been to any zoo and yet we spend hours every day reading books, singing songs and drawing pictures about elephants, lions and crocodiles etc. Thankfully the world-renowned Bronx Zoo did not disappoint. There was a great kids zoo to start off with - Olive can be a little nervous of animals up close so this was great way to ease her into it - then we were off looking at giraffes, gorillas, tigers and elephants followed by an enchanting butterfly house and then penguin feeding ! You can't beat a proper zoo.
Prairie Dogs
The great Butterfly House
Penguin feeding
That night was Thursday night which in Dominic's house is 'date night' where their neighbour's 17-year-old daughter comes around and baby sits. Olive was sleeping ok so we agreed to give the babysitter a little extra and go out for dinner nearby with Dom and Caden. This was lovely and great fun.
Next day we went back to Manhattan and wandered around a lovely sunny Central Park, had lunch by a lake and let Olive stretch her legs.
Fun in Central Park
Saturday we spent with Dom and his kids, going to a fun 2-yr olds' birthday party, then a farm. This was Lydia's birthday and Dom and Caden offered to babysit so we could go out into Manhattan that night ! We knew they would know some great places and sure enough Dom recommended a very atmospheric speakeasy bar and Caden a great French restaurant which didn't disappoint. It was a lovely warm evening and quite possibly Lydia and I's dream night out. We got back at 2am.
A really great family holiday. I think Olive liked spending 5 days with both of us and the zoo was fun.
Can't wait to go back.
