May Days

Oh the joys of the long weekend!

Tracy and I were talking the other day about how the 3 day weekend for Memorial Day has to be one of the most underrated holidays of all.  Memorial Day does, after all, serve as the ceremonial kickstart to summer.  And though we don’t look forward these days to summer vacation from school, summer does still mean things like the crisp coolness of a swimming pool and the delicious goodness of burgers on the grill.  The best part about Memorial Day?  These great things have only just begun, and we have months and months ahead to enjoy them.

We tried to make the most of our long weekend and were able to pack it full with a variety of delightful activities.  We started out Friday night, as Tracy and I had the luxury of a babysitter for the evening so we could go out for dinner to celebrate our friend Hannah’s birthday.  It was great fun to be out and about sans stroller, especially in the uber-trendy and always entertaining Lower East Side (let’s just say that our lack of tattoos made us a minority).  Our little boy was safe and sound at home with our wonderful neighbor who served as babysitter for the night. 

On Saturday (as well as every other morning of the weekend), Miller and I went out on a little stroll to grab a cup of coffee and get some fresh air.  It was on these early morning strolls that you can really appreciate how empty the city feels on a true long summer weekend.  With so many people travelling (to the Hamptons, vacations, etc), the true residential and non-tourist parts of the city seem half full - and twice as awesome as usual. 

But we didn’t spend our whole time in the city.  On Saturday afternoon, our friends Tony and Mindy picked us up and took us out to their neighborhood in Weehawken, NJ, just across the Hudson River.  In a true suburbia style, we partook in a delightful meal at the local Chili’s (complete with bottomless chips, free refills, and gross overeating).  Needless to say, it was fantastic. 

On Sunday and Monday, the highlights of the day were undoubtedly the hours we spent each afternoon sitting in Central Park with friends.  We spent tons of time people watching, throwing the frisbee, and drinking in the warmth of the summer kickstart sun.  

There was just one more big event of the weekend - the official first “meal” for Miller.  We fed him his first bites of rice cereal from a spoon, and the little guy was a natural.  He was a little apprehensive at first about sitting in the chair, but after his first bite, he realized that this food thing was pretty awesome and kept coming back for more.  It was another milestone for him and another reminder for us of just how fast he’s growing up.  

This week he’ll celebrate his 1/2 birthday.  And before you know it, summer will be over and we’ll be getting ready for winter.  Time, it sure does fly - we’re doing our best to soak it in.