Boo at the Zoo 2013

After we had such a great time last year at Boo at the (Bronx) Zoo, we decided to go back again this year with the Wyatt Family.  Unfortunately, the dads had to work so Susan and I braved it alone; we did learn our lesson from last year though and drove so that we wouldn't have to deal with the subway/bus on the way home.
We got to the zoo a little after opening, fixed up our costumes and headed inside - it was a beautiful fall day and we were all excited to look at our maps and figure out what to do first.

Once inside, we headed straight to the Haunted Hayride since we had to wait the longest for that last year - unfortunately, we quickly realized that there was no haunted hayride this year but instead a Dinosaur Safari.   It was ok though because the safari was pretty fun and the kids seemed to love it, especially Dylan and Lillie.   Dylan was dressed as a Storm Trooper and of course, needed a weapon so he had brought his gun to the zoo. 

It came in handy on the safari because Lillie and Dylan decided Dylan would protect us from the dinosaurs. 

 Lillie kept telling Dylan "Shoot him - he is coming" when we approached a dinosaur except for the baby dinosaurs and then she would yell "Don't shoot, that is just a baby".
 

 
Thanks to Dylan and Lillie, we made it safely through the safari and reached our first treat station and the Dino Dig.  

During lunch, the kids made crafts (pumpkin and witch masks) and then we went to the hay maze, where Susan, Parker and I took a break while the rest of the kids ran around (after a "minor" meltdown over taking a picture during which my kids basically beat each other up). 


 could it be any more obvious that my boys did not want to take these pictures? 

There was no Haunted mansion this year but the kids were actually happy to look at the regular zoo exhibits.

 
 
We did take the monorail (both Susan and I agreed it was the best monorail ride ever - all of the animals were very visible) and when we came out, a show, Beasts of the Magical World, was about to begin so we sat down.  To say the kids were in to the show would be a total understatement - THEY LOVED IT!

Sadly, our day ended on a sour note - the kids had been looking forward to going to the Children's Zoo ALL DAY and when we finally got there, it was closed!  I am sure that they are making some great renovations for next season but I felt bad that the kids were disappointed.   At that point, we called it a day and headed back to the city.   Overall, we had a really fun day and it was a great way to kick off the Halloween season.  Thanks Wyatt Family for sharing a great day with us and we hope we can do it again next year!

Instagram in the City - July

Our July Happenings: 

July 4th: We all were a part of Matt and Jackie's wedding - the boys were the ring bearers, I was a bridesmaid and Jay was a groomsman.  We had a blast celebrating and dancing the night away.   The boys were up until almost 1 am partying with the other kids and cousins from Georgia

 

July 6th - Pool party at Michael and Jasmine's house

Random July photos

Back to School

School started last week for both boys and while we are all still getting used to our new routines, both boys seem to be liking school so far. 

Ryan

I am the mother of a second grader!


I don't know how it happened - Time has just flown by and I feel like it was just yesterday that Ryan was starting pre-k.   On September 9th, Ryan started 2nd grade.  This is Ryan's 4th year at PS 40 so he knows so many kids in his grade - while all of his best friends from last year are in other classes, Ryan already knew a bunch of his new classmates from the park and two of them even live in our building.  

I think this year is going to be a really important one for Ryan and I am hopeful that he will work hard and learn a lot.  His teacher is Ms. Cox and Ms. Trish is the assistant teacher and they seem great so far.   Ryan was very excited that he got a top hook for his backpack, the school courtyard has been reopened for recess after lunch, and that Fridays are still "pizza day" at school.
 Ryan's classroom, Room 2-300 

 backpack hook

Ryan, Ms. Cox, and Ms. Trish 

Dylan
I can't believe the time has come for Dylan to start school - September 11th marked Dylan's first day of full time pre-school.  Doesn't he look so clean, handsome and innocent?

 Dylan will be attending Sleepy Hollow Pre-School, a one class pre-k located inside a local high school.   The head teacher is Ms. Aster who is as sweet as can be and she is assisted by high school students who are hoping to become teachers.
Heading in to school

Dylan and Ms. Aster

The first 2 days, Dylan only went for an hour and a half but now he goes 9-1:30 everyday!   He has a little cubby in his room for his backpack and lunch box, must sign himself in everyday, and has 15 new friends to learn with.
Here is Dylan's cubby (he had a fit that his school supplies were on his lunch box shelf)

Signing in on the first day

Meeting new friends 

Unfortunately after the third day, Dylan told us that he does not like one boy in the class because the boy got him in trouble by making pig noises at Dylan.   When I asked Dylan why he got in trouble, he decided he didn't want to talk about it more so I suspect Dylan is not entirely innocent.   He likes everyone else though, especially the "girl with the pink lunch box".   I will have to find out who that is. 

I hope that this is a great school year for both boys filled with new friends, lots of learning and happy memories

Instagram in the City - June

A random collection of June photos 

Dylan - First day at Michael and Jasmine's pool

Ryan and Omi in the city

Family day on the west side

Picnic at the end of the block

Trophy Day for Teeball

Father's Day with the best dads I know

Newburgh

Last day of 1st grade - Ryan and Ms. Latos