A quick trip to the New York Aquarium

Cohen took a tumble on Monday and hurt his arm. It's not broken (YAY!), but it's really sore and swollen. He won't lift it up or use it, but we do know he can move it. :) I decided that the playground probably wouldn't be a good option for him, so Jeff suggested we finally make the trip to the New York Aquarium. I heard that it's under construction and there's not a lot going on there right now, but Cohen got excited about the idea of seeing a shark, so we went.

Rumors were right and there's really not a lot there. Luckily it was part of our WCS membership, so we didn't have to pay anything (Once again, thanks Grandma and Grandpa A)! Cohen did enjoy the "temporary" shark tank and the sea lion show. It's going to be really cool once they have the construction done. Cohen and I will have to make the trek back down there in 2018!

Spending some quality time on the Beach in Atlantic City

Cohen and I spent both Thursday and Friday morning on the beach in Atlantic City. It was perfect! We got up early (cause Cohen has decided that he enjoys giving me a 6am wakeup call) and headed down to the beach after breakfast. There weren't very many people there and the temp was 75 degrees, sunny, with a nice breeze. IT WAS PERFECT! Cohen and I spent quality time digging and filling buckets with sand. It's the simple things in life that bring us so much joy. Cohen and I were both sad to leave. I think we need to make visiting the beach a more regular activity in our lives.

 

Back to the Cape May Zoo

Cohen and I dropped Jeff off at his conference in Atlantic City and we headed down to the Cape May Zoo. I took Cohen here in October 2015 and enjoyed it, so I figured it would be a good way to spend our afternoon while Jeff was in meetings. After several visits to the Bronx Zoo over the past couple of months, the Cape May Zoo has lost some of it's luster, but hey...it's FREE! We didn't have much time there since it closes at 4:30pm, but we saw a few animals. Cohen was more interested in playing at the playground, so we spent the last 30 minutes there before heading home to meet Jeff for dinner at Morton's Steakhouse.

Back to Atlantic City!

Jeff had another conference in Atlantic city, so Cohen and I happily made the trek down with him. I feel so lucky that Cohen and I get to join him on these trips, because we get to hang out at the beach all morning, relax, nap, eat sweets, and then join Jeff for dinner. It's totally a great vacation.

Jeff's conference was at the Borgata, but we decided to stay at Caesars since it's on the beach and that's where Cohen and I wanted to be. Caesars is nice, but it's a little old. The rooms are clean and nice, but the past two times we've stayed we have had something broken (generally in the bathroom) in our room. That said, it's cheaper than the other casinos that we looked at and the two times we've stayed there they have upgraded us to a suite...so we are fans!

One perk of staying at Caesars is the Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill! I'm a girl that loves her Beef Wellington! Cohen has turned into a bit of a foodie (like his daddy) and he too really likes sharing my Beef Wellington. On our first night, we went to Morton's Steakhouse (also at Caesars). It was ok, but Jeff and I weren't overly impressed (especially with the price tag). Cohen LOVES steak so of course he was a fan. Our last night there we went back to Gordon Ramsay's. They were a little slow bringing out our food and they messed up Jeff's order, so they gave a dessert for FREE!

There's a great ice cream place in the lobby at Caesars which we enjoyed a little too often. Cohen LOVES chocolate ice cream and insisted on holding the cone all by himself. Let's just say we ruined a couple of his shirts with chocolate stains. 

Gummy Sharks are another one of Cohen's favorite treats.  There's a place called It's Sugar that' right across the boardwalk from Caesars and Cohen remembers it well and always insists that we go in and grab a few. It's such a bright and cheerful store. 

Back to the High Line for Rachel and Jilyn's Senior Pictures!

I really miss my YW in New Jersey! I'm so glad that Jilyn and Rachel come up to visit me on occasion and fill me in on the latest happenings in the good old Eatontown 2nd ward. I was called into Young Women's when these two were newly minted Beehives. I can't believe they will both be graduating next month.  Last month, they trekked into the city (ridiculously early...at my request) and met me at the High Line park to take some senior pictures. I love these two girls. They are such wonderful young women I can't wait to see what amazing adventures life will bring them.

Grandpa A. Visit May 2017: New York Transit Museum

Last week, Cohen and I went with our Joy School friends to the New York Transit Museum. Cohen LOVED it and didn't want to the leave. The only way he would leave is if I promised to bring him back with Grandpa A when he got here. He was quite upset when Grandpa A showed up and we didn't go right away, but we were able to squeeze it in on Grandpa's last day.

It's a really small museum, but they really do have some amazing things packed in there. Cohen's favorite part is going downstairs and running through all the old fashioned subway cars.

Grandpa A. Visit May 2017: Bronx Zoo

Clearly we really love zoos, because the day after visited the Central Park Zoo, we went to the Bronx Zoo. I really LOVE the Bronx Zoo. You get so close to the animals and they have so many. Dad really enjoyed the zoo too!

This was the third time I've been to the zoo in the past couple of months and I still haven't seen everything! It's just so big and there's so much to do and see. Cohen rode the Bug Carousel three times and loved every second of it. He insisted on riding on the blue bug. The monorail was open so we rode that too. The zoo was absolutely beautiful with all the green trees. I feel so lucky that Cohen and I get to visit so often.

Grandpa A. Visit May 2017: Central Park

On Monday Grandpa and I took Cohen to the Central Park Zoo! Dad's visited several times and I've never taken him to the Central Park Zoo! Since he (and Grandma) gave us a zoo membership for Christmas, I figured it was about time we went. He was expecting it to not be so great (probably because I always said it was nice but small and not worth the price of admission), but he loved that it was small and you could see everything really quickly. It's also really beautiful in the summer with all the ivy.

I was thrilled with our trip because usually the Red Panda is sleeping or hiding and this time he was out eating and climbing around! We missed the bears because they were being lazy and sleeping, but I got a chance to see the penguin feeding!

We then headed to the Plaza to get a Black and White Cookie (Cause why not!) and then headed to a diner for lunch. All in all it was a good day.

The picture below (right) is totally a perfect representation of Grandpa's trip here. Cohen would not stop licking him (Poor Grandpa.)! Cohen was running on a whole different level. He was crazy hyper and soooooo excited to see Grandpa.

Grandpa A. Visit May 2017: A quick trip to get pasta and a treat

On Saturday we ventured down to Greenwich Village for some fresh pasta from Raffetto's and a sweet treat from François Payard Bakery. Jeff and Cohen have made this tip several times over the past couple of months, so I was excited to finally join them and see what it's all about. It was lunch time so we also stopped and grabbed some pizza from Denino's. Dad said it was the best pizza he's had in New York. I don't know if I agree, but it was pretty good.

Grandpa A. Visit May 2017: Building a fort with Grandpa Anderson

I LOVE when family comes to visit. It's so much fun getting out and showing them the sights. Plus I usually get a chance to see a broadway show or two. (I have a problem...I'm addicted) Dad and I went to see Groundhog Day the Musical on Friday and really enjoyed it. It was very funny and totally entertaining. It was also fun seeing a couple of celebrities.

On Saturday it rained and rained and rained. We took a little trip to the candy shop (only a block and a half away) and were soaked to the bone! We decided to head back and enjoy a day inside. Cohen convinced Grandpa to build a fort with him. Cohen is boy that loves his forts. He is sure lucky to have such a fun Grandpa.