Crossing Bridges

Growing up in Brooklyn can have its perks.  From parks with carousels, kids at the playgrounds & drum circles readily available & within in walking distance.  We often find life in the borough with a two year old an adventurous blessing. 

Such as our Saturday when some day's go a little something like this: 

Our day began in D.U.M.B.O (Down Under the Manhattan, Brooklyn Overpass) 

Starting our morning crossing the Brooklyn Bridge with Bebe Birds Mini Micro Scooter in tow.  Bebe Bird ecstatic. Papa and I excited. The views of Manhattan and Brooklyn breathtaking.  Some fine street art decorating the city.

And He's Off

Papa Bird showing Bebe Bird Manhattan and Brooklyn.  

From Brooklyn into Manhattan we head over to the Southstreet Seaport and discover new playgrounds.  

Where we slid down curly sides.  And...

splashed in the water features wearing nothing but a full wet diaper and lots of smiles.

Afterward, Bebe Bird napped. And I don't have proof (a la photographs) but Papa and I got to eat (and finish) a lovely brunch followed by a cocktail...(yes!) No interceptions of tiny hands reaching for full glasses of water or declarations of "I all done!" before the food has even arrived! There was no running back and forth on the restaurants seats or giving the servers the stink eye for not providing another chocolate croissant.  It was just me and papa two cocktails and one sleeping peacefully toddler.  And my friends, it was glorious!   

Then there was the Imagination Playground next to the Seaport.   

It looks a little something like this (above).  There was a tunnel slide that Bebe Bird zoomed down! And when you climbed the ramp to get to the top of the slide you had this amazing view of the large ships docked in the Hudson.  I had another one of my "this is your city!" moments and felt so happy for Bebe Bird because this IS his city.  These are HIS playgrounds.  HIS  childhood memories!  I fell back in love with NYC all over again.

  

Happiest little New Yorker

Earlier in the summer I felt the love affair between us (NYC & Me) getting a little stale.  I was craving time in the country and a yard where I could sit on the porch while Bebe Bird played.  Similar to this getaway.  I wanted the balance of both worlds to enter into my orbit.  A country house and our apartment in Brooklyn.  But, every time I cross the bridge into Manhattan the spark of the city reignites the love I have always had for it.  I'm excited again and the possibilities seem endless.

And as we made our way back to Brooklyn on the Ferry I couldn't help but feel the great joy for the life we are trying to lead in the hectic world of parenting.