Bronx Zoo field trip that is. We truly had a full and wonderful week. Here’s what it looked like:

“Recess” got cancelled because we ended up at the picnic for so long. Art got circled because even though we did art the kids wanted more so I circled it to bring it back whenever we had an open spot. Gym Thurs. at first got circled because since we were so engaged we never got out of the apt until it was time for lifegroup and then crossed out because of how much walking, climbing, jumping etc the kids did on Friday at the zoo. Government got circled because we never got to it since we were pretty tired after the zoo trip and the kids wanted to get back to their 500 piece MET puzzle we had started working on during their “breaks” which was just fine with me. Anything circled get’s carried over to do during the weekend. At least that’s the general plan. The kids love this schedule. It just sort of flows from one thing to the next without any strict timeframes. At least for this first week it all really worked. The other thing Dante really got into during his breaks or while Anika was still working on her subjects was Legos. He ended up going on major Lego adventures for hours at one point after we spent a significant amount of time sorting through hundreds of pieces we got from a friend over the summer.

Here are a couple of Bronx Zoo pics:

Three little birds in a nest.

It was over 4 hours of learning magic, fun and physical movement to keep it short.

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Fun times. We got to meet some new folks, hang with friends, and just enjoy the fun in the sun.

The numbers of homeschoolers in NYC who actually came did not cease to amaze me.

There are the kiddos.

Taking a break on the ride home…we were pooped! This was an all day affair (we left our apt at 11am and didn’t get back ’til just about 5pm).

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A perfect way to spend the “last” day of summer. Yes, we too “unofficially” start “school” tomorrow.

Dante, being quite the bike rider now had no problem with the 7 mile (each way) ride down to batter park city.

We were originally hoping to ride Governor’s Island (only open on weekends) but we could find anywhere on their website that said the ferry would be working today. We’re saving that for another day.

We did take plenty of breaks.

Anika, cooling off.

Melvin, taking every opportunity to get his iPhone “fix”.

The bikes.

The newest (most modern) landscape designed areas and playgrounds have got to be along the Hudson River Park.






My cutie pattutti.

And finally, a roadside break for dinner. It was a looong ride.


I LOVE summer in the city!!!

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This is the official documentation required by the NYC Department of Education Office of Homeschooling we mailed in: Letter of Intent and Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) plus the MetroCard application. Note the Star Wars stamps :-D.

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We went specifically to see the special Superhero Costumes exhibit before it ends Sept 1st… that and Melvin’s mom who has been in NYC many times had never been to this particular museum.

It truly was the coolest thing ever…but no photography was allowed.
We then luckily got to catch another couple of special exhibits that will also be leaving soon.

Jeff Koons on the Roof





and Tara Donovan at the Met


Other than that we each got to pick a special area. I picked modern art.


Dante picked Arms and Armor. We probably spent over an hour fully engaged. It was pure learning awesomeness.

and finally both Anika and Dante picked Egyptian Art. Anika had enjoyed the special exhibits so much she didn’t have a particular interest in anything else and since Dante really wanted to see Egyptian Art she willingly agreed and was actually interested as well.

Unfortunately, Dante, with his many fears lately couldn’t stop thinking about the Samurai costumes and Egyptian mummy coffins at bedtime.

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Vegan place few blocks from here Mel’s dad had been wanting to go to for months.

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Mel’s parents are in town and staying with us for a few days. (His dad is actually here on business so he’ll be off to his hotel by Monday night, but his mom stays with us.) We got to share one of my favorite activities ever…laying on blankets at the park…this time Riverside Park…

that way we get the Hudson River view.

Then we came home and made a special recipe from Mel’s dad’s veggie blog:
MiCocinaVegetariana (just a little side hobbie site of his)

They’re a veggie feast on plantains. Here is the full meal:

(The turkey on the side was just for me, the kids and Mel.)

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I marked the occasion months ago on my calendar but somehow the day came and we hadn’t really planned for it. As soon as I noticed it on my calendar on my way to meet a friend I texted Mel and he was on it. Immediately the days plans were shifted to one seriously fun (and free) afternoon.

Well, the kids may differ in opinion…



Really, they did amazing and actually did enjoy much of the concert. I even got a compliment from some people behind us at the end at how wonderful they thought the kids were.

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Who would have thought a simple trip to Ikea could be such a memorable event.


Well it certainly helped that the kids were with Mel’s family in Florida and we were “honeymooning” living it up going out with all kinds of friends and staying up to the wee hours of the night (a hem…morning). We weren’t just on the water taxi to Ikea we were lovin’ life and cruising the Hudson enjoying spectacular views.

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from the 29th Floor!

We actually only took a few breaks out on the balcony…we did not hang out there the whole time. This was from a Taco Bar/ Killer Sangria/ Couples Game Night event.

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