Another summer spent in NYC with my daughter...

This summer is passing by under the main motto of "Stay somewhere in the shade". We came back from our European trip on June 7th and since then it was a constant struggle to keep cool. We would go to the playgrounds only if they were under the canopy of trees, venture out onto the lawns safely protected by towering oaks, play the running game when we would have to run through the sun-burning patches of sidewalk and slow down when we reach the "shady" part of it. It is mid-August outside and this summer is not coming back the same way as all of the previous ones. I already feel a tinge of nostalgic feeling for these daily walks along the same route - up the steps to the Riverside Drive, then onto our favorite spot under the welcoming giants of trees. At first I was a bit nervous and unhappy that I would not be able to put Sofusha into a day camp for the summer. I really wanted her to start connecting with a bunch of other kids, to keep exploring her humanity through association with her peers, but the cards fell differently and we had to spend each of our summer days together... I still fantasize about an occasional solitary stroll in the park, crowned by several hours of relaxed reading in the shade while drinking coffee and savoring a yummy croissant. And I actually was able to do it - in part, without the croissant factor but still (: However, no solitary walks and no fun beach outings, no joyful movie siestas and afternoon shopping sprees can compare to strolling hand-in-hand with your dearest child. It does require patience and light attitude but the rewards one reaps are immense. We would walk and pick up acorns, straws, little sticks, stones,flowers, and she would always ask me to put them into my bag as if they were some kind of treasures. Sometimes I felt like cheating and throwing them away when she was not looking but I would feel that it was not the right thing to do since for Sofusha those WERE treasures and I put them all diligently into my bag. Only the other day I emptied it out and washed it. Since the summer is on its way out... We would lounge under the lush greenery as if it were some extravagant resort for the initiated and I don`t think I would enjoy the latter more than this natural oasis of shade. We would read, paint, draw, play with our toys, soccer ball and just fool around - the memories of these happy hours will forever shine in front of me as as a glorious and radiant sunrise that keeps happening. And that is why this summer is so different from the other unbearably hot ones - this summer is unforgettable.

West Village life-style (with a child) ):

Residing in the charming and quaint old neighborhood of West Village is not for the faint of heart, I should admit. We decided to try it out for a short while (I have never ever stayed here before though have always been fascinated by all these townhouses, trendy restaurants, cute little coffee-shops). This is the beauty of a short-term rental, you know if something goes wrong or you just find some irreconcilable factors that do not appeal to you from whichever angle you observe them. The first day was completely euphoric. We wondered along the 7th ave South, crossed to 8th ave, found a nice homey looking old time diner "Bonbonniere", which already had some mom with an infant strapped to her seated at the outdoor table. Being a mother, the ways I pick eateries nowadays changed - I always make sure the place is not overly crowded and preferably already has some little patrons on the premises. We sat, took the menus, first I just took one but my daughter loves to peruse it on her own, so I had to get the second one. We ordered a hearty beef stew and a cup of green pea soup. Having spent plenty of energy staring with curiosity around our new neighborhood, I swallowed the meal in big spoonfuls. Sonia was not bent on eating as much as I was. But overall our introduction to West Village scene went exhilaratingly fine. I mentioned loudly to another customer that it was our first time living in West Village and the gay couple sitting at the counter cringed sentimentally. I almost expected a cupcake or something on the house in the honor of our arrival to the hood but it did not happen ): Anyway, West Village is a grand neighborhood for adults seeking entertainment and bohemian flavor but it is a rather challenging escapade to reside here with children or even with one child, especially when you never use a stroller on your outings. There are many open basement cellars, of which I always has to be alert. My daughter loves to break away from me and run ahead, so I chase her. And I just look way far ahead of myself to see the gaping openings of cellars. Another danger lies in narrowness of the sidewalks, they are more narrow than those on UWS or UES and this is still worsened by the fact of how crowded they get, especially on week-ends. So this is definitely a hand-hold area. Another minus is the absence of that luscious wide spacious greenery zone situated Uptown, namely Central Park. Here, as one local mom friendlily shared with me, "we have tons of playgrounds - Bleecker Street, Jane Street etc." But nothing to compare with CP. But on the other hand, there is a Magnolia Bakery, many steep stoops with all sorts of ornaments and flower pots on them (climbing which to the very top has a magnetizing effect on Sonia for some reason). I don`t count as an attraction numerous quaint cozy coffee-shops and cafes, where one can people watch from the benches next to window, type away on one`s laptop sitting at the teeny-weeny table and just be your own Postmillennial self. With a child, these hot spots are off limits cause the child needs space to run around and you don`t want her knocking off hot cups of cappuccinos. So we just stroll around and do the people watching in reverse. ): But occasionally we find a nice secluded bakery or cafe with just a bunch of people inside like it happened today - we found an authentic French patisserie Claude, a long-term resident of West Village itself and asked a lonely patron to take a picture of us. The explorations go on... ):