Enjoying the outdoor

Finally the nice weather has arrived. New York is a city of extremes so it did mean that suddenly it was very hot.  The boys have enjoyed a much wider range of activities in the last few weeks. They are not so keen to stay indoors anymore so it's a rush to get outside each day - down 31 floors.

choosing a colour

The playgrounds are very popular and busy here. We decided to try out the chalk crayons we took with us from England that had originally come from the Netherlands. We made lots of friends colouring the pavement in the downstairs playground. It was mainly roads and spiderwebs they were colouring. I am not sure thats because they are boys or because it's hard to imagine what the draw when you have the whole big floor in front of you. Luckily mummy had thought of wet wipes so we also kept the other mummies as friends.

Concentrating on painting his train

For the long weekend at the end of May, we went away to a ranch http://www.rockinghorseranch.com. about an hour away from New York, upstate. There was lots of different activities included in the package and we made good us of it. I think it's fair to say the swimming won in popularity with Jasper and Thomas. There was an indoor pool with a big slide, some small slides and lots of water features. There was also an outdoor pool with more slides. During our 2 and half day visit, we went to the pools 5 times and it showed. Thomas managed to teach himself to swim, mainly under water first. Jasper also was very confident in the water. We think the swim vests they have here (and are 'the law') really help. We also did some mini golf one evening after dinner. Thomas immediately hit the ball in the lake, but Jasper was concentrating as ever as he loves any ball activity.

mini golf

We also did trampolining (mummy's favorite), boating and painting but no horse riding! I hadn't realised it can be scary for kids to go on a big horse, so Jasper was all set to go with helmet on and on the steps and then he declared he didn't want to go. Thomas then decided he didn't want to either which was strange being the oldest and normally the one trying things out. Jasper did stroke the horse which I have been told was a good sign for his horse riding future.

Thomas declared it was the best day ever after 2 swimming sessions and 3 ice creams and it could possibly be true for his life!


Thomas swimming under water :