Grilling

There were 2 new grills installed on our roof deck last year but Jet refused to pay the $25 annual fee to use them. This year however, he reconsidered after the afternoon we spent having a barbecue at a friend's house in the suburbs. It inspired us do some grilling ourselves. So now, whenever we crave for something grilled, I just marinate some pork or chicken, throw in some corn, hotdogs (for Tonicci) and some vegetables like zucchini and our family is in heaven :)

New York

We escaped to New York City for the first weekend of the summer vacation period. It was Tonicci's 2nd visit to the big apple and every time we would ask him why he loves NYC - he would say that it's because of the large Toys R'Us in Times Square.

This time around though, we also thought of bringing him to the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store on 5th Ave - which was slightly glitzier and pricier than Toys R'Us (although selling similar merchandise). At the end of the trip, he said that he still preferred Toys R'Us though.

We've heard horror stories about driving into NYC - from $60 daily parking rates to aggressive drivers. I was unfazed though and determined not to spend a single cent on parking - I researched all the locations that had free street parking. Needless to say, the gamble to drive in VS taking the train was a success. Found a spot on 80th and 2nd (near the middle of everything) and did not pay a cent!

-Jet

Driving into Manhattan via George Washington Bridge

NYC Cabs are the fastest in the world (back seats are now hi-tech like Singapore with touch screen and infotainment)

Mario Batali's EATALY

NYC Public Library

Bryant Park

What a treat for Tonicci - a carousel in the middle of the park

Time Square - unlicensed Mascots (colorum)

Eto na! Toys R'Us

Tonicci redeeming his entitlement to one purchase

Shake shack- one of the best burgers we've ever tried!

Central Park

Taking a break from all the walking

Apple flagship store

The Plaza hotel in the background

Big Piano at FAO Schwarz (immortalized by that piano scene in the motion picture BIG with Tom Hanks)

Lego sculpture of Batman

Candy land

Woodburry Commons Outlet Mall (90 mins away from Manhattan) - sobrang mura dito - I had a heart attack from the selection + prices (compared to Toronto and other outlet malls)

Last day of School

On Tonicci's last day of school, a group of us took off to the park for a picnic. His friend Jacob and his family will be moving away from the city to move to Elora, Ontario. It might take a long time before we see them again. So sad.

We made the most out of the 3 hours we were under the hot summer sun. The boys had so much fun running around, playing in the sand, soccer with Mayon's dad and eating all the yummy snacks! Of course, no playdate is without some hiccups. Tonicci ended up crying twice. The first time around, he fell on the ground while running- where he got a tiny cut that bled for awhile. The next was when his best friend Mayon, according to him, "trapped" him on the ground. Overall, I must say it was a good, sweaty afternoon :)

Tonicci, Michael and Jacob (Mayon didn't want to join them)