Celebrating Mother's Day dinner in Bayside

We rarely eat out because sometimes my daughter fell asleep but on Mother's day we decided to go out for dinner. We went to Asian Terrace in Bay Terrace just to try it out. We went to the Chinese restaurant that was in there before so we decided why not try the new one? Although we have to wait for 10 minutes, the food turns out good. I've ordered Malaysian Curry, my husband ordered Broccoli or mixed vegetables in brown sauce, while my daughter ordered udon noodles. We will definitely go back again or at least order because they also deliver food.

The ambience is nice. I like the fountain in the middle of the restaurant.

Visiting Children's Museum of Manhattan

We visited the Children's Museum of Manhattan during Mother's day and it is worth the traffic. The first floor is like a museum about the body.

The second floor and the third floor are like play center. There is a Dora and Diego exhibit on the 2nd floor with living room, sleeping area, the rainbow bridge, etc.

On the 3rd floor there is an interactive dragon that kids can feed with letters. There are also different transportation vehicles like the MTA bus, yellow can and even a fire truck that children can go in and out of.

There is a 15% discount on Central Parking garage located at West 83rd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. We validated our parking ticket in the reception desk before we stepped out and we only paid $20 for a little more than three hours.

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History

My daughter won a raffle ticket good for 4 people to American Museum of Natural History from Windsor Park Library's Read to Me program by submitting her reading log so off we went to American Museum of natural History.

Passing My Road Test

I'm both happy and relieved that I finally passed my road test. I'll admit taking a bus with a toddler is a bit tricky. Especially those times when she fell asleep and I had to carry her on one hand and the stroller on the other hand while getting off the bus. Not so fun at all! Then taking three buses to get to her art class or to Gymboree while it is raining or snowing is just too much sometimes, but if you don't drive what can you do when your child really likes these activities.

A friend of my husband ask him why do I wanted to drive so much. Sometimes people who always drive don't realize how convenient it is for them to drive anywhere they want to. Passing my road test means no more awkward moments when I have to hold the umbrella in one hand and push the stroller with the other hand, when it is raining and my daughter and I have to go somewhere. Passing my road test means that what takes an hour and a half commute one way just to go to an art class will be less than 30 minutes of driving there instead. It means easily going to other library programs we usually go to by bus and getting there early. It means going on an outing with other Moms and their kids not just around the neighborhood but outside of our neighborhood too. I had to give up Mommy and Me Meetup when my child was barely two because most of the meeting took place where a car is needed.

Taking a road test is nerve racking but the nice lady who was my examiner just give directions no critical comments during the road test and she has an even tone not annoyed or anything. Her demeanor  really help! At the end of my road test when she was suggesting that I had to work on my parking and K-turn I automatically thank her thinking that I failed again. When I looked at the things that she handed to me, she was out of the car already and I just realized that she only give back my learner's permit, and that score receipt or something and it said passed. And she only took 5 points off for excessive maneuvers during parking and K-turn and another 5 points for a wide left turn. For that parking, the road was sloping down at the back of the car so I had to move forward or the wheels will hit the curve then obviously I had to go backwards again to bring the car parallel to the curve, so I really did more than the usual three maneuvers. As for the K-turn, when she said do K-turn I automatically did like a robot because my driving instructors told me that to pass when the examiner told me something do it plus the fact that I was nervous, then I realized I might be too close to the car in the opposite side of the street so I had to reverse before I completed maneuver that will make the car perpendicular to the opposite side of the street because I was afraid I might hit the other parked car.

To the road test lady examiner that passed me, thank you, you made a Mom's life easier. May you be blessed the way you empower me and other people out there like me.

Attending Commencement Ceremony

Going back to school when you're already have family is a little tricky. It means less sleep, sometimes skipping to do unending but much needed to do chores. You also have to spend less time with family because instead of going out together, you have to do presentation, a paper or study for quizzes and exams.

Lucky for me my husband is supportive. He usually take my daughter to Gymboree Open Gym and I can do school assignments or study for quizzes and exams. He didn't complain when his clothes are not folded sooner or when our home is messy.

I was a September 2012 graduate hence I had to attend my graduation ceremony this June. Although I already received my diploma, attending the ceremony is still awesome. Listening to the speakers, remind me of my goals, and inspires me again. I was always sad that I choose not to attend my graduation ceremony four years ago but attending my graduation ceremony this time  made me realized that I made a good decision not to attend then. I had a C-section two weeks before the ceremony at that time, and I don't think I could have managed standing in line waiting for the graduates procession for hours.

Kid Friendly Beaches

If your family want to enjoy amusement park aside from relaxing on the beach go to Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk in Corbin Pl. to W.37 St., Boardwalk. If you prefer less crowd, you and your family can go to Manhattan Beach in Oriental Blvd. between Ocean Ave. and Mackenzie St. It has playground on both ends. You have to pay $20 for parking during the weekend and holidays.

Clearwater Beach in Florida is a beautiful beach. Too bad it was too cold to take off our jackets when we get there.

Visiting Adventureland

We visited Adventureland at 2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT. 110) 
Farmingdale, NY 11735 during the Memorial day weekend.

Kids Activities in NYC

If your child or children don't mind the loud music, you can go have Kiddie Cruise. It is a boat ride along the New York City harbor. There are three floors in the boat with simultaneous activities. There are face painting, puppet show, arts and crafts, magician, etc. There was just a long line for the balloon animals for kids. Some kids lined up more than twice. It is supposed to be a Princess and Pirate Family adventure so your child or children can come dressed up as pirate or princess.

Mommy and Me play dates are also fun. Check out Mommy and Me Groups in your area through MeetUp.

During the week you can take advantages of free programs offered by your library. My daughter enjoys Toddler story time and Arts and Crafts offered by the library for FREE. Check out Kids Events by the Queens Library if you live in Queens. If you drive, you can bring your child to different library programs for children near you. Listening to someone read a story other than his/her parents, not getting distracted by other kids and just focusing the on the story, sharing crayons and other materials with other children during arts and crafts are good training before he/she goes to preschool.