Daddy Day Camp '14, vol. 3, Pop-ups & Roller Dancers, Brooklyn BridgePark, Pier 2, Brooklyn, NY

Pop-ups & Roller Dancers

Pier 2

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn, NY

Lanyard is back, and so is the B63 bus on another Daddy Day Camp trip. This time we headed out with our neighbors/BFFs Luke and Ruby.  After two excellent weeks together at New Country Day Camp they couldn't wait for another play date.  We stayed local, but fun and headed back to pier 2. 

It's always fun with these guys because you never know the combos you'll get. Today Sydney skated with Luke and Ruby helped out Liji.  I have memorized the official summer soundtrack, so I was not shocked to hear it blaring in the awesome new roller rink looking over the bridge and the Manhattan skyline.  Liji and Sydney love ice skating, so roller was just a refresher. 

But even more exciting was Mayor Mike's pop-up pool campaign.  This cute little one came replete with its own beach and Lizzmonade stand of delicious drinks. If it weren't for the 45 minute time limits to deal with a 60 person capacity, we may never have left.  

Daddy Day Camp '14 vol. 2, Long Island Surfers, Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY

Daddy Day Camp '14, vol. 2

Jones Beach State Park

1000 Ocean Parkway

Wantagh, NY

We launched our second phase of Daddy Day Camp today by adding in our friends Ben, Ben and Mouna.  Mouna and Liji have been BFFs since PK and Sydney has been chilling with the Bens since K.  

I took the easy route for my first solo with five kiddos.  We hoped our alternative transit jams, the corner B63 bus, to Atlantic terminal and got the MTA Family Beach pass for $22.50 for all 6 of us, round trip! (Ironically it was the Nassau county NICE bus standing us up for 30 mins. on the return that was the only week link). 

As always, Liji, Mouna and I jumped in quick to drip castling. The boys put in a request for "Hogwarts" this time.  The big kids launched into a big surf for most of the day.  It was one of those beautiful, New York summer days where it has super hot and humid in town, but a lovely breeze by us. 

There's little that beats a day at the beach with buds. Perfect weather,  traffic-free train rides and refreshing waves on a sticky day make the grade.  Thanks MTA!  Sorry we didn't stay for the show with Fogerty and Jackson Brown.

Daddy Day Camp '14, vol. 1, Great DADventures Six Flags, Jackson, NJ

Daddy Day Camp '14, Day #1
Six Flags Great Adventure

Rye 537

Jackson, NJ

Today we launched Daddy Day Camp.  We decided that the most fun way to prep for Stay-at-home dad-dom would be to enjoy a summer of fantastic with the boys.  So I left my job early and the next month is dedicated to squeezing every ounce out of August.

My kids love animals.  The also love amusement park rides.  Despite our many trips to Busch Gardens to see my uncle Arnie hard at work, we don't have that luxury in the northeast.  Except for Great Adventures.  We got to the "Safari Off-Road Adventure" early before the crowds (ok, we did get in a ride on the "Runaway Mine Train" first.  As twenty of us piled into a "safari" car and tumbled across the "continents" we hung out with gnus, 'roos, dozens of species of antelopes and a number of tigers.

Things started to heat up after lunch so we circled back around to the Saw Mill Log Flume.  While not terrifying, it was a solid soak (fake sad, faces, no worries).  Then we headed to El Toro.  While the attendant at the entrance insisted Liji could make it on, the attendant at the ride forty-minutes of waiting later confirmed my fears that this was not true and we sadly headed off in search of fun.

Getting challenged to a Stampede Bumper Car duel will bring a smile back to any face.  But, even happier was cutting the line at the Dark Knight indoor coaster with our "exit" pass from the attendant at El Toro.  But the biggest smile on the face sadly came from a stuffed Bugs Bunny and giant-headed wolf that we won at the squirt gun races.  Ahhh, know that's amusement!