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April 5, 2009

Easter Egg Hunt, Central Park, NY

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Brrrr!  It was cloudy, windy, and cold.  It seems that this is almost always the weather on the first weekend of April. The only reason NYCity Mama would even know that is because she thinks about what they were about to do on this chilly morning, and wondered why she had never done it before, and she recalled that it was because it was usually a day like today.

This is a day when the old Mama would have completed rejected the idea of doing anything that would require hours spent outside. But this new Mama, the one who has a newfound appreciation for her home town, is a bit more adventurous and outgoing, and is not easily discouraged by things such as rain, or snow, or wind, or cold.  She dressed the boys in layers, knowing that lately the weather is ever-changing and put their boots on to deal with all the mud she expected they would find.

She couldn’t help but be impressed with herself and her husband for motivating their crew to get dressed and venture out into the cold with them.  No one fussed or questioned or complained, and thus making it out the door was an easy experience, even for a Saturday morning like this one.

They headed over to Central Park to take part in the Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Gallery Church, which was taking place on 106th and Central Park West.  Despite the cloudiness, Mama thought it was wonderful weather and couldn’t have been happier.  She walked along Central Park West with a smile on her face, softly greeting parents and kids as they passed by (a very non-New Yorker habit she picked up from her years in Madison, WI) and had a skip in her step as she admired the architecture along the way while telling her boys what a great day it was.  “It’s indy Mama!” exclaimed the 2 yo as they made their way to the entrance to the park, all 3 boys with Easter basket in hand (yes, even the 11 year old was motivated by Mama’s excitement this morning and didn’t groan when she handed him an Easter Egg basket, but instead took it willingly).

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img_3665Some parents were leaving as they were arriving.  It was all so organized.  They registered their names, picked up some flyers handed to them, and made their way to the open field where the “egg hunt” was taking place.  They separated the kids into two groups: 0 to 3 on one end and then another group for older kids on another.

It wasn’t much of a “hunt” really.  More like a bunch of colorful plastic eggs scattered throughout a patch of open field.  They had the kids aligned behind a rope, and then announced that they would start in 5 minutes, which in kid time is like an hour!  Little kids started crying as they stared at the colorful eggs just laying there for grabs, wanting so badly to go for it while their parent held them back.  Mama started laughing, maybe because this time it was only her 2 year old joining in on the crying, while the 3 year old was actually listening and trying his hardest to be patient. One kid did go rogue and started picking up eggs before his dad saw him and brought him back behind the line.  It was so funny!

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The minute the man yelled “Go!” all those kids ran like crazy towards the eggs!  At first Mama’s boys weren’t sure how to react, so Mama cheered on, “Pick up the egg and put it in the basket!” “Go! Go! Go!”  The insanity of watching her boys scrambling around for plastic eggs was so funny to Mama she started tearing she was laughing so hard. In the end, and it ended quickly and without injury which was impressive, her boys had actually done pretty well, except for her 11 year old on the other side, who apparently didn’t expect the aggressiveness he encountered from the other kids in his group.

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img_3702Afterwards, they walked around and participated in the various activities going on, from egg decorating, to coloring Easter drawings, to playing with a bubble machine, and watching the other kids get their face painted (something her boys hate for themselves). Even her 11 year old was having a good time!

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img_3690They started making their way out of their park, and onto the other things planned for the day, when they walked passed the field where the older kids’ egg hunt was about to take place again.

The lady yelled “Go!” and as Mama watched a bunch of kids racing to get the eggs, her 11 year old dashed into the crowd too, followed by the 3 year old!  Like crazy people they made their way past others grabbing eggs like they were precious jewels and placing them in their basket.  The 3 year old, not threatened by the larger size of the other kids, zig-zagged under them, between them and passed them, picking up eggs with lightening speed!  Mama meant to tell them to come back, to stop because they already had their turn, but the sight was beyond hysterical, she couldn’t muster the words.

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When it was all over, her 11 year old felt vindicated as he had managed to collect more eggs this time around, and the 3 year old ran to his younger brother, who had been strapped in his stroller, and started placing eggs in his basket too. It was so sweet, and kind, and unselfish, Mama couldn’t help but feel proud.

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They decided to take a short stroll across the park before leaving.  It was a beautiful day to walk around.  Quiet, peaceful, and despite the lack of sunshine, the area just radiated beauty.  It was a wonderful way to start their day before moving on to their next adventure, over the Triboro Bridge (recently renamed Robert F. Kennedy Bridge), towards Queens.

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RATING: yah8 yah8 yah8

To be continued:  Petey’s Burger/Astoria Park, Astoria, Queens, NY

If you missed the Easter Festivities this weekend, don’t fret! Here is a list of FREE family friendly events going on next Saturday, April 11, 2009!

*Brook Park Easter Egg Hunt
Brook Park (141 Street & Brook Avenue)
Bronx
12:00-4:00 PM

*Crotona Park Easter Event
Crotona Park Tennis House (Crotona Avenue between Claremont Parkway and Crotona Park North)
Bronx
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

*Spring Festival at Morningside Park
Inside the park at 121st Street and Morningside Avenue.
Manhattan
1:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.

*Unscrambling The Egg at Prospect Park
Prospect Park Audubon Center. Enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Avenue or Flatbush Avenue & Empire Boulevard and follow the directional signs.
Brooklyn

*Annual Easter Festival at St. Nicholas Park
St Nicholas Avenue to St Nicholas Terrace
128th Street to 141st Street
2:00 p.m.-4:0 p.m.

*Other events taking place at a NYC Park near you!

*Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Pierrepont Park and Playground
Br0oklyn Heights, Brooklyn
10:00 am sharp

*Clifford’s Easter Egg Hunt
Scholastic Store in Soho
557 Broadway 
New York, NY 10012
3:00 p.m. 
Ages 3-up

Have fun!!

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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5 Comments
  • Quiskaeya
    April 7, 2009

    Wow! Look at all those people! Beautiful pix. Looks like so much fun. You are really making me itch to visit NYC. I great to see a family perspective of this city.

    Reply
  • Petey's Burger/Astoria Park |
    July 3, 2009

    […] Continued from: Easter Egg Hunt, Central Park, NY […]

    Reply
  • nyc mom
    March 8, 2010

    Will there be one this year? I want to bring my son. He can walk now.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      nyc mom
      March 8, 2010

      Unfortunately, the Gallery Church won't be hosting the event this year, but check out my most recent post: https://girlgonetravel.com/2010/03/spring-st-patri… for info on what else is going on : )

      Carol

      Reply
  • Spring, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, & Other Reasons to Love NYC with Kids | NYCity Mama
    November 10, 2010

    […] has informed me that they will not be hosting it’s Annual Eggtravaganzza in Central Park like last year. However, the New York Department of Parks and Recreation has a few Easter events listed in the […]

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

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These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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