This summer, my wife Giovanna and I wanted to make sure we kept our 5-year-old son Matthew active, excited and happy during his vacation. And while we were able to go to Pennsylvania for a visit to Sesame Place with a few friends, we spent most of July and August right here in Queens — particularly in Astoria — and, as a result, our summer was terrific.
We went to the movie theater at Kaufman Studios on a couple of occasions to see “Cars 2” and “The Smurfs” (and I got to catch the movie I was waiting months to see, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”). Not too far from the theater is the American Museum of the Moving Image, and we had a wonderful time there, seeing various props from classic films — and Matthew and me dancing goofily in front of the museum’s camera.
Astoria Park had so much to offer this summer. Our whole family was able to see a beautiful fireworks show — and a breathtaking view of the sun as it descended behind Manhattan skyscrapers across the East River. A July carnival was also a nice treat. Rides, cotton candy, and the House of Mirrors made for a fun-filled evening that was only about a 10-minute walk from our front door.
Preschool ended in June, but Matthew’s education certainly didn’t come to a halt during the months that followed. He began soccer lessons at that park, and at the Astoria Sports Complex, Matthew — equipped with goggles and a swim cap for the first time — began to learn how to swim.
We bought an inexpensive, but just-the-right-size swimming pool at, of all places, Rite Aid, and the backyard of the Trotta home became a tiny resort. Matthew had several play dates with friends, and the pool was the perfect way to conquer the heat — the hot and humid air took a backseat to the fun that was had by all.
If we didn’t have our own, going to the Astoria Pool would not have been a terrible option. In fact, the Daily News named it the best public pool in the entire city. The July 31 article complimented “the largest pool in the biggest city in America,” for its cleanliness, exciting mushroom fountains for kids, and gorgeous views.
Then there were the good, old-fashioned moments that we shared — including waiting for the birds to swoop down and eat the white bread that we threw on top of the garage, and running to the corner to buy a chocolate ice cream cone with sprinkles from Mister Softee before he drove away. It really exemplified how those little things can mean so much to a little boy (and took me back to my childhood).
Believe it or not, it was even a treat for Matthew to walk with Mommy to the laundromat and help her, by throwing the clothes into the machines and dropping the quarters in to get things started. And, yes, I journeyed to the laundromat with my mom, too.
Other small, simple “trips” added to the enjoyment Giovanna and I got out of watching how much Matthew was enjoying his summer, such as a ride on the N train from Astoria to Manhattan, or a visit to Chuck E. Cheese on Northern Boulevard.
Don’t get me wrong, seeing Big Bird and Elmo in person, flying down a water slide on a giant tube, and watching a colorful parade at Sesame Place were great. And, yes, a cruise to Bermuda would have been super, too. But in tough economic times like these, there were plenty of things to do in our own backyard. Especially when that backyard is Astoria, Queens.
