hiding in plain sight.

Happy Month of May, Long Island. For me, it always feels like spring is slow to arrive, but once she is here, it is hard to remember her not being with us.
With all of our wonderful end-of-the year happenings completed, I have been in full on IHIP mode. We will be doing some things similarly to last year, but the past few months have been an invaluable time to reflect, pivot, and explore new possibilities for the year ahead...

​Speaking of exploration, we discovered a few new things hiding in plain sight. After driving past it on Jericho Turnpike dozens of times, Essie and I made the trip to A Latte Fun (570 East Jericho Turnpike, South Huntingon, 631-944-3170) last week. While she was on the older age range of children for whom the place is geared, it was a good 45 minutes of safe, imaginative open indoor play for little miss, and a moment of peaceful caffeine consumption for mommy. Staff are lovely and helpful. The padded jungle gym with obstacle course, trampoline, and bridge were particular hits, but there are also ample Melissa and Doug-style play sets designed for open-ended imaginative play: a house with a kitchen, train set, veterinary clinic, and even, a diner. You can buy packs of classes to get a discount, and they offer play reservations if you and friends want to go in on a private 2-hour group play session. Socks are required in the play zone; even though they do offer impromptu drop-in play, I recommend making reservations through their online site in order to guarantee a time slot for your child. You can learn more by visiting their website, https://www.alattefunlongisland.com/

Another place embarrassingly overlooked after repeat trips to Planting Fields Arboretum over the years was the “Main Greenhouse”. This was rectified by a recent visit with some beloved homeschool friends. The scale and scope of orchids, cacti and exotic flowering and fruit-bearing plants was staggering. I felt like we were quite literally in the middle of a fairytale, right here on Long Island. The place does a fine job of explaining itself, even in amateur photos…

​What little transcendent bits of beauty are you finding in your spring, Long Island? I hope they are many…