Tuesday ... Our Last Afternoon

Well, we left the Financial District and headed back to Times Square so Scott could see it. There is a picture of Scott on the subway not looking very happy. He decided today he feels like he has wallered around in an armpit! LOL ... I think this might be different if we weren't trying to take all this in with three, still small, kids. It might feel totally different alone.

So we rode the subway, even made a switch with no problems, and arrived at Times Square. We got upstairs on the corner of Broadway and 42nd ... looked around and Scott said, "Well, we've seen it. What are we going to do?" I said, "We wanted to see it!" Jack says, "Okay, we've seen it. Let's go. Let's go back to the apartment." LOL!! He is so Scott's son!!! He was completely over it. But first, we hit Godiva Chocolate so I could have just ONE chocolate covered strawberry ... pleeeeaaasssssssseeeeeeeeeeee ....... I forgot to get Erica's picture at Amsterdam Theater so we hit that really quick against her will. Hence, the arms folded and rolling of the eyes at me. And then, we found the true GOLDEN ARCHES lit up in lights and everything!!!! We headed back to the subway, made our switch and arrived back at 59th. We hit the market, grabbed some food and took it back to the apartment. And once again, in our pj's early vegging out and listening to the traffic!!!! I know .... how could we be inside when we are in NY? Are we serious???? YES!!!! WE ARE SERIOUS!!!!!! WE are EXHAUSTED!!!!!!! :) Tomorrow, we head to Amish country. 1,297,896 taxis today ... 10 horse and buggies tomorrow ...... could we be going from one extreme to the other or what???!!!!!

Not Good at NYC Stock Exchange

Scott walked down alone to the NYSE area while I sat with the kids and took a break from the crowds and walking. He said it was not a pretty sight. There were news vans everywhere and police officers with semi-automatic guns out. There were also several people picketing out front. In case you can't read it, the shirts say Arrest Bush ... Greed Kills .... Hang Cheney First ...... feeling so encouraged here ...... I think we will head back to our apartment now ....... I think I want to crawl into bed in my pj's and suck my thumb ...... Lord, come quickly. All this going on and my boys are picking the yellow mums off the plants and bringing me flowers ... such a sweet little moment ......... and then we are moving again .... moment over .....but not forgotten.

And then .......

there is the polka-dot cement truck helping with construction at the World Trade Center area. They are rebuilding and cranes are everywhere. We never did find the memorial but it was really crazy down there. We came to a place of deciding what was best and we ended up not seeing it. But it was very odd and sad to see this incredibly empty place where these buildings would have stood. I can't even imagine what that must have been like in Manhattan that day. It is very sombering to think about after having walked down there; for anyone who was nearby, uptown and even in the subway system.............

Visiting Pier 17

We went over to Pier 17 for some lunch. I asked the ferry worker who returned our camera where we should eat lunch. There was no need to repeat yesterday's lunch adventure and I was not waiting until everyone was starving and grouchy. We ended up in a "food court" of all places for lunch. Yuck ... and then when we left and walked toward the World Trade Center sight, we found this outdoor shopping area with great restaurants! Unbelievable .... I wanted to get rid of the junk I just ate and start over .... ugh .... anyway, this area was neat. They had some neat shops and we found all the bathrooms for Spencer as we went. Yeah again. We overdressed too. It was supposed to be overcast and cool but ended up being sunny and warm! I'm dying in a light sweater .... and all I can find our I love NYC t-shirts!!!!

NYFD over and out ....

We caught the NYFD heading out to check on something. Fortunately, I think they literally went around the block. They were back in three minutes. That's a good thing. False alarms are good things in NY. And we found the alternate transportation parking area down by the Financial District and Pier ....... I personally liked the purple one!!!

Time of Prayer

Oh Lord, please let us have a better day on Wall Street ... it has to be better than yesterday ....

Liberty View

Here is the upclose view we had with our camera. And the kids really enjoyed the ferry ride. It was very pretty this morning on the water with all the boats and birds, too. You know, it is 10:50pm and I'm pretty sure if the man in the very large truck does not stop driving down our street and blowing his horn, I am going to hang my head out the window and give him a piece of my mind! It might be small, but I am seriously going to have to yell at someone!!!! I'm getting used to sleeping with ear plugs though ......

Tuesday on Statten Island Ferry

This morning, we got up and hit the streets around 9am. We let everyone at least try to get to work before we got out. Tackling the subway with the five of us was not going to be easy to do at rush hour. So we waited a bit ..... we went down to the Statten Island Ferry this morning. We were going to go over to Brooklyn but we got on the wrong express train. I figured we would do it later, maybe after the ferry. We got down there and by the time we rode the subway, I was DONE. I couldn't really put words to what that means but all I knew was I felt in a very bad mood. I think it was overwhelming. I was worried that we were going the wrong way and that I would navigate my family into the wrong places. That was the majority of it. I walked over to a little shop while we waited on the train to calm my nerves and by the time I got of the shop with the other 8,742 people in it, that really didn't help me at all. We got on the ferry after Scott and I exchanged more words than necessary, which still didn't help, and I put myself in time out overlooking the water and getting some fresh air. After about a fifteen minute breather from my family, I got calmer and then re-engaged. Does this only happen to me? Please, please, PLEASE lie to me and tell me that this happens to you at times so I don't feel like I'm the only one that feels this way!!! We walked the ferry and got some great pictures of the island, the Statue of Liberty and lighthouses that I didn't even know were out there! And then we went back to the front and hung out until we arrived at our destination. We then got off and got back on for the 30 minute ride back over. I'm glad I did this because if we had done the actual island tour, we would have been with a ton more people on the boats and I don't see how you could get pictures of it up close. This was perfect and free ..... a nice treat!

The part where the ferry worker walked up to us and said, "Did you lose a video camera?" was the part where unravelling came to mind again ..... and Scott responds, "Ya know, I was just sitting here thinking to myself if I put the video camera back in my wife's camera bag ...." and he looks at me. I opened the bag and the video camera was NOT there. Needless to say, an angel in the form of a ferry worker arrived to deliver our camera after they watched it to figure out who it belonged to. We looked at each other and I said, "The Lord is giving gifts today in many forms ...." and then we were able to laugh about it! Seriously .... that would have not been good AT ALL if we had lost it. Somebody got FAVOR today big time!!!!! That would have ruined Scott's whole day and well, I don't even know how I would have responded .....well, okay, I'd been ticked all day, too..........and we would both have said things we didn't mean probably ... and showed our kids what a lack of adult self-control might look like in certain situations ....!!!!!! Thank you Lord for your favor and kindness today!!!

Last but Not Least to Monday ...

Or you can dress up in this outfit and wear stilts all day. If you pose with her, you can then pay her. Or you can stand off in a distance and take her picture and she will try to use her hand to cover her face. I don't know which is worse. The tourist trap of it or the fact that I refused to send my kids over to get their picture taken........we could take another vote ...... nah .....

Boys in the House

These guys were all around this statue and we walked over to see what they were doing. The idea is if you set up your boom box and get some guys together, you can come down on Fifth Avenue and dance. Then when you get a large crowd, your buddies can walk around the crowd yelling in your face demanding money and saying things like, "these ain't no cheap seats! You people in the back, you think this is free?" And people will start digging out money from their pockets so they don't get beat up. We chose to keep moving .... no need to get hustled in NYC .... or whatever else they might decide to do instead. There has to be another way to make money .... surely .....

A Serious Overbite ...

This guy has a serious problem ... he really needs to see a vet dentist. I promise I did not alter this picture!!! We laughed so hard .... this was sheer entertainment to our afternoon after a long day!!!

The Animals are LOOSE!

Our kids really need to come out of their shells ... I mean, they are SOOO shy!!!! We visited the children's area of the park as well and they found these statues that we thought were very cute!!!

A Missed Opportunity ...

This could be Scott and I if he would leave this evening and walk down to Baskin Robbins and get us some ice cream. But since he is adamantly refusing to go get us some, I guess we won't be looking like these two love birds!! He thinks I should go get it. Can you believe it? He wants me to walk downstairs on the streets in the dark? I think we should cast another vote. How many of you think he should go get this for us to share and how many think he shouldn't have to get out of his Pj's to go do this for us???? In all seriousness, I really want the ice cream. But I know if I go get it, I will feel dirty again and have to take another shower and I simply am too lazy to get up and go get it. I want to be catered to. I'm selfish. There, I said it. No, I'm not getting any ice cream tonight. I guess I will have to snack on this morning's raisin bran muffin instead ... yuck.

Making Friends in the Park

We visited Central Park Zoo in the afternoon and that was a lot of fun. I think it is very neat to see how the city has tucked in a small zoo right in the heart of the city. It was pretty cool to walk through it. The first picture was another stone bridge we saw that I thought was beautiful. This is just a photographer's wonderland! There are so many things you could photograph if you were alone ... without three kids ..... or with a model willing to perform. As you can see, the monkeys were willing to perform but I have one particular "MONKEY" that refuses to cooperate for the pictures. If he can move or wiggle or turn or smirk or raise his eyebrows for a picture, he is going to do it!!! Good Lord .... even the seal smiled for me!!! As the monkey was picking the other monkey, Scott decided he didn't care if we had dinner ..... he is not so much a "zoo" fan ...

Meeting the People

This man was in Central Park under a bridge playing his saxaphone for money. The kids really wanted to put money in his milk jug so Scott gave them some and he broke into "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." They thought that was very cool. They think it is great that there are musicians everywhere playing with their hats and cases open!

Having Lunch in Central Park ....

It isn't what it's cracked up to be ... lunch in Central Park might be great if you pack it. It is noon and we are in the park thinking about lunch. We decide the closest place is Sheep Meadows Cafe, a good 10 minute walk at a fast pace. We finally arrive. It's closed. So I look at the map and see what would be the next closest place and march on with my family 500 yards behind grumpy, irritated and tired of walking. I march over to Tavern on the Green thinking as I walk up, "This looks a little upscale," but continue inside. I get in and realize after looking at the lunch menu and the decor', "oh we can't eat here! It is $34 a plate for lunch!!!" So I walk back outside and Scott is walking towards me with this smirk. His comment is, "Are we eating here for lunch?" "No, are you kidding? It is $34 a plate for lunch!" "Ya think, Marsha? It's Tavern on the Green!" "So, what does that mean?" "Only that it is known for the expense and the rich that come and eat here!!" Okay, so I don't have all the public knowledge ... we have now hiked all the way over to not eat here either. The next closest place was some Baseball Cafe near the fields. So we ate there ..... it worked. It was overpriced and ridiculous but it worked. After we got the kids filled up and their personalities restored with food, they rode the carousel and then we played on another playground we found. I must tell you that we have also visited all the bathrooms we can find because Spencer is having "bathroom" anxiety and he must visit all of them so he knows where they are and what they look like inside.......to which Scott has lost all patience since Spencer will not go in the women's bathroom with me anymore. I'm soooo sorry, honey!!!! The second picture was the view we had as we ate lunch. I think we paid for the view instead of the food!!

Meeting People in the Park

This is the statue of Hans Christian Anderson or Andrews. I don't know ... I'm tired and I wanted to read it but this "other" tourist wouldn't move so I could get close enough to it. Then the kids laid down on one of the ponds trying to catch little tiny goldfish. They did this for about 30 minutes. And they did it quietly while Scott and I relaxed on a bench nearby. This lady stopped to see what they were doing .... yes, my children are laying on the dirty concrete in Central Park trying to catch guppies with their hands and why is the water green???? As we were sitting, we had this great view of these buildings and they have a very formal name and have been apartments to the rich and famous and the name of them have slipped my mind as well. You just can't take all this in and keep up with three kids. It's either read the signs and lose your kids or skip the signs and keep the kids ........ ho hum ...... they are still here with us!!!

A Day in the Park

Monday, we spent the day at Central Park. The plan was to leave early in the morning. I didn't wake up until 8:45am because I didn't go to sleep until around 1:30am. The ear plugs blocked out everything in the morning so I slept in by accident. My family was really nice to me. We headed out a little late but did manage to get by a Dunkin Donuts for coffee....yeah for me.... and the park was great. It is so neat to see in the middle of this huge city is this beautiful park to enjoy and get away from the busyness of the city. This part has been our favorite so far. We have determined that we enjoy nature and mountains very much. And Chicago. We love Chicago!! The first picture is of Balto, the Alaskan sled dog. Jack and I just finished reading this several weeks ago and Spencer read this in first grade. They loved climbing up on his back. We also played at this playground in the second picture. This was so amazing with rock bridges, climbing things and playing hide and seek. And then we found the lake where you can rent canoes!!! It was a very pretty day after all the rain!!!

Mary Poppins on Broadway

Erica and I got to go see a broadway show together. It was amazing. First, we went back to American Girl to look more closely without the "boys" distracting us. Erica picked out things she had been saving her money for on this trip. Then she and I walked through Rockefeller plaza and took in the sights there. We bought an umbrella because we left and it wasn't raining. Then, it started misting and then raining hard enough that we had to buy one ....navigating the streets in rain with an umbrella and bags around puddles is even worse on a Sunday afternoon. We went down a side street that wasn't as busy and found a cafe with all sorts of foods. We split some chinese food and sat by the window watching people walk by. Once we finished, we walked toward Times Square to the Amsterdam Theater. This was a very nice theater and Scott got us excellent seats. We were in the middle of the stage and they were absolutely great. The show was unbelievable. It was like nothing I've ever seen. And Erica never took her eyes off the stage. It was not anything like she expected. She didn't know what we were going to see but she was thrilled with her first experience. She would love to see Little Mermaid, too!!! But Mary Poppins is such a classic and I would recommend this to everyone when it comes to their area!! As we were sitting there waiting for it to start, I sent a text message to Scott and told him, "DO NOT bring the boys to Times Square and meet us after the show .... it was simply too crazy and intense. There are just too many people and too many umbrellas!!" After the show, Erica and I figured out the subway system and rode it closer to our apartment. We got off and then caught a taxi so she could experience that. Wow, what a great experience. We are totally over all the smells and all we did was sit in traffic!!! AND all I had was $8 in cash so the minute we got close to it, I had to tell the guy, "okay, we are close enough," and we jumped out! Erica was, of course, appalled that we would do that and leave him sitting there like that never happens to them. I watched one almost run down a 9 year old girl yesterday holding hands with her mother and grandmother. The mom gave the taxi driver an ear full and he didn't even care ..... I couldn't even believe it ... to actually see it in person is really amazing .....

Heading Down Fifth Avenue ....

It was raining as we tried to navigate Fifth Avenue ... there is nothing fun about doing this in the rain. It seems to put everyone in a bad mood, especially the taxi drivers.

This was taken Saturday night and the streets were insane and busy. It was alot to take in. As we passed the large St. Patrick's Cathedral, there was a wedding ending and the party was outside. Of course, yes, I took a picture. If you click on the picture, you can blow it up. You really should check out the lady that is staring daggers at me as I'm taking this picture. We wondered who this was .. and wondering how much it costs to have a wedding in this location .... and where the reception was going to be .... I totally forgot to pull up the paper and see who it was!!! We then found the American Girl store and the boys entertained themselves while Erica and I looked around. They were really good sports about it ..... they even let me take a picture of them in front of the dolls!! I think Spencer was okay with it ... he has his football shirt on so he's good ....!!!!!

FOR CARLY SABAT!!!

If I had my friend's daughter, Carly, with me in FAO, we could have picked out the cutest little baby doll and then walked the aisle filled with NOTHING but dress-up clothes! Imagine, an aisle devoted to pinks, satins, feathers and crowns!! It is moments like this that makes me wish I had another little girl. I told Scott, "I cannot wait till our children have families and we have grandchildren." He looked at me and said, "I need to find a job before that happens, honey." LOL!!! For Sharon, Cassie, Dana and anyone else reading that has little girls or granddaughters, I hope you will cherish moments like this with them and encourage them to play dolls as long as they will!!! And for my Uncle Mark, if you are reading this, you need to go onto the website of www.potterybarnkids.com and search out there kitchen set for kids in pink. I know if you start now, you can duplicate building a beautiful kitchen set, washer/dryer and fridge even better for your grandchildren when Al and Melissa's house is done!!! And be sure to paint it PINK!!!!!!