NYC Day 3

Another amazing day!

 

We walked a lot.

 

Explored a lot.

 

Had a blast.

Lots of fun at the world's largest store - Macy's.

To see Santa only took 15 minutes of wait time.  The darling trail to get to him was even cuter than the photo op!

 



Oh so true.

 



Stefan, our elf, has followed us all over NYC.  Found him at Santa's village!

 



Serendipity had a 45 minute wait, so we visited Dylan's Candy Bar.  Holy cow.

 



Chocolate fountain?  Kids got pretzels and strawberries. I got a rice krispie treat.  All drenched in warm chocolate.

Serendipity was fabulous.  All that we were expecting and more.

 

Here is what happens when we have extra wait time.

 

 

Salted Caramel Frozen Hot Chocolate.

 

Delish.

 

Even the food was fab.

 

BLT for me.

 

 

One Eyed Jack for Blake.

 

 

We raced out of Serendipity and off to Radio Music Hall for their Christmas Spectacular.

 

Here is what it looks empty.

It was fantastic.

 

So in the mood for Christmas now.

 

 

I cried at the nativity scene.  So special.

 

 

 

Jack didn't get arrested.  He showed this police officer his NYPD car and the officer gave him an authentic NYPD badge.  Only had one in his car.  Just for Jackie.  Pretty cool.



Ended the day with ice skating and shopping at Bryant Park.

 

Laine was not so good.  She lasted 10 minutes.

 

This guy could have stayed out there all night.  LOVES it.

 

 

Lots of paparazzi swarming around us at this point.  Katie Holmes was upstairs as this party.

 

Laine tried to get a pic with the paps.  It was awesome.  They were not so amused.

 

Too bad, blood suckers.

 

 

 

 

Last day tomorrow!

 

Empire State Building

Time Square (again)

Grand Central Station

911 Memorial

 

Maybe more!

 

Stay tuned.

 

Day 2!

 

Loving New York.

 

Moving here. 

 

Did I tell you that?

 

OK, we are not.  But, I would.

 

I totally would.



It was an overcast day that made for less crowds, but hazy views.  Still saw what we wanted to, though!

 

This is the best I got with the punks and the Statue of Liberty.

 

Nice, huh?  Shut up.

 



 

The way back. Carter obviously is not good with the elbow move.  Knock that dude out.

Thanks, Laine, for the participation.

 



 

Walked through China Town and Little Italy.

 

No fanks.

 

Don't care to be haggled and it's all a bunch of crap.

 

Except, of course, for the $35 battery charger I bought for my camera.  I'm confident that was right on par with regular retail.

 

Right?

Statue of Liberty!

 



Soho. Finally. 

Some civilization.

 



 

 

St. Patrick's Cathedral.

 

 

Sacred.

 



 

Here's a hint, tourists.  Skip the cabs.  We've paid the same amount (less even at times after some respectful negotiating) for a town car to take us to the same place in much better accommodations.

 

There's an app you can put on your phone to find such, but we have done well happening upon them.

 

Thank you, Amanda, for telling me about this.  :)

 

 

The Plaza, baby!

 

It was all I wanted it to be and 100% more.

 

LOVE this dress. 

 

For Laine.

 

  Or me, whatever.  Dying for it. 

 

But, this, in addition to tea, would be pricey, so I declined.

 

I so hate being reasonable.

 

It was $98.

 

The original Eloise and the newest version!

Palm Court.

Here is where it gets good.

 

And, you may tell me that this happens to all little girls. 

 

Or don't.

 

We were seated at "Eloise's favorite table".

 

Eloise also insisted on a pink napkin. Always.

 

I stole it, btw.

 



Our waiter told us that Eloise herself sent over cookies for Laine.



Laine, of course, with her own tea pot and choice of tea, drank 2 cups.

 



 

The food was divine.  I'm not sure I can eat anywhere else.

 

Ever.

 

The Plaza was amazing.

While there, the boys kept busy at Apple and other boy-ish type establishments.

 

Apple Nerd Mecca.

 

Don't be offended. We own more Apple items than most.  I still like to make fun. 

 



A must:  FAO.

 

 

Fabulous.  Yes.  But, when you're in NYC, a toy store is a toy store.

 

Is that terrible?

 



I saw it.  No time to go in.  Maybe tomorrow.

 



Here's the thing about NYC.

 

You see stuff that you know you should be familiar with or take a picture in front of.

 

Exhibit Y: 

 



Oh, oh, oh!!!!!!  Radio City Music Hall.......  We'll be there tomorrow for the Christmas Spectacular.

 

Cannot wait.

 

Blake saw it as a kid. 

 



One of my favorite NYC icons.......the angels in front of the tree.

 

They make me happy.

 



 

Long list tomorrow, folks.

 

Stay tuned!

 

 

 



New York City on Dwellable

NYC Day 1

We did it!

  Kids never knew and they were completely surprised. New luggage, new coats, new hats, new boots, new cold weather gear and NYC! As most of you know, we value experience and travel much more than we do materialistic items. Nothing wrong with them.....and truth be told, we'd love to have it all....but travel has always been our top priority when it came to raising our children.

 

Blake had that privilege as a kid. Saudi Arabia, Greece, London, you name it. He did it. So jealous.

 

Anwyay, so we're mimicking the same within our means and NYC was next on our list. Kids didn't know. We'd been planning since June. Surprised them Friday night after Carter's football game and they were elated.

 

First day:

 

Airport is super fun cruising with Trunkis.  Pull, push, ride and carry.  Brilliant.

Spent most of the day at Central Park.  Even lovelier than I had remembered.

 



Bethesda Fountain.

 



The cutest punks.

 



The punkiest punk.

 



Our photographer flaked on us, so we improvised with random tourists.  Surely they loved this.

 



 

The Belvedere Castle.  That the kids don't believe is a castle.

 

Note to self:  Must stop visiting Disneyland so much.



On top of the "fake" castle.

 



 

First Subway ride!!!!!!

 

Maybe even for Blake.

 

 



After a rest back at the hotel (and Jack's 3rd nap for the day), we hit Times Square.

 

 

It was all that it should be and more.  Chaos.

 



 

 

 

 



Agenda for today? Boat cruise around the island to see the Statue of Liberty and more. Then, a walk back to our domain via the financial district, Greenwich Village, Soho, Chelsea, etc, etc.

Mom's Little Secrets





I'm busy with the holiday season and it's only December 1!

 

Our traditional color-each-day Advent Calendar will be uploaded shortly.

 

I'm also posting special deals from Amazon, Target and more on my facebook business page, HERE.

 

Lots of good discounts.  "Like" me to follow along!  If not, it's a public page, so you can check in with or without a Facebook account to stay in touch.

 

Subway art is in the works......prices go up for my image fee in 2013.......so if you want a creation, order soon!  A custom image is currently $20.  Next year, they'll be $30.  Depending on rates, I can usually design, print and ship an 11x14 canvas for $90.

 

Hope you're enjoying the holiday season thus far. 

 

Stay tuned for more!