New York, New York

Day 1

We left on the 5th bound for the Big Apple. Conditions at the airport were less than ideal. Because of many cancelled flights the previous night as well as the influx of Spring Break travel, Air Tran lines were literally as long as the airport terminal, so we thought it was in our best interest to wait outside in the rain at curb side. Thank heavens I packed ponchos, but I didn't think we'd be using them before even getting off the ground. Our decision proved to be wise as we ran from security straight to boarding our plane. YIKES! That was a close one.

Our little troopers. They barely slept the night before because of their excitement. Sophie was up at 2:00 in our bedroom.

After an uneventful flight and a 40 minute ride by bus from Newark, we walked from the Port Authority terminal to our fabulous hotel, The Westin Times Square. We checked our bags and made our way to Central Park. We couldn't have ordered a more perfect day for the park. The weather was phenomenal! Because it was a Saturday and the weather was so nice, the park was crawling with thousands of people and dogs. It was so much fun. We had printed a family walking tour so that we wouldn't miss the "big" sites. We visited the zoo, the Arsenal, Balto, Conservatory Water, Hans Christian Andersen, Alice in Wonderland, The Boathouse, Bethesda Fountain and Terrace (where we saw fantastic street performers), The Dairy, The Carousel, and Strawberry fields to name a few. I think we possibly enjoyed dog and people watching as much as anything. One funny thing-the girls were fascinated by the pigeons and the very brave squirrels.

Sophie immediately started scaling the rocks, so of course we had to follow. These rocks are all over the park, and most were topped with people enjoying picnics, reading, etc.

Is this an amazing view or what? Notice the Essex House in the background-one of Angelina Jolie's homes. It's amazing to me that such an incredible green space can be smack dab in the middle of the city. It's unbelievable.

This carousel opened in 1871 and was powered by a blind mule and a horse which walked a treadmill in an underground pit. Now, it goes an amazing 15 miles per hour. The girls were strapped on with leather straps. What a ride!

Balto, the famed dog that delivered the antitoxin to save the community of Nome, Alaska from a diptheria epidemic in 1925- My third graders read this story every year. It's one of my favorites!

This beautiful statue is that of Hans Christian Andersen, the master storyteller. This is the site of summertime storytelling in the park.

And the lovely Alice and all the delightful characters from the story- This statue is massive. I also have a picture of the girls sitting underneath the mushroom that Alice is sitting on.

This is one of the many street performers that we paid! The girls badly needed a break, so once we reached Bethesda Terrace and fountain, we gladly sat and ate ice cream and watched the performances. This guy danced in women's shoes, sang opera, and played the violin all at the same time. Supposedly, he performed at the 2005 Oscars.

Next, we visited Toys R Us at Times Square. Talk about a kid heaven. When you walk in the front door, there is a two story ferris wheel. New to the store was a two story T-Rex. He was unbelievable. He would roll his eyes, flail his tail, and roar! Rather realistic! Then, there was Lego world-see the Empire State Building built entirely from Legos, and of course Barbie World!

See the girls in the window

Next, we made a detour into M&M World. You heard me! M&M WORLD! This was momma heaven! This was a new store on Broadway where M&Ms literally lined the walls two stories high. HOLY COW! You could pull a lever and fill bags with every color and type of M&M imaginable. And only $10 a pound-HA!

After a quick break at the hotel, we made our way to Serendipity 3, a wonderful, tiny restaurant famous for its trademarked dessert, Frozzzen Hot Chocolate, and a scene in the movie Serendipity-great chick flick! We had 9:00 reservations (best we could do on a Saturday night). We were in the restaurant no more than ten minutes when Sophie fell asleep, and I don't mean just dozing. I mean comatose! Our food was fabulous! I had a BLT on challah bread that was truly 6 inches thick. We thought we'd let Sophie rest until dessert, but we couldn't budge her. Reagan got Sophie's share. See her below drinking out of four straws! Poor dad had to carry Sophie about 10-15 blocks back to our hotel.

Day 2

On Sunday, we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Reagan was especially excited about this because her REACH class had just read The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a book about two children who run away and live in this museum. She loved looking at the Egyptian jewelry that was talked about in the book. I love museums for one reason-the European Impressionists! Surprisingly, Sophie showed interest while I expounded on the artists and described the brush strokes they used. Brownie points? We ate lunch in the museum cafeteria before making our way across Central Park to the American Museum of Natural History, the museum from the movie Night at the Museum.

On the steps of The Met

As we walked to the Museum of Natural History, we came upon this parade. The day before, Times Square was crawling in Scots in kilts playing bagpipes. This day was some sort of Greek festival, so the girls got to experience so many different cultures. They were fascinated.

On our walk through the park, we found Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond. The matching buildings in the background are home to Bono from U2.

After four floors of mammals of the world, people of the world, and dinosaurs, we were simply exhausted!

What a striking resemblance! Those of you who know my husband well will know that his nickname is "Monkey". He was more than willing to pose for this shot.

After a most exhausting day in two museums and the park, we came back to the hotel for a short rest and time to freshen up before going to the Broadway play Mary Poppins. Words cannot begin to explain what a magical evening this was for all of us! I've seen two shows before that do not begin to compare with this one. It was unbelievable! We were in the first row of the balcony at the New Amsterdam Theatre which opened in 1903. The girls were in awe. About half way into the show, Reagan leaned over and said, "Mom, this is like way better than the movie!" By the end of the show when Mary flew into the audience right in front of the balcony and disappeared into the rafters, I was in tears. It was simply moving!

Sophie examining the beautifully painted ceiling

The interior of the theatre

Day 3

On Monday, we awoke EARLY to get to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. We grabbed bagels on the way and got there early enough to snag a monument pass, of which they give out a limited few each day. It allows you to go into the base of the statue. The statue was impressive to say the least and held the girls' attention; however, they were not as intrigued by the history of Ellis Island. Romeo and I wanted to read every word written recording the history of immigration and were fascinated by the pictures and artifacts in the museum, but the girls were getting a little antsy and hungry, so we cut our visit short. After leaving the island, we made our way to Greenwich Village to Peanut Butter and Co. for the best sandwich you've ever eaten in your life. You can actually buy this peanut butter here, but it's nothing like eating it in the tucked away tiny restaurant that you'd never find unless someone told you where to go (Thanks Mandy!). After a stroll through this area of town (Soho-I think), we went back to the hotel to prepare for the evening-dad's fun! We went to Yankee Stadium and took in a Yankee's game. We arrived early so that dad could visit Monument Park, a small park with monuments to the greats of baseball. The second we got down there a practice home run ball was hit, and who got it? None other than dear old mom!!! After a great ballgame (Yankees won), we went to Junior's on the recommendation of Mark and Mandy for dessert. (It was just as fabulous as it must have looked on Food Network guys! Thanks!) Romeo and I shared cheesecake, Sophie had brownie a la mode, and Reagan got the most wonderful cupcake I've ever tasted! BTW-by this point in the trip, our kids are thinking their parents have been replaced by aliens. We never order dessert! Clark Howard wouldn't hear of it. We had already decided that this would be the trip of a lifetime!

On the ferry to Liberty Island

I'm laying on the ground to get this shot.

Ellis Island-gate way to America between 1830 to 1924. All told some 12 million immigrants came through here.

Peanut Butter and Co.-well worth the walk!

Romeo's day!

Mom with the home run ball

Check out this cupcake! Dessert at 11:00 at night-We've died and gone to heaven!

Sophie can't turn loose long enough for a picture. She was certain at any moment the dream would end, and someone would take the brownie away.

Day 4

We began the day with a wonderful breakfast at Clinton Street Baking Co. on the lower east side, another locally frequented hot spot tucked away from tourists-but, we found it! After a $40 breakfast, we made our way to mom's playground-CHINA TOWN! Those of you who have been know the utter chaos that ensues in this place! It's insanely wonderful. I was a bit disappointed to find how serious the police have become at cracking down on the "designer rip-off" market. It was the first time I have actually seen the real "presence" of law enforcement. I was not deterred though. I quickly made my way to the "underground, hidden basements" of the black market. There were no Louis Vuttons and no Burberry scarves to be seen! It was as if the word Burberry could get you killed. I enjoyed asking just to see the reaction of the black marketeers. Romeo actually got a kick out of China Town this time. He usually hates it. The girls had their own fun. Sophie was on the quest for the best China girl doll in all of China Town, and Reagan wanted a watch and a fan for Riley. After shopping up an appetite, we went to Joe's Shanghai-famous for their authentic Chinese dumplings. YUM! After a bit more shopping, we walked to a different country (as the girls observed) to Little Italy. Craig told us about a famous bakery called Ferrara's. OH MY GOODNESS!!! Pastries like none you've ever eaten. The real fun was sitting on the bench outside of Ferrara's and hearing the theme song from The Godfather! Those who know Romeo know that he was eating this up! He's always had a fascination with mafia, mobsters, the Godfather, etc. Too funny! Next, we walked through the neighborhood where NYU is located and made our way back to the hotel before going to dinner at none other than......
Tavern on the Green! The girls were on their best behavior and behaved like they'd been to finishing school. After a most delicious dinner AND DESSERT, we walked around the garden terrace and then caught a carriage. Jesus the driver and Arnie the horse gave us a most delightful ride through Central Park. It truly was magical. Our carriage ride ended on 6th Ave, and we walked roughly 18 blocks to our hotel. On the way we passed Rockefeller Plaza where we watched ice skaters on the rink seen in so many movies. It was an incredible evening. Also, we showed the girls Radio City Music Hall.

Clinton Street Baking Co.-There were only about 8 tables in the whole restaurant. We read that on Saturday and Sunday the line snakes around the building where people wait 1 1/2 hours for brunch.

In China Town, one of the largest areas was completely shut down with these orange signs where they'd recently been busted. Needless to say, the locals were very careful who they sold their goods to.

Ferrara's Bakery in Little Italy

Our special dinner at Tavern on the Green-The waiter was so sweet to the girls. He brought them these balloons.

I had never seen the Tavern lit up at night. It was beautiful!

Jesus took this picture after our carriage ride. He was a neat guy from Mexico who told us several points of interest that we didn't know about the city.

Rockefeller Plaza- It takes on a whole new look at night.

A guy offered to take our picture in return for the favor.

Day 5

We had talked about getting up super early to try and make the Today Show, but after going strong for four straight days, we simply couldn't make it. Instead, we got up around 8:00, packed, grabbed breakfast, and checked out of the hotel. We stowed our baggage as we weren't leaving the city until 4:30. We had roughly 8 hours left to pack in as much as possible-and boy did we ever! First, we went to Rockefeller Plaza where low and behold we stumbled onto a great opportunity. We might not have made the Today Show, but we were just in time to get the best seats in the house for Kathy Lee's show on the plaza. At 10:00, we were frantically calling everyone we knew to be on the look out for us and to hit the record button because there we were on live TV! It was too fun! Then, we made our way up Fifth Avenue where we stopped off at Trump Towers before finding the American Girl Place for a bit of shopping. Next, we stopped off at St. Patrick's Cathedral where a celebration for the Arch Bishop somebody had just let out. I think every Parochial school in NY was there. We hit a few more shops before coming to TIFFANY'S to satisfy mom! Then, on to FAO where the girls were amazed at toys that cost $10,000+. We then hopped on the subway and headed back to Little Italy for the original Ray's Pizza (thanks again Craig). After lunch, we caught a subway back up to the Empire State Building, Macy's to show the girls where the parade ends each Thanksgiving and the wooden escalators, and finally to Grand Central Station! As we were making the final trek to our hotel to retrieve our luggage, we were blessed to finally see "The Naked Cowboy"! I'm sure you've heard of him, but we'd never had the pleasure of seeing him until this trip. What a hoot!

On the plaza with Kathy Lee, Hoda, and Joan Rivers

Sophie never stopped waving at the camera as I'm sure many of you saw!

We could see ourselves on the TV screens seen in the background.

A visit to the American Girl Place - all three floors!

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

My first little blue bag! Happy Mother's Day to me!

The guard at FAO-He was adorable!

The piano from the movie BIG. It only costs $250,000 if you'd like to buy it.

Grand Central Station

The Naked Cowboy-Reagan couldn't bear to watch, and Sophie couldn't be pulled away.

This was truly a trip of a lifetime. I have to brag on my girls and say that they were such troopers. We drug them all over the city for five days with minimal complaints from them! If you've made it through this insanely long post, I hope you enjoyed it. Believe it or not, it's just a fraction of the pictures I took-230 to be exact.