Day 4: Walking

A grey day

 Cool. cool park called Highline....that's literally high above the park where an old El track used to be.

Oh what a cutie this Evan is

6 oz of gooey cookie goodness at Levain

The temple

Cops at Central Park

Dylan's Candy Bar....every candy under the sun

Tub o' gumballs

Two pros playing the piano at FAO Schwartz (Sage I triesd to get a video but it didn't work!!)-- it costs $250,000

Holy wreath! (please note the token menorahs)

Serendipity for dinner with Kassie's homey, Karley....long wait but well worth it for the potato skins

Frozen hot chocolate...good but not sure what all the hype is about.

We walked from 8 AM until 5 PM.  Phew.  In 9 hours we hit up 15 spots:  school to drop the kiddos off, Trader Joes for groceries (they deliver!), Union Square Farmer's Market, Highline Park, Chelsea Market, Jacques Torres for hot cocoa, Murray's for a WW Everything bagel with a schmear,  Grey's Papaya for a delicious dog, Levain for gigantic cookies, the temple, Central Park, back to school to pick up kiddos, Dylan's Candy Bar, FAO Schwartz and then finally the Plaza Hotel (swanky!). My feet were sore but Miss Elyse provided me with a lovely foot rub and Kass insisted I take a nap before we headed out to eat tonight (I didn't protest one bit).  Good times and I can't remember the last time I've been so pooped.  Tomorrow is Ellis Island and the Met....and plenty more eatin' I hope.

Sunday in NY was a nice quiet day.  It felt funny taking a cab to church but it was that or the bus.  Boys took the bus and the girls the cab.  The cab drivers are nutso...weaving in and out of traffic, almost grazing pedestrians and other cabs.  One cabbie had a book and would pick it up each time we stopped.

Kassie has a wonderful ward...so friendly.  I think every person I met commented on how much Evan and Miss Have look alike.  I spent most of the three hours in the Mother's lounge trying to cheer Haven up.  I got to talk to lots of Kassie's friends about natural birth (one mom had just used Kass as a doula at her home birth).

We came home, rested then Kass and the babes and I went for a walk to whet our appetites for dinner.  We saw beautiful churches and Rockefeller Center.

I love spending time with Kass and chatting and just beign around her.  Her kids are so funny...Elyse has a dramtic flair that cracks me up, Levi is darling and so is Evan.  

Can't wait for more sights and eating tomorrow.  It's great having a NYC pro to show me all the best places to see and eat.

Off to church

Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral

Atlas at Rockefeller Center

The crowds at Rockefeller Center

The giant tree at Rockefeller Center

Inside Saks (Schmancy!)

Inisde St. Bart's

NYC: Dia de Craziness (Day 2)

The beauty of vacation is being able to take a nap any time I feel like it. This morning that meant 9 AM when Haven napped. Following my morning snooze and a lovely breakfast of eggs and fried potatoes, we left for the Gershwin Theater. Every day at the theater they pick names and 12 people win two $26 front row seats to the Wicked matinee. We won!! Kass has already been so Elyse and I planned to go together. We had 2 hours to kill so we all headed down the street to Times Square. That place is everything wrong with the modern world contained in a few short blocks...nice. Let's just say I have no need ever to go there again in my life. Christmas in NYC equals hordes of people. First we thought we'd stop by Hershey's...too crowded. Next stop M&M store...too crowded. Next stop Toys'r'us...too crowded. Noticing a pattern here? Our two hours were up so back to the Gershwin we went and spent two blissful hours at Wicked. Great show and yes, I am the very last person in America to see the show.

On our walk home Elyse and I ran in to massive crowds..it was kind of fun pushing our way through the throngs of people. She and I stopped at the delicious pizza place, Krunch. Wowee, amazing pizza made all crispy crunchy by a second journey into a wood fired oven. Then home to put the chilluns to bed and then back out again just us mamas for more grub a dub dub. Including 3 desserts.

The lovely Elyse

Love this little lady

Da cousins...bit of a family resemblance eh?

Yay for Wicked!

Times Square

The NY Salvation Army workers don't just ring those little bells, the sing and dance too

Dark haired cuties

Pre dinner dessert at Buttercup Cupcakes

Finally some subway music!!

Spell check please

Kass and I LOVE Ethiopian food.  It was worth the long wait and seats in front of the door

Dessert #2....delicious.

Dessert #3 at Rice to Riches....Hazelnut Chocolate with toasty pund cake on top....mmmmgood

Miss you Sagie!!!  And Shane I know you're not reading this but since miracles do happen  and you could be reading this blog I miss you too.

Day 1 NYC part deux

Day 1 in NYC!!