Our plans had us leaving for New York on Wednesday morning. On Monday night, I received a frantic call from my Mom, who was already in New York. The forecast was calling for ugly ugly weather on Wednesday. We had a connection in Detroit and immediately our thoughts went to us being stranded in Michigan. No. Thank you.
One phone call later, and we were rescheduled for a Tuesday 6:30 am flight. We jumped into action to get ready, and at 3:30 am Tuesday morning we were waking the kids up to head to Milwaukee International Airport. Surprisingly, they weren't too crabby. Planes, trains, and automobiles are exciting stuff to Madelyn and James!
James did great on his very first plane ride. He kept busy playing play doh, reading books, snacking, looking out the window, and playing on the iPad. He was in awe of the airport and watching the planes. He stood on my lap on the plane, pointing out the window and yelling, "Whoa. Whoa." At one point, he did get scolded for not sitting while the plane was taxing around the runaway. "All infants must be sitting in an adult's lap!"
Madelyn did great too. She HAD to go to the bathroom.....while the plane was landing....of course. I was mostly worried about getting motion sick and throwing up, but we all survived.
After a taxi ride to Joe and Jessica's, where both kids fell asleep, we napped at Joe and Jessica's a little more. This was comical to me because leading up to our trip, Madelyn said she was most excited to ride in a taxi. Turns out it was so exciting, she fell fast asleep. That evening Jessica took us to Grand Central station. Riding the subway was mega exciting for the kids.
Wide eyed waiting for the train!
There was a train display at the Transit Museum within Grand Central Terminal.
It was a big hit with these guys! Nana purchased the kids each a Thomas the train toy which were favorites all weekend. James had to sleep with his little train, Scruff.
After having dinner at the kids favorite, Panera, we stopped at Times Square.
Wednesday Jessica stayed home to prep Thanksgiving and Joe took us to the Museum of Natural Sciences. James wasn't so sure of turning his back on this guy!
I am excited to show the kids the movie, The Night at the Museum, now that they've seen the dinosaurs in real life. They really are incredible. It's almost hard to believe that they really existed.
Learning about dinosaurs from a volunteer.
Her best dinosaur face.
The t-rex!
We had lunch near the museum and got a VIP view of the balloons being blown up for the Macy's day parade. We would return that evening to see more balloons with Jessica and her family.
Goofs!
The huge tanks of helium. There were many trucks like this one.
Afer seeing the balloons, Joe and Jessica surprised us with exciting news.
Cosmo is going to be a big brother. They are expecting a baby July 3rd. It was so fun to learn the news with everyone together. Of course, my mom and I both had tears in our eyes. I think Joe did too. :)
Thanksgiving morning we headed to the Macy's day parade. Joe and Jessica live two blocks from Central Park and the parade's route. It was cold, but we were prepared. I expected it to be insanely busy, but it wasn't as crazy as I pictured. It's not Time's Square NYE. We were probably 8 people back from the front. The kids had a good view.
We watched the parade for about 90 minutes and then headed in and watched the rest on TV. They were about 45 minutes behind on television. It was fun to see it again on television when we had already seen it live. We had the best Thanksgiving meal and napped.
And headed back out! There is no way NYC could not put you in the Christmas spirit. It is beautiful.
Macy's storefront windows
Dancing on the piano at FAO Swartz
Was a lot of.....
fun!
So much that when they announced that it was the next round of kids' turn. Someone sat down.
So Madelyn tried to help. It was too hard to pick him up.
So she dragged him by his coat. The entire place was dying laughing.
Shopping with Aunt Jessica was fun. She buys candy.
Madelyn was in love with NYC and her aunt and uncle. She requested Jessica push her stroller everywhere we went. When our plane landed back in Milwaukee, Madelyn asked if we could go get Marley and Gosh and go right back to Joe and Jessica's house.
We went to the top of the Rockefeller building. The city was so beautiful at night. As we were leaving, Madelyn cried that no one showed her Central Park. (I did.) We were all tired. :)
We had fun playing in Central Park. We walked through it earlier in the week...in the pouring rain. It's much more fun when it's sunny.
Traveling with two little kids was a little exhausting. James only slept through the night two of the five nights, but it also is so so much fun. I look forward to many more adventures with these three!
Madelyn thought rock climbing was a lot of fun!
World's best Nana. She is already plotting how she is going to get to New York to babysit regularly. I'm happy for her! As long as it doesn't interrupt our babysitting. :)
We had dinner at a Korean restaurant. A first for my family. James loved loved loved it. He was hilarious and 'out ate' every adult. There was a grill in the middle of the table where the beef BBQ was grilled. James would stand up in his high chair, lean over, and point at the food requesting more.
Madelyn thought it was pretty good too and requested Bee Bim Bop when we got home.
Madelyn loved seeing Cosmo.
And slept hard. Traveling is tiring.
Joe and Jessica might have to buy a few toys when their baby arrives. James had to do a lot of improvising.
Joe and Jessica kept the kids on Saturday so Casey and I could get out on our own. It was so nice. We had lunch at Chelsea Market. Saw the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.
We went to the 9/11 memorial. And an amazing dinner out that night.
Our week was perfect. I am thankful for our time together. I am thankful for the opportunities that are afforded to us. But beyond anything, I am thankful that these people are my family.
We loved you NYC. Hope to see you again soon!
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