After a quick bite to eat we headed to 5th Avenue, just a block from the hotel. We were casually headed to Central Park, but thought we'd window shop along the way. We stopped in the 3 story Disney store and the kids played for about 45 minutes, then were most upset because we couldn't stay longer! As Scott pointed out, that's how kids do New York.
Mandy with her favorite, Cinderella...
Grace just had to have a Jonas Brothers t-shirt and a Hannah Montana mirror for her locker next year...
Thomas and Grace had fun turning Mr. Potato head into various Disney characters...
while Mandy played in the stuffed animals...
We also stopped to play awhile in the AWESOME apple store...
Then we made it to the Central Park zoo. It's not a big zoo, but I figured it would be really cool being that it's in Central Park. Not so much. We first stopped to watch the seals play...
Then, since we were baking in the sun and hot from our walk, we decided to check out the penguin house. We opened the door and just about gagged from the smell of penguin poop. Seriously, the rocks that the penguins live on were white they were so covered in it. Needless to say we didn't linger over the penguins! We did see a polar bear that was pretty cool, but his habitat was also kinda disgusting...
We checked out a pretty cool red panda and then some turtles...
At this point we were kinda disgusted and the kids were bored so we headed to the children's zoo. A lot of the habitats were empty and nearly all of them were dirty. Instead of PETA throwing paint on the women in NYC wearing fur, their efforts would be better spent demanding better treatment of the animals in the zoo here. It can't be healthy for the animals. Scott said he now understood why the penguins in "Madagascar" wanted to escape the Central Park Zoo so bad!!
Grace just had to have a Jonas Brothers t-shirt and a Hannah Montana mirror for her locker next year...Thomas and Grace had fun turning Mr. Potato head into various Disney characters...while Mandy played in the stuffed animals... We also stopped to play awhile in the AWESOME apple store...Then we made it to the Central Park zoo. It's not a big zoo, but I figured it would be really cool being that it's in Central Park. Not so much. We first stopped to watch the seals play...Then, since we were baking in the sun and hot from our walk, we decided to check out the penguin house. We opened the door and just about gagged from the smell of penguin poop. Seriously, the rocks that the penguins live on were white they were so covered in it. Needless to say we didn't linger over the penguins! We did see a polar bear that was pretty cool, but his habitat was also kinda disgusting...We checked out a pretty cool red panda and then some turtles...At this point we were kinda disgusted and the kids were bored so we headed to the children's zoo. A lot of the habitats were empty and nearly all of them were dirty. Instead of PETA throwing paint on the women in NYC wearing fur, their efforts would be better spent demanding better treatment of the animals in the zoo here. It can't be healthy for the animals. Scott said he now understood why the penguins in "Madagascar" wanted to escape the Central Park Zoo so bad!! The children's zoo was better. There were goats, chickens, rabbits and stuff to play on... 
It was at this point that it started to rain. We ran and huddled with the rest of the people who were in the children's zoo at the time, under a bridge... 
We were under here about 30 minutes which gave us plenty of time to people watch. Grace made friends with this little girl who was there with her nanny... (Lots of nannies under the bridge with us!)
Thomas killed time by playing his PSP...
In fact, all the other boys stuck under the bridge did the same...
My gosh, how did children ever survive without electronics?! I mean those poor kids would've had to...I don't know...play in the rain?!!
It was at this point that it started to rain. We ran and huddled with the rest of the people who were in the children's zoo at the time, under a bridge... We were under here about 30 minutes which gave us plenty of time to people watch. Grace made friends with this little girl who was there with her nanny... (Lots of nannies under the bridge with us!) Thomas killed time by playing his PSP... In fact, all the other boys stuck under the bridge did the same...My gosh, how did children ever survive without electronics?! I mean those poor kids would've had to...I don't know...play in the rain?!!The rain let up and the sun came out again and we were freed from the bridge. We strolled through Central Park till we hit 5th Ave. again. At this point Scott and Thomas headed off to get haircuts and the girls and I went to the American Girl store. Grace has been here twice before, but this was Mandy's first visit. You should have seen her face when she saw that entire floor of Bitty Babies!!!
The AG store here in New York is a flagship store with 4 floors of temptations. First floor is the just-like-me dolls and matching clothing, doll hair salon and bookstore. Floor two is a museum of all the historical dolls and their clothing, Floor three is Bitty Baby and the Cafe and Floor four is live theater productions of AG tales. In other words, pure girly bliss! It will however put a small dent in their college fund. We made it out with a diaper bag for Bitty and a flower girl dress for Grace's AG doll, plus some glitter lotion and lip gloss!
The AG store here in New York is a flagship store with 4 floors of temptations. First floor is the just-like-me dolls and matching clothing, doll hair salon and bookstore. Floor two is a museum of all the historical dolls and their clothing, Floor three is Bitty Baby and the Cafe and Floor four is live theater productions of AG tales. In other words, pure girly bliss! It will however put a small dent in their college fund. We made it out with a diaper bag for Bitty and a flower girl dress for Grace's AG doll, plus some glitter lotion and lip gloss!We all met back at the hotel to get ready for dinner and our second Broadway show, "Hairspray." The kids love this movie and couldn't wait to see it live. We had dinner at the Stage Deli...
"Hairspray" was great. George Wendt, Norm from Cheers, was Edna Turnblad! He was hysterical. 
Of course, when they made the movie they had to make certain changes to the musical. The kids had a great time afterwards discussing the differences (teacher friends--compare& contrast!!). I love that they are learning to love live theater. I just sat there and watched amazed at the incredible talent on that stage tonight. The singing talent alone was amazing, but combined with the acting and incredible dancing they did...oh my gosh! Scott isn't such a fan of musical theater, but to his credit, he kept his opinions to himself and let Thomas form his own opinion. I know at some point he'll realize that it isn't considered "cool," but I'd like for him to experience it and form his own opinions first!
I sort of teared up watching Grace at the end of the last number. As it ended, she stood up and was giving a standing ovation...the only person in the theater...completely absorbed in pure enjoyment of the performance. Awesome. Worth every penny.
Of course, when they made the movie they had to make certain changes to the musical. The kids had a great time afterwards discussing the differences (teacher friends--compare& contrast!!). I love that they are learning to love live theater. I just sat there and watched amazed at the incredible talent on that stage tonight. The singing talent alone was amazing, but combined with the acting and incredible dancing they did...oh my gosh! Scott isn't such a fan of musical theater, but to his credit, he kept his opinions to himself and let Thomas form his own opinion. I know at some point he'll realize that it isn't considered "cool," but I'd like for him to experience it and form his own opinions first!I sort of teared up watching Grace at the end of the last number. As it ended, she stood up and was giving a standing ovation...the only person in the theater...completely absorbed in pure enjoyment of the performance. Awesome. Worth every penny.
As we walked back to the hotel I had that sad, melancholy feeling I always get when I have to leave NYC...where I try to memorize the lights and sounds and just absorb every last second of the magic and energy here.
Tomorrow we have a loooong car ride. From here to Lexington, Kentucky. Pray for us. We are getting up at 6:30 a.m. so we can get an early start. Ugh.
Thomas's Top Five for NYC:
1. Getting my new watch in Chinatown
2. Hershey store in Times Square
3. "Grease"
4. "Hairspray"
5. New York Pizza
Grace's Top Five for NYC:
1. Chinatown
2. Disney Store on 5th Avenue
3. American Girl Store
4. "Grease"
5. "Hairspray"
Mandy's Top Five for NYC:
1. American Girl Store
2. Chinatown
3. "Hairspray"
4. Going to the zoo
5. Mickey Mouse store
Blessings,
Leslie
Leslie
1 comment:
I'm back from the great city of Austin and have had some catching up to do. I'm glad I came by because this is my favorite part of the trip. The whales were cool and I actually watched your video clip.
So, where's Letterman and that stuff?
Scott, your manhood card never got revoked. Good job of making Leslie feel like she can. We call that "cloaking" in the manhood seminars.
Hey, Scott, looking at my agendas for July and August, you and me have some business. When is this trip over so I can talk to you about it?
Oh, sorry, is that a vacation foul?
DB
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