Sunday, August 25, 2013

Once Upon a Time in New York

Sometimes Liv knows just the right button to push. In this case, telling me that she wanted to go to New York City was all it took to set the course of our family vacation. It happens that we had already decided to have one this year, so she doesn't get all the credit, but I think we'll remember it as Liv's idea. Maybe one day she'll be able to give me some insight into why she wanted to go to New York City, specifically, and what she was expecting, but I think it's more likely that it'll always be a happy mystery.

These first pictures are all dedicated to different modes of transportation. According to Liv, the best part about NYC was the subway. And the taxi. And the ferry. And...you get it.



Our travel journals: an auspicious beginning.  

Buying a week-long subway ticket to be used for pleasure riding is a new and wonderful experience.

"Not even scared."

Here at a fountain memorial near Ground Zero, I attempt to explain the events of September 11, 2001. I keep my sunglasses on when the tears come, but don't fool anyone.
At St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church, examining very old grave markers.

Stones? Stones.
"I see her!" --bound for Liberty Island via the Ferry to New Jersey 
The girls decided on an itinerary by browsing some beautiful children's picture books about the city. "This is New York, by Miroslav Sasek; "A Walk in New York," by Salvatore Rubbino; and "New York, New York!: The Big Apple from A to Z," by Laura Krauss Melmed. 
Thanks to Ally and Liv we saw some of the things we'd never taken time for when we lived in the city. This was my first trip to the statue.






First born, Mama, and unborn babe hitching a ride.

Grimaldi's in Brooklyn has expanded; we tried out the new digs next door to the original .

Brooklyn to Manhattan


Breakfast at Pershing Square, the restaurant under 5th Avenue, down the street from our hotel (Westin Grand Central)

Guess I shouldn't have chosen the whole wheat waffles on vacation.

New York Public Library, 5th Avenue branch
We meet up with Ally's bosom friend, Sasha, to see The Lion King! Just a couple of fancy ladies.

After the show, at Carnegie Deli: cheesecake, knishes, borscht, pickles and pastrami. The girls opt for grilled cheese. *Sigh*

Children, please don't disappear on the other side of the rocks until both parents are available. Thanks.

Water on a hot evening.
Happiness in Central Park.
More happiness. Trust me.

All wet and nowhere to go. 


Swedish Marionette Theatre, Central Park. Pippi Longstocking. Curtain about to rise.

After the show, we learn the "ropes" (strings?) of puppeteering.

With Sash at Diana Ross playground, UWS.

And look who else! Cousin Camille Kitti Sue!









Bethesda Fountain, Central Park 




Frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity. I regretted the trek and the heat and the tourist trappiness of it all, but not the company. Once we cooled down, the desserts tasted pretty good. But I don't recommend the food.

The Great Cousin Grace

We visit The News Building, where I worked before Ally was born.

"Mom, take my picture." Liv meets Teddy at the Natural History Museum.

Fun activity for kids?: Visit the apartment where Mom used to live. Glad to see the old window AC unit has been retired.

A meal we all agree on: Gray's Papaya at 72nd street subway stop. One of my favorite spots in NYC.



My "fashion girl," age 6, owning the Upper West Side.



Just checking.

Last night in the city. We get ice cream at Shake Shack in the Flatiron district and watch the fireflies.