The Big Apple

Before I go into all the details of the extended vacation, I would like to first apologize for the total lack of blogging.  It has been a very eventful end of May and the entire month of June.  First of all, at the end of May Derek's grandmother passed away.  Over the past year Gran has had a rough go.  She had broken both her hips (at different times) and was generally not feeling herself.  She developed pneumonia at the end of May and passed away.  It was extremely difficult for Derek and his mother.  Mema was very close to her mother (they lived across the street from one another) and I know that Mema not only lost her mother but her best friend.  We made the last minute trip up to Hereford for the funeral.  Payton did extremely well, and I cried my eyes out.  Mema's relationship with her mother reminds me so much of my relationship with my mom.  My heart was broken for the loss of Gran and for the loss suffered by both Derek and his mother.  It was a difficult time.


The following week after Gran's funeral was Payton's recital.  I will post more about that later.  It was a wonderful time, and Granny Camille, Aunt Casey, and Addison all came down for the big event.  We also went to the American Girl Store (more on that later) for Addison's birthday.

After the big recital on Friday, the following Thursday we were leaving for the big vacation.  I have already mentioned how the entire vacation was almost canceled, but because the Judge felt it was bad karma to deny a young child a Disney Cruise he granted the last minute continuance.

Day One.........

We arrived into NY around 11:00 (NYC) in the morning.  We went straight to the hotel and then found some lunch.  We stayed in the Marriott in Midtown.  We went to some Italian place and ordered pizza.  Payton and I both dip our pizza in ranch and so I asked if they had any.  I guess the waiter was offended because he said that this was a true Italian place and they don't serve ranch.  We then walked to Rockefeller Plaza and generally took it easy the first day.

Day Two ..........

On Friday we woke up bright and early and went on a bus tour around the city.  We saw an old church, had lunch in Little Italy, and boarded a boat taxi around the harbor.  We saw the Statute of Liberty and all the sights in the harbor.  After the tour, we decided to take the subway to Brooklyn to walk the Brooklyn bridge back to Manhattan. 
 

The Bridge is 1.1 Miles

I actually carried  Payton across the bridge wearing flip flops.  It was a gorgeous view and the weather was incredible.  Once back across the bridge, we took a taxi back to the Rock and had dinner.  I will say this....... I was not impressed with the food in NYC.  It is extremely over priced and not that great.

Day Three........

On Saturday, Stephanie and Cooper did a helicopter tour of the harbor.  Payton, Grandpat and myself went to Dylan's Candy store and played until they were done.  We then went to FAO Schwarz for the kids to play and dance on the "Big" piano.

Payton loved the Lego land displays.   Payton also loved hailing Taxis. After the toy shop, we took a pedi-cab tour of central park.  It was extremely relaxing.

I think she looks like a true New Yorker.

On Saturday night we were off to Time Square for a Broadway show. We went and saw Mary Poppins, and it was awesome. This was my first time to a Broadway show, and it totally rocked. Payton loved it, and behaved the entire time. She now loves to sing the songs from the show. Her favorite is a Spoonful of Sugar.

After the show, we went didn't get out until 10:30 p.m., we went back to the hotel to repack and get ready to leave on the cruise the following day.

I'll do the cruise in another post along with the Big Apple part two.  I will say that the first round in NYC was nice.  Payton, and Cooper as well, behaved extremely well the entire time.  The weather was lovely and the people were friendly.  I would love to go back when Payton is older and see another show.