Girls Day 3 - Subways, Tall Buildings, Big Desserts, and Pizza in Bed

We had a somewhat flexible morning today so we didn’t set an alarm.  But go figure, I was up by 8:00.  I made a cup of chai and then snuggled up with Sammy until she was ready to start the day.

We grabbed Starbucks from across the street again and decided to eat it on the Subway on our way to Southern Manhattan.  We made our way to the right Subway entrance (thanks to Apple maps that include public transit options) and asked the teller to explain everything :).

The 1 train comes through very often, so with literally less than 1 minute wait, we were on board and setting up for breakfast.  This was the very first subway trip for all three of us!

  

We got off at the stop in the basement of the World Trade Center.

And a short walk up to the road brought us to the 9/11 Memorial.  This is the south pool in the footprint of the South tower.  It is a huge reflection pool with a waterfall into the center.  The names of those who died are etched on the outer edge.  

After visiting the North pool where the north tower stood, we headed over to One World Trade Center and headed up to the Observatory.  This is currently the tallest building in the USA, and our hemisphere.  The 7th largest in the world.  It is 1776 ft tall (Independence Day) and the observatory is on the 102nd floor.

The elevator ride up is only 47 seconds... read that again 102 floors in 47 seconds!!!  The walls of the elevator feature a movie that show how the surrounding area of NYC have changed throughout history and was in and of itself incredible.  When the instructions were over, we were finally released on to the observation deck and it was breath taking!

After the 47 second plummet back to earth, we walked over to Battery Park.  We made a quick stop to feed Kit... apparently she was hungry.  A kind man even stopped to help give her a drink. Sammy was so appreciative!  Looking back across town, we had a great view of One World Trade Center.

In Battery Park, we checked out the Korean War Memorial and then took some pics of the Statue of Liberty from the shore.

Then it was time to head back.  We were both pretty tired and hungry so we visited a street vendor for some hotdogs and found a small wall to sit and rest a bit.

Then we headed back to the subway for our return trip.  This entrance wasn’t staffed so I was thankful we had pre-purchased the return trip.  However after Sammy walked through the turnstile, the machine wouldn’t read my ticket and I had a brief moment of panic.  Three swipes later, and a few silent prayers for help, and it accepted my ticket and let me through.

Once we got down to the platform I realized that we were about to board a different train than I had wanted so we talked to a very kind man who was on his way home from work and found out that this train would also make a stop close to our hotel.  So, we were fine - good lesson learned.

After we got back to Time Square we visited M&M World to explore all three floors of chocolate goodness.  To my surprise, we walked out without any purchases so to quench my sweet tooth, I suggested we stop for dessert.  Clearly, we made the right choice!

Even with two of us, we couldn’t finish it!  We played Ticket To Ride on our ipads at the restaurant and after Sammy beat me silly, we headed back to our hotel for a movie.  We had already walked over 9,000 steps before 1:00 pm and we both were ready for a rest.

After the movie, we decided to try some authentic New York-style pizza and ordered in a pie.  Sammy got a kick out of eating in bed!

About 5:30, Sammy asked ever so sweetly if I might be interested in going shopping... and wouldn’t you know, she was hoping we could check out American Girl again.  So we packed up for a quick visit to the store before we had to come home to clean up for tonight’s show.

I had told Sammy that we could buy her a new doll at the end of the trip this week, but after a lot of deliberating, we decided to bring her home tonight instead.  Kit has a new friend!  Her name Luciana, she has long dark hair and she is BIG into science!

The walk home was gorgeous...

And even more so from our hotel room as the sun set.

After a quick change and refresh on hair/make-up, we were out the door again and heading to Disney’s Aladdin.  The crowds tonight in Time Square were the busiest we’ve seen.  

We grabbed a shake on the way back to the hotel.  As Sammy snuggled into bed, she said once again what a great day it was... I agree!  It was incredible!  So glad to have this special time with my girl!

Boys Day 2 - Money & Aircraft

I cannot wait to hear about all the guys did today... the pictures are simply incredible!

Bureau of Engraving and Printing for a tour on how our money is made

This is real money... all one dollar bills... before its been cut.

Headed to the Air and Space Museum in Virginia.

 

How cool is that?

Girls Day 2 - Shopping and Frozen

We started today without much of a plan other than we had some stores we wanted to visit but after walking 17,604 steps today... I’d say we did a lot!

We both had a great night sleep!  It felt SO good to sleep in until after 8:00 am!!   We stopped for Starbucks this morning for breakfast (its literally across the street from our hotel...  what could be easier?)  We had a 10:00 am appointment to get Kit’s ears pierced so we walked over and waited for the store to open.  Kit was a bit nervous, but Sammy did a great job comforting her.

After we finished, we walked to the LEGO store.  The displays were amazing!  Besides that, there was a section that let you design your own mini-figures... so of course we HAD to do it.  It took a little while to make our choices, but the end results were great.  I was so glad they only offered it in a three-pack or it would have taken much longer to decide.

 

We walked around Rockefeller Center a bit longer and did some window shopping.  Then headed over to the Nintendo Store.  So, this is the ONLY Nintendo store in the world.  (One is scheduled to open in Japan next year).  It was 2 stories and lots to see and do.  There was an entire section of Legend of Zelda so we took lots of pics for Tyler.  (Shh don’t tell him we picked up a few gifts as well).

We were getting a little tired and hungry so we headed toward the hotel and grabbed lunch in Time Square at Olive Garden.

Apparently our stop for lunch was just the reprieve we needed, because Sammy was ready to shop again.  Next up, we visited the Disney store... its a two-story haven of all things Disney and so much fun to look around.

The weather has been a bit cooler than what we originally expected so we decided to look for some warmer clothes.  Luckily there is an Old Navy right next to GMA studios so it was only a block from our restaurant.  We grabbed a couple jackets and gloves and headed back to the hotel for some rest time.

Sammy decided to take a bath while I did some research on activities for tomorrow.  I think we are gonna head down to southern Manhattan to visit the World Trade Center Observatory and see the Statue of Liberty.  Speaking of One World Trade Center... we have a perfect view from our hotel room!

Around 4:00 pm I asked Sammy if there’s anything she’d like to do... Very sweetly and a little sheepishly she asked if we could go back to American Girl.  (This will be our 5th visit so far... in two days). LOL

As I explained that it was her trip and we could do whatever she wants, she got a little smirk and asked “because you love me?”  Yes dear.  Because I love you I will walk back to the store, and look at every display, and talk about all things American Girl for another hour... because I love you!  So, of course, we went back to American Girl.

On the way back, we grabbed Chick-Fil-A for a quick meal in our hotel room before we needed to leave for our show.

We decided to wear matching outfits... and I think we looked great!

Tonight we went to see Frozen!  The show was incredible... amazing sets, Elsa’s freezing powers were simply magical, and the 18-person ensemble filled the stage with amazing action and choreography.  It may be one of my favorite shows of all time.

We headed back to the hotel around 10 pm only to discover that earlier the store hadn’t removed one of the magnetic tags from my jeans so Sammy suggested we head back over to have them remove it tonight.  Well, why not, we are in the city that never sleeps, right?

When we got settled back at the hotel, we climbed into bed to catch up on America’s Funniest Home Videos.  It was another incredible day!

Boys Day 1 - Spies & Monuments

I thought I’d post pics now and have Tyler help fill in the details after we get back home... so enjoy the pics!

Leaving Grand Rapids

 

On board flight to DC

At the Spy Museum

The hotel

Dinner was amazing!  Steaks and Desserts!

Walk to check out some of the landmarks at night.  It was pretty windy and chilly.

 

Great Day!

Girls Day 1 - Welcome to New York!

That 5:00 am alarm sure came awfully early!  But everyone was up and eager to start the day.  We left the house right on time!  Everything went smoothly with check in and security.  Then it was Starbucks for breakfast and a short wait for our plane to load.

We landed in Detroit around 9:00 am and said our goodbyes to Scott and Tyler.  By the time we walked to our gate, they were already loading so we walked right on.  

After a fairly bumpy flight, we grabbed our luggage and headed out to find our car.  Omar was ready and waiting for us so we settled into the backseat for our ride into town.  Technically the route is just over 9 miles and mostly freeways and tunnels... yet it took us about an hour due to traffic.  Hehe... so glad I wasn’t driving!

Our hotel wasn’t quite ready so we left our baggage and went out to explore Time Square and find some lunch.

We must have been pretty hungry because we both finished off a double bacon cheeseburger from Planet Hollywood and they are HUGE.  We both really enjoyed all the movie memorabilia and Halloween decorations.

We took some pics of Time Square and got our bearings of the area.  Then Sammy asked if maybe we could check out the American Girl store.  Now keep in mind we are already planning to spend time there on Thursday and Saturday... but of course, its her trip!

So we walked over to Rockefeller Center and found the two story American Girl store.  It did not disappoint! It was easy to spend time just looking at all the items they had.  Sammy loved seeing some of the bigger sets and accessories and appreciated being able to see and touch firsthand.  We bought a few new outfits for Kit because she didn’t have an appropriate outfit for the show tonight :)

Previously when I called, there were no available appointments at the salon but when we asked today they had an appointment available for Kit and Sammy at 3:30 pm.

We had about 30 minutes before the appointment so we decided to run next door for a quick drink.  Sammy, still smiling from the American Girl store, decided to get Kit dressed for the show BEFORE her hair appt so it didn’t get messed up so we did a quick outfit change in the restaurant and then headed back to the salon.

Both ladies that helped us at the American Girl salon were amazing!  Both Kit and Sammy look great!  

We headed back to the hotel around 4:30 pm.  God must have been smiling on us because there was a break in the rain for most of the 15 minute walk back.  We checked into the hotel... the Hyatt Centric... we are in a King suite on the 52nd floor.  The view is amazing!

We rested for about an hour before getting changed for our show.  We walked over to McDonalds to share some chicken tenders (still full from lunchtime) and then walked to the theater for Lion King tonight!

The show was amazing!  The costumes and animal puppets were incredible!  At one point, Sammy had to lean in to avoid getting bumped by an elephant!  

We stopped for a shake on the walk back and then called Tyler and Scott once we got back and settled in our room.  Its after 10:30 pm now and we have had a VERY big and busy day.  But we have had such a great time, it doesn’t even matter how tired we are!

The Plan - 2019 Mother/Daughter and Father/Son Trip’s

What a privilege it is to parent two amazing, sweet, and unique kiddos!  We so enjoy every adventure life throws at us but this coming week is bound to be a favorite!  We regularly try to plan one-on-one trips with our kids and let them plan the destination and activities.

So next week, Scott is taking Tyler on a Father/Son trip to DC to explore the museums and history of our nation’s capitol with an emphasis on airplanes and space.

And of all places, Sammy has chosen New York City for our destination.  Her focus is visiting American Girl, Nintendo and LEGO.  And to see some shows on Broadway.

We’ll set out on Wednesday morning and return on Sunday evening.  As luck would have it (and a little magic from mom’s reservation skills), we will ALL be flying out on the SAME plane in the morning.  After our adventures, we’ll all return to Grand Rapids within 15 minutes of one another and share a ride back home.

And I cannot wait to spend every sweet second with my girl and I know Scott feels the same.