Final Day in NYC

At Ellis Island they had the most awesome flag display.  This is Preston standing on one side of the exhibit displaying the flag.  When he walked to the other side it displayed immigrants who had immigrated to America.  

Preston and I ventured out into the snow and freezing cold to ride the ferry over to the Statue.  It was so cold that it was almost miserable. However, Preston hadn't been to Ellis island and he wanted to soak in some history.  So if he was wanting history then history he was going to get.  He doesn't ever ask for that.  It was a really fun day.  Interesting, too!!
Preston at Ellis Island.  I had to literally drag him off the island.  He wanted to watch all the movies and listen to the audio tours.  It was fun to spend time with him.
Here I am freezing but looking back at Manhattan from the Statue of Liberty island.

Wicked Lottery - Winners

Since the kids were going to Wicked we decided to go to Shrek.  Was it great and wonderful - not really.  We probably would not recommend it or go to it again.  However, it was really fun to go with Perry!!
Juli - Winner again!! for the third time.  She was kind enough to let Perry and I have the tickets since her and Preston had seen it the previous night.  It was so much fun and truly worth every penny spent.  Having front row tickets sure makes the show enjoyable.
Juli and Preston going to Wicked!!  They were so psyched that they got front row seats for only$26.25 per ticket.  Juli has the best luck ever.  She won 2x's while we were in NYC enabling all of us to see the play.  Wicked is literally the best show on Broadway right now.  We were crazy enough to try for the lottery every day while we were there.  However, it was worth the time spent.  Wicked is a must see!!!

NYC Continued...Stories to tell :)

Thursday brought us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the MET.  It is hours and hours of wonderous paintings.  Definitely a full day!!  It is only fun to walk it with Perry however, because he can tell you all about and the history of the paintings which makes it tons more interesting.  John Singer Sargent is always my favorite but this time his exhibit was shut down...SAD!!  However, we enjoyed lots of Van Gogh's, Picasso's, Monets and more.....
Walking through Central Park to get to the MET.  This sign said "Cedar Hills" and we just had to get a picture by it.
Preston and I snuck away from the MET late afternoon.  (After all a non artist can only soak in so much painting info you know).  It was raining like crazy when we left.  We were standing at a bus stop to get on and when another bus drove by Preston got soaked, literally from head to toe.  He was a good sport and didn't even get mad (or cuss - since he is totally off cussing)  
Pear and Preston snoozing on the subway and Juli tending to her monstrous blisters.  It is so funny because everytime anyone gets on the subway they zone out and snooze right off.  Usually with earbuds from the Ipod in their ears.  It's a very non social environment.
This was my very favorite picture.  The story behind it goes like this - Preston arriving in NYC at 7:30 and we are out the door by 9:00.  When we went to the Society of Illustrators he put a couple of the benches together and decided to take a small snoozy.  We were all walking around, gazing and talking about the paintings when the gallery curator came downstairs to get ride of the "homeless" guy that was asleep on the benches.  As he went to wake up Preston, Perry quickly claimed Pres as his own.  He said "Oh, he belongs to me.  When we leave we will take him with us."  Preston continued to snore (literally) never realizing that he had been categorized as one of NYC's homeless.  I laughed so hard....I had to have a picture.  It is the cutest ever.  My little "homeless" man.  

Here are Preston and Juli shopping and shopping some more on Canal Street and in Chinatown.  It is always one of our favorites to wheel and deal in Chinatown.  We came home with a suitcase full of fun accessories.  
This is Pear's favorite stopping point.  The Society of Illustrators.  It is always fun to see the artwork of some of the best illustrator's around.  Perry has even had a piece hanging here before.  It was real fun!!  Someday he is going to win a Gold Medal!
We had to take a picture of how they park cars in NYC.  It is like an elevator.  Park the car and then move it up to the next floor for the next car.  Parking was soooo expensive.  Thank goodness we just used our subway passes and rode subways and busses the whole time.
Here's Pear at his best.  Every time we stopped and walked into a store he would find a ledge, pull out the sketch book and start to sketching.  He was in 7th heaven.  Lots of interesting things to see and sketch.  Isn't he cute just sitting there on the ledge, so intently drawing.
He looked up long enough to give us a brief glance.   

There was so much green everywhere that even this poor horse who was at Central Park giving rides had its hooves painted green and had to wear a green feather duster on his head.  
This post is especially for Alayna and Madeline to show them that Grandma was truly in NYC with Alex and Martie.
Wednesday:  Preston flew in on the red eye and again we headed out strong with no sleep for him.  He was a good sport and trudged right along.  The Hershey's store is one of our favorites to visit.  Unfortunately we never buy because it is way too expensive for us but it is real fun to smell and dream about all the chocoalte.  
They have a brand new 3 story M & M store in Times Square.  Here is a wall of M & M's of every color and flavor you could dream of.  YUMMY!!
Preston had his color mood evaluated.  We learned he is a great kid.  (Wait we already knew that)

New York City - Here we come!!

Here's Juli amongst the masses of green.  People were decked out in green from head to tow and most people had a beer in one hand.  Needless to say as the day proceeded on it became a little loud and wild.  We tried to steer clear of the mass confusion.
After Dylan's we headed up to the top of 5th Avenue to do our traditional shopping.  It was also St. Patrick's day so as we shopped we watched the St. Patrick's day parade on 5th Ave.  It went from 11:00-5:30.  I have never seen so many Irish people in all my life.  Also, police forces and bagpipes.  With all the police forces in the parade we were wondering who was watching Ireland??
Tuesday:  Brought Juli to NYC on the red eye flight.  Even though she had been flying all night she was in for an all dayer. No sleeping here.  We went hard and strong.  Here we are in one of our favorite stores.  Dylan's candy shop.  Of course we had to buy a bag of sugar free candy that only cost us $12.00.  I about gasped.  Welcome to NYC.  
Here is a sampling of the art in the MOMA.  Interesting huh??  Rather large in size wouldn't you say??  
Monday:  Started with the Museum of Modern art or as we fondly call is the MOMA.  I was really disappointed this time because Van Gogh's Starry Night had been temporarily removed for another exhibit.  That is my favorite painting to see.