Thanksgiving this year was really fun. We hosted some family here, since we had just moved in and Joseph had just started working so I knew we wouldn't be able to go out of town anywhere.
My brother, his wife and their 4 year old stayed with us for the week, so we were able to get in lot's of sight-seeing and NYC things.
My parents came up on Wednesday to join in on the fun, and stayed for the big feast.
Sunday - My brother and his family flew in on Sunday morning, so after getting everything settled we headed out for a walk around Central Park. Every time we go into the park I find something new that I had never seen before which is one of the best things. I am so glad we ended up living close to Central Park. My niece was confused and kept asking where the swings were, I think because we kept calling it a park she was just expecting a huge field with millions of swing sets. Soon enough we came across a play area, so she could run around and wasn't too disappointed because "we are just walking"
Monday - We had fresh bagels and cream cheese from the best bagel place in the whole wide world, that is on the corner. Love everything about a fresh warm bagel with cream cheese. It is good for the soul.
My brother hadn't really been to New York before so his one request for the trip was to see the Statue of Liberty, unfortunately for him the ferry boats to the statute were closed as a result of the Hurricane Sandy. But, the Staten Island ferry was running and it is free, and it goes really close to the statute so you still get an up close view of everything, so that was pretty good.
After the ferry, we were all hungry so we headed over towards the Chelsea Market for some lunch and an afternoon stroll on the Highline. The Highline is one of my favorite places in the city. plus it is in the meatpacking district, so I am always looking for reasons to go down there.
At this point in the day it was starting to get dark and cold, and the four year old in our party was just about done with the sightseeing so we headed back up the apartment for dinner and hanging out.
Tuesday - After this day was over my brother was not to thrilled with the amount of walking I put everyone through.
First things first, was a stop at the corner bakery for some breakfast treats. They were delicious.
We started the day with a trek to the east side to Dylans Candy Shop. To be honest I wasn't that excited about it before we went, but when I got there I was very impressed. The shop is really cool, and colorful with candy decorations everywhere, and there was seriously So Much Candy. After walking around for a little bit and checking it out, we headed down to Joseph's office to meet his for lunch and get some chicken and rice from the famouse Halal guys. They are seriously the best chicken and rice in the city, they always have a long line and they even have a Wikipedia page, so I mean come on.
After street food, we walked back up to Central Park for some ice skating. I just watched as my brother carried his four year old around the rink. After wards she was so thrilled about all the tricks she was able to do when her full body wieght was supported by my brother. It was pretty funny.
Then we walked through the park a little bit more, where we came across a lady doing fancy face painting. If you are in need of 20 minutes where your children sit perfectly still, this is the thing for you. She was in heaven.
Then we walked some more back towards the apartment past the Temple, since they had never seen it, and a stop at Trader Joes for some dinner supplies, and a hilarious trek home with the bags and the stroller on a crowded subway.
Got to love the city living.
Wednesday - We woke up and took our time getting out of the house. We headed down to Bryant Park to find a carousel. We thought the one in Central Park was open but when we got there and it was closed yesterday we were all sorely disappointed....that was when the face painting from yesterday came in to play. Nothing like bribing kids.
By the early afternoon my parents had made it in to town so we went back up to the apartment to meet up with them. Then we went to Carnegie Deli as per my moms request. That place is such a tourist attraction, but the food is pretty good, and I sort of like gimmicks when food is involved.
I split an egg salad sandwich and matzah ball soup followed up with some strawberry cheesecake heaven and coconut cream pie bliss. We left stuffed and totally happy.
Then we headed up to the Natural History Museum where they have a large portion of the street blocked off, as the sight of the blowing up of the Macy's Day Parade balloons. I hadn't ever thought about it before this year, but since the balloons are so big they just blow them up under giant nets right on the street to be ready for the big day. It was cool to see the balloons up close but it was a crazy claustrophobic crowded mad house. Worth it yes, but crazy none the less.
Since we couldn't squeeze everyone into our apartment my parents sublet an apartment for the weekend, so my dad and I headed out to find the apartment to pick up the keys and the rest of the group headed back for the house.
The first half of the week was fun, with lot's of sightseeing and lot's of play time for the four year old, who was less impressed with the sightseeing.
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