Deep Breathing in New York City

You wouldn't think that breathing the air in Manhattan could be refreshing. People complain of the special stink that is a tangy mixture of rotten produce, exhaust and urine. And yet, spending just twenty-two hours there this weekend was both renewing and energizing.

Earlier this month Josh and I had our 10th wedding anniversary. We celebrated this weekend by dropping off the boys at their grandparents' in Philadelphia and heading up to NY, NY.

I can't even explain how amazing the trip was. I have been dying to see something big. Something where you can't see it all without turning around in a circle. New York was just the ticket. I've been up there for a few brief visits before but this time I got to make the list of things to see. Josh was at my command. Hungry? Let's eat. Tired? Let's sit down. Want to find out what's down this street? Let's go!

We started off by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was so exciting. I had so much fun! I kept saying "I can't believe we're doing this!"

After that we walked over to Little Italy and ate amazing pasta at a family-owned restaurant where our server was speaking Italian to the other workers there. Too much fun.
Along the way we saw this parking lot with vertical parking. I guess we're country bumpkins because we could not believe our eyes.

We checked in to our hotel, The Hudson, and took the subway down to the Empire State Building. We called Grandma from the top to check on the boys. Michael had been a little sad that he couldn't find us, but was fine after some hugs from Grandma, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Sam seemed to be in heaven with his Tio Juan (Uncle John).The next morning we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This picture is blurry, but they have an amazing Egyptian display including a real temple. Josh now wants to take our family to Egypt and learn Egyptian, just for fun.

We also saw some Monet, Pissaro, Manet, Renoir, Degas, and I had to take this picture for my dad, Van Gogh.

We walked down Park Avenue and took a look at the Upper East Side, then stopped in Central Park before taking a cab through Times Square to catch our bus back to downtown Philadelphia.

From downtown Philadelphia we took a train the rest of the way to Grandma and Pepaw's house where we saw our apprehensive toddlers waiting for the train on the platform. Michael burst into tears when the train's whistle blew and even though I had not missed them as much as I felt like I should have, as soon as I saw him crying I started panicking to get off of the train. I ran around asking "Where is the door?" then ran to my baby as fast as I could. He didn't let go of his mommy for the rest of the night. I guess I missed them after all!

We've decided that we really like walking around a lot. We loved being outside so much and walking all over town. We've set some goals to get out of the house more, to walk and exercise more, to take more sight-seeing trips, and, for me, not to let the kids' every demand rule our life.

Resolved: 1. I will teach my children that there are more ways to have fun in life than eating dessert. 2. I will get dressed in the morning and make dinner in the evening without giving in to whining. 3. I will make doctors appointments for myself and get my haircut regularly even if it changes our schedule or I have to leave them with a friend for a while.
4. I will occasionally delay their naps so we can get out of the house and have more fun. We'll see how long this attitude lasts. Probably until Josh goes back to work on Tuesday and I'm alone with two kids whose favorite word is "no." But is was sure nice to feel this way for a while.

Since Sam and Michael were born we've just felt like we've been sprinting a race. We were able to slow down and talk to each other without thoughts like "What am I going to make for dinner tomorrow" or "Will I really have time to iron shirts tonight?" running through my head. We were so blessed that one day felt like a week. We were so busy going from one thing to the next but each leg of the trip felt like it's own separate vacation. We couldn't believe we had only been gone one day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Grandma, Pepaw and Tio! Sam especially loved being at your house and sincerely misses you. He points to the phone and says "Tio!" He wants to talk to you all the time! He is talking more and I think he just felt your love and is happier knowing there are more people in this world who love him. We had a wonderful time and thank you for your service taking care of the boys so we could take this trip and slow down in the City that Never Sleeps!