Christmas in New York - Radio City, Rockefeller, and Santa!

On Friday, we spent the day in NYC doing all the fun Christmas stuff.  We started the tradition of going in to the city in December back in 2013, when Noah had just turned 1.  While every year we have a slightly different itinerary, many activities stay the same :)  This year, we had tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and reservations to see Santa at Macy's.  You can see what we did in 2014 and 2013 here. 

This year, we opted against driving right into the city.  We hit horrible traffic when we did it in the Summer, so instead, we decided to drive to a train station that's closer to the city (and has more train times) and take a train into Penn Station.  Noah is a fan of trains, but we weren't sure how he'd do on the 70 minute train ride from our town.  We also wanted more flexibility with timing for getting there and coming home.  This was the perfect option, since the actual train ride was only 10-15 minutes and trains ran every 10 minutes (at least).  

While the weather forecast called for high 40s, it felt much colder with the clouds and wind.  I'm glad I didn't listen to Chris (who always opts for a light jacket or none at all) and still wore an actual winter jacket and dressed Noah in his regular winter coat and hat :)  We arrived in Penn Station and decided against the 25 minute walk to Radio City and instead took a taxi.  Noah was actually really excited for his first taxi ride.  Later on in the day he started saying "let's take a taxi instead"... it was too funny!  

Since Chris is always concerned about being late, we added in lots of time, and ended up getting to Radio City a full hour before the show.  While I would have loved to sleep in a little later, I appreciate that Chris is a planner and always makes sure we arrive on time (or early) to places.  Thankfully the weather was pretty mild at this point so we walked around, looked at some of the decorations and took a bunch of photos :)

Noah's coat and hat are from Hanna Andersson but no longer online

My coat is last year from Gap

my jeans | my boots | Noah's jeans

^^^ an impromptu game of peek-a-boo with his hat ;)

Paw Patrol back pack 

Finally, it was time for the show!  Chris had seen the show many years ago and I went back in 2007 with my cousins who were visiting from Canada.  Friends of ours, who have a daughter a year older than Noah, told us they were going for the second year and asked if we were interested.  They had a special promotion on tickets, and while we didn't end up sitting with our friends, we decided it was worth a try and hoped Noah was old enough to go.  The show was amazing and Noah was interested in it as much as a three year old could be.  He loved it whenever Santa came on stage but wasn't as into the dancing parts as I was... 3 year olds don't really appreciate the complexity of some of the choreography.  Towards the end of the show, we had one outburst where Noah wanted something (I can't even remember what it was now) and started crying.  I took him out to the back area to calm him down and a super nice usher brought him some stickers that made everything better. We went back in and finished watching the show while eating some fruit snacks.  Despite the incident, I think Noah did really well considering the show was about an hour and 45 minutes long.  He told me his favorite part was the end when the confetti that exploded over the audience, but that he also liked Santa, the reindeer, and the soldiers.  I also really liked the Christmas in NYC parts with the double decker bus on stage.  I was also forgot (and was amazed) that they brought real animals (like sheep and camels) on stage for the live nativity!  If you go to NYC anytime around Thanksgiving/Christmas, make sure you see this show.  It really is fun for all ages!

After the show, we met up with our friends and went to get lunch.  We were bummed (and shocked) that it was raining when we walked outside.  Rain was definitely not in the forecast and we were worried it would ruin our plans.  We were beyond relieved that it completely stopped while we were inside eating.  We went to the Stardust diner, and while the food is just average, it was fun to watch the waiters sing and perform while we ate.  It's also a great spot to take kids since it's so loud and casual, and no one will even notice if they aren't the best behaved ;)

From there, we started walking to Macy's to see Santa, and decided to make a pitstop at the Rockefeller tree.  Chris and I have gone each year for a photo in front of the tree and I definitely wanted to go again this year.  Unfortunately (for our family photo), Noah fell asleep on our walk over.  But in reality, I'm relieved he took a little nap, because he was getting a little cranky at lunch and was asking to go home.  The nap did the trick and was ready to keep going when he woke up :)

^^^ Noah had no clue we even went to the tree!

Our next stop was Macy's.  Our friends, who went last year, let us in on the secret that you can make reservations to see Santa rather than standing in a long line.  I say it's a secret because I was shocked at how many people did not make a reservation and instead stood in a line that looked to be 3 hours long!  With our reservation, we literally walked in and saw Santa 5 minutes later.  They have multiple Santas set up in little rooms down a bunch of little hallways.  The kids get to go up to Santa and chat with him and then get a photo with him.  Noah was super shy and asked Chris to go with him and we ended up taking another family photo with Santa.  While the photo from our previous visit with Santa turned out better, I'm still really glad we went to meet the "real" Santa ;)  

From there, we went to look at the window displays outside Macy's.  Because of Macy's "Believe"  campaign and letter writing commercials with Virginia, there were a bunch of "Yes, Virginia..." displays.  I wasn't too familiar with the whole concept, but Noah's friend was a total fan and even has a Virginia doll and is pretty obsessed with the movie.  

There were also a bunch of Peanuts window displays, which were definitely Noah's and my favorites!    We especially loved the one with Shroeder's piano and the one where Snoopy flies on his doghouse.  

We were all starting to get tired at this point, so we decided to say goodbye to our friends and walk back to Penn Station.  Part of me wishes we could have kept going and seen more of the window displays on 5th avenue or even gone to the train exhibit at Grand Central Station, but I think we made the right decision in heading home in time for dinner.  

Christmas in NYC 2014 & 2013

New York City - Our Day in Brooklyn!

Last Friday, Chris took off work and we spent the day in Brooklyn.  Even though Chris goes into Manhattan every day for work, we only get in as a family maybe twice a year.  We always have a good time once we are there, but getting there is not easy!  Even though we are only about 35 miles outside the city, it takes FOREVER!  The train would be about 75 minutes long and the last few times we've driven in, it's taken 2 hours!  There are pros to driving in, but after this horrible driving experience, I think we've decided the train is the way to go in the future.  And since Noah loves trains, I doubt he will mind.  

Anyway, back to our day trip. Despite Chris having the day off from work, we decided to stop by so that his co-workers could see Noah again.  We introduced Noah to them about a year and a half ago and decided it was time to stop by again.  While Noah was super shy meeting everyone, he had a blast playing at Chris' desk.  Noah even helped do a little work ;)

From there, we walked a few blocks to the subway.  On our way we stopped by a construction site and Noah got to see some diggers.  The driver of one of the diggers even waved hi to him!   Since not all subway stops have elevators, Chris took the folded up stroller and I carried Noah down the stairs.  Noah was excited to go on the "train" but got a little nervous when we were down on the platform.  I don't think being underground and hot helped.  The subway cars were packed, but thankfully we got a seat after a few stops.  

We knew that we had to get pizza and ice cream when in Brooklyn.  I found a few recommendations from this blog.  Chris had told me about Grimaldi's, but I had read that Juliana's had been opened by the same family (and just next door) and that Grimaldi's has now turned into a franchise.  Also, when we arrived, there was a line at Grimaldi's, but since we could take a table meant for 2, we were able to be seated quickly at Juliana's.  The pizza was delicious... I only wish our table was more in the shade since it was getting pretty hot! By the time we left, the line was down the street!  

From there, we walked a few blocks down to the pier.  We got some pictures with the bridge and NYC skyline in the background and enjoyed some ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.  They had an actual shop and then an extra stand connected to some covered seating by the water.  We chose to sit outside, thankfully this time completely covered by the shade.  

We then made our way over to Jane's Carousel.  I honestly expected it to be a bigger carousel.  It is a beautiful old carousel and the view of the city is pretty amazing.  Chris took Noah on and he picked his usual bench seat (he's a little nervous of the horses going up and down I guess).  Chris and Noah would "hide from me" and then surprised me when they came around.  It was really cute to watch the two of them have so much fun!

If it wasn't so hot and I didn't have a small child, I would have also liked to walk a little bit on the bridge and try to get this typical picture while in DUMBO.  But after the carousel, Noah told me he was tired and wanted to go home.  Since it was 2:30 and past his usual nap time, we started heading back to the subway.  He fell asleep almost immediately and stayed asleep the whole way back to our car.  That included being moved from his stroller so I could carry him down to the subway, sit on my lap for the 20 minute ride back to Manhattan, and then back in the stroller to walk to our car.  I was shocked!  By the time we got to the car, he woke up and Chris and I were hot and exhausted!  

source

We then sat in a TON of Friday afternoon traffic trying to get to the Lincoln Tunnel.  I could not have been happier when we pulled into our driveway.  Like I said at the beginning of the post, we always have fun while in the city, it's the getting there and home part that tests my patience.  Thankfully, Noah is a super kid and was a trooper the whole time.

Christmas in NYC

On Friday, Chris took the day off from work and we headed into NYC.  We took Noah in last year around this same time and had so much fun, so we wanted to do it again and make it an annual tradition.  We made good time until we got into the actual city, and then the estimated arrival on the GPS is a bunch of baloney... driving in NYC is not fun.  We finally found a reasonably priced parking garage on 44th street and immediately started walking up 5th Avenue to FAO Schwarz (on 59th street).  

Chris was excited to go to FAO Schwarz so he could do the piano (from the movie Big) with Noah.  As soon as we walked into the store, I saw Jimmy Fallon!  I stopped as he walked by and said to Chris, "Oh my god, that's Jimmy Fallon".  He was walking carrying his daughter, Winnie, and I'm sure he heard me, but he didn't even glance and kept walking.  He was just leaving the store, with his wife (I think).  While it would have been cool to get a picture with him, I totally get why he would want to just have a day with his family.  It must be so hard to not be able to go anywhere without people recognizing and stopping you... especially with your kids around!

Anyway, back to why we came.  We went upstairs and were surprised and relieved that the line for the piano was non-existant.  Chris and Noah took their coats and shoes off and started making music. I acted as photographer and videographer :)

We then moved onto the Lego area, checked out the car and train displays, and even got to try out this fake snow product. I was impressed that Noah wasn't upset when we didn't buy him something from the store.  Since you can find most things cheaper on Amazon, we just made note of anything we thought looked cool instead of buying it there.  

Normally, we are super prepared when we go on our little adventures and scout out restaurants beforehand.  We didn't do that this time, and there really weren't that many kid friendly options around FAO Schwarz.  We walked a few blocks south and thankfully found an Au Bon Pain that wasn't too crowded.  Noah was super picky when we were in Toronto, so I came prepared this time.  I brought him an english muffin and some snacks, so I just got him a fruit cup and some chips and he was happy :)  On a side note, I'm curious how people who live in NYC with babies/toddlers do it on a regular basis!  I feel like none of the bathrooms have changing tables... I had to change a poopy diaper with Noah in his stroller!  I am impressed and want to know all their secrets!  

^^^ he stole my cookie!

After lunch, it was time to check out all the Christmas decorations!  We walked down by Radio City Music Hall on the way to the Rockefeller Tree.  We saw some of Noah's favorites... toy soldiers and trains!

But honestly, Noah was more into the pigeons!  He loved pointing at them and chasing them around.  

Finally we were at the tree.  Chris and I both wanted to recreate a few shots that we got with Noah last year.  Chris wanted one in front of the drummer statue and I wanted one in front of the ice skating rink.  As we were taking pictures of each other in front of the tree, a super kind woman came over and asked if we'd like her to take a picture of the three of us.  She said she had the day off and was going around offering to do this for everyone she saw as her "kind deed of the day".  I thought that was so cool of her to do!  We saw her again when we were leaving Rockefeller Center and she was dancing with one of the Salvation Army volunteers... it looked like she was having a really fun day!

^^^ so bummed Noah wasn't looking!

Originally, we planned to go to Grand Central Station because we heard they were having a train exhibit.  But as we were walking there from the tree, Noah fell asleep in his stroller while eating a cracker!  It was around 2:15 at this point, so definitely past his normal nap time.  We decided to let him sleep and instead go back to our car and head home.  He ended up sleeping the whole car ride home and woke up as we pulled into the driveway.  Couldn't have planned that better!  We had another fantastic day in NYC.  Maybe next year we will do the train exhibit instead of FAO Schwarz... who knows!