We went on a wonderful family trip to New York City for the first weekend in December. Our trip was initiated by a phone call from Steve in October. Steve's wife, Anne, is one of my best friends from boarding school. Anne and Steve moved back from Lebanon a few months ago and are just getting settled in NYC for a two year post at the UN (they are foreign service officers). After living in Pakistan, Tunisia, and Lebanon, we are so excited they are living in a safer place and are closer to us for visits! Anne is pregnant with their first child, due in January, and Steve called me to plan a surprise baby shower for her. What a thoughtful husband! Of course I said I would come and help him with planning (I'm thinking of adding "shower advisor" to my resume).
We decided to make this a fun trip for the whole family and make it a long weekend. We have lots of family and friends in the area and were able to catch up with so many of them. Our trip down was eventful. We talked up the plane trip with Elliott for at least a week. He was so excited. After over two hours waiting in the airport and watching our flight delay hit the six hour mark, I asked if we could get a refund. I really did it on a whim, knowing airlines don't offer compensation for weather delays. To our great surprise, they gave us a full refund and we hit the road in "Coco's big car," as Elliott calls it. Big thanks to my dad for shuttling us to the airport and insisting we take the minivan. And thanks to my mom for buying a minivan despite us all teasing her about it. It is truly the ultimate road trip vehicle. We made it to Claire and Scott's apartment around the same time we would have had we waited for the eight hour delay.
Elliott sorting his book bag in the airport.
Fisher Price has a kids play area set up in the airport. This provided short-lived entertainment before we went to our gate. Elliott LOVED watching the planes and ground equipment!! We don't even know if he realized that we didn't go on an airplane since the airport trip was so fun. He has been asking to go on an airplane since this trip and we've promised him that we will take him on a trip again soon.
We decided to make this a fun trip for the whole family and make it a long weekend. We have lots of family and friends in the area and were able to catch up with so many of them. Our trip down was eventful. We talked up the plane trip with Elliott for at least a week. He was so excited. After over two hours waiting in the airport and watching our flight delay hit the six hour mark, I asked if we could get a refund. I really did it on a whim, knowing airlines don't offer compensation for weather delays. To our great surprise, they gave us a full refund and we hit the road in "Coco's big car," as Elliott calls it. Big thanks to my dad for shuttling us to the airport and insisting we take the minivan. And thanks to my mom for buying a minivan despite us all teasing her about it. It is truly the ultimate road trip vehicle. We made it to Claire and Scott's apartment around the same time we would have had we waited for the eight hour delay.
Elliott sorting his book bag in the airport.
Fisher Price has a kids play area set up in the airport. This provided short-lived entertainment before we went to our gate. Elliott LOVED watching the planes and ground equipment!! We don't even know if he realized that we didn't go on an airplane since the airport trip was so fun. He has been asking to go on an airplane since this trip and we've promised him that we will take him on a trip again soon.
Bill, Claire, Scott, and Penelope were waiting for us with open arms. Bill settled in with Lucy and Penelope.
On Friday morning, we went to the American Museum of Natural History. The trip there was eyeopening for Elliott. New York couldn't be more different from East Aurora. It is full of buildings too tall to see the tops, horns beeping, sirens, riding in taxis, subways, etc. We could have skipped the museum and simply walked the streets and rode around in a taxi and Elliott would have been just as happy.
Ruding in the taxi was probably his favorite part of the trip!
Checking out the bears at the museum. We have been talking about the dinosaurs, elephants, whale, and zebras since the trip.
On Friday night, we went out to a nice dinner with Bill, Maggie, Claire, Scott, and all three kids. Lucy was very tired and took a nap on the large windowsill behind our table.
Elliott and Penelope reading with Claire.
Elliott was very excited to see a tiger just like Lily at Abino. Lily was a gift to Penny from Bill and Maggie.
On Saturday, we went to the Central Park Zoo. We started at the awesome childrens' zoo.
Our little bunny.
Riding a turtle.
There was a great petting zoo with all of Elliott's favorite farm animals. He was a bit reluctant to pet the cow.
Elliott had a great time feeding the animals. This sheep was the most eager of the bunch.
The alpaca was very friendly and fun to feed.
Look at that big smile!
Love this one.
The goats were great fun too.
Tocker and Ginger met us at the zoo and for lunch after. I didn't manage to get a picture of Tocker but we had a great time with both of them!
Lucy and I hurried off for a quick change and went off to the baby shower. Steve managed to convene 15 or so of Anne's closest friends from all over the east coast and throw a party in their apartment. It was a wonderful time. I think Anne was very excited to see everyone. We are looking forward to meeting Baby Davis when he arrives in January! Here are the St. Andrew's girls in attendance. Anne, me, baby Lucy, Caroline, and Lucy.
The beautiful cake Steve got for the party.
More pictures to come.
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