Big Lights, Big City

Yesterday was our first trip as a family of four to NYC. Our goals for this trip:

* see about a gagillion Christmas lights
* stand beneath the BIG tree at Rock Center
* step into kiddie-heaven (i.e. FAO, as in FAO Schwarz) and last, but not least,
* don't get run over by those darn taxis

Dear husband, Air Boss, was quite the man as he maneuvered the car in and out of crazy city traffic--like a helo on a rescue mission--where every hour is rush hour. We forgot how little airspace there is in the city and how easy it was for the GPS to lose satellite. Yup - we were driving blind (at least for seconds here and there). Air Boss made it to work this morning with about five hours of sleep.

Four yr old 'Shroom and his two yr old sister Lolli were great on the trip as well. Can't complain as we had just dragged them through 22 hours of driving to and from Toronto just a mere four days ago (more on that trip at a later date).

Overall the trip was fun but very short--for every hour we were in the city, we spent about two hours driving. All in all, I thought it was fun (a bit stressful at times and I wasn't even driving!) and I believe we accomplished all our goals.

Here's my best guess as to what each of us took away from that trip:

me: although my blood pressure rises immediately upon entering Manhattan, I can see how so many people are attracted to this city that never sleeps (or is that Vegas?)

Air Boss: there's so much more to see than what four hours allowed us

'Shroom: "I see one , two, three taxis! Mommy, there are three taxis here!" (when in actuality there were about eight to ten within yelling distance)

Lolli: no real thoughts here as she was too busy kissing the noses of all the FAO teddy bears within her reach

Merry Christmas all you folks in the Big Apple!