Shouting Farewell to Summer on Top of the Empire State Building

The finally moments of Summer Break 2011 was spent on top of the Empire State Building. Yesterday was the cloudiest night and the world was white from the top. But the kids didn't mind. I love that it was empty. We screamed our goodbyes for all to hear. On the way out bought the only appropriate thing: Empire State Building school supplies. May their King Kong pencils bring them straight A's for life. Good luck kids!

Thank you New York City Vacation Packages for sending me a ticket to see the Empire State Building. :)

How did you wrap up your summer? Let the next stage of life begin! Yay!

Weekend Approved Project: Ride a NYC Carousel!

Labor Day Weekend: What are you going to do? I say ride a carousel! Here's a list of carousels in all the boroughs. But I think you should ride this solar powered Carousolar in South Seaport. It's FREE and only running until September 6th. We went yesterday and rode it 4 times. No line! Although one time we had to wait 10 minutes for it to charge. Hurry up Sun!

I was curious about the carousel and why they white washed it. Turns out it's a vintage 1920's carousel that was destined for the dump. GE saved it, white-washed it, and made it solar. In three weeks. What do you think of the white paint? Did they cheap out by not truly restoring it? Perhaps they should have used hot pink? Neon Green? Regardless, I think it was a clever marketing idea. The video below explains more.

 Enjoy these last few days of summer. Eat an ice cream cone. Ride a carousel. Say Farewell to Summer!

ps The car is fixed! Strollers are getting delivered tomorrow!  

High Line Picnic Lunch

Ever see this video on Symmetry? It shows things that go together like peanut butter and jelly, a cat and a mouse, etc. But it's missing one match: The High Line and Chelsea Market. These two attractions are a must do together when visiting the city. Buy a boxed meal at one of the many Chelsea Market restaurants and eat it anywhere on The High Line. And look at the sweet lunch baskets you can buy on your way out. Only $3!

location location location

I'm almost positive raising my kids in NYC will have an effect on them. I know it's changing me. But are kids just kids? Will they grow up to be whatever they want to be despite the location they were raised?

I was raised in Florida, on a beautiful lake with the occasional manatee and alligator in my backyard. We  had a canoe, a hammock and a swimming pool for as long as I can remember. I loved it.  I had no complaints, until my teenage years of course. It was then I started to realize I was a city kid. So I sought after the closest city I could find: Sarasota. I loved Burns Court Cinema with it's limited parking lot and foreign films. I adored the museums and dreamt about going to college here.  I found any excuse to go. Even if it was by myself.  Sarasota gave me a slice of the city life I was craving.

What about you? As an adult, are you living in a place much like the location you grew up? Or did you move away someplace totally different? How does it measure up? While I did move far away, there's a familiarity and connection I still have with living by water. I do miss that. Right now my view is the back of another building and some sky if you crank you neck hard enough. Oh my so called "sun drenched" apartment.  I love it for so many other reasons.

I wonder where my kids will escape, what kind of places they will be drawn to live as they get older. As for me, I can't think of living anywhere else but NYC. Not after a summer like this. And it's not even over yet!

How to get kissed on top of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is known as one of the most romantic places in NYC, but it has to be done just right or else it could feel like any other tourist trap. I went with my kids and parents once. It was fun. But romantic? No way. So last week for our anniversary, I wanted to try it again. And this time, I wanted do things differently to see if the Empire State Building really could be romantic.

1. Timing. This is most important. Go after the crowds die down at 12am. Last elevator up at 1:15am and everything closes at 2am.
2. Bad Weather. Go on a rainy day/cold/imperfect weather day. You'll have the place to yourself. We went on a day that I swore we would cancel due to rain, but right before we went up, the sky cleared.
3. Plan ahead. Buy tickets before you get there and avoid the hassle of waiting in line. Thanks NYCTrip.com for sending me tickets ahead of time! When I got to the building, I felt like Meg Ryan breezing right to the 86th floor at the end of Sleepless in Seattle. She must have planned ahead too. ha
4. Your date. Go with your favorite person in all the world.
5. Wait for right moment. There will be people asking you to take their picture and a few packs of giggling girls, but I promise you'll get a moment that can only be filled with a kiss. Wait for it.
6. Exit Though the Gift Shop. Afterwards, buy something cheesy from the gift shop. We bought an Empire State Building cookie and a coke. When we walked out of the building, we found a bench and tried to look all the way to the top of the building. The cookie was surprisingly good.
7. Flowers. Flowers on the walk home completes the night.  Even if they are carnations.

So did my plan work? Of course. The kiss? As good as any movie. Happy Anniversary Rob. Love you.

Statue of Liberty Tip

Quick Post today (late night last night!). Here's a NYC Tip: Bring bathing suits when you visit the Statue of Liberty. Right before you get in line to see the statue, you will pass these sprinklers in Battery Park. The water shoots out at random intervals and at different pressures. The kids kept going back for more surprises. Owen circled the sprinklers shouting, "High five! High five! High five!" and gave high fives to the water. While the water feature is amazing, watching my kids play within view of the Statue of Liberty was the highlight for me. One of these days I'll get out to Liberty Island, but for now, the view from Battery Park is just enough.

Quiet NYC

NYC can be surprisingly quiet. Shocking, I know. Oh, the wonderful NY Public Library's designated quiet zones. Perfect for super heroes to sneak up on villains.

This and other images are included in a slideshow I made on Kirtsy today. Check it out here. 

My goal: To give a sense of the slower, more serene side of the city.

How'd I do? Where do you go to escape all the noise this city generates? If, of course, you don't have a beach house in the Hamptons.

roses are red or pink or yellow

The other day we went to the NY Botanical Garden. The smell of the rose garden was incredible. It really isn't necessary to stick your nose into the flower, but if you must, then by all means, go right ahead. 

NYC taught me that the Upper West Side is just enough

Besides all the parks, trees and museums for the kids, I love that it's not too fashionable and I haven't found a restaurant that is too hipster for me to eat in. I hate to admit this, but a lot of the times it reminds me of Burlingame or Palo Alto if you know what I mean.

NYC taught me that after playing in the snow for 45 minutes

my kids will get the cutest red cheeks

NYC taught me about Fall

I grew up in Florida so the only season I ever really knew was summer. I had read about Fall, but never experienced it until the month I moved here. What a perfect way to be introduced to the city and the fall season. My husband called me on his way to work the day this picture was taken and said, "stop whatever you're doing, get the kids dressed and meet me outside." This is the picture of our street. I took it at the end of our walk.