Family Holiday NYC 2013: Day 3

It seems our family is a bunch of sleepy heads. Day 3 and we still couldn't get the lead out in the morning. 

We went to Norma's for breakfast. The portions are huge, perhaps to help justify the expense. My friend from Zumba who gave me the rec warned me, but she spoke so fondly of mother / daughter weekend getaway breakfasts that when I heard it was in our hotel...I had to give it a try.

I had crab cake(s) they give you 2 -- but really?!? The Kid said his scrambled quesadilla with bacon was too salty. We realized it was the tortilla, and it was salvageable. The husband had enough smoked salmon on his plate to feed a small cocktail party.

No pictures, business conference breakfasters and the morning brain fog did not make it worth the effort.

Now don't get me wrong, Norma's was not bad, just not spot on for us.

 

It was pouring rain that day. The husband had us take the D along the west side, but we wanted the B which stops at ... Our stop, ha!

It was fine, we doubled back along the line, and the subway here hauls. 

when we came up-top, it was coming down hard and consistent. 

Then we trudged through the watery path in Central Park to The Met.

I was happy and excited to see this place again. I warned the boys about the size and that rainy day crowds would be wacky. (I admit I used my "mom voice" on a lady that tried to cut the audio tour line. But really, a little consideration is not too much to ask)

When the kid was starving again, they got a NYC hot dog and we split up.

I got stuck visiting the familiar and old friends. I remember studying and I felt young for a moment.

 Why, hello there Homer Winslow!

Thomas Eakins pairs knitting with elder wisdom, love it.

Mary Cassat was a fan of the Crochet apparently.

Ahh the scale this place is capable of displaying is really awesome.

Even the visible storage is impressive.

There was so much more but I won't bore you to tears with all my snaps. I did get a few good details of knitwear in the Punk: chaos to couture exhibit until they told me no photos were allowed for the special exhibit. And since I know they are contraband I cannot share them with you without feeling guilty. Sorry pants.

A quick snack for the kid and a beer on Madison ave. and our first bus ride back to the hotel.

Day 2: Part 3

Yes there was more to that fabulous action packed day.

After we swam and rested we suddenly realized we were pressed for time to eat before our next function. Obviously we had a big lunch but we were going to see a show!! We knew there was no way the kid would make it without something in his skinny belly.

Time was short, street food was discussed, faster walking ensued and then we stumbled upon Bryant Park which was in the full throes of pre movie showing with food stalls and beer.

Quick dinner, tada!

The husband's aracini one was squid ink the other ragu and peas.

The Kid's ribeye sliders.

My Japanese vegetable and pork pancake. Delicious!

Then we saw a broadway musical.

What a fun experience! The Kid thought it was pretty good, but I don't think he's going to request any dramatic classes just yet.

When we toddled out of the theater The Kid was mesmerized by the bright lights big city aspect of Times Square.

He had brought his pocket money with him "just in case" we went near the toys r us for his poster. They were sold out, still.

Small disappointments happen on great days. No matter, a solid sleep was coming.

Day 2 Part 2

While I ducked into Purl Soho and a few other cute shops, the boys walked through Chinatown and little Italy. I met up with them as they were finishing off gelato and espresso.

 

We joked that I took this next picture because the lady in orange looked like my mom.

Dragon fruit!

We headed back towards 5th Ave. taking it all in.

We are truly amazed at how the foreign tourists will wait in line to go to stores like Hollister and Abercrombie. Personally I think Asians shouldn't give them any hard earned money.

We are also surprised we don't see as many dogs as in San Francisco. New York is more family friendly than we expected. 

Our feet needed a little rest so we hoofed back to the hotel for a quick swim and shower and some relaxing.

New York is fun, but you have to move fast to keep up with her.

Intermediate post

1) I'm posting via iPhone mobile blogger app. These people should consult me because I have some serious recommendations. It is failing to allow me to reply to posts. This is something I'm trying to do a little more. It has crashed three times saving drafts and trying to publish with and without photos. I have lost most of the entries, drat.  Hang in there with me.

2) The wifi at the hotel is angry with me and has my latest draft spinning.

3) Lets talk about you!

Kepanie, Sapphireblue and wanderingCat, this is an eating town, and  definitely part of the adventure we wanted and our getting. I wish you all a lovely meal or two here. Also makes it easier to put in the extra hours of walking.

Deborah, I love your city and imagine you working out in this town is very inspiring. I love Central Park but am intrigued by the "rules" and directions of the runners. You must explain this to me! We don't have this in golden gate park as far as I know.

Karen as much as I can tell from your blog you and yours know how to enjoy the fast and slow paces of life. Go and enjoy yourselves!

I'll be back with more phood and photos.

Thanks for tuning in.

Family Holiday NYC 2013: Day 2

Monday's dreams of waking up at the crack of dawn and doing the Empire State Building  was dashed by Pacific standard time sleepins. 

We needed that. We employed flexibility which I'm not always good at if they are my plans that have to change. Well I think this trip is showing some of my change and growth too. 

We opted for leftover muffins and pizza for breakfast. The Manfriend went downstairs to the artisan coffee place. Fancy but perhaps not worth it? (Is that horrible of me?)

We slowly made our way south and walked around and went to Balthazar for lunch.

Skate wing with tomatoes, sweet corn and frisée.

The husband had frisée salad (over poached egg) and steak tartare which he enjoyed as you can see:

Then we walked around the nearby neighborhoods and look where I went!

It's Purl Soho!

This is where you stick your non knitter. 

But my non knitters found their own way around. Stay tuned for Day 2-Part 2.

Family Holiday NYC 2013: Day 1

Saturday evening the boys and I took the red-eye to NYC. I haven't been since I was a kid in my 20s visiting my parents in DC.

I was excited but nervous. I dislike other people's discomfort and disappointment. My desire for everyone to enjoy themselves was at high alert, when The Kid slept for maybe 4 hours on the plane.  

We took our time getting into the city via subway from JFK. We dropped the bags a little sluggish at our hotel, where they offered to try and check us in early.

We went off to the edge of the park for a proper breakfast at Sarabeths. There was construction outside so we had a chance to get seated fairly quickly for a NYC brunch. We just had to endure the noise. This was not a problem as family focus, individual or otherwise was minimal.

So sleepy, but I like the crispy pig mom!

I had "the Popeye" which was scrambled eggs over spinach and grilled ham on gorgeous homemade English muffins and a side of griddled tomatoes. Mm. The Manfriend had the eggs Benedict, classic.

We took a turn around the bottom of the park for constitution.

We then came back and checked into The Parker Meridian where everyone had a rest.

We walked the town some more towards Times Square and had dinner at some Neapolitan pizza place my husband looked up and we had some arugula to validate this:

And this was The Kid's which supplied his breakfast:

The Kid was giddy at  the flagship Toys R Us. They were sold out of the Minecraft poster he wanted, but the store guy thought they might restock the next day. We told him we could return. He skipped back to the hotel. 

A little bedtime reading and a few sleepy rows of knitting later, we went to bed ready for day 2.

Run or walk, just go.

Last week Thursday I ran a 5k out at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve with my sister. I should've taken a picture of the lovely bay side wetlands but I was too busy huffing and puffing my way to the finish line. It's not pretty when I do it, but I do it, and I'm always glad afters.

It was an Esprit de She event which was super fun. There was a mani station and a massage station. There were great vendors and sponsors such as Luna bar and Athleta. They had salad, and fruit and sandwiches for the runners, post race. Even the porta-potties had plastic flowers stuck in the urinals, ha! The race shirt was a super cute tank top that is pretty flattering for different body types, and it was another female centric event. Everybody in line for the start and in general, were really friendly and supportive. Everybody there was sort of celebrating female fitness. I like that kind of stuff.

It was also our first evening run event. We got off a couple hours early from work so we wouldn't have to fight traffic so much, stopping off at a Joann's fabric for some Padawan poncho fabric for my nephew's birthday party. It was nice to not rush.

After the race, everyone (of age) was allowed 2 drinks, wine, mimosa. We opted for one each of the grapefruit mimosa with raspberries thrown in. Tasty, and a great idea for brunch and luncheon parties, non? No pictures  of them, because we were too chatty. Here is a picture of the "happy hour" area.

We went out for a quick dinner afterwards and got home around 9:20pm. I missed tuck-in but managed to sneak in a kiss.

There has been a lot of coordinating for our family holiday next week and family stuff going on, but we did manage a little family activity together. The boys and I ran The Giants Race 5k on Sunday morning. It was at 11 this time, to stagger the starts of the half marathon and the 10k.

They passed me again, but we all did pretty well. The Kid was like 79 out of 396 for males 16 and under (he's 10). My time was slightly faster for this one than on last week Thursday. Regardless, it was a fun family thing to do.