Vivi's First Trip to New York

Not only was it Vivi's first trip to New York to visit Nana and Pop, but it was also the first time Eric and I took the girls into the city with us.  

I was worried about the drive.  Vivi doesn't always like her car seat, and Madeline no longer sleeps in the car much.  I had visions of listening to  screaming girls for four hours. Thankfully, I was wrong.  Vivi either slept or stared out the window the whole way, while Madeline read books or played quietly with her dolls.  

The original plan was for Eric and I to  take just Maddie into the city for some special time without little sister.  Little sister is wise on us though and refuses to bottle feed.  Where I go, she goes.  So, off to the LIRR the four of us went. 

Madeline was fascinated by the tall buildings.  She spent the first fifteen minutes out of Penn Station staring up and smiling.  She kept asking to go in them.  We had a hard time explaining that we couldn't just barge into someone's office building.  Maybe next time we'll take her to the top of something...

Eric wanted to keep this first trip with the girls simple by avoiding the subway.  We decided Times Square might be a good place to start since it was within walking distance of the train.  Nothing like vast commercialism to hold a little girl's interest.  

We beat the crowds at Toys R Us. There was no line for the ferris wheel, and Madeline got the My Little Pony car, which she was seriously psyched about.  

We looked around the store for a few minutes, but by then things were getting crazy.  Madeline was allowed to choose one parent-approved toy from the store.  Out of all the dolls, she chose a tiny Sleeping Beauty figurine.  Score!  

Vivi spent her time wondering why she didn't get to ride the Ferris wheel or pick out a toy.  Also, why aren't you feeding me, Mumma?

After a quick stop to a hotel restroom to feed the ravenous Vivi Bear, we got some lunch ourselves.  The baby was positioned facing the door of the diner, and oh boy, do New Yorkers love babies!  Every person to walk in or out stopped to talk to her.  Eventually a grandmotherly woman made her cry, and spent the rest of her lunch apologizing.  We tried to tell her not to take it personally.  I'm surprised she made it that long without turning on the waterworks.  

After refueling on grilled cheese, we brought Madeline to the M&M store.  

She picked out some pink and purple candy, and we got the heck out of dodge.  It was packed, and difficult to push a stroller around the small spaces.  

Vivi was not sad that she didn't get any candy.  

   We ambled slowly back to the train until Maddie complained that her legs were tired.  Vivi cried the entire train ride back.  Sorry, commuters looking for a peaceful Friday afternoon ride...

We spent the rest of the weekend visiting with family.  Aunt Carol found her old My Little Pony collection in Nana's basement.  I literaly gasped when I saw them.  Nostalgia Express!  She and Maddie gave them baths in the sink, and Maddie was in pony heaven playing with them for the rest of our visit.  

Also, there was a pink cupcake...

We took a ride to Jones Beach on Saturday afternoon.  Nana and Maddie played in the sand while the rest of us wheeled Vivi down the boardwalk.  

Madeline was tuckered out enough to take a long afternoon nap after a morning of running, sand-castle-building, and playground shenanigans.  

We headed back home on Sunday.  Both girls slept the entire way.  Eric and I didn't even stop for a break.  

Thanks for the visit, Nana and Pop!