I heart NYC!

Our summer got off to a smashing start.  We had a trip to NYC planned for the week after school got out.  The whole trip was created because of one very big, thrilling event.

We had tickets to Hamilton. Yes, those very hard to get, much sought after, fabulous Broadway show about the Founding Father without a father, first Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.   I was able to get the tickets as soon as they went on sale in September 2016 for the June 27th performance.  It gave us all school year to look forward to this.  And boy were we excited.

 

 As the lights went down and the show started, I got very emotional for the first 5 minutes. I couldn't believe we were actually "in the room where it happens".   I quickly got over it and became mesmerized with all the songs coming to life. It was amazing.  The show which is close to 3 hours long felt like 5 minutes.  It was so very well done.   Ian couldn't stop thanking us for taking him and as soon as the show was over, Sam said she wanted to see it again. 

We followed up our Broadway show to Hamilton with tickets to go see Kinky Boots the next day.  The kids have been listening to this soundtrack all year too.  The music is so much fun and the show did not disappoint.

Part our visit was taking a trip to the lower East side and doing one of the Tenement Museum tours.  Unfortunately our tickets, which were purchased in advance, were for the wrong day.  Oh no!  We showed up at the right time, just one day too soon.  We didn't have time to go back the next day and was fortunately able to get a refund.  We did sit thru the introductory film that was on a 40 minute loop.  It was great and hopefully we'll return with the kids one the correct date our tickets are for.

We also met up with a family we know from our elementary school. The mom was Ian's teacher this past year and her son, who is in the same grade, is friends with Ian.  They had gotten tickets to see Hamilton the day after us and we found a cool activity to do when we were both in NYC.  We went to Gulliver's Gate, a miniature exhibit.  From NYC to the Taj Mahal, to a section of Israel, all major landmarks were recreated in miniatures with amazing detail and moving parts.  It was really cool and unbelievable to see how small these recreations were. 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade had floats the went around the building.

This was the Vienna Orchestra. All the people played music with moving instruments.

 Afterwards, we went to lunch at a local diner in Times Square before parting ways for our respective shows.  The kids fought over this milkshake.  We said they could split it.  However, it was a true work of art and unable to be split.  So 2 straws it was and of course they were complaining the other was taking too long of a sip.

We were able to meet up with Jeff's uncle for dinner on Tuesday evening.  The last few years we've gone to NY we've met up with Uncle Larry.  It is wonderful spending time with him and hear his stories about his experiences on being a producer. 

I love New York!  And to top off our visit we even went to Ellen's Stardust Diner for dinner.  It's the place where the waiters and waitresses are all wanna be Broadway stars and haven't made it yet.  They are constantly singing to the customers in the restaurant all kinds of music.  It is so much fun!  It's very loud and Jeff could only take so much.  After about 25 minutes he had enough and met us back at the hotel.

Straight out of the vending machine at our hotel.  What are the odds?

I really think this needs to be a annual trip.  It's "the greatest city in the world".  :)

Can you hear me now?

It was a long, excruciating wait for Ian but the day finally came!  Jeff and I planned that at the end of 6th grade we'd give Ian a cell phone as a promotion from elementary school present.

It was fun letting Ian think the phone was never coming.  There was a day two weeks prior when his friend was over and I asked him if he thought it was absolutely necessary for Ian to have a phone.  He said "No."  Ian tried to explain how important it was for him to have phone.  That when he went to Robinson he might need to text me to tell me he is staying after school.  Without hesitation, I asked Ian's friend if he could use his phone if this need arose.  Ian's friend said "Yes.".  Problem solved Ian!  What Ian and his friend didn't know was that this whole time I had the phone already purchased and ready to give him. 

I bought a Robinson Rams hoodie and wrapped the phone (still safely secured in the box) around it.   As Ian was pulling out the hoodie and thinking this was the only gift he was getting, Jeff called the phone and had it start ringing.  It was a brilliant plan but got a little messed up in execution.  The phone started ringing a little too early as Ian was still reading the card.

Samantha who is 3 years younger very badly wants to be treated like Ian's equal. She feels she should have a phone too.  We told her when she is done with 6th grade that is when she can get one.  The next day, Sam created this sign and posted it on her door.

Sam wrote:  When Sam gets a phone    June 22  7:23pm   2020