Museum Day

Today we spent most of our day in museums: The extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (loved it), the 5th Avenue Metropolitan Museum of Art (loved it), and the Neue Gallery (loved this one too). Finally the New York Historical Museum (also amazing). Sometimes I think New York City should share the wealth of all of its amazing food, hotels, entertainment, and museums, but at the same time, it's kind of fun that it's all in one place, too. 

passing by the place where John Lennon was assassinated

his memorial in Central Park

Laduree

such beauty

these macaroons where delicious - especially the caramel one. we tried rose, pistachio and caramel

art and food just go so well together

While Nate visited the Neue Gallery, I took my boys to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While Stanley slept, Mason led the way, asking questions about this piece and that. I loved it, and he enjoyed it as well. I especially enjoyed the Jerusalem Exhibit 1000-1400 AD.

Metropolitan Museum extention

Neue Gallery - Woman in Gold

For lunch we went to Shake Shack.

A little healthy, a little not healthy. The continual challenge of a Mother to feed my child healthy foods :)

As we walked through Central Park in started SNOWING!!! Our first snow of the year. It was there for maybe thirty minutes, and then it stopped (per Nate's request). We enjoyed it while it lasted though!

Bethesda Fountain

Levain Bakery. Skip the lines and call ahead :). YUM! Especially fresh and hot

Zabar's for dinner. Nate had to visit this Jewish Grocery store

The New York Historical Museum floored us. It was PERFECT for our boys too because they had this AMAZING train display right now that they were completely excited about and glued to. So glad Nate suggested this one. The film was amazing on the history of NYC, and the other artifacts. I especially enjoyed the the first Jews in Manhattan section and my boys also enjoyed the Children's section downstairs which was also phenomenal. Nate enjoyed the exhibit on Mohamed Ali.

the original desk of Alexander Hamilton

The children's section. Always love when they have these in museums! It's a parent's dream come true. Nate and I switch off playing with them and visiting the special exhibits.

Swedish Cottage, D&D, Design, and Jewish Museums

This afternoon we took our cuties to see the Marionette Theater in the Swedish Cottage. Stanley was scared at first because Nate told him it would be a show with bears, and I think he thought they would be real bears. Once the show started though he kept saying things like "not scared", "it's ok!", and "mama" for mama bear, and "daddy" for papa bear. He loved it. It was Christmas themed which was nice, because no one wants to be rid of that wonderful holiday too soon. 

Lunch at Dean and Delucas - the most posh grocery store I've ever been to. Luxury lives in NYC.

After we took our boys to the Design Museum Smithsonian 'Cooper Hewitt'. Fun for Mason because he has talked before about wanting to be an Architect someday. He loves building and designing.

Next up - The Jewish Museum. I love when these museums have a space for children which this one did. They played in that sweet little space while Nate and I switched off seeing the rest of the museum. Win, win.

Financial District and Carnegie Hall date

Yesterday was spent in the Financial District. We stopped by the old Hamilton Exchange House first to see the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indians. It was very well done. It was so good to teach my boys a little about Native Americans, and how it connects so well with the Book of Mormon. 

Later we went to the Church where Alexander Hamilton was buried. That spot is a little more popular than it probably was a few years ago. So glad he's getting the attention he deserves.

Fun to walk through Wall Street and the Financial District. 

I also love this spot where George Washington gave the first Inaugural address - on my birthday, April 30th. I've also felt a special connection with the birth of our Country and this day :). I didn't know that his first act after accepting his role as first president of this country, was to attend a church service at St Pauls. So humble of him I thought.

And here Thomas Jefferson's home would have been :) - the agreement for the seat of our Country to be moved to Washington took place here with Alexander Hamilton.

the place where Washington stood.

The 9/11 Memorial hit me a lot harder than I was expecting. The tears flowed and wouldn't stop flowing. I just couldn't stop thinking about how many people died there - truly hallowed ground, and all of the wives or husbands, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who were affected that horrible day in our Country's history.

Had lunch here but the amount of people here was madness. Not such a pleasant experience :).

But look who we ran into!! Apparently he likes to hang out in NYC also?

Umami Burger

View of the Statue of Liberty. I love that lady liberty!

St Pauls

Nate took me on a hot date to the Carnegie Hall. I've always wanted to go to a Concert here, so it was definitely a dream come true. We heard Prokofiev's 1st Symphony, Mozart's double violin concerto, and Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony. Beautiful music - such a perfect night.

up at the top where I love it most - best sound and cheapest tickets

A little post concert dessert at Tavern on the Green. We have date night swaps every other night with our friends here, since we're staying in the same apartment. It's amazing. Never forgetting this time in my life.