Melders Hit NYC, Part 1

Since our Fall hasn't been quite crazy enough, Doug had the bright idea of trying to squeeze in a few family days away in the Big Apple after Thanksgiving.  We were blessed with a place to stay and so the opportunity seemed like a good one to jump on.  Although all of us were quite pumped about the trip, Tavin probably takes the cake.  This kid LOVES to learn and has been pouring over NYC materials we checked out from the library this past week to prepare.  A few months ago we had already read some books about The Statue of Liberty, so he was super ecstatic to find out that we planned to include a trip by ferry to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island as part of our NYC visit.  So, after a pretty good night's sleep (boys woke way early in our new surroundings, but other than that, really can't complain), some New York bagels and coffee for Doug and cocoa for me, we headed off on our adventure.  Unfortunately we at first headed in the wrong direction on the subway (I guess Doug didn't have enough coffee), but soon got ourselves turned around only $10 the poorer.  We briskly walked through the equally brisk air coming off the river to Statue of Liberty National Park where we purchased our tickets and got in line for the ferry.  We had a nice view of the Freedom Tower...an impressive structure.

As the line moved, we got a great glimpse of The Statue of Liberty (with some working tug boats that pleased Penn).

At this point we felt a lot more like cattle than people.  In order to board the ferry you have to go through security, just like what you would experience at an airport.  Not an easy feat with 3 boys, a pregnant momma and winter gear on, but we made it through OK (the security guy didn't like that our stroller wouldn't fit through the belt scanner and almost made Doug take the wheels off, that would've definitely complicated things, thankfully he let us stroll it through the human scanner instead.  Phew!).  Finally we made it onto a ferry.  It was about 11am at this point.  Koen and Tav had been up since 6am.  Long morning!  But now that we were really on this adventure we all were relieved and resumed our excitement.  Here we are huddled on the ferry with NYC in the background.

Another cool view (through the dirty ferry window) of the Freedom Tower.

The ferry moves quickly across the river, but it was the perfect length ride for the boys to get a chance to sit, enjoy being on a boat and have some snacks.  I got some lovely shots of Our Lady Liberty.

And a few of her with the Melder boys in the foreground.  Notice how happy Tav is.

Then we were there!  It was blustery on the island, but it was great to walk around and see the views.  The tickets to go into the statue or lower structure were sold out until February, which actually was fine with Doug and I as it made a great excuse for not paying the extra money or spending the extra time to do that.  When the boys get older we will make a point to reserve them ahead of time (kids under 12 are encouraged not to go up into the crown anyways, not to mention the website also says pregnant women shouldn't go up there either).  We got a few pictures on our walk around the base of the statue.  Here are the boys with Manhattan in the background on the right, Jersey City on the left.

Doug grabbed the camera and had me jump into the shot.  I look like a heffalump/burglar or something, but I'm posting the picture anyways since I don't get in a lot of the pictures usually since I'm always taking them!

My boys and the Statue of Liberty.

The air was so crisp and clear and the sky so magnificent with bright blue backgrounds overlaid with puffy white clouds that I just had to take some pictures of this famous, beautiful statue on her own.  

After we circled around the grounds, we headed back into line to board the next ferry.  Thankfully, unlike the start of our ferry adventure, this part was quick and easy.  Phew!  Within minutes we were docking at Ellis Island.  A surreal experience when you think about what it would be like to dock there after a long journey from a foreign land with all your possessions planning to make this land your new home.  Those immigrants were brave!!  I can't even imagine.  With the long morning and the young age of our kids, we didn't get to fully take in the museum and old, historical buildings, but we did get take a quick look around.  Penn was getting quite slap happy as naptime was now approaching.  He was up and down with being silly and super engaged.  He was really into this display as you can see (mostly because of the boat picture I think).

I took the big boys upstairs to see the Registry Room.  Again, I was a bit overwhelmed as I thought about what it would've been like to wait in there wondering about what the future might hold for you as a foreigner in a new land.  Beautiful room though, isn't it?

We met Doug back downstairs in the small kids area they have at the museum.  The Melder boys all enjoyed it for a few minutes before heading back to the ferry again.

On the final ferry ride, the boys found an interesting view as we came up to dock.   I had to take a picture (even if they were behind the roped off section...oops!).  

Once we were docked back at Battery Park in Manhattan, we headed towards the subway.  Doug pulled the stroller over to take in a street performance just for a moment as we were really trying to get back to the apartment close to Penn's regular naptime.  We got stuck though as Doug got called out of the crowd to participate.  Then right when they were going to do the stunt, they totally started doing their schpeal to ask for money.  The guys were talented and really funny, but my mind was on the fact I needed my husband back so we could go home!  Thankfully it only took about 10 minutes.  Doug was a good sport.

After all that, they just did a flip over 3 of the people bent over.  Doug ended up having to be the end goal line sort of.  Kind of annoying since they made us wait there for 10 minutes!  Oh well, we still got back pretty quickly with good timing at the subway.  Penn was in bed a little before 2pm and I think he was asleep within 30 seconds.  The big boys had some down time too (Tav was actually asking to take a nap, but since I'm hoping we get a longer night's sleep tonight I didn't want to let him have one...felt so bad!).  It was great to have a quiet, calm few hours after our busy, adventurous morning out and about.  By 4pm it was time to get the big boys back out for fresh air before the sun went down.  They went exploring with Doug and found a playground.  I got this cute picture.

I woke Penn up at 4:20pm so that he would go back down OK later.  He was sleeping like a rock!  It took several minutes to wake up that tired bug!  We went across the street to Old Navy for their Black Friday sale (Tavin has again worn holes into almost all his jeans!).  Penn was a trooper and we got through there pretty fast (they were prepared for the crazy crowds, it was quite a system!).  Then we walked a few blocks to meet the boys for dinner at Lombardi's.  It's apparently the first pizzeria in America and is still acclaimed by The Food Network and Fodor's, as well as others, as the best pizza in America.  Well, we definitely liked it!  And Penn learned how to eat pizza from the slice (rather than cut up) for the first time.  I think we've created a monster now!  He LOVED it!

On our walk home we pointed out Little Italy to the boys, it was lit up like always.  Such a fun sight at night.  Then it was back to the apartment for baths and bed.  They were exhausted tonight.  Tav went down a few minutes before 7pm, Koen right at 7:30pm and Penn was laid down around 7:20pm, but did some sweet chatting for awhile and is now sound asleep.  Ahhhh....  A fulfilling, fun day for sure.  I'm looking forward to crawling in bed soon myself!