NYC, what is it about it?

That's an Annie tune I used to love. Unlike our friends, Deena and Ben, however, when we go to NYC we don't actually do theater much anymore. I like to pretend, and that means pretend, that I'm a New Yorker when I'm in town. Fortunately, Jeff and Amy are real New Yorkers so I can hang around with them and the kids and pretend away.

Arrive in New York and discover that Bram has a fear of elevators. So we walk up 11 flights of stairs to the apartment. I vow not to do this again and throw him on the elevator next time, a vow I don't end up keeping. Instead, I call it much needed exercise for the next few days.

Jeff and I take the kids over to the Natural History Museum to the fountains just outside the planetarium. Free, clean, cool fun on a hot summer NYC day. What a great space. Wish I had pictures to share but alas the camera battery is still dead. Amy comes home from work and makes a yummy pasta salad and then Bram and I run over to Hilary's to see her boys. Meet Alex for the first time (cutie) and see Jason who is going to kindergarten in the fall. Wow time flies. Beg Hilary to send me a family photo for my blog since I don't have the camera. Thanks, Hil. And thanks for the great beach reading. I'll think of you as I devour some last good fiction before it's time to hit the books in the fall.

Next day we don't do much in the am but meet Amy for lunch. After I take the kids (Eliza and Bram) to the Morgan library. Great exhibit of hunting in manuscripts and we look for badgers, bears and other animals. We indulge in cookies and milk in the cafe. Eliza begs to see the pretty room which is what she calls Morgan's library in the old building twice! Madison Ave bus home is always a treat, for me at least. The ultimate in window shopping and what a bargain. $2 MTA card and I can only look at the windows! In the eve, Bram and I venture forth to Brooklyn to see Kathryn's girls. These are the only girls we've seen since Craig's in DC. Wonder why my friends, including myself, have produced so many more boys! Need to do final tally. Love Curtis and Kath's new place on Plaza St. Great light, great spaces. Quick catch up over pizza and legos and then back to the city. Ah, forgot that Bram has fallen for Yolato which is like Yoforia for Atlanta folks or Pinkberry for the LA/NY crowd. Great grapefruit sorbet. Bram is quite pleased with his strawberry and chocolate. We are both so happy with our treat that we go back two days in a row. It's summer after all.