There was a gorgeous crystal Christmas tree inside the lobby. There are three levels in the music hall: the main floor, the 2nd mezzanine, and the 3rd mezzanine. The tree hung from the ceiling. You can see people down on the main floor of the lobby.
The show was simply spectacular!
My absolute favorite part was the end where there was a re-enactment of the Nativity and the three kings' journey following the star. It started with a reading of Luke 2. It was beautiful beyond words and so refreshing! How politically incorrect! AND they didn't feel the need to celebrate kwanza or sing "Feliz Navidad." It was simply awesome.
After the show we took the subway to Central Park and went through The Museum of Natural History, an enormous building with much to see. This is the museum where the movie "Night at the Museum" was based.
The kids aren't sticking out their tongues, they are trying to blow bubbles with their gum gum, dum-dum! (You need to see the movie).
Of course, the highlight for the kids was the rat we saw in the subway running along the tracks. How pathetic! All this great stuff to see and they talk about the rat. I did not even dignify it with a picture!
Two days later, Grandma came to visit! Hooray!! We spent time playing spoons...
...and we took the train to New York City with Grandma.
Unfortunately, we did not have tickets to any wonderful shows but we still had fun. Our first stop was at the World Trade Center site. There is a small museum called The Tribute Center which we went through. When you come to visit it is a "must see." They are standing in front of the sight - you can see the construction crane in the picture. It is amazing that 7 years later that the area is still a rough hole.
This is a portion of the steel beams found in the midst of the rubble that was standing as a cross. This piece was taken out in one piece and places along a side street near the site.
We also toured a small church located right next to the site that became a place of peace for the rescue workers. They could come to sleep, eat, get a massage, whatever they needed. There is a great, informative walking tour through the building. It is a very historical site. It is where George Washington attended church when he was inaugurated the president while the capitol was in New York until it was moved to Philadelphia. You can see the chair he sat in. This little church is another "must see." Of course I forgot to take a picture. Sorry. Come see it!
We went shopping at FAO Swartz and saw the floor piano like the one in the movie "Big." The kids were very impressed with the size of this toy store!
We walked through Times Square and tried to take in all the signs, lights, and tv screens.
We also hit a Lindt Chocolate store. We went in for the free sample and ended up buying bags full! We also shopped Macy's - all nine floors! At the end of the day we were back at the train station. Mom found a chair by a man taking a nap. The kids and I thought this looked rather funny so we took a picture. Mom obliged and posed for us!
I'm sure you've noticed that Charles is absent in the pictures toward the end. He is at airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA, learning how to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. I don't get that! He will be away for three weeks. Please pray he returns in one complete piece! His biggest hurdle was the Physical Training test he had to pass upon arrival. 61 people failed in his class and were sent home but we are happy to say that he passed with flying colors!
Whew! I think that is all for now. I'll try to do better. I promise.
