The Birthday Trip

[jones411]

Hi All. So as you know I took Madigan to NYC for his 5th birthday. We landed at Newark and took the Olympia bus into the city. I explained to Madigan that before we are in the Lincoln Tunnel we are in New Jersey, but when we exit we will be in NYC. As we drive into the tunnel he said in a fairly loud voice "New York City..here we come!!!" The others on the bus giggle...I am pretty sure they are thinking the same thing. One man declare that he is not sure that the city is not ready for Madigan.

[Seveen]

Re: The Birthday Trip

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>cum wid it</span>

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

So after dropping our bags off at Uncle Gary's place on Friday morming (12/7) we head out to Rock Center. On the way we take a picture.



We get there and ther are no skaters yet...but I get this picture:

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Then we went toward Saks to see the Christmas windows there.



After walking lots and visiting Grand Central Station..."This was in Madagascar!!!" "The old lady hit the lion on the head with her purse!" As we exited Grand Central MAdigan exlaimed that is was snowing. I told him to knockit off since Ithought he was making it up. Until I looked in the sky. I yleped in glee, took my hood off and did a spin. Madigan immediately opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue, and proceeded to catch the flakes.

We walked in the snow flurries back to our home for the weekend.

Uncle had a class that night...he likes to keep his life occupied when he is not VP-ing...Madigan and I took a walk to TImes Square and the M&M store. As always, I was asked for directions...I kindly obliged. Always makes me laugh that I "fit in"

While he was excited to go there...not so much when we got inside. I told him that I would buy him many bags of M&M's at the local store where they are not $10. for a minuscule amount.

Two Snapples, a grape soda, a pack of raisinettes, and a bag of peanut M&M's later all for $6.50 we were on our way to get me some falafel for dinner.

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Saturday we went to see "The Grinch" on stage. It was wonderful. Kids and adults alike loved the performance.

After that Madigan asked if we were going back to the apartment so he could play with the cats who must be missing us! I told him that we were not in NYC just to play with the beautiful tonkanese kitties, but he would have plenty of time for that at night.

Off we went on the subway to the Staten Island Ferry so we could view Lady Liberty...for free I must add.


A self protrait:



One taken by Uncle Gary:




Here is my favorite picture of the whole trip:




After we arrived back in Manhattan we walked to South Street Seaport. Did not go to any typical restaurants...instead went to one of Uncle Gary's old haunts from when he worked in this area. It is called Jeremy's...great food, big beers, cheap. I had some great calamari and fried oysters...yum. Sorry, no food pictures.

After that we went, per my request, to Ground Zero. I gently explained to Madigan that this is a VERY special place. He should be quiet and there was to be no laughing. I attempted to give him a simple explaination of why and what had happened there. This is a difficult thing to do with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. At the same time I think he sensed the serious nature because of my emotional state. I have been here before since that tragic day...I can never not become choked up and emotional. Of course there are NO pictures of this.


After that is was subway back "home" and in for the night.

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Sunday we ventured into Chinatown via subway. We shopped the bargains of Canal Street. I bought a t-shirt for Mark and a Hello Kitty bling bling looking necklace for myself. I am a long time HK devotee. Bought a couple of other small items, but the vendors did not seperate much money from me that day.

[Nanook]

Re: The Birthday Trip

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img] I have been sooooo lookign forward to this, I just knew it would be great and the start is just that!

Madigan, what a little cutie, he looks so sweet and he is cute as can be!

Your photos are aewsome, I don't think I have ever seen New York Christmas photos before, the big ornaments are waaaaay cool! I love the lighted angels too!


[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img]

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

So off we went to the real part of Chinatown, where narey a tourist ventures. Not sure how many of you remember or even know...I spent my Junior year of college in China as well as a summer before college and quite a bit of time traveling though South East Asia on my own after I graduated. I feel very comfortable in Chinatown. Anyway, we were on our way to get pork buns and other delectable items from the bakery when we stumbled across the scorpion bracelet and one I bought for myself.





Here is the one I got:



The green jade circles on the red thread...I already had the brown one..for years and years. It goes on, but never comes off.


So after Gary and I had our fill of savory pastries I knew I had to get Mr. Picky something to eat. To look at the boy you would never think that he ever says no to food. Au contraire!!! He is very finicky...but then again, not so. I asked him if he would like a hotdog with ketchup (the only veg I can get him to eat!). He surprises me with a resounding YES! So off to a dirty water dog vendor we go. Madigan has met his new love.

We hop the subway back to Gary's to drop off our purchases and refresh a tiny bit before dashing out the door to get to Hairspray. Did I mention that Uncle Gary is the bestest uncle in the world?!?!? And ultra generous as well? Tickets to both shows (Grinch and Hairspray) were procured by him for his Godson's birthday. Not to mention the accomodations at his place just a stone's throw from most major theaters!

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

OK...I forgot one morsel. We did walk through Little Italy after Chinatown. Can't be that near Ferrarra's withough buying some sweets. Took this picture and it is too cute to leave out.


Hairspray was FABULOUS!!!! It was also Madigan's choice. He had 3 shows from which to pick. Xanadu, because of the music, roller skating, and no intermission. Grease, because it is little mister's favorite movie. And Hairspray because he loved seeing the movie which starred "Danny Zuko" as a big fat old WOMAN ("maamee, that is just what happens to people" is what I was told after he saw the movie).

He did not choose Xanadu..although he did comtemplate it as he liked the roller skarting concept, but in the end it was not familiar enough to him. While Grease would seem like it should be his first choice, he loves the movie the way it is and could not bear to see others play the parts of his beloved Sandy and Danny..."I don't want to see the real people on stage maamee". OK, that was logical to me. So he chose Hairspray with full knowledge that the real people would be different than the movie people.

[Laurel2]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Jonesin ... what a wonderful treat for you!!

such fun ~

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

So after the show Gary had to rush back to his place...he as having company over on our account. All of those who had seen the pictures and heard the stories, but who had yet to meet the boy in the flesh. Madigan and I, onthe other hand, decided to wait by the stage door in hopes of meeting some of the cast members.



Hmmm...should I mention who is in the cast or just show pictures?

OK...here is us waiting...self portrait again:



I really like this picture of Madigan and Mary. There are so few of those, unless I take them myself...and I thikn I am getting pretty good at that!

OK..so here is "Seaweed"...Mr. Tevin Campbell:



He was EXCELLENT in his performance.

Then there was a man who played SEVERAL parts and played them well...Mr. Kevin Meaney:



In the roll of Edna Turnblad that Divine made famous and followed by John Travolta was George Wendt of Cheers fame:



OK...for any of you who have adolescent girls hold your ears for the screaming...Link Larkin as portrayed by Ashley Parker Angel...I screamed just for the delight of all the young women surrounding me!!!



Now for women of my generation...who are now sorely disappointed at his "orientation" in the roll of Corny Collins, Lance Bass of NSYNC fame:






I mentioned to Lance that we came from Orlando to see the show...he commented back that he lived in Orlando for a long time...to which I replied...I know. Gee, deep. Tee, hee, hee.

So of all these kind of "big" celebrity names, I could not get my son in a single picture with them. Until the the star herself, Tracy Turnblad played by a virtual unknown, Shannon Durig.

[R00TS]

Re: The Birthday Trip

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] Real nice weekend for you all. Your son is adoreable Jones.

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Thanks Rootsie!!!

[Nanook]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Too fun! It just hit me, was this the first time Madigan has seen snow? That must be a huge deal living in Florida!

Sounds like a very fun time!

[jones411]

Re: The Birthday Trip

Yup..first time. Let me tell you, he never once, not once even complained about the cold weather. Mind you, it might not have been the coldest weekend on record, but for a native Floridian who is merely 5 years old I would consider it cold.

His favorite things were eating the street vendor hot dogs and riding the subway. He is a city kid at heart...an apple that fell right from this city kid's tree. If we passed the subway entrance without going in he would hang his head and say "oh maaaan".

When we were getting off at our stop and people would be trying to get on he would just push right through. Maybe it was my mom's spirit guiding him...she is the one who "taught" me to ride the subday. It is a skill to be honed and to be passed on.