Bears in NYC

It seems I've lost a bit of momentum with this blog. Thanks to the miracle of back-dating and digital photography I can catch you all up without risk. This summer had the Bears cashing in air miles to fly across country to visit Grandma and Papa Terry.

As luck would have it, a bit series of meetings at work came up so I got to experience the trip twice (?!) but the visit was a huge success.






Bob and I also worked in an anniversary trip to The Hamptons (you must put a clothespin on your nose to say this correctly) leaving the girls in the care of the Grandparents [armed with M&M's, snack foods and hot dogs of course]. Before we left Jacqueline was quoted as saying "I'm going to miss you so much mommy" and after returning she said "why are you back so soon?"

Trip highlights included

• American Girl store visit with Grams. Including purchase of new dolls, photos, tea and a hotel stay in the city

• Trip to The Plaza for a $50 tea and a view of Eloise's lobby. Grams said the staff played up the Eloise story very well
  
• Kids rides in Central Park
  
• Visit to FAO Schwartz
  
• The Natural History Museum

• West Point Park Revue (created and rated by Ashton -- facilitated by Papa Terry). You will note the clipboard and pencil as each park was carefully rated.
  

• Hanging out with Grandma and Papa Terry at their house
• Seeing West Point
• Crayola Factory (which would have been better named Museum)

• A local park that the name escapes me, but that we had a nice hike, a merry-go-round ride, saw some zoo animals and were sweating our butts off (you will notice Ashton is cranky and not wanting to look at the camera)
  

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• Some downtown walking in the city and a street vendor purchase of a new handbag for me
• Street cart Gyros, hot dogs and Ice creams. Grams is still looking for her change back from that event, when she couldn't understand how 3 hot dogs and 4 drinks could take a full $20...
  

One summary comment from Meg, was that August is a hot and sweaty month in New York. I figured this out the first day when we walked about a block and a half and Jacqueline said "let's go back inside mommy".

The Bear girls were most happy when we were inside with climate control. Thank goodness there are so many nice indoor things to do in New York. It was a blast. The girls were outstanding on the plane and we avoided any kinds of injuries or sicknesses. There were a few days adjustment when we got home but both Bob and I were really enthusiastic at what great travelers we have now.

Thanks to Grams and Papa Terry for the great visit. We appreciate you getting such a fun place to live, we vote for Hawaii next ;-).