Northeastern Trip Recap Part 1 - New York

Posted on Jul. 6, 2009 at 9:17 PM - Post Comment

We got back from our big trip last week but my internet has been giving me problems.   Anyway, we have been having a nice time settling back in.  Grady has been sleeping massive amounts - he always does this when we return from a trip.  He  It is SUPER hot here, and we are enjoying lots of pool time!

So let's get started with pictures... videos will come in a later post.

On the plane - doing a little baby business on his laptop - HAHA!  We gave him the binkie because we wanted him to fall asleep - and he did!  He slept through lots of anouncements that we may need to land somewhere else because of bad storms (we never did, thankfully) and tons of turbulence.  Everyone around us commented after that they had no idea a baby was in that seat.



Gaga and Grandpa Carl had so many toys for him!   This truck was a huge hit!



Grady and "Gaga"



Grady and Grandpa - doing magic tricks - Grady was so impressed!

This is funny - I plan on saving it to show his first girlfriend :)  I was so impressed with how he used the portable seat for the big toilet.  He had only ever gone on his small potty, and he used this one every night, no matter where we were.  Of course now we need to work on it full-time since we are home. Tomorrow we break out the tiniest underwear I have ever seen.  I have faith G will do a reat job!



Our first full day in NYC was the day of the party - it was actually beautiful outside!  Unfortunately, I got so tied up with visiting and watching G that I didn't get pictures of the actual party, but it was fun.

Checking out the grill before the festivities began



The next day (Monday) we headed into Manhattan (mostly just to make the trip - we didn't stay long).  We rode the train to the ferry and then took the ferry.  Waiting for the train:



Look - he's waving it down!



on the train - he enjoyed it, though he was quite tired that day



about to get on the ferry



We rode outside on the ferry



view of Manhattan



Me and Eric



checking out the "Green Lady"



I like this one, even though you can only see his outline







view of Manhattan with the ocean spray on the window



getting back on the ferry on the Manhattan side



That night we went to Denino's for pizza - it's the BEST pizza EVER!  Afterwards, we went across the street to the original Ralph's Italian Ice - Grady was a huge fan!





Finishing up back at home.  He was sitting in the tiny camping chair Gaga and Grandpa bought for him.  Does he look happy or what?

On Tuesday morning Gaga and Grandpa took Grady out to a park while we got packed up for our trip to Sesame Place.  They took some pictures...

Notice the big smile in almost all of them. 











looking tired



After an unsuccessful nap attempt at Eric's parent's house, we hit the road.  Grady (of course) slept the whole way there.  We checked into our very nice and large suite and then went to dinner at Chilis.  Here's Grady at the suite, playing with a new toy he got at the party.



The weather was actually very nice again the next morning (Wednesday).  There was a shuttle that took us over to the park, so we didn't need to pay for parking, which was great.  It ran all day and would even come if you called them.  We were 2 minutes from the park, so it was perfect.  We headed over early because we did breakfast with the characters that morning.  From the moment we arrived at the park, I was so impressed.  It is spotlessly clean and just beautiful.  There is SO much for little kids (2-8 is perfect age) to do.  We were there for one very full day and only did about 1/2 of what there was (because it was a bit cool for water rides).   The park is wonderful.   The lines were never bad at all either.  Grady could ride everything but the roller coaster (any child that can walk can ride everything but the roller coaster), and he wanted to ride everything.  He even rode the freefall ride and loved it!  He was laughing the whole time.  It was amazing because there were kids that were 6 and 7 years old coming off looking scared.  What a dare devil Grady is!

Entrance - before it opened








This is a bit blurry, but it was so cute!  Oscar was right there as we entered the park.  It was the first character G saw, and he was so excited!  He was popping in and out of his can.



beautiful flowers and topiaries everywhere - look at Elmo!




running over to Zoe when we first got inside the breakfast place





Showing Ernie some love - he would just run up to the characters and throw his arms around them :)





I told Ernie "you were always my favorite", and he threw his arms around me - haha!








The big red man (Elmo) - words can't express Grady's excitement.  He told him "I love you".





and this is so funny - he didn't want me getting in on his alone time with Elmo!




all of the characters were so nice and came around to each table during breakfast



Zoe stole his cup

























STUFFING his face.  The food was actually very good and Grady ate an insane amount, including 2 full bananas!

Now for the rides!

This is like the Dumbo ride at Disney.  He was adamant about getting the angel Elmo - they all look different.  And it was funny because I told him the button would make us go up and as SOON as the ride started he was furiously pressing the button



Bug ride







The big slide, which he loved and went on twice - with Dada...



and alone...



He wanted to go in the Rubber Ducky Pond, even though it was not really all that warm outside - maybe 75 degrees









He really wanted to do this fishing game







picking a prize



waiting in line for the "death drop" ride, which he was so excited about





the woman next to me told me he looked like a baby doll in there - it was pretty funny to see him on this big ride - way bigger kids were freaking out (and I probably would have) but he just laughed and laughed - Eric said he could hear him the whole time
















He loved this fire engine - of course - the simplest things amuse a 2 year old the most.








waving



this was so cute - the area that is just like the Sesame Street set





he loved playing in the pretend stores and stuff









with Grandpa...



he later told Nana this was his favorite ride





In front of the Count's Splash Castle, which is new this year.  We went in for a little bit







balloon ride







We saw two shows, and they were really good.  I was very impressed.  This was Big Bird's Beach Party, and we were in the front row, which was also the splash area, so we got wet.  Also, it was fun because Eric was chosen from the audience to go up and learn the hula with two other dads.  He definitely put the most effort into it!



here we are - front and center





more visiting with Elmo



Eric's big number



what a good sport







so graceful ;)



they opened it up for the kids to danced towards the end - Grady was the tiniest one - see him there?  He even tried to go up on stage, and we had to go grab him!

I'll stop there, as that is a LOT of pictures!  I'll post more tomorrow!