New York City, Baby!

Maliana ~

Soooo...the following will be all about (*dum dah dee dah!*) our latest trip to New York City ~ Girls' Trip 2015! First, I will simply start by saying it was ah-mazing! We were last here around Thanksgiving of 2011 so we were definitely due for an adventure in the Big Apple again. You also are now at the age where, I think, you will really start remembering these little trips together and that makes me ever so happy.

As for the rest of what I will say here, I think I will just post the pictures from each day and let them tell our story as it unfolded. So many things happened each day, it was impossible to capture it all. But I couldn't think of a better couple of people to share this trip with...you and Lao Lao are the best!

We left on Thursday afternoon, having lunch at Port Columbus before boarding our plane. With a few hiccups (thanks to weather delays and a horrendous experience with our connection in D.C. and US Airways), we finally arrived at our hotel in Times Square around bedtime. Whew!

before leaving Port Columbus...you had to bring your
blingy New York hat, because, well...duh!

Not sure if you can read this or not, but basically the server
at lunch at the airport asked, "Where are you all headed?"
to which you replied, "On an airplane!" Ha ha ha!

Friday morning, we woke up and after a yummy breakfast in a local deli, we hit the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, and then the Empire State Building that night.

I was having fun messing with the sun's reflections
on your mirrored hat in the hotel room

Times Square!

first subway ride for this trip!

sharks in the subway! I love the unique
artwork on all the platform stops...

American Museum of Natural History

taking a breather on the steps of the museum before
heading into Central Park

cool archway in Central Park

the huge rocks in the park are so cool

very famous part of the park...lots of movie scenes
have been filmed on this little bench-flanked walkway

Empire State Building

getting ready to take the audio tour as we ascend to the 86th floor

here you said, "See, Mom. I have the best cheese!"

from the top of the Empire State Building, looking out over NYC

Saturday morning, we headed to Ellen's Stardust Diner not only for breakfast, but also for a late dinner where we met our friend Kathy who was in town from San Diego. However, in between our two big meals, we took advantage of our surroundings and jumped on a ferry over to the Statue of Liberty, went to Chinatown for bubble tea and to play in an adorable community playground, and wound up in Little Italy for gelato and souvenirs. We did a TON of walking, watched you burst into spontaneous singing and dancing throughout the city, got lost on the subway a time or two, and giggled together at all kinds of sights and sounds. Multiple times throughout the day I just kept thinking about what a lucky mommy and daughter I am. Seriously.

outside the Stardust Diner after breakfast

waiting in line for Lady Liberty and behind us
you can see the almost completed new World
Trade Center building (the blue spired one)

crammed on a ferry with a bunch of strangers

heading to Liberty Island...see you in a bit, Manhattan!

there she is, Lady Liberty!

she's really big up close, even though
this picture doesn't do her justice

behind us is Ellis Island on the left and Manhattan on the right

gift shop stop

couldn't have asked for a better day
(Lady Liberty with Manhattan behind her...
new World Trade Center is the tall spired
building on the left in the city)

Confucius Plaza in Chinatown

bubble tea!

these trees in Chinatown were so beautiful
and smelled so wonderful!

you had me carry you A LOT on this trip...so I
guess I have you to thank for my kick ass arms! ha ha.

on our walk to Little Italy, we passed by the Brooklyn Bridge

and fast forward to later that night, here we are with
our friend Kathy from San Diego...
a great way to end a great day!

sleepy, sleepy munchkin and mommy

Finally, we headed home on Sunday but not before we got up early and took a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. It was a sunny morning and a peaceful and beautiful ride with a wonderful carriage driver from Turkey who shared with us (after smiling down at you) that his girlfriend is also from China. With his openness, charm and conversation, he reminded me of one of the things I love best about this city ~ its diversity.

our horse, Bobby

feeding Bobby a carrot

all loaded up...before our ride

and at the end...feeling peaceful after our ride

schlepping it to the subway on our way home...
you were such a help when we needed you

We took a very long subway ride back to JFK airport.

you talked the entire subway ride to JFK...I
think Lao Lao's face says it all. ha ha!
just kidding ~ we love you!

It was wonderful to be home but I also felt a slight twinge of sadness as our plane lifted further and further above the tall buildings of Manhattan. I think I fell in love with this city just a little bit more than I ever have before on this trip. It was one of the best times with you (and Lao Lao). I can't thank you enough for your patience, your sense of humor, your helpfulness, your laughter, your conversations, and your zest for life on this trip. I actually stopped you in the airport before we got on the plane home and told you just that. Thank you for being such a trooper...from our early mornings to our late nights in this hustling and bustling city. You are definitely not the average 7 year old. You are so much more and I love every bit of you.

Once home, Daddy was full of surprises too. While we were away, he had not only painted our bedroom, but he had also power-washed the back deck and hung some beautiful lights that I have wanted for quite some time. It was so fun to come home to find all of these surprises! We even celebrated with a cozy little bonfire and some s'mores on the back deck before heading to bed that night. It was the absolute perfect end to an already unbelievable weekend.

you missed Daddy so much that you asked him to hang out with you
during bath-time and so we just had to recreate this picture
from your second ever bath with us in China...too funny!

our cozy deck with new and improved mood lighting,
I love it!

s'mores!

It's super exciting to go on trips like this that are so far from home, but it's equally amazing to know that you have a place to come home to and people you love (and who love you) waiting there. You and Lao Lao made this trip nothing short of breath-taking for me with memories that are seared into my mind and heart forever...and Daddy made our homecoming nothing short of magical and heart-warming.

I love, love, love you, Munchkin. And I love, love, love Lao Lao...and I love, love, love our daddy too!

Here's to another truck load of memories made...and hoping to make many more with you (and all of our family) in the years ahead.


*deep...long...sigh*

We're. Home.

Love,
Mama