When Chase Meets New York

So, I finally made good on my promise to take Chase to New York on a date.  Every time it's his turn for a special outing out with me and I ask him where he wants to go...he says, "How bout New York?"  So when Chad needed to go for a church conference and asked if I would want to go along and take Chase for his 9th Birthday...I jumped at the chance.  We were going to surprise him by picking him up from school on our way to the airport...but he doesn't really enjoy surprises, so we went ahead and told him before hand.  The excitement built for several weeks until the day finally arrived.  And at 9:30 on Tuesday morning, we picked him up from school on the way to the airport.  He was sure showing us the dimples on the way to the airport.

This is how he passed the time on the plane.

This is how Chad and I passed the time.  Does this show our differences, or what?

Chase was super thrilled when he found out that a taxi was taking us into the city.

Once we settled into our hotel on 57th and 9th...we walked to Times Square for dinner.  We thought Planet Hollywood would be right up his ally, since he has such an interest in actors and actresses and movies.

We had to send the baby sister this picture of Elmo.  I'm sure she was devastated that she had missed out on this fine fella.  The girl has a serious crush.

As soon as we entered the restaurant...we spied the Death Star.  Whoa.  It was as if the place had been specially crafted for Chase, himself.

And wouldn't you know?  His favorite actor, Harrison Ford's hand prints and autograph was right there for him to see.

Who doesn't love Times Square?  That's what we would like to know...

He was also very thrilled to ride the subway.  Now I like quick transportation as much as the next person...but this thing confuses me every time.  And if there is no seat available...and you have to stand...take a guess at what you have to touch?  A sure fire way to stress a person like me right out.  He and Chad grabbed a hold without a problem.  Although...I think I maaaaaay have rubbed off on Chase just a little, by the look on his face.

We went to Toys-R-Us in Times Square...which is somewhat of a magical wonderland for a super-hero lovin boy.

And then look who conquered another fear.  That would be MY hand gripping the subway pole.  If I'm being perfectly honest...my fear of ending up on the floor of the subway train outweighed my fear of whatever was lurking on that pole.  After all...I could use my gel on my hands...but people would look at me funny if I had to gel my whole body.  And I would have gelled my whole body.  Make no mistake about that.

Instagram is this amazing little ap that allows you to use different filters on your pictures.  I used it for this picture in Times Square.

The next morning, Chad went off to his meeting and Chase and I woke up when we pleased.  We got ready, walked out the front door of our hotel onto 57th street and said, "Heeeeellllloooooo New York!"  It was absolutely fantastic spending an entire Wednesday in New York on a date with my Chaser.  First up...FAO Schwartz and the piano from the movie BIG.

Boy...did he have a blast on that thing.

I may have had a blast on it too.  Don't worry.  I wasn't the only adult on it.  However I was the only one trying to play Music Box Dancer...the only song I remember from my piano lesson takin days.  Now that I look back...I probably should have just stuck with the chop sticks.  Because when I looked up from my intense ginormous piano recital...Chase had put his shoes on and taken off to see this guy.

That would be Indiana Jones...one of Chase's all time favorites.  And the next best thing to the real deal is him built of legos.

He really needed me to take a picture of Captain Jack Sparrow for Colton too.  I thought that it was sweet and very giving of his time.

I hit the jack pot for the girls at this dolly wonderland.  Annslee is getting a certain Madam Alexander Doll for her upcoming second birthday.  And both girls are getting Princess Puzzles with their picture in the actual puzzle for Christmas.  They were able to take a photo off of my phone and put them right in the puzzle like they were the next big Disney Princess.  Chase sat in the book section and rested while I did that.

We left nothing un-looked at in that place.  I guarantee it.

They have toy soldiers at the door.  I think that is a lovely touch.

Then we headed across the street to Central Park for pretzels from a park vendor.  That was very New York of us, I think.  We settled on a big rock and ate our pretzels, drank our cokes, and unwrapped a certain birthday present purchase from FAO Schwartz.

That's Chase and his friend, Buzz.  Not to be mistaken for the other 4 Buzzes he has.  This one is different,  Somehow.  I know...because Chase told me so.

I love this boy more than cats love acting skittish...and that's a lot.

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And just when you think you are at a normal park...a Zoo pops up.

So we did what anyone on a date would do and just went with it.  First up was the 4 D arctic experience movie.  Now...I didn't know what 4 D was.  But, it turns out...you get pelted with bubbles that are pretending to be snow flakes...and your seats vibrate and that had a tendency to scare Chase right out of his seat.  Literally.

So we bided our time until that thing was over.

This picture...I just love.  I think I am going to blow it up and frame it for his room.  It is a passage out of Where The Wild Things Are.  And I just think it is amazing!

Chase did a project last year on Sea Lions.  So these two were considered friends right away.  I'm pretty sure they have a crush on each other.  They just have that look in their eyes.

This guy captivated me forever.  I was mesmerized by his beauty and grace.

Just look at that paw.  I love paws.

I thought this guy was captivating as well.  He's a snow leopard.  Anything that has "snow" in their name is bound to be pretty.

This little guy was pretty mesmerizing as well.  I couldn't keep my eyes off of him.

After the zoo, we met up with Chad.  We decided to try to hit our first Broadway show.  Somehow I knew that Chase would feel that his ship had finally come in.

Watching real actors and actresses act out their parts.  It can't get any better than that...

...unless you get to meet them and get their autographs on your playbill.

Here is Chase with Mary Poppins.

And here he is with his favorite character...Bert.

Seeing Mary Poppins and meeting the actors is what Chase says is his favorite part of the trip.

And why not eat dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square after that?

Then we headed back to the hotel...quite satisfied with our first full day in New York.

The next morning, Chad headed to his meeting and Chase and I hit the town again.  After breakfast at Starbucks where I enjoyed my first Pumpkin Spice of the season and Chase lapped up milk with his coffee cake we decided to just pop on in to NBC.  As we walked down the halls...I pretended to be a real star...getting ready for a big Today Show Interview.  Surely I had a big movie coming out.

We went to the top of Rockefeller Center and saw the view from up there.

I adore this picture of Chase looking out over New York City.

If only I had brought my old dance costumes.   I could have tried out to be a Rockett.

Next, we headed to the Empire State Building.  By this point...Chase was more excited to see the entry way where Elf was filmed than to see the view from the top.  When we were up there...I looked at the view while he played angry birds on my phone.

We took the subway back to Central Park around 5:00 to meet back up with Chad.  This is when I had the brilliant idea to rent bikes and ride through Central Park.

I gotta say...I'm surprised Chad okayed this little adventure.  But Chase loved it.

We were so tired by the end of our bike ride through Central Park that we hit a small pub next to our hotel for dinner and then hit the hay.

The next morning we headed to the financial district and the Statue of Liberty.  The weather was forecasting rain...but we headed out for the island on the ferry anyway.

The view of Lady Liberty was worth how soaked we got.

Oh yeah...I forgot to tell you that we saw Beyonce while we shopped.

Anyways...just look at her and all her glory.

Just Beautiful.

Did I mention that the weather said rain?

Well...unfortunately that forecast was rather accurate.

It was a great trip.

One day over lunch, I asked Chase how it made him feel that we chose him to come to New York with us.  He just replied...

"Special."

And he is.