The next day Callie, Adam, and Anders flew home in the morning while Jason had a flight back in the evening. (Sad sigh on both accounts.) We took advantage of Jason's last play day by heading into the city once more. Brooklyn, Talia, Eli, and Papa Kay came with us while Annie stayed on Long Island to play with NomiAnn and Eila.
Driving in the city is a pain, so we decided to park in Jamaica and take the subway in. Jamaica itself is plenty chaotic, crowded, and frankly, dirty. (At least in Queens. I've never been to the Caribbean original.) Talia was not impressed. She kept talking about how cities were too crazy and she couldn't understand why anyone would want to live there. I kind of chuckled to myself, wondering if someday she will decide to serve a mission, and if she does, where she will get called. Jason certainly had the same first impressions, but grew to love New York over time.
Once we made it to the subway, everything was calmer.
Looks like Eli could use a bit more bench space.
Our first stop: the Shake Shack. Because priorities.
While we were waiting to order, I took the kids to see the Flatiron. They were completely amazed until they figured out that the skinny building actually has a triangular form. Tough audience, I tell you.
These cute girls were on an urban scavenger hunt. They stopped Papa Kay to ask if they could take a picture with him because they needed a photo of a cool hat.
Next on the agenda: Brooklyn Heights. After all, we had to show Brooklyn the Breukelen where Jason briefly lived.
She's beautiful from the inside out.
The Brooklyn Promenade keeps getting more and more amazing.
Squibs, all three. (Just ask, and they will assure you that at times their mom is a veritable witch.)
Every neighborhood needs a pop-up pool.
Brooklyn Bridge Park on Pier 5 was our very favorite part.
How could it not be?
From there we headed to the newly renovated Fulton Street station,
Over to the Oculus,
And to the World Trade Center Memorial.
Even though 9/11 seems so recent to us adults, my children weren't born then. I was grateful to bring them to a peaceful place where they could touch and feel and connect with this sad moment in history.
The survivor tree.
Tic Tacs are perfect for lightening a somber mood.
As are pastries. We found this great little farmer's market, right in the middle of the city.
Our last stop: Wall Street.
Papa Kay showed us the precise corner where as a brand-new missionary, he lead his zone in singing hymns at a street meeting.
While we would have liked to linger longer, Jason needed to catch his flight so we hopped on board the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) to Jamaica. We got there in time to eat a New York slice, then bid each other farewell, feeling grateful for our lovely day in Manhattan.
2 comments:
Oh this looks so fun!
A fine time was had by all. The 9/11 Memorial is much “better” now than it was when it was under construction. The free and open views, as well as the sound of water falling within the twin tower footprints helps a lot. It is rightly a somber spot — but, is also a place where you can reflect on true heroism and unselfishness. It also testifies of the unbroken, resilient character of NYC, and our nation as a whole.
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