The one with Days 5 and 6 in New York.

We decided to stay in a hotel one night, just to experience it, and man alive, it was so nice to have our own space, and luca to have space, and not worry about disturbing people, or being in their space, but for real, sirens ALL night long, and 50 dang bell chimes at 7AM wasn't cool.  I thought I would sleep better there, but I didn't. 

We stayed at the Affinia Hotel in Manhattan, just like 7 blocks down the street from Times Square, and one street over from the empire state building.  This was our view from the window--you can't see it because the sun made it disappear basically, but there is a church right out there, the second building from the left that had the bell tower.

We went out to explore Times Square at night, which is when everyone and their moms come out--the number of people in the city basically quadruplets once the sun goes down.  Its hilarious.  Maybe its just a city of vampires, and we live in denial.

We explored the disney store, and got the Olaf doll, and the M&M store, and a few others.  And then I paid $20 flipping dollars for these pictures.  Seriously.  We just wanted one Olaf for a picture, but they all joined, which also means I have to tip them all.  Lesson learned.  JUST SAY NO.

Luca did like it though, he even let olaf hold him, who was probably a creepy creeper in there, but whatever.  Never again.

I stood on a chair to get this picture, I wanted to be able to see all the people, but its too dark, there were soooo many.

^^he wanted to see the "bebe!!!" I laughed since its the weird cave kid from the good dinosaur movie, but it did look like a baby a little bit.

^^those floating lanterns were on the ceiling going down the escalators, that was cool!

This was the Lobby of our hotel, they didn't want kids climbing on it--there were actually tons of kids, I was surprised and figured we would be the odd ones out, but we weren't--ANYway, super good design to not have kids want to climb...

We went into the 34th Street macys a bunch of different times, to change diapers, and go to the bathroom, and buy socks that one time.  But they even have a bunch of the original escalators! They were way cool, and wooden.  (I can't remember if I have said any of this already, so just go with it if I did.)

The next day was another long one--Luca loves to do that ^^ whenever he can.  That was in an Uber--where carseats can be requested (which we did) but aren't required (good thing because the guy didn't have one).

We went to the Sea Air and Space Museum in the morning, they had a submarine, a model of the space shuttle (or the real thing, I can't remember--we didn't have time to see it, unfortunately.), and the giant ship that I can't remember the name of--The Intrepid--that carries the planes.

Luca positioned himself in front of everything he wanted a picture by, and just smiled for me.

It was cool to see, and I wish we could have done the submarine, but the line was too long, and they closed soon.

Next we walked down the harbor and took the New York Water taxi out to a bunch of sites.  Luca has now been on a plane, train and boat!  He loves to tell us all about it.  "Mom, dada, me!! Boat!" or "mom, dada, me pane!!!"  I just asked him to say boat, and he said all of that, both the plane and boat.    He loves to tell everyone that story.  Its a good one.

I also lost my wedding ring here waiting for it to come, that was a fun discovery.

We learned on this water taxi that 9/11 warranted the biggest water evacuation ever.  The entire city shut down, including the subway because it ran under the towers.  People couldn't get out, people walked out of the city, miles over the brooklyn bridge and anywhere they could. People flocked the coast line, begging people to take them out of the city, anywhere, just out.  So the Coast Guard called everyone that had a boat at all, and begged them to just pick up as many people as they could fit, ignoring their capacity levels, and just get people to safety.  In 9 hours 500,000 people were evacuated by boats.  As far as I know its still the biggest in history to be done by water.

^^that picture is just for Mom and Halie. :)  They know.

We got off in Greenwich Village and went to find the friends building.

If I had to live anywhere (because I was forced to) in New York, it would be here, it was an adorable town, and quiet, and no traffic, but close to all of that.  I never would though, don't worry.  I am also aware that this probably is one of the most expensive places to live.

We got back on the water taxi and took it around to see the brooklyn bridge, and a few other stops that we had already explored.

^^those teeth.  They are my favorite favorite.

This is where Luca decided he needed the Statue of Liberty in his life forever.  He literally cried when we left it, and cried any other time we mentioned it, or he saw a picture or statue of it anywhere else.

I have a theory as to why, but who really knows.

On this particular ferry when we were coming up to the Statue they played "God Bless America" and I loved it!! I wondered why they didn't do it on every ferry ride!!  It brought the spirit like you wouldn't believe, at least for me, I am sure other people could feel it too, that is just what music like that does.  It was probably one of my favorite moments, and I think Luca could feel it too.
Again, who really knows, but that is why it was one of my favorite moments, and I am sure Luca was sensitive to that.

After we got off that ferry ride we went to get tickets for the Harbor Lights Cruise--remember all these things were on our passes, so we weren't paying, just getting actual tickets.

We went to grab some dinner at an adorable diner that let Jose charge his phone, and loved on Luca like they haven't seen a child in years.  The food was delicious, the prices were not.  What are you going to do?

We headed back to get in line for the ferry, and boarded and found a seat inside this time, but by a window.

Luca flipped out about seeing the Statue of Liberty again, and loved every second of it, and was so sad when it was time to move on.

^^that sad.  He just stared at our pictures of it.

When we got off we were planning on just walking back to the hotel, but it was really far, so we were going to get an Uber or a taxi (but usually Ubers are cheaper, plus no tipping).  I was weirded out by all the people standing there waiting and asking if people needed rides.  Especially by the Limo guy--but I guess people do get engaged on that ferry.  Anyway.  Jose asked about the prices for the Limo--He had never been in one and just wanted too.  He was a random guy that just gave prices instead of using miles or anything, so it ended up being the same price as an Uber.  So we did.

I was embarrassed, but whatever, and I laughed thinking about the people that would think it was someone famous when it was just us.

The driver was really nice, and chatted with Luca for a bit, and then turned the fun lights on for him.

We were planning on staying one more night at the hotel, because we waited for our ride for a million years the day before (Edgar) and then he needed to give us another 2 hour tour on the way to the hotel, so we didn't get there until 4pm--but once we got back to the hotel and learned of other issues we didn't stay.  We headed home and I slept much better there.