A New York City "Black Friday"

So since Ryan had been asking to go to NYC TOYS R' US for two weeks now, we gave in and decided to go on the busiest ,craziest, most crowded shopping day of the year....BLACK FRIDAY!!! So after a fun-filled day before in the city, the next day we were once again headed into "the city" as people around here refer to it. There was ONE screaming difference between yesterday and today....THE TEMP! It was 65 on T-DAY and 32 on BLACK FRIDAY! And the wind, oh my the wind. We were prepared though, armed with some major layers and Vaseline!

Ok back to TOYS R' US, it was wall to wall people. My stroller became my tank, plowing down the people in front of me one by one. Our first stop, mom's choice...the candy shop to buy chocolate covered gummy bears (what? did i hear you say eww gross, they are the yummiest candy ever and my life is not complete without them, ask anyone close to me, they know)Ode to the chocolate covered gummy bear!

What was I saying? Oh ya, next we moved along (I plowed along, sorry to all my victims) to the Lego World where Ryan was picking out Legos like it was his last chance on earth. It was a dream come true. They had bins and bins of Legos and you could fill a bag for $20.00!

But then we found out the line was 45 min. long and mom and dad had to dash that dream. We bought NOTHING on Black Friday thanks to our pocketbook- friendly LONG LONG lines!

Then we said lets go see the dinosaur! Ryan said," No, I don't want to, it's scary!" But because I force my children to do things they don't want to do, we did it anyway! See how happy that made Ryan! :)

We wandered around there for a LONG LONG time. Ryan was playing with the over-sized Thomas the Train display and walking up to all the kids saying, "Can I play with your train?" They just looked at him like he was crazy and chugged around. At last, a family had to leave and Ryan got to play with Percy. Thankfully we were right next to Fisher Price Toddler toys. So while Ryan cho cho'd Ethan tryed out every Fisher Price toy known to man (I mean kids). Here he is on this interactive game bike.

Then we walked to Macy's. This name is synonymous with New York, Shopping, and the thanksgiving day parade. A history of Macy's- It was started by a struggling business man. After 7 failed business attempts, Roland Macy opened his department store in 1858. It is know the biggest department store in the world. GOOD! This is why they have the most awesome Christmas experience EVER!!!! At first we didn't want to go, because we wanted to avoid the inevitable long lines to sit on a old man's lap. But we had nothing better to do so after a NY slice of pie, we headed for the crowded but excellent store. After walking around in the madness for about 20 min. we found our way to the elevator which was our vehicle to the north pole! The eighth floor is converted into a wonderous mock-NorthPole.

We got in this line to get on a "train" that would take us to the north pole. I really thought we were getting on a train. But the very savvy creators of this experience really out did themselves. They turned the line into a winter wonderland. First, you go through a mock-train were the floor rumbles and windows are tv screens that make you think you are moving through a winter storm. Then you "EXIT" into the North Pole. It's a winding room full of singing trees, beaver's chopping wood, penguins ice-skating, trains, trees, lights, and all the wonders one can hold.

Then we went around the final bend until we were on the brink of the main event...the CLAUS!

A little elf named Tinker said, "OK, right this way" She lead us to this wooden room where the red man sat all full of redness and fun! Ryan became shy, Ethan started screaming and crying. Seth appears to be the happiest person in the room.

This is Ryan trying to think about what he wants for Christmas.

It was brilliant. Entertainment while you wait! One last look at Time Square...