No trip to the east coast is really complete, in my opinion, without a visit. Luke has visited Brooklyn and Yankee Stadium, but this marked Mia's first visit to Mommy and Daddy's most favorite city.
This year it was very apparent to us both that we needed to visit the 9/11 Memorial. This was an emotional visit for us, but in some ways, since we had the kids along with us, I was very thankful that the museum is not yet open. Months ago when we first planned our time to visit NYC, we started to talk to Luke about 9/11. Obviously, we did it in the most age appropriate way possible. I found it to be incredibly difficult to explain to a 4 year old ... after all, it is nearly impossible to explain to an adult. We bought some children's books that broached the topic: Fireboat and The Little Chapel that Stood, and helped to explain things that I simply can't find the words to.
Michael and I said to one another when watching the unveiling of the 9/11 memorial pools on TV what an incredibly beautiful, dramatic, perfect tribute they were. Our visit to them reiterated this a million times over.
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| Freedom Tower |
I was so proud of Luke. It's really important to us that both of our kids realize what happened on that very dark day. When we first arrived, Luke asked when we would see the twin towers. I reminded him that they had both fallen down. He saw the pools and said very little. After a long day of doing the city, he still very much wanted to visit St. Paul's (the chapel featured in his book). When we arrived there, our last stop before heading home, he absolutely got it. As I held his little hand, he told me what he understood, "So, Mommy, the towers used to be where those waterfalls are. And, this is the church where the firemen hung their boots ... and some of them never came back here because they died with all of the other people who they were trying to help in the towers, right?"
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| Trinity Cathedral - just down the street from St. Paul's |
It was certainly a day of mixed emotions. As we walked the city, I realized how familiar it all still felt, how comfortable. I love that.
The city was absolutely gorgeous and in full bloom
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| Cherry Blossoms ... my absolute favorite |
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| Mia enjoying a soft pretzel from a cart ... and me with the lovely blossoms |
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| Battery Park |
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| Tulips... |
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| ...everywhere! |
Luke's request for the day was to be sure that he laid his eyes on the Statue of Liberty. We determined that the best way to do that in a short(ish) amount of time was to take the Staten Island Ferry over and back.
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| "There she is!" |
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| Mia and I with the Statue of Liberty (fondly referred to as "Sherry" by Mia) in the background |
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| Luke and his new BFFs, Stephanie and Peter, on the ferry. He spent the better part of the day walking around the city and holding one of their hands. He just adored them both (how could he not?) |
A few more snapshots of the city...
Mia eventually gave in and fell asleep in the backpack, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
In the car heading back to Grandma and Grandpas:
