New York City in May

Hans Christian Anderson reading the "Ugly little Duckling" in Central Park

Outside American Girl on Fifth Ave.--Empire States Bldg.

Times Square

Statue of Liberty

A windy ferry ride to Manhattan...

After a quick one hour and 45 minute drive we were on our way crossing the water between Staten Island and Manhattan on a scenic ferry ride. As we took the 20 minute ferry ride over to Manhattan we took in breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the NYC skyline. Once docked we went down into the subway for a quick ride to Times Square. We came out of the underground subway line to a sea of lights and flashing billboards--our video game-loving kids were mesmerized. They had never seen so many lights and heard so many sounds in all of their five and eight years. We walked along Seventh Avenue and then made our way into Toys R Us. After a ride on the ferris wheel, inside of Toys R Us, we walked around the interactive toy store and looked at LEGO city and the Star Wars stuff.

We walked a few short blocks to Fifth Avenue, also called The Avenue of the Americas, and went into Rockefeller Center for a quick lunch at Cucina and Co. Paninis and fruit curved our hunger, and then we took the narrowest escalator we'd ever seen back to street level and to The Nintendo World Store--one of only two stores in the world. The other one is of course in Japan.

We emerged an hour later with Mario and Wario t-shirts to head over to American Girl--Josie's choice.

Josie saved her allowance and consigned some outgrown clothing and toys to raise the $100 she needed to get a "look a like" 18" doll of her choice. We are happy to welcome little Margot to our family and did she have a first day...subway trips, playground time at Central Park and dinner in Little Italy. We even had Margot's ears pierced.

Next we strolled along Fifth Avenue and gawked at the trendy boutiques--Louis Vuitton, Prada, Versace, Tiffany and Co. --until we arrived at the most magical place in NYC--Central Park.

It's hard to believe that there's a 843 acre forest in the middle of all that concrete and skyscraper chaos. Central Park was breathtaking and my favorite part of our day. The kids ran and played and Ernie and I relaxed and took in all the beauty around us. When everyone was tired out and hungry, from hiking the urban forest, we emerged on the Upper East Side of NYC to beautiful brownstones along Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue. Another favorite part for me--I once envisioned myself a magazine editor living in a brownstone in a trendy area like SOHO or Greenwich Village. Okay then I woke up....

A quick subway jaunt on the 6 (I could hear J Lo songs in my head) we arrived at Spring Street and SOHO/Little Italy.

Little Italy was delicious and authentic. We didn't want to eat at a cozy, candlelit place since we had the kids along so we picked a pizzeria--sat down at a table street side and enjoyed the pizza and the view. I had a Brisa (roasted red peppers, mushrooms and tomato pizza) Ernie had a peperoni pizza and the kids had spaghetti with marinara sauce.

Afterwards we walked along Mulberry Street and looked in the many shops before settling into La Bella Ferrera Bakery for dessert. The kids and Ernie had gelato and I had tiramasu. I also got some world famous cannolis to go. Little Italy was a unique experience and we all loved it.

One last ride on the 6 and then the 5 took us back to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. Our day was topped off with a breathtaking view of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty sparkling in a million lights along with the cool breeze and sea water smells. Truly one of those moments that takes your breath away.

The best Mother's Day gift ever...a fun-filled exciting day in the big city. The kids left NYC wanting more, more, more. Josie and Will are already planning our next trip back to our new favorite city--I heart NYC!