We Love New York in June!

Last week Natalie and I visited my sister Leah (aka Sissy) in New York.  It was our first mother/daughter travel adventure and we had a fantastic time.

Natalie caused quite a sensation as she rode her Melissa and Doug "Trunkie"(a combo luggage/scooter)  through the airport.  She calls it her briefcase.


When we reached the Chicago Airport we discovered a wonderful Children's Museum that Natalie enjoyed exploring during our short layover there.




Her favorite part was flying the plane.  She looked so professional as she flipped the switches and turned the control dials.


Happy pilot!

Finally we made it to NY and took a nice walk with Sissy.


The next day was a day of rest.  Our only outing was to walk the dog.  Natalie and I were both recovering from a bad summer cold.


On Tuesday I took Natalie to the Brooklyn's Children Museum where she had a blast playing musical instruments, crawling through tunnels, and playing with elaborate sand and water tables in their toddler play area.  She also enjoyed playing with these giant lego-like blocks.


Her very favorite part was the food area.  First she went "shopping" for life-like fruits and vegetables.


Then she made pizza and cooked it in a pretend oven.


Natalie helped flap my wings while I was playing the part of a giant butterfly.


She drove a bus and directed me to sit down in one of the seats and put my seatbelt on.


We discovered this beautiful mural while walking Stella, Sissy's dog.




On Wednesday we took a trip into Manhattan (The below pic was taken on the way to the subway in Brooklyn)


We visited the Museum of Natural History which Leah and I both saw as children.




One of my favorite things about this museum is the 94 foot long replica of a Blue Whale (this photo does not do it justice).  Natalie was unimpressed; she was more excited about the Elephants and Zebras.


In the Subway station about to head to Sissy's house.


Natalie and I were zombies by the time we got on the subway.  Nat fell asleep and I carried her all the way home.


After her nap Natalie was ready to play with her princesses again.  Stella kept her company.


On Thursday we visited my very dear friends in Long Island.  Natalie had a wonderful time playing with A (age 5) and S (age 9).  They took amazing care of her and are 2 of the sweetest girls ever!


Nat and A strolling with their dollies.






On Saturday we said goodbye to Sissy, Stella and New York.


During our visit Natalie did get homesick at times for her Daddy, Louie, Katie, her bed, dress up dresses and our bathmat of all things, but once we got home she asked when we could go back to NY :)