Trains, Pumpkins, Toys, and the Park

DAY 7: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Our inaugural Saturday as a family in New York was a day of many firsts for the boys--the first subway ride, the first diner experience, the first city festival, the first trip to Central Park, and the first--and possibly last--trip to FAO Schwarz. The day included our first random encounter with friends, something that happens with amazing frequency as I discovered the last time I lived in the city. Saturdays like this one are why I love New York. Here's our day in pictures...

Trains... For our first family subway experience, we started with the line we knew best, since gaining stroller access was enough of a hassle! From Penn Station, we took the 2/3 line to 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Not sure I'll attempt the subway alone with the stroller, but watching Tucker break the grimace of a few hardened New Yorkers with high-pitched screams of "There's another train, Mommy!" might be worth it!

Random Encounters... Of course, when you hope you'll see no one you know, you do! Just after exiting the subway, we ran into Kim Radford Henderson, one of my favorite hallmates from freshman year at Wake Forest who actually grew up in Atlanta. It was great to catch up on the sidewalk with her, meet her husband, and get a recommendation for brunch! Such a small world!

Diners... Thank goodness for family-friendly spots like this one! We parked the stroller in the corner and enjoyed typical diner fare for brunch at Utopia Cafe on the Upper West Side. Satisfied enough by his food, Tucker found the two ladies chatting outside much more interesting. Perhaps we have a serial eavesdropper? Hmmm...the stories he'll be able to tell.

Festivals... Street fairs and festivals are incredible in the city, especially in the fall with holidays to celebrate! After brunch, we walked to the park, through Strawberry Fields, and found the reason we ventured uptown--the Pumpkin Festival at Central Park! The line was atrocious for the pumpkin patch, and since we didn't care to carry a pumpkin back to our apartment, we skipped it and went straight to the performers and vendors.

Wes and the boys watch unicyclists and other sundry performers from the Big Apple Circus. Clearly, Wes is thrilled to be part of the family photo shoot.

A sample of Vermont cheddar lights up the face of our little Dairy King. This was Henry's favorite part of the day!

Central Park... Once we had our fill of the Pumpkin Festival, we strolled through Central Park, taking in the gorgeous fall foliage along Author's Way. Tucker was free to run and loved every second while Henry lobbied to escape confinement.

Free at last! A rare shot of the brothers in their raincoats together. Tucker assumed the character of his jacket and proclaimed himself to be a pirate. Ahoy, mate! Henry was just happy to be out of the stroller and splashing in the puddles.

Henry on his own in Central Park.

Toys... We left the natural wonders of Central Park for the material jewels of Fifth Avenue. Our first and only stop, a child's paradise, the famed FAO Schwarz. Tucker loved EVERYTHING and wanted to take it all home.

Greetings from Toyland! This is the main entrance, where the madness begins.

Tucker checks out a wall of cars but leaves with a dinosaur to add to his toy collection. The selection of the triceratops may have been a forced decision; we had to make it back for the Tennessee game, and we did...just in time. A good day for all!