Easter Break

The kids were off for Easter break this week and we spent the vacation visiting both sets of grandparents. In Connectictut we did the Easter thing with Brunch at the club and an Easter egg hunt at home on Easter morning. The weather couldn't have been better for our trip. On Monday we went to NYC to see the other set of grandparents. The kids finally saw the public library, which was unfortunately closed and we went to the Empire State building - but the line was an hour and a half long so we opted out. They did get to go the the American Girl Store where they handily emptied our wallets. On Tuesday the girls went with Halmoni to Grandparent Day at the MOMA. An experience they are way too young to appreciate, but they certainly enjoyed getting to do all the arts and crafts. They did describe the private art tour as "boring". Oh well, someday as adults they will brag at cocktail parents about this very event that they so easily referred to as "boring". The girls were much more entralled by our trip down the social ladder to the much more pedestrian venue of Coney Island. They had a chance to go on rides (always a winner) eat Nathan's hot dogs, and devour Cotton Candy. Sophie did the mini rollar coaster and the mini free fall rides and stared in awe at the famous wooden Cyclone rollar coaster. Hannah, as a kid who doesn't like rollar coaster had to prove her bravery by going on the giant Wonder Wheel ferris wheel with Gene. The Ferris Wheel is huge and the cars slide around as the wheel goes around and around. My stomach turned just watching this, but Hannah actually enjoyed herself. And she thought the mini rollar coaster looked scary!!
It was great to show the girls a side of New York where not everyone had an American Girl doll in hand or a giant stuffed animal from FAO Schwartz. Even greater to see them enjoy it!

As usual we spent the Saturday morning before Easter at Nana and Pop-Pop's golf club for breakfast and an easter egg hunt. They have all sorts of fun activities for the kids. Here a balloon "artist" is making a butterfly for Sophie. 

Hannah and Sophie show off their ballons at Nana and Pop-pops easter brunch a their golf club. 

Hannah looks for eggs at the club Easter Egg hunt 

Hannah rides her bike with class bear Albert 

action shot of Sophie playing catch 

Nana and Pop-pop play catch with Sophie 

Hannah our "monkey bar queen" masters the challenging monkey bars in Essex that require the "monkey" to swing uphill and downhill 

Hannah poses with her class bear Albert at the Essex playground 

Hannah and Sophie have their own Easter Egg hunt at Nana and Pop-pops 

Hannah collects eggs on Easter 

Sophie jumps rope 

Hannah and Sophie keep the Lion company at the New York Public Library. Unfortunately, the museum was closed. 

Hannah and Gene give new meaning to a "spin class" 

No real need for a caption here 

Hannah masters the NYC monkey bars 

Sophie enjoys the playground 

While Halmoni had the girls at the MOMA Gene, Miran and I enjoyed some time at central park. In this picture Gene enjoys some time in Sheeps meadow with the city as a dramatic backdrop 

Hannah and Sophie enjoyed Grandparents Day at the MOMA. This is a day when the museum is closed and only grandparents are allowed in with their grandchildren. They do tours and special arts and crafts. The girls are still too young to appreciate that they have such special access to this wonderful museum 

Halmoni and Komo take a break at Grandparents day at the MOMA  

One of the most exciting parts of our trip to NY was when the Roosevelt Island Tram got stuck over the east river. We were riveted as the rescue workers slowly unloaded the passengers from the tram to a bucket via a ladder 250 feet above the swirling east river.It was like watching a NYPD episode live. If you look at the picture close enough you can see the tram and the rescue bucket. You might even be able to see someone climbing the ladder 

The morning after the tram crisis all is peaceful on the 59th St bridge again. There is no sign of the frenzy from the night before. Even the trams are gone. 

The only way to enter Brooklyn in style is crossing the Brooklyn bridge! 

Welcome to Coney Island!! A true example of a tacky, tasteless Americana. God Bless it!! 

The girls wait for the rides to open 

The Lee family enjoys the Coney Island pier