A quirky day...

So last week the kids started doing this -

And then I realised they were lacking fresh air, and a trip to the our new cupcake shop, by Grand central won't do. They need some green, even if surrounded by asphalt and tall buildings.

So first we made some schnitzels

Once we had our picnic packed, off we went to Madison Square park, another playground on the list of 15 best in NY, (according to timeout magazine).

Research said we have to check out- the playground, the shake shack, the reflection pool and the interactive, large-scale, mixed-media installation by acclaimed California-based artist Charles Long.

Here is what we got done:

A lot of touching, feeling, and listening to the weird sculptures

Nomi met some friends preparing a bed from fallen leaves for the chipmunks, so she helped

The reflection pool did what it promised to do, (and no Nomi, you can't go in to collect the pennies)

The play ground, next time must remember to bring costumes & towels, all these playground seem to have a water feature.

And then Tomer wanted a picture by the "guards" at the entrance to the park. You can tell the story according the the sequence of the pictures.
 

The shake shack had an "a" line and a "b" line. The "a" line went nearly all around the park and was for burgers fries & shakes, the "b" line was for ice cream cones, and we were the only ones in it. 3 ice creams later, one t-shirt of Poppy's serious ice cream casualty, and now we know that the burgers and shakes might be better then the ice creams at the shake shack.

Since we arrived in NYC we are constantly spotting weird things, and we are working really hard on - "don't point", "don't talk about other people too loudly" and also "you don't know, they might understand Hebrew". This day weird things were all around.

We saw a baby in a pram with a portable fan, a dog in a special dog pram, dog dishes on the menu at the shake shack, a little boy running round the park dressed like this -

A man with a back pack cage with a parrot inside -

And if you look closely at his dog, lying at his feet, you will see that -

The dog is wearing shoes...

More to come.

xxx

לקבוצת האוהבים - מתומר

לכל החברים בקבוצת האוהבים שלום,

אני מקוה שכיף לכם בחופש ושלא חם לכם מדי בישראל.

אנחנו נסענו לצרפת לבקר את סבתא וסבא שלי, שם פגשנו גם את דודה שלי מלונדון עם בני הדודים שלי, מהצד של אבא.

קודם שמתי תמונות מטירה שהלכנו לבקר בה. אבל זאת לא היתה טירה של מלך ומלכה או נסיך ונסיכה אלא של אצילים.

 זה אני בטירה

נחשו איזו חיה אני?

ואיזו חיה אני?

אני ואבא במבוך מחפשים את הדרך החוצה

אני ובני דודים שלי אצל סבתא

אלה תמונות שלי ממקום שבו עושים הרבה מאד תעלולים ועכשיו תיראו מה אני עושה שמה

כאן אנחנו בפיקניק אוכלים חיוכי מלונים

וכאן אני עם כל המשפחה, יום לפני שנסענו לניו יורק

Learning our way around

Over the last few days energy was spent on working out where we are, what there is to do, and where to shop for food. We now know where to shop for food, and not much else :-)
We are located in midtown and there is A LOT of city around us. Downside- no where outdoorsy close to sit and have an ice cream, upside- "Blooms" "Sarge's" plenty of salt beef sandwiches, and yummy chicken soup.
 Thursday we travelled by Subway to the Upper West side, me, with three kids and a pram proved to be easier then anticipated. Also a resourceful moment involving a little boy and an empty bottle of water saved us from looking for the WC while waiting for the train.

On the Subway

For desert we atr a very delicious "flower" fruit arangement sent from BJ to welcome us.

Eating the fruit arrangement

Poppy's new words "I want"

Fruit arrangement from BJ

Saturday we enjoyed walking down the middle of Park Avenue, just catching the last Saturday of three when the Avenue is completely pedestrianised, part of the summer streets.

Statues we met along the way

We had a picnic by the Berlin wall, and then continued on the subway to Central Park.

After Central Park we checked out Riverside park, where we met New friend Uri for a picnic, and he introduced us to the Hippo playground, we really enjoyed it!

Sunday
After spending much too much time on the subway yesterday (note to self, don't take the express unless you are looking to get to 125th street, or if you're just board), today was crowned by the kids no subway day, so we took the bus.
Stop no. 1 was to Union square where we found one of New York's best playgrounds (out of fifteen listed by timeout), and a branch of Barnes & Noble

Stop 2 was on the Lower East side, where Sarah was having her birthday party. There we met Cousin Ariel, Cousin Jaron, Cousin Simon and Cousin Brad. 3 first cousins, and 1 second cousin whom I had never even met before. Pretty good for a stranger in town.
Birthday took place in a time share backyard, which is exactly what it sounds like. We all had a really great time.

Pudding was at the Creperie round the corner before heading home

Two more bits before I leave, one is a video explaining Poppy's bed, and the other is of Nomi eating a salt beef sandwich.

Of course we (Jona) are apartment hunting at the same time, and go to sleep every day with a special prayer that tomorrow will be the day we find our apartment.

xxx

Day 1

Day 1 has  been & gone. Its a good thing as it makes way to days 2+

Breathing now so can also send an update. 

We left France at a crazy hour yesterday, 4.30am waved good bye to Carol & Mike and green rolling hills soon to be replaced quite dramatically with asphalt, traffic, buildings and flashing lights. 

Flight was pretty smooth although if you are ever given a choice don't choose United Airlines. Hopefully their flight attendants are not indicative of Americans in general; 

Huge smiles, absolutely useless, and quietly obnoxious. 

Nomi & Tomer watched Mirror Mirror three times, ate schnitzels and crisps but didn't sleep. Poppy wasn't very happy, but quietly so, she nodded off at times and so did we. 

Big car was waiting to deliver us to our hotel which is not very pretty with windows that don't let in a huge amount of sunlight, but very spacious and will do perfectly till we find our own place very soon we hope. 

I think only once we do that we will feel like we are not on vacation anymore, as that is how it feels right now. 

Kids were happy after unpacking the goody bag left for us by the Jewish Agency people and after a little walk with Jona. I was happy when they came back with yummy chicken Soup and a salt beef sandwich. 

Poppy was extremely miserable & crying a lot till she finally fell asleep at about 7pm. Following lots of calls to health insurance providers and doctors we decided to wait till morning to see a Dr. 

This morning kids woke up close to 4am local time, 11am French time but were quiet till we all surfaced at about 5.30/6.00. Also, this morning, someone we were introduced to by Jeremy, and have been in touch with via email helping us with various issues called after I emailed him last night. New friend Uri gave us details of good paediatrician in the Upper West side and now have an appointment for 12.30, so  very happy. 

Roly, the Rabbi called to welcome us yesterday and said to take time, no need to make a time to meet next week, and also gave our number to nice people who called to invite us for Friday night. They have three young boys and sound very welcoming, so all is now falling into place. We even have weekend plans, Sarah's birthday BBQ on Sunday, got a welcome message from Simon, and a nice welcoming email from Jaron, so look forward to seeing them all very soon. 

We sent Jona out to find us a lovely apartment today, and to get to know our new neighbourhood. 

Arriving in mid town yesterday was very overwhelming and he was encouraged when I told him how different the UW side is. 

I will go up there later with the kids for the doctors appointment, lets see how they handle the subway

Will keep you updated, 

From an optimistic Orli

xxx

Below, picture of Tomer as we arrived yesterday, he was the only one who agreed to pose under the flag, and one of the family sent to the shul newsletter from France 2 days ago.

Our number is 212 661 2100 room 108 if you need us.