For a while now, I've been trying to get my Aunt Barbara to pay us a visit here in the city. We spent the first three years in New York without kids which would have been a perfect time for her to come. But she was working and we were usually traveling around which meant we more often bumped into her at her home in Kansas City or at a beach house with my parents in North Carolina. Fast forward a few more years and we have one little girl who keeps us pretty busy, and Aunt Barbara meets her a few times during our trips to the Midwest. And now, with the latest addition to our family, it's been a while since we've made the trek back to my hometown so Aunt Barbara had to wait almost a year to meet our sweet Carolina. But I think she was worth the wait. Aunt Barb kept saying what a happy baby she is and it's true. The girl can light up a room with her smile. So maybe now that she's retired, we can lure Barb to New York more often with a place to stay and two pretty happy girls (if you don't count Elisa's screaming).
Actually, the real reason for Barb's visit to New York last week was a Broadway-inspired tour that packs in four days of sightseeing and plays in what can only be described as a whirlwind visit. So we were pretty lucky she had a day off to come and hang out with us in Manhattan which turned out to be a lot of fun. The girls were both on their best behavior (for once I'm not joking) and the trip to FAO Schwarz followed by lunch and a tea party at Alice's Tea Cup was a complete success. Of course, I had to laugh at Elisa who when prompted by Aunt Barbara that she could buy two toys instead of just the little Olivia figurines she was holding said dismissively, "Let's just start with one." Okay weirdo. But Barbara found something else to entice her--a doll from the new movie Brave--and Elisa was pretty sure the redheaded beauty would like playing with her Rapunzel doll. So all was not lost and plenty of toys were purchased (including a souvenir NYC Barbie for Barb's collection--yes, she's my favorite aunt for a reason).
And our wait at Alice's Tea Cup (an hour and 20 minutes on a Friday afternoon?!) wasn't a total loss since we found a Pain Quotidien nearby for some savory snacks beforehand. In truth, it worked out better than I could have planned because they were literally calling me as I came back from the bathroom on our way out of the place. We popped over to have a spot of tea and some really wonderful scones, and Elisa loved it. I've been wanting to go there for a while and it was definitely a place I'd take Elisa and friends for a fun afternoon. Only next time I'll know to make reservations because an hour plus wait would usually kill my desire. But not that day. It all worked out fine. The new toy Olivia made it into one of the now spinning tea cups ("just like at Disneyland!" Elisa exclaimed) while we all kept a very sleepy Carolina entertained long enough to make short work of our sweet treats. Walking a bit afterwards, I realized we hadn't even scratched the surface of fun things we could do with Aunt Barbara in New York City, but there just wasn't enough time. So with promises to get her back here before long, we said goodbye. Hopefully, she will get to stay with us next time she visits, and until then we can hopefully see her in North Carolina at a beach house very soon!
Actually, the real reason for Barb's visit to New York last week was a Broadway-inspired tour that packs in four days of sightseeing and plays in what can only be described as a whirlwind visit. So we were pretty lucky she had a day off to come and hang out with us in Manhattan which turned out to be a lot of fun. The girls were both on their best behavior (for once I'm not joking) and the trip to FAO Schwarz followed by lunch and a tea party at Alice's Tea Cup was a complete success. Of course, I had to laugh at Elisa who when prompted by Aunt Barbara that she could buy two toys instead of just the little Olivia figurines she was holding said dismissively, "Let's just start with one." Okay weirdo. But Barbara found something else to entice her--a doll from the new movie Brave--and Elisa was pretty sure the redheaded beauty would like playing with her Rapunzel doll. So all was not lost and plenty of toys were purchased (including a souvenir NYC Barbie for Barb's collection--yes, she's my favorite aunt for a reason).
And our wait at Alice's Tea Cup (an hour and 20 minutes on a Friday afternoon?!) wasn't a total loss since we found a Pain Quotidien nearby for some savory snacks beforehand. In truth, it worked out better than I could have planned because they were literally calling me as I came back from the bathroom on our way out of the place. We popped over to have a spot of tea and some really wonderful scones, and Elisa loved it. I've been wanting to go there for a while and it was definitely a place I'd take Elisa and friends for a fun afternoon. Only next time I'll know to make reservations because an hour plus wait would usually kill my desire. But not that day. It all worked out fine. The new toy Olivia made it into one of the now spinning tea cups ("just like at Disneyland!" Elisa exclaimed) while we all kept a very sleepy Carolina entertained long enough to make short work of our sweet treats. Walking a bit afterwards, I realized we hadn't even scratched the surface of fun things we could do with Aunt Barbara in New York City, but there just wasn't enough time. So with promises to get her back here before long, we said goodbye. Hopefully, she will get to stay with us next time she visits, and until then we can hopefully see her in North Carolina at a beach house very soon!
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