We continue to make our way to Times Square and DS is hating being in the stroller. This is my new double Peg Perego Aria I bought for the trip to Disney. I wanted to test it out since I wouldn't be taking the beast Valco. DD and DS certainly have more seat room in the Valco. DS was also overwhelmed with the amount of people and having a birdseye view of butts and legs
(I know, bad mommy for laughing at this!); he was getting cranky. When DS gets antsy in the stroller, DD joins in. I was starting to think that this wasn't such a great idea, and we've only been here for 30 minutes.
We kept telling them we would be going to the Mickey store and Minnie and Pluto would be there to say hello. DS kept staring at us in disbelief.
We made our way up to Times Square. By this time, DD was telling me she had to use the bathroom; I brought Pull Ups and an extra pair of stockings and skirt just in case of an accident, but decided that once we were in the ladies' room, I was putting the Pull Ups on her since it was too cold if she did have an accident and it wasn't fair of me to expect her to wait in the long lines of the ladies' room with these crowds just having gotten the hang of this potty training deal. With that, we head straight for Toys R Us and take the escalator to the 3rd floor where we find a line out the door, down the hall, and a TRU employee directing the flow of the line. I'm proud to say that she made it, but the Pull Ups went on for insurance!
While we were in line, DS and Nonna posed for some pictures in front of the ferris wheel.
We moved about the store like cattle being herded and finally made our way back onto the streets. We opted to grab something to eat before walking over to 5th Ave. Times Square was hopping with all the prep work for New Year's Eve the following day. The '2009' was up where the ball would drop, and the stages were being in place.
People were handing out glasses, beach balls, etc so Nonna walked over to get one for the kids. I went with her while Pop Pop stayed against the building out of the way with the kids. As I approach, I see a woman hit my mother! Yes, actually slap her on the arm and push her into another passerby. My mom was stunned. All to get a cheap plastic beach ball. She said she was there first. This woman has a lot to learn about New Yorkers and she was lucky that it wasn't someone who wouldn't have thought twice about shoving or slapping her back. In the end, the woman didn't take anything. She was with her daughter and they were walking right behind us, still talking about my mom so I stopped dead in my tracks; when they moved to the right I stepped to my right; move to the left - yup, I moved to the left. I walked them into the wall of the building. Serves them right!
The first restaurant we come to is TGI Friday's and decide to go in there. It is chilly and the kids are really getting hungry. We were seated upstairs and it was an oven in there. Seriously, it had to have been close to 80 degrees. I am hypothyroid and I always have a tendency to be warm so this was excruciating for me, especially given the fact that I was wearing a sweater. (I never wear sweaters on a normal day for this reason.) In all my day trips and while working in the city, I've never gone to TGI Friday's. Sure I go to the one 5 minutes from my house, but I never knew that the NYC one has a much downsized menu than their regular one. I ordered soup and kids chicken fingers for DD and DS. Nonna ordered a chicken sandwich, and Pop Pop had the bacon cheeseburger. I was going to order chicken fingers myself, but it was $19.95 for 3 chicken fingers and fries. I opted for an appetizer of mozzarella fingers; I got 8 of them for $14.
DD and DS were asking for Donald Duck so we packed everything up and headed back out turning right on 55th St and up to 5th Ave. They looked at the World of Disney holiday window and then we went in.
They were both so excited and also wanted to get out of the stroller. With some protest, I stood my ground and eventually they just got caught up in everything there was to see.
Some of the decorations:
A cast member told us that Minnie
and Pluto
would be making their appearance in a few minutes in the Friendship room so we took the elevator to the 3rd floor.
There was a line, but nothing that you don't wait in for a character in WDW. A few people balked at there being a line, but these are probably the same people in WDW who walk up to a parade as it starts and wants a front row seat. Pop Pop took turns walking DD and DS around, and within 10 minutes we were brought into the Friendship Room.
Now, DD took a few days on our last trip to warm up to the characters. She would wave, blow kisses, etc but didn't want to stand next to them. The autograph book was great for getting her comfortable! Unfortunately, their autograph books were full as I thought to bring them. She spotted Minnie first and Minnie waved to her in between greeting other children.
DD was very excited. DS was trying to walk ahead of the other families as soon as spotted Pluto. Just a little excited. I tried to hold him, but he kicked his way out of my arms. Finally it was our turn.
Your family seems so great and actually reminds me a lot of my family. Your children are beautiful! 
)
- maybe the real Cpt. Jack. Yeah, I can dream! 
)
I'll have a TR for that very soon too! Today I'm going to finish up NYC!
