Bryant Park

One of my very favourite things to do in New York City in December is to go to Bryant Park. This trip was no exception. We walked a few blocks from the hotel to the Park and lined up for hot chocolate. Not that I managed to finish the hot chocolate: for some reason, it was waaaaaayyyyy sweeter than I remembered it to be. We looked at the clothes and the jewelry and watched the skaters swing around the rink in the middle of the park. And then I saw it. A t-shirt that I just HAD to have. It said: "Normal people scare me". Oh. Yes.

Okay so we're in New York City and our room isn't ready...

We sat in the lobby of the hotel for a little while, waiting to speak to someone about leaving our luggage. "Where do you want to go?" I asked hubby. He shrugged. "Want to go check out the Top of the Rock?" I asked. "Whuzzat?" "The top of the Rockefeller Centre. Apparently the view is awesome from there." Unfortunately, it turned out that before getting to the top of the rock, one should probably book their ticket online first because the line-up is atrocious. Atrocious. Seriously. We ended up with a two hour wait before being allowed onto the elevator. "What about we go to the Lego store?" B suggested pointing at the store behind the giant Christmas tree. Ugh. Okay then...

Et on repart. De bonne heure.

"Il est à quelle heure notre avion?" Le mari, valise en main et le visage barbouillé de fatigue voulait savoir. "À 9 heures." Heureusement, la température était clémente et notre vol partit et arriva à l'heure donc pas d'attente interminable. Et entre Noël et le jour de l'an, on se retrouvait à... New York, New York!!!

Okay so who's coming for Christmas?

It turned out that neither grandmother wanted to come, each for their own set of reasons. Minus two. No girlfriend or boyfriend attended. Was there enough food? Yup. Were there enough presents? Are you kidding me? What was the big surprise of the day? Apparently, we are going to Peru for my 50th birthday - and everyone's invited!!!

Il reste combien de jours avant Noël?

Au final, il ne restait pas du tout assez de jours avant Noël. Je me suis retrouvée avec B à la maison sans voiture. Et il y avait des courses à faire. Évidemment, puisque Noël arrivait et que nous avions voyagé pendant la plus grande partie du mois de décembre. Heureusement, le supermarché est à quelques minutes de marche. Malheureusement, les courses pour une grande famille? C'est lourd...

Hey! I'm trying to say goodbye here!

B chased after R but she would have none of him. He stopped and stared at her as she raced toward the chicken coop. "Are you all packed up?" R's grandmother asked. B nodded. "I just want to say goodbye to R though," he said. "Well," R's grandmother waved her hand dismissively. "She's over there. Go tell her!" B followed the instructions obligingly, sidled up to R and tried to plant a kiss on her cheek. She turned around and stomped her foot, frowned and pointed at her grandmother who waved at them. "Aren't they too sweet," R's grandmother grinned. I looked over and you know what? Yes. They were very sweet indeed.

C'est vrai? Je peux?

Je ne sais pas qui était le plus excité. Nous, les parents, avions tout un repas à préparer et la propriétaire de notre maison de location avait offert de garder B pour la journée. Sa petite-fille était chez elle et, vu que B et R avaient tous les deux 8 ans et s'entendaient à merveille, la propriétaire de la maison était ravie. "Je n'en peux plus de jouer au même jeu de cartes! Ce sera un plaisir d'avoir B avec nous aujourd'hui." "Alors c'est vrai? Je peux jouer avec R toute la journée?" B m'interrogea. "C'est vrai. Tu ne vas pas être triste de ne pas voir maman et papa de la journée?" B a pouffé de rire. Bon. C'est un peu blessant mais bon...