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Here are the highlights: The first day we got into the city around 10:30am. We checked into the hotel and got an early lunch and watched the snow pour down. Faith was tired so she and I rested in the hotel while the boys walked to Central Park in search of the illusive Balto statue. They never found it but had a blast playing in the snow in the park. They came back to the hotel a couple of hours later and were soaked!

The boys decided to rest while Faith and I went to American Girl Place. It was close to our hotel so I just wheeled her over. We loved looking at all the dolls and their multitude of clothes and accessories. We stayed a long time enjoying the warmth of the store as well as all the excitement of the store. The boys got up from their nap and met us at TGIFridays. We headed off to Time Squares. We passed the Rockefeller Tree on the way and enjoyed looking at all the Christmas decorations.

Then we were off to the gigantic Toys R Us Store. We rode the big Ferris wheel at the store. After exploring the three floors of toys we were ready to call it an early night. (We had left the house at 5:30am that morning so we were tired.) The next morning we were up very early and had a great breakfast at Lindy's (famous for cheese cake). We took a subway down to the South Ferry and rode it over to Staten Island. The ferry is a free ride and it is the best view you will get of the Statue of Liberty as it goes right by it.

We rode the ferry back and then took the subway to Macy's. The kids could not believe the size of Macy's (nine floors). We rode the old wooden escalators up to the 8th floor and saw and amazing floor that looked like a winter wonderland. Santa was there and a great toy department!! Hubby and I were excited to find the Starbucks on the 3rd floor! We left Macy's and saw where the star was painted on the street still from the Thanksgiving Day parade. The Macy's Christmas windows were wonderful. Right outside of Macy's you can look up and get an amazing view of the Empire State building.

We decided not to pay to go to the top because it was really cloudy and most likely we would have just seen clouds! We found a delicious Italian restaurant and had the best pizza and salad. We went back to the hotel and took a nap. (On the way back to the hotel, I took a detour and picked up a ticket to the Broadway show "Hairspray" at my sweet hubby's recommendation. They still had tickets for the 8pm show- 5th row center!

Hubby went to Guitar Alley while the kids kept napping. Then we all got up and walked down 5th Avenue to see all the lights & windows. We went into the huge Disney Store on 5th Ave and explored the three floors of Disney garb. We went back by the Rockefeller tree and got some good pictures. The weather had cleared and everyone in the city was at the tree at the same time!!! We walked back down to Times Square and then headed back towards the hotel. We found an Applebee's near the hotel on Broadway. We had a wonderful dinner and watched the craziness of Broadway from our window seat table. The kids were ready to call it a night. This was a lot of walking for an 8 year old boy. Carue was a real trooper!! Of course we couldn't have done any of it without the blessing of Faith's wheelchair.

After dinner, Hubby and the kids went back to the hotel for the night and I went off to by Broadway show. Hairspray was wonderful. Great music-- so fun. By the end, the entire audience was on their feet dancing. It was such fun! The show was around the corner from the hotel so I got back by about 11. This little venture to see the show did so much for me. It was wonderful to be able to sit for 3 hours and be thoroughly entertained. A great escape- Broadway is like therapy for me! :-)

The next morning we had breakfast at a diner and then headed to the hotel. Manhattan was expecting another snow/ice storm that way so we decided to not wait for our late afternoon flight but go ahead. We were able to make an earlier flight and got home in plenty of time to rest and recuperate a little bit.