Little NYC Adventure (or who says libraries aren't fun?)

Q and The Boy love a new counting book we recently picked up called 123 NYC. Each number is represented by photographs of city things, and the lion sculptures watching over the New York Public Library illustrate the number 2. They always go back to that page, so we decided to see the lions for ourselves and make a morning of it. Here's the day.

6:30 a.m.: The Boy's up (and so, therefore, are we).

6:30 - 7:00 a.m.: Be groggy.

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.: Bring in and be intimidated by 10 lb. Saturday NY Times.

8:00 - 8:45 a.m.: Applesauce pancakes with bacon.

9:00 a.m.: Throw much of the kids' pancakes away, uneaten.

9:00 - 9:45 a.m.: Coffee, shower, coffee, coffee, shower. Convince ourselves to go.


9:45 a.m.: Leave for the subway and for Times Square.

10:15 a.m.: Walk along 42nd Street from Times Square to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library (NYPL).

10:30 a.m.: Eight pennies go into the Big Fountain in Bryant Park.

10:31 a.m.: Hands go into the Big Fountain in Bryant Park and then onto faces.

10:45 a.m.: Run into a very pregnant Julia Roberts with her kids by the carousel and try not to look like we've noticed.


10:50 a.m.: Arrive at the front of the NYPL and nuzzle the lion sculptures.

11:00 a.m.: Nose around inside the library, including the magnificent Rose Reading Room.

11:15 a.m.: Ride the carousel back in the park.

11:45 a.m.: Head to Grand Central Station and the downtown 6 subway train.

12:15 p.m.: Arrive at Vietnamese restaurant and order.

12:17 p.m.: Food arrives.

12:20 p.m.: Pho bowls are empty.

12:35 p.m.: Buy custard buns and mangoes.

12:40 p.m.: Ogle the fresh fish on ice at a market stall in Chinatown. Lively live crabs throw themselves out of their basket. Man uses thick gloves to toss escapees back in. Q is transfixed by this transaction.

1:00 p.m.: Walk home; Q sacks out on the way.

1:30 - 6:00 p.m.: Napping, general relaxation, dinner (custard buns for dessert).

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Fly kite in Rockefeller park. The boy truly enjoys holding fast to the string.


Not a bad day, all-in-all.

(Here's something: You can click on this link to see a Google Map of our mini adventure.)