So we may not have a job, or any money...or our complete health (Morgan's still not to full fighting power) but darn-it we are going to enjoy this holiday season in NYC!
Luckily the City has quite a few low cost or free seasonally appropriate treats to enjoy. Last Thursday we took a respite from the sick house and made our way to Grand Central Terminal and the free toy train display in the Transit Museum Store.
It's not a very big display but it kept Morgan happy and content for a good half hour. He loved pointing out all the trains, cars and buses moving about.
Besides the trains, Grand Central has a holiday bazaar that is fun to walk around and view all the fun knick knacks (way too expensive to buy but fun to look at). They had a fancy TV display showing fish in HD. Morgan was mesmerized!
On Friday we joined our friends Kiasa and Bella to make the trek to Macy's to see Santa. I fondly remember going to Macy's during the holiday season as a child and thought it would be fun for Morgan as well.
I ask you, is there a cuter face?! And check out that perfect little curl!
Macy's really goes all out to keep you entertained while you wait in a line that zig zags around a little Santa Land.
More trains, yipee!
At first Morgan was pretty happy so I was feeling somewhat confident about him meeting Santa. But after about the 5th "Elf" tried to talk to Morgan about Santa he was done with people in weird costumes trying to mess with him. Morgan wanted nothing to do with Santa and refused even to look at him. I sat next to Santa holding Morgan for the picture while Morgan cried. It was classic! So funny! 
It's not a very big display but it kept Morgan happy and content for a good half hour. He loved pointing out all the trains, cars and buses moving about.
Besides the trains, Grand Central has a holiday bazaar that is fun to walk around and view all the fun knick knacks (way too expensive to buy but fun to look at). They had a fancy TV display showing fish in HD. Morgan was mesmerized!
On Friday we joined our friends Kiasa and Bella to make the trek to Macy's to see Santa. I fondly remember going to Macy's during the holiday season as a child and thought it would be fun for Morgan as well.
I ask you, is there a cuter face?! And check out that perfect little curl!
Macy's really goes all out to keep you entertained while you wait in a line that zig zags around a little Santa Land.
More trains, yipee!At first Morgan was pretty happy so I was feeling somewhat confident about him meeting Santa. But after about the 5th "Elf" tried to talk to Morgan about Santa he was done with people in weird costumes trying to mess with him. Morgan wanted nothing to do with Santa and refused even to look at him. I sat next to Santa holding Morgan for the picture while Morgan cried. It was classic! So funny! To keep with the low budget costs, I wanted to point out that it does not cost anything to visit Santa or his village. Just the cost of the actual picture if you decide to buy, so a pretty good deal. Macy's window displays also kept Morgan entertained while Cody and I took turns doing a little Christmas shopping.
A little winter view of the Empire State Building.
On Saturday the Harlem 1st Ward had its annual Christmas Party. Since I'm on the activities committee we were there early to help decorate and run the show. I helped out at the cookie decorating table. It was a huge hit with children of all ages!
Candice, Jordan, Noelle and Matthew enjoying the goodies.
Some primary artisans working on their edible crafts.
Some primary artisans working on their edible crafts.
I also helped the kids play a present/music game. Every time the music stopped the child holding the present got to unwrap one layer and find a prize. The kids seemed to enjoy this game, especially since everyone got a prize! Great job to Sabrina and family for the cookies and present games. We would have been lost without you all!
Later Santa, also known as Cody, showed up to entertain the kids. Santa was delayed due to a misplaced beard but thanks to the quick thinking and artistic skills of our Bishopric, Santa made it in time. If you look close Santa's beard is made out of masking tape and cotton balls. Great save guys! Cody called it the Santa Ninja since he could barely see out of the space between his hat and beard. Cracked me up!
A great close-up of the beard and I just want to point out Jeff going crazy in the background! What are you doing Jeff?!
I thought since Morgan had watched Cody get dressed and knew that Daddy was under the beard maybe he would be okay sitting on his lap and taking a picture. NOT the case!
Morgan just kept shouting "Daddy" and would not be comforted despite our attempts to convince him Daddy was there. He didn't stop crying until we got in the elevator and Santa took off his beard.
Here is Cody post Santa. Check out the wave action in his hair (he got a much needed haircut today). Cody had a great time being Santa Claus and getting the chance to practice his future craft. That's right folks, our big retirement plan is for Cody to be a professional Santa during the winter months...and no we're not kidding!
Later Santa, also known as Cody, showed up to entertain the kids. Santa was delayed due to a misplaced beard but thanks to the quick thinking and artistic skills of our Bishopric, Santa made it in time. If you look close Santa's beard is made out of masking tape and cotton balls. Great save guys! Cody called it the Santa Ninja since he could barely see out of the space between his hat and beard. Cracked me up!
A great close-up of the beard and I just want to point out Jeff going crazy in the background! What are you doing Jeff?!
I thought since Morgan had watched Cody get dressed and knew that Daddy was under the beard maybe he would be okay sitting on his lap and taking a picture. NOT the case!
Morgan just kept shouting "Daddy" and would not be comforted despite our attempts to convince him Daddy was there. He didn't stop crying until we got in the elevator and Santa took off his beard.
Here is Cody post Santa. Check out the wave action in his hair (he got a much needed haircut today). Cody had a great time being Santa Claus and getting the chance to practice his future craft. That's right folks, our big retirement plan is for Cody to be a professional Santa during the winter months...and no we're not kidding! Here are some memorable kid moments for Cody:
Kian: (worriedly) Santa I am not in Africa, I'm here, not in Africa.
Santa: So I should bring your presents here not to Africa.
Kian: (much relieved) Yes!
Kian's cousin Cyra was very excited to see Santa and danced about him but did not actually get close enough for Cody to talk to her. Excitement is one thing, actual interaction another! Other children had stage fright on being asked what they wanted for Christmas but ran back later once they remembered, worried they had missed their chance with the "Big Guy."
So that's a little taste of what we've been up to, in regards to Christmastime NYC style!
