We allowed the little ones to sleep in some this morning and then we of course got STARBUCKS next door and Chris made us a yummy breakfast of eggs and we had fresh raspberries and cantaloupe...yummy!! After we got everyone all washed up we started out for our adventures. We had debated what to do today since the Pope was here. You had to have tickets to see him places, except the drive down 5th avenue....but people started lining up there about 6 am and so many thousands of people that we would not even be able to see him. Bummer bob!! There were lots of security everywhere and helocopters flying overhead...we had NYPD officers almost at every street corner around where Megs lives becuase the Pope has been around town today. While we couldn't see our Holy Father, it was very neat knowing he has been in the same place we have been all weekend. We also had to change our plans for the day about going to Central Park and the little zoo there because all the roads between here and there we closed down and shut off for the Pope and there were too many people and bus route changes etc. So we walked around town and went to another fun park called John Jay Park. Angel had fun watching all the kids, and finally decided to play in the huge sand box....yesterday she wouldn't go near it becuase she doesn't like to get her hands and feet dirty!! So as long as she could use her shovel and didn't have to touch the sand, she had a blast. Then we enjoyed some ice cream and she talked Uncle Chris into letting her play in the water fountain. It was a sweet moment today when we were sitting on the benches and she looked sad. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Go airplane...see Marmee, Poppy, Alli!" So while she is having fun, she does miss home. We then took a long walk along the East River in the BEAUTIFUL weather to 60th Street. We wanted to go to Serendipity because I always hear about it on TV shows etc, especially about trying the frozen hot chocolate...but when we got there (tired and hot adn definetly wanting a treat) they wouldn't allow strollers inside and we couldn't stay with the kiddies.....I was bummed but will jus have to come back to try it....one day! So then we decided to take a taxi back home which was fun becase it was my very first taxi ride. I have to say that I had white knuckles watching this taxi driver zoom us in and out of streets, missing people and cars by a small margin! We ordered some lunch from a local diner here called the Green Kitchen. It is really neat how you can order anything from everywhere and have it delivered right to your door. Then Emma and Angel took a litle nap. We then walked to mass at St. Catherine of Siena's (Emma's patron saint) - it was a beautiful church. It was a bit windy tonight and Angel decided to stop and smell some flowers on the way home. Then Uncle Chris and Jason took Angel in a taxi finally to Central Park since all the festivities of the day were over. Angel had a lot of fun feeding ducks and even the squirrels, playing in the flower fields and even took a picture of where the Pope is staying. In the taxi on the way home, Angel was watching the TV and kept saying "I see Pope!" Megs and I stayed home with Emma and watched Pope coverage and had sisterly chats!! When Chris and Jason and Angel got back we couldn't believe it....the picture they just took of where the Pope is staying and the guards....we were watching on the TV that the Pope was returning there any minute. They said there were a lot of cops there and just thought they were guarding his residence. I can't believe they missed a possible opportunity!! Too bad we didn't know they were there and could have told them to stay put!! Oh well......we are now going to order some Italian pizza from their favorite place and possibly get the kiddies to bed early and watch a movie. So that is it for today and will hopefully be in touch tomorrow. (I have to remember to take pics of megs place too)the slideshow has lots more good pics.
