The Finn Files: Bright Lights, Big City, BIG 2nd Birthday

We decided to get a head start on celebrating Finn's 2nd birthday by taking him to New York City. If you know Finn, then you know he LOVES lights, and what better place to see lots of lights than in New York, especially at Christmas. We knew it would be crazy, hectic, fun, and cold, but we did not expect a snow storm (more on that later). We had a great weekend and even got to see some of our old friends from Mark's Wharton days. It was so much fun seeing the city through Finn's eyes. His favorite thing to do was to look out our hotel window onto Times Square down below and watch the jumbo screens. Which he did for what seemed like hours. It didn't hurt that the M&M store was right across the street and he got to watch "M&M TV.)

Mickey likes the lights too

We crammed a lot into our weekend: 2 visits (day and night) to Rockefeller Plaza to see the big tree and lights, FAO Schwarz (which was extremely overwhelming, even for the adults), Disney Store, Toys R Us to ride the big Ferris Wheel, a carriage ride through Central Park, visit to the M&M store, Plaza Hotel, a walk-by of Radio City Music Hall, and of course, lots of time spent watching the lights in Times Square--majority of our time spent doing this! Here are some photos from our trip.

Some Wharton friends: Ali, Claudia, Geoff, Finn, Lin, Mark and Jacqueline

Finn loved meeting Jacquie and especially playing with her toys. She was such a good sport to put up with all of his craziness right before her bedtime.

Trip #1 to see the big tree. We had to go back at night to get the full effect. Finn kept saying, "look at all the lights." Even he was impressed.

Ta-Da

Posing with the Toy Soldier at FAO Schwarz. Surprisingly, this was Finn's least favorite spot. I would have to agree--we are talking CRAZY MADHOUSE. And lots of meltdowns and temper tantrums. We had to leave before we (Mark and I) had one of our own.

A brisk ride through Central Park. The highlight being that the horse pooped in front of him. Finn thought it was hilarious . . . and told everyone we passed.

Even George got to go along

Posing in front of the Plaza Hotel, along with night-night

Our experience at Toys R Us was much better than at FAO--mainly because we got there at about 9:30 am, and who besides parents of toddlers go to a toy store that early? We got to ride the 3-story ferris wheel. How fitting that we were in this car.