Seeing the Macy's Thanksiving Day Parade in person is something I've always wanted to do! So, when the Mr. found out (last minute) that he would not have to work on Thanksgiving (for the first time in a few years!), we decided to take advantage of the opportunity, and drive down to NYC! We hopped in the car Thursday afternoon and arrived Thursday evening. How awesome that we can drive there in just a few hours!!
We were SO fortunate to be able to rent an INCREDIBLE top-floor 3 bedroom apartment just a couple of blocks away from the parade route! It was a beautiful apartment, with 2 rooftop porches with amazing views! We decided we want to live there!!
The front of the apartment:
The view from one of the bedrooms.
The living room (I let the children watch a show while I showered...)
Cool staircase inside the apartment (the apartment was 2 stories!) We also had to walk up more than 100 stairs to get to the apartment - quite the workout! Couldn't imagine carrying a baby carseat, or groceries, up that every day! :)
One of the bedrooms had the coolest loft bed - the children argued over who would sleep on the top bunk!
We left the apartment around 5:45 and walked about a mile to a good area on the route. After sitting on some bleachers for quite awhile, and then being told they were reserved, we were worried we had missed our chance for a front row seat. But fortunately, we crossed the street and found the perfect front row spot! We parked ourselves there and enjoyed our hot chocolate, fruit, and muffins. This is from very early on when we arrived - closer to the start of the parade, the entire street behind us was jam-packed full of people, for as far as you could see! I wish I had a picture - it was more people than I've probably ever seen in one place at one time!
The children entertained themselves with little toys they had brought along, watching several news reporter interviews,...
It was quite cold - Wiggles was holding hand warmers inside her gloves to keep warm!
Playing more games...
There were balloons everywhere - and someone tied so many together, they went up higher than the buildings!
One of our neighbors was very proud of his unique turkey hat.
As 9am approached, the excitement in the air was tangible! Thousands of people packed as closely together as humanly possible, many dressed up in holiday cheer,, all anticipating the big event, created a truly amazing atmosphere. I actually got a little emotional, upon the realization that we were there, experiencing something I've wanted to do for years! (Warning: TONS of photos - and these are only a fraction of what was in the parade! I was trying NOT to take pictures, but ended up with some anyway...)
Clowns on skates handing out balloons...
These were hilarious - the large, inflatable characters were pedaling the bikes!
Hundreds of people holding each balloon! It's amazing!
Enormous Statue of Liberty torch!
Mt. Rushmore! Wow!
Wiggles had the best seat in town!
Lots of people throwing confetti - and Angel and I took some in the face! :)
the Big Apple...
Another of Wiggles' favorites:
In case you haven't heard the story (because I hadn't, before seeing the balloon), this is Virginia, a girl who wrote a letter to the editor, asking if Santa Clause was real.
And last, but certainly not least, Mr. Santa Clause himself! He was very animated and jolly, and reminded me of Miracle on 34th Street!
He was so unbelievably jolly that I'm sure he must have been the real deal! I've never met a more convincing Santa!
And then, just like that, (only, we had been watching for awhile!), it was over. Magical. Wonderful. Joyous. It was incredible!!!
Okay...you answered my question about the apartment :). I just read them in the wrong order! That is so cool that you were able to make this dream come true! Thanks for sharing :).
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