Mom in the Big Apple

As usual December has flown by.  It is such a crazy month with so many Christmas parties and events.  For the 2nd year in a row my mom came up to spend almost a week with me this December!  

Every time my mom comes she grows a little more confident in her "city skills". This trip she actually rode the subway by herself to meet me in Time Square (by my office) Meeting someone in Time Square is not the easiest endeavor, so I was really proud of her!:-) As much as NYC is known for this area, I personally try to avoid it.  It's a complete tourist trap during the Christmas season and will make you want to lose your mind in 5 seconds.  

We actually needed to do some Christmas shopping there which is why we entered in to this crazy place for a bit! 

One of the main reasons my mom came was to help me with a HUGE event that I was in charge of. Every year Redeemer Children's Ministries has a "Birthday Party for Jesus" for our kids and families.  We do a full navity program, sing Christmas carols, and then have crafts, games, a service project, and birthday cake.  It's been a great outreach event and something our famiies  love to come to and invite friends to.  This year we had around 900 people attend.  Although it turned out to be a great event, I was able to breath a little better when it was over (large event planning might not be my thing)

After my mom went above and beyond to help me for a couple days, I wanted to do some more fun Christmasy things with her.  

As a (belated) Birthday present I took her to breakfast at The Plaza. I've always wanted to dine at The Plaza so this seemed like the perfect occasion!  

 As I expected, The Plaza was decorated beauitfully for Christmas and the meal was delicious!  

 They even brought my mom a little Birthday assortment with a candle. 

In addition to dining at The Plaza we did the traditional walk down 5th Ave and throughout midtown to see Christmas lights/windows.  

Macy's was magical as always.

 We had breakfast one morning at Alice's Tea Cup.  This has been a tradition of ours since the first trip my mom made here and we both love it.  I highly recommend stopping by Alice's for a pot of tea and a scone if you are making a trip to the city. 

As another little birthday present and thank you I took my mom to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectular (I told her to not get use to such nice birthday gifts:-)).  This was my 5th time to see this show and I love it!  It really is just such a beautiful show.

 My favorite part is that they do the Nativity (with live animals) It's amazing to me that as "santafied" this country is The Rockettes still sneak in the real meaning of Christmas  and have the entire audience end the show together by singing "Joy to the World". It really is amazing!   

Since Radio City Music Hall is right by Rockefeller Center we had to do a walk by of the beautiful Christmas tree (with all the other tourists) 

 It was snowing lightly when we went to see the tree.  There is just something so magical about a snow coming down on the tree at Rockefeller Center that can't help but put you in the Christmas spirit.  

I really don't love living in NYC all the time. It is not an easy place to live that is for sure,  but I do LOVE living in NYC at Christmas time. It's just.so.magical!  Between the Christmas markets, the ice skating rinks, the Christmas tree stands, the window displays, all the shows, the lights, the subway performances rockin out to Christmas tunes, the trumpet player on the side of the stree playing "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas", and all the festivities, It's a pretty great place to live in December.  

I'm thankful for a 2nd year in a row that my mom was able to come up and enjoy a few days of it with me!  She was also an amazing helper to me through a couple very stressful days!

Thanks mom for coming to the Big Apple!