Decided to take the family to NYC, making a crazy season even crazier.
Discovered that NY - and early America, generally, is pretty French - all those Founders fascinated by Parisian culture (topic of David McCullough's latest history)
I always sensed that there was little distinction made by early Italians who seemed to see NY as an extension of Sicily. People just followed work opportunities, national & ethnic identities being, for the most part, retroactive.
But with Eiffel having designed the skeleton interior of Lady LIberty, the boys made quick links to their own experience, including the Dijon outdoor market. 
Blustery, cold, but sunny.
Our hotel held a gingerbread house competition, based off NY landmarks for the most part - the Chrysler Building.Also possibly the best carb breakfast I've ever had. 
These cakes were FILLED with Nutella, served with freshly whipped cream, while the boys' cocoa had its own Devonshire cream!
We've wanted to nurture a city identity, working against suburban culture, but it's uphill. Evangelicals we know in NYC tend to see the city negatively, despite Tim Keller's influential Redeemer model, tending to privilege centers of wealth & power, which is the point, I suppose. Calvin, Luther, Viret - also all went to the contemporary power brokers of their day, ie urban centers.
These cakes were FILLED with Nutella, served with freshly whipped cream, while the boys' cocoa had its own Devonshire cream!
We've wanted to nurture a city identity, working against suburban culture, but it's uphill. Evangelicals we know in NYC tend to see the city negatively, despite Tim Keller's influential Redeemer model, tending to privilege centers of wealth & power, which is the point, I suppose. Calvin, Luther, Viret - also all went to the contemporary power brokers of their day, ie urban centers.
M & J were mostly impressed by the ubiquity of hot dogs
and pretzels. When asked his favorite part of NYC, Jack replied,
"crepes!" Maybe all this culture stuff will play out later?
The impressive tree and beautiful creche figures of the Met's medieval section,
which also showcased a stained glass window of the Tree of Jesse complete with Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah.
Michael loved Times Square, which seems to match his personality.
The New York Public Library had a fabulous exhibit of children's books.
including originals of one of the first published book in America, a school primer, where literacy is tied to Biblical or moral content.
These blocks - a staple of children's play - was invented by an educator in Greenwich Village.
Christopher Robin's original stuffed animals! 
Mary Poppin's parrot umbrella!
Secret Garden. 
Secret Garden. 
I actually learned to ice-skate at the ridiculously priced Rockefeller Center's rink.
My personal goal: to earn back part of the entrance fee by drinking multiple cups at the lounge area's Nespresso machine!
The inspiration for our trip was the Frick's special exhibit of Vermeer, when coupled with the Met's, meant an unprecedented number of the 37 total in one city. The Dutch conquest of a mapped world matched by a developing interior life of the individual made for pretty sumptuous art. 
If this means anything to you, I sometimes liken the Dutch Master as the Ozu of painting.
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