GSOBuchanan's

How to do the Macy's Parade

I was able to gather from other blogs on a "how to" for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. So I think it is only fair to share the details for others.

The parade starts at 9:00 AM on 77th and Central, and ends at about 10:30 AM at the same spot. If you are at the end on 34th, it may start at 9:30 and end about 11:30 AM.

We stayed in NJ overnight for only $60/night at the Ramada in East Orange. The hotel is not great but it was cheap, and the only one I could find that is walking distance to a train station. We took the 1st possible train that left at 6.14 AM and arrived at 6:47 AM at Penn Station (34th street). We walked over to where some were gathered and it was crowded, but in hind-sight we should have stayed.

We took a subway to 59th to get abetter view, and at 59th, we really should have stayed. The view was not as great, but we would have been hugging the gate.

We then walked north to about 73rd. We could not get on th eCentral Park Side. We thought we would be able to, but it was blocked off. So we watched from the city side at 73rd.

There was a car parked there and our kids sat on top to see better.

We could see all the balloons and some of the floats.

Santa Claus is on a float about 7 stories high, so everyone gets a great view of him, and he waves at everyone.

At 73rd, it was over at 10:30 and that was all I could handle. We had been up since 4.30 AM.

We had a great time. Next time, I might be willing to go when I can afford to stay in Manhatten and be willing to camp out at before 3 AM.

Asher is almost 5 and made me carry him on his shoulders most of the way.

Kingston is 2, and rode the stroller.

Liam is 7 and walked all over the city. He complained on Firday, but was a very good sport.

Big Piano

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

I hope Asher does not become one of those teenagers who grows a d-bag beard.

Britney and Jordin Concert

Asher says "Goodbye" to the Summer of 2009

It feels like we started out the summer very early. During Spring Break, Amanda and I took the boys to the Outer Banks. We had planned on doing this for a while, but it was very fortunate for us when work allowed for us to take a whole week off at the same time of Spring Break for the boys' school. So I cashed in the points and we had an adventure. My favorite part, was waiting until Monday to leave, and coming back around Friday. We still had the weekend before and after to relax at home. We drove in one big loop from Goldsboro, to Corolla, to Ocracoke, to Kinston and back home.

During the Summer, we did a few other trips.

Monticello in Charlottesville, VA

Old Salem for Independence Day

and a quick trip with Grandma and Grandpa Whitehead to the Beach.

Amanda and I enjoyed ourselves, but we appreciated knowing that the boys were learning and having the time of their lives.

Old Salem was free, but for Liam, he felt like the luckiest kid in the world to operate an 18th Century fire hose, or write on paper with a polygraph machine at the Children's museum near the home of Thomas Jefferson.

The trolley service that rides around the University of Virginia does not charge, but Asher's ego was boosted because he sees any transport not operated by Amanda or me as a luxury, and therefore he must be a VIP if he is riding around in such. Airplanes and ferry boats have the same affect.

It was the first time Kingston ever really got to run out on the beach, because he just learned to walk, and he didn't look back.

Amanda and I went to the Carolina Opry and saw a live show that really lived up to the hype. We stopped watching American Idol a few years ago, but we couldn't help compare what we were watching to AI. I don't know how people watch American Idol. I feel sorry for the live audience. How do they give applause after each performance? It is kind of like the whole, "we are all now dumber for having listened to..." quote. If we have MQ's, the Carolina Opry will increase your MQ (Musical Quotient). But if you watch American Idol, it probably depletes it. If you are at the live recording, the adverse affects compound.