but we did sleep... we went to bed LATE thursday night and slept in a bit friday morning. we ate bagels at the apartment and i made lunches and packed snack to take with us that day.
then it was off to the statue of liberty. we walked to the staten island ferry and went through all the security stations (which have multiplied in the two years since we had been here, lots more security this time).
we took the ferry over to staten island and walked around for a bit. we had tickets at noon to go in the statue of liberty. when millie and i came 5 years ago the whole island was closed to visitors so we just took the ferry and looked at the statue from the ferry. then when we brought maxx, we went ON the island but didn’t know that you had to order tickets (months in advance) to go up into the statue. now this time we got it all together.
on the island we took a tour offered by the park rangers and we were the ONLY ones who showed up for the tour so we had our own private guide. he was great. we learned a lot about the building of the statue and the island where she sits. the kids didn’t learn as much as they were still so excited about all of the snow around us. and ALL of the geese (the same kind of geese that brought down that plane into the hudson river a few weeks ago).
the museum in the base of the statue is very cool. it is really fascinating to see how the lady is put together (did you know that the first model of the eiffel tower is what is holding her steady in the winds?) we didn’t realize all of the symbolism that went into her creation (her foot stepping forward and other foot with broken shackles around it)...
the original flame was cut to place thomas edison’s light bulbs inside to make lady liberty a lighthouse... using 40 watt light bulbs, so it didn’t work too well. the flame that is on her now is a newer one and exactly like the one the artist made originally for her.
then back on the ferry for a ride back to nyc and off to lombardi’s on spring street for a pizza! lombardi’s pizzeria is the first place where pizza was served in america. and it is our favorite place! their white pizza is amazing... we ate here last time we were in nyc and it is maxx’s favorite restaurant!
and then more walking around the city... spring street (home of the crumpler store where i looked only and didn’t buy anything), wall street, times square and onto mary poppins for a friday evening show. it was “practically perfect” (which is my new theme song). i loved how it was a bit more true to the original mary poppins books rather than the movie version. i loved the new version of “supercalifragilisticexpialidocios” and i can finally spell that correctly thanks to the new version of the song. and the finale song “anything can happen” is AMAZING!
i was singing it all the way back to our apartment. of course it does become a little difficult to sing it as you are walking right by homeless people sleeping in the street wrapped in blankets and garbage bags to stay warm...
just a bit surreal to be singing these lyrics under your breath as you see people whose lives don’t mimic a musical at all. they don’t have moments to break out into joyful singing during their days. “anything can happen if you let it”... and i am sure this isn’t the “anything” that they thought would happen. it sounds really nice when mary poppins sings it on stage, but it seems a bit trite as you see real people shivering in the streets who must wonder constantly “how did this happen to me?”...
Anything can happen if you let it
sometimes things are difficult
but you can bet it
doesn't have to be
some changes can be made
You can move a mountain
if you use a larger spade
Anything can happen it's a marvel
You can be a butterfly
Or just stay larval
Stretch your mind beyond fantastic
dreams are made or strong elastic
Anything can happen if you let it
You won't know a challenge until you've met it
Jelly isn't jelly till you set it
anything can happen if you let it
Broaden Your horizon, open different doors
You may find a you there that you never knew was yours
Anything can happen, raise the curtain
things you thought impossible will soon seem certain
though at first it may sound clownfish
see the world more upside-downish
turn it on its head then pirouette it
Anything can happen if you let it
If you reach for the stars all you get are the stars
but we've found a whole new spin if you reach for the heavens
You get the stars thrown in
Anything can happen if you let it
life out there waiting
so go and get it
grab it by the collar
seize it by the scruff
once you've started living life
you just can't get enough
Anything can happen it's official
you can choose the super
or the superficial
sally forth the way we're steering
obstacles start disappearing
go and chase your dreams you won't regret it
Anything can happen
If you let it