PARADES!!

     We have gone to 2 parades in New York City now, both in November.  First we went to the Veteran's Day Parade. Just today we went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

     Veteran's day is kind of a big deal to our family. We have many family members and friends that our Veterans, most of all my favorite Veteran, my hubby Colt. That morning while Colt was still sleeping(he was working nights) I got the kids ready to head to Manhattan. Right before we left Colt decided to get up and come along. We got there about an hour before the parade started. When we came out of the subway there were lots of people. We looked around and found a space open for our family with a front row view, but it was across the street. We had to work our way around the crowd and through a maze of street barricades but we made it and got settled in before it got full. We waited for around for about an hour before the parade started. Then here came the parade!!! The military bands were so fun to hear. We watched groups of amazing men and women take the oath of enlistment for every branch of service. We saw floats, balloons, horses, service men and woman, cars, motorcycles, wounded vets, families of veterans, and people all around were passing out flags, stickers, and buttons. It was fun to see all the vets around us that were giving and receiving salutes while watching the parade. Most of all is was fun to see the smiles on the faces of the vets that we personally thanked.

     Today we went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Let me start with a bit of back story. While we were still in San Diego we found out that we were going to NYC next. Before we looked for a place to stay I booked a hotel for the parade (of course this was most important), it was close to the middle of the parade and a block off the parade route. Last week I decided to look for rooms again. Turned out there were some cancellations at a hotel that was on the parade route and only a block from Macy's! When I made this reservation we knew our room did not have a parade view, but we talked with the front desk and they assured us that we could watch the parade from the street in front of the hotel, which sounded perfect(close to our bathroom, and we don't have to be out there that early)! We got to Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon. The weather was awful, rain/snow and only 30*. We checked out Manhattan Mall, and ate lunch before we went to our hotel. We checked into our hotel around 2:30 pm, we were cold, wet and tired. We dried out the kid's clothes and watched movies. Soon it was time for dinner. Colt and I got all bundled up again and headed out to get the kids dinner. We found this place that was kind of like a to go buffet. We filled up a couple boxes and headed back to the hotel. We fed the kids and got them settled in bed. Colt and I then headed back out. We went to check out Macy's across the street. It was amazing! It was huge! It was unbelievable! Colt and I had a blast walking around that store and seeing the cute window displays and seeing the iconic green road where the parade passes in front of Macy's in herald square(what you see on tv)! After we were back in the hotel with the kids we watched some more tv(we haven't watched tv in 2 months so this was a treat). Finally the kids were asleep. I couldn't sleep, I was like a little kid on Christmas Eve. I have watched this parade every year on tv and now I was going to see it in person!! I stood at our window and watched what I could see of the preparations for the next day. I finally fell asleep around 11:30 pm. I was awoken by marching bands rehearsing in the street around 2:30 am, that was it, I was too excited to go back to sleep, IT WAS ALREADY TOMORROW!!! Lindy was woken by the bands at about 4:00 am. "I hear a song.", was the first thing she said in our dark room. By 6 am I couldn't wait anymore. I bundled Lindy and I up and we headed to the street!! We got down there and the police told us that the street view in front of our hotel was blocked off and nobody could stay there, but we could sit across the street. Okay no big deal, across the street. I set up the camping chair and Lindy and I got a great front row seat! I called Colt and told him the new location. After about 45 min the police came and told all the people that were sitting where we were that they were now going to close this section of the street too! What?! They told us we had to move a block north, which wasn't a big deal but the fact that we lost our front row seats was a big deal!!! I was mad, but there was nothing I could do about except swear at the police(which, sadly I did). Lindy and I moved up the street and found a place that was just ok :/ it was already covered with people. I called Colt and told him where we were now, and told him to hurry because it was filling fast. He and the rest of the kids got there around 7 am. 

     We were freezing! The weather was still awful. While we were waiting for the parade to start by us, protesters decided to cause a scene. We watched as the NYPD arrested 6 or so protesters. The kids were restless and freezing. Then before the parade got to us a parade worker came by to tell us that we were in the "quite zone" which means the bands can not play here because the "noise" will interfere with the broadcasters 4 blocks away! WHAT?! There was no moving spots this time, there was nowhere else to go! Finally the parade made it to us at 10:15 am, more than 4 hours after we got out there. Once it started all the adults that were SITTING in front of us STOOD up, then none of our kids could see anything. Then as our kids tried to squeeze in to nooks and crannies on the floor to see something the ADULTS would purposefully move so they could block the kids. Colt and I took turns holding the little ones up to see. Then a kind woman let Malayan stand in front of her and Bobby sat at her feet. Luckily Lindy had fallen asleep in the stroller and had no idea she was missing anything(I guess that was one plus to being in the quite zone). About an hour into the parade the same rude adults in front of us started SMOKING and blowing it in the direction where Malayan and Bobby were standing next to them, Malayan was coughing and Bobby was trying to cover his nose with his coat. We asked them if they really had to smoke right here where there were kids everywhere. Other people around seconded our thoughts and also started to say something. Then all of a sudden this guy(that was smoking) turns around and started yelling at me and telling me to shut up and that my voice was annoying. I started yelling right back (not my finest moment), Colt then started yelling at the guy to turn back around then another lady next to us started yelling for the smoker guy to stop being disrespectful. He didn't smoke anymore. About another hour later Eva had to go to the bathroom, there was none close(because we got kicked out of our original 2 spots). We gathered all the kids and our stuff and tried to get to the closest cross street to get off the parade route. We got to one end and it was blocked and they wouldn't let us through, even though I tried to explain that I had a kid that was going to pee her pants. I lost it when the arrogant s.o.b had the nerve to tell me, "sounds like a planing failure to me,". I said some choice words that I NEVER say and called him a few names, then pushed on his barrier and told the kids to turn around(oh my, what is New York doing to me). We fought are way through the crowd and to the other end, we could not find a restroom(none of the stores would let us use them). Finally with tears in her eyes, the family made a semi circle to cover us and I put a diaper on her. By this time I was done. We just kept walking in the sleet, and cold until we got to the subway. 

     We caught the train, and headed home. 

      I was so sad on the train home, I held back tears. I wasn't so much sad that it was a complete bust, I was sad because I let the negativity and the disappointment of the day get to me, because I sank to the same rude level as the people around me and because I was not the best example of optimism and peace to my children.

     Here are a few tips if you decided you want to go see the Macy's Thanksgiving parade in person...

• If you want to see the "parade" that you watch on tv, don't go. Just watch it on tv.
• Watch it from a hotel room(bookings are up to a year in advance). Don't stay at the Courtyard Marriott on 6th and 35th, unless you have a parade view room. The regular room is not worth the price, because you can't even stand by your hotel for parade time.
• If you want to really view and experience the parade be at least 8-10 blocks north of Herald Square.
• Get there early like 4-5 hours before the parade. If you are not in the front row you wont see much.
• Bring something to sit on, and be prepared to tell everyone that this is your spot!
• Bring plenty of snacks and drinks, and things to keep you busy while you wait (especially if you have kids).
• Dress warm! You can always take off a coat, but it sucks to not have one when you need one.
• Don't have to use the bathroom! It wont happen. 

    If we ever decided to do this parade again it will be from a hotel room near Columbus circle. Most likely the Trump Towers(going to have to save up for a long time).

    We will have our turkey dinner tomorrow. We have no desire to leave our cozy little apartment for awhile after the kind of day we had. At least I can say I went to the Macy's Parade. 

Until next time. I love you C, M, B, C, E, and L

Freezing our butts off at the parade.

Since we were not in the front row

balloons are all we could see.

On the subway going home.