Last day in city, May 30

Today Papa and Grama Jo have been married 43 years! That is longer than my mom is old. They got to ride on the Staten Island Ferry today and that was something they had never done on their annversary before.

Uncle Josh and Molly came over this morning and Molly told us bye. She had to go to the eye doctor and then to her last day of work. She said she would see us in Fayetteville in about a week. She and Uncle Josh are going to pack up their stuff in a U-Haul trailer and drive Papa's car back to Arkansas.

Uncle Josh took us on the subway some more. We rode all the way to the ferry. It was a big orange ferry boat and lots of people got on. No cars. We went over to Staten Island and we rode right by lady Liberty. She is really big and I could see she was on an island. I really kinda wanted to go on the island but Grama Jo said the next time we come to NY we will. I told her we would bring Beck next time and asked her when but she did not know. When we got to the island everyone had to get off the ferry and go into the building and then get back on. We did not have to buy tickets for it.

On the ride back Papa bought me a bag of popcorn. We saw a lot of tugboats and some police boats. We saw Lady Liberty again and we could see her torch lit up. She looks friendly but she can not talk. There was a big navy boat called an aircraft carrier leaving the dock and we could see the sailors all lined up on it. They all had on white. There were helicopters on the top of it.

After we got back to land we decided to go to the Empire State Building so we rode the subway some more. Then we got out and walked a little way. We could see the Empire building but it hurts your neck to look up so high! I really wanted to go up to the top of it but Josh didn't so Grama Jo stayed with him and Papa took me up. We were in a lot of lines and then got on a fast elevator. We went up 87 floors. We went outside and looked around. Papa let me take some pictures. I wanted to go to the tip top but they don't let people up there so we went back down and found Grama Jo and Josh and went to lunch.

Then we hailed a taxi (Molly told me how to hail a taxi, you put your hand up and yell!) and went back to the Museum of Natural History. I really wanted to see the dinosaurs again before we left. They were all still there and we took some more pictures. We went to see the big blue whale one more time also. Then we got to go to an IMAX movie at the museum and it was all about dinosaurs and how the workers for the museum go out looking for them. They found some in New Mexico where my dad used to live.

Grama Jo wanted to shop at the museum store when we finished so Papa, Uncle Josh and I went outside and found the ice cream truck. I really wanted a snow cone but they were out. I think that must be the favorite thing for people because they have been out when I ask for them. Anyway, I got a Sponge Bob ice cream bar and it was GOOD! Then we got back on the subway and hurried back to Molly's house. She still was not there. I told Grama Jo we could clear a place for Molly to sleep there with us, but she said Molly was visiting some friends.

I was really hungry so while everyone else got dressed to go to the Lion King play I ate a big bowl of oatmeal. Then we went to a Thai restaurant so Grama Jo could have some vegetables. They had spring rolls and I did not want to try a bite. Grama Jo read some books to me and then I read some. I have two new books about Frog and Toad. They are funny. They used to be Uncle Josh's favorite books when he was a little kid. Papa said he remembered reading them to Josh. When Grama Jo ate I read some to myself. She showed me how to make a bookmark so I can save the place when I have to stop reading in the middle of the story.

We rode another cab to the theater. This one even had seat belts so we all put ours on. There were REALLY a lot of people by the theater. We went up two escalators to get to our seats, but they were good. The animals were all people with neat costumes on. We could see men playing drums for the music part. We could see the stage move around and go up and down. It was cold so I sat on Uncle Josh's lap most of the time. I got tired near the end and wanted to go home but we stayed until it was over and I was glad I got to see Simba kill Scar. My favorite character was Scar. Grama Jo really liked the hyenas. They were funny. One had a long red tongue. The people could sing and dance good. At the end all the animals came back out and took a bow. Grama Jo told me that was the cast of the play.

We have to get up at 3am and get in a car kinda like a taxi to go to the airport and go home. I am missing my brother and sister and mom and dad. I will be glad to get back to see them. I have had a great time in New York City with Uncle Josh, and Grama Jo and Papa.

I have learned to swipe the card to get on the subway, to unlock the doors to get into the apartment building and then go up 3 sets of stairs and open the apartment door with a key; to punch the "door" button when Uncle Josh comes and buzzes us; to ride taxis and subways; and to hold hands when going anywhere in the city. I will know lots of stuff to show Beck and Sujina when we get to bring them.