New York, New York - Nov. 1 - 5

Every once in awhile we actually get the chance to go somewhere without our children. While it was considered a work trip (some work was actually done) it was much more of a whirlwind getaway of great food and fun entertainment. After getting through the fire week, surviving Halloween with a sick son, and scrambling to get work done in order to go to New York, it was a relief to sit on the plane for 6 hours of peace and quiet.

Upon arriving in New York we checked into the Westin Times Square and changed for a quick walk to a great restaurant called 44 and X (located on 44th and 10th). The next day Michael headed to the Javitz center for the running expo and I headed to 5th Avenue for some much needed shopping. Loaded down with bags I called Michael to meet me (I needed a valet) and while waiting was interviewed for a piece on holiday shopping. The camera crew drew quite a crowd and it was funny to see the other tourists trying to figure out who I was. Later that night we went out to A.O.C., a fabulous French restaurant in the village, with our friend Josey. It was great to catch up with her and find out how she's loving married life.

Saturday found us up and about quite early as we were invited to watch the Olympic Trials with Michael's client. We cheered the runners as they ran past early on and then walked to Tavern On The Green in Central Park for breakfast. The Asics team, us included, were quite excited when Ryan Hall (an Asics runner) won the trials and beat the trial record. Later that night we hit another Hells Kitchen restaurant, 44 sw Ristorante, for an Italian meal and then walked to the Barrymore Theater to see Duran Duran. The highlight of the concert for Michael was seeing that they were all wearing Onitsuka Tiger shoes!

Sunday we slept in and then made the walk back to Central Park to cheer on the New York Marathon runners. We watched the men and women winners and then took a break to have some lunch at Mickey Mantle's. We made it back to the finish line just in time to catch Tom and Suri Cruise heading out of the Tavern to cheer on Katie. While we haven't been Tom fans for awhile it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a celebrity sighting. If I ever give up my teaching career I could become a paparazzi! We wrapped up the evening back in the village at Gonzo, a restaurant owned by celebrity chef Vincent Scotto. We don't know how celebrity he, his name wasn't familiar, but his food was wonderful.

Monday found us scrambling to pick up a few last souvenirs and then heading to the airport. After a completely different kind of tired it was nice to spend the last 6 hours of our trip on an airplane in peace and quiet, before returning to our normal chaos!

The last stretch before the finish line.

Ryan Hall, running in Asics gear!

Jessica at Tavern On The Green.

Michael got to play on the "Big" piano at F.A.O. Schwartz.

Second row seats for Duran Duran were great, even if they're getting old!

Tom Cruise and Suri at the NYC Marathon.

Don't know many one year olds with police protection.

The best shot we could get at the end of the marathon with my little point and shoot camera!

Oh yeah, we were there for work! Here is Michael's ad in Times Square.