Today was a wonderful day.  We were originally supposed to have some new friends over Friday night (into Saturday) but plans were cancelled at the last-minute.  So today, after breakfast, our little family packed up in the car and headed into Manhattan.

I have been hinting to the huzband for several weeks now about a gallery in the city showing the work of Vivian Maier, a street photographer that was just discovered in 2007 (though her black and white photographs are mostly from the 50’s and 60’s).  Therefore, the huzband suggested last night that we take a trip into the city to go see Maier’s work.  To say I was excited would be an understatement.

For that time in the little gallery, it was a moment to stop and appreciate what Maier saw.  Some of my favorite’s were portraits of every day people.  No one special and yet, here they were many years later being admired by many.  I had to wonder where some of Maier’s subjects were today; if they knew their picture was hanging in a gallery.  Maier passed away in 2009, possibly not knowing how many admire her eye.

taken by my iPhone

I enjoyed walking picture by picture, sharing with my little V and paying attention to what she noticed in each picture.  I would say one that really caught her eye was of two women crossing the street.  What captured her attention were the small fur scarves they were wearing.  At the ends of the scarf was the head and arms of whatever animal it was.  Oh how times have changed.  She was enthralled by the little creature they wore for warmth.

From there we walked towards 5th Avenue and found a cute little place to eat, The Great American Health Bar.  It was a yummy shared lunch of split pea soup, rice and a personal tomato and mozzarella pizza.  Once our bellies were full, the huzband and I decided to take little V into FAO Schwartz for some fun.  She had a wonderful time looking at all the neat toys, gadgets and especially stuffed animals.  She got to play on the famous piano (remember BIG with Tom Hanks?), watch live magic tricks and look at a lot of sparkly rocks.  The best part about our time in the toy store is it was all free!  (So was the gallery.  Free = Good)  Well, except mom buckled and we got a little bag of candy.

can you see why I buckled and picked out some candy with V?

she really wanted to stop and watch the water fountain

It was a lovely day together.  I recall saying to the huzband how it was just nice to walk in the sun, enjoy a different view, have no place to be at any specific time and just allow our little family to go at our own pace.  Little V could pick which way to go and her parents could enjoy the joy she found in getting to be in charge.  It was a wonderful Saturday in the city.