We were a bit tired and achy from sight seeing all day but still wanted to explore Central Park, so Mom suggested we take a carriage ride. We rode in a red, plush, canopied buggy while our driver directed us to points of interest, rattling of interesting little facts to us in his thick, Irish accent. "That's where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived," and "Madonna currently resides over there," and "See the top of that building? That's where the final scene of Ghostbusters was filmed." We had a really nice time, then descended the carriage, refreshed and ready to press on.

 After our pleasant little tour of Central Park, we ventured across the street to F.A.O. Schwartz where we played with toys, talked to the gigantic stuffed animals, and surveyed the sugary confection bar. Mom, showing up the demonstrator. She got mad skills. It was basically a hackey sack that you play with using your hands rather than your feet. This guy made it look very simple.

I LOVE to look at the enormous variety of candy here. But can you imagine all the grubby little hands stealing into the buckets of sweets, all day long, pawing treats that their parents aren't going to buy them? I witnessed this all the time when I worked at the theater as a teenager. That's why I only took candy when we had freshly stocked it ourselves. And yes, that soldier is covered entirely with jellybeans. So magical.

The most impressive toys are the stuffed animals. They're really beautiful.