New York air is saturated with electric, self-sustaining levels of energy. We stepped out of the hotel this morning, and within minutes, Leila was hooked. The unplanned pause outside the American Girls store didn’t hurt.
A quick jaunt through Times Square, of course, necessitated a stop at the Toys ‘r’ Us indoor Ferris wheel.
Dinner was the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Being from California, my expectations were muted, but the Park Burger (bacon and cheese on a juicy grease-filled patty and perfectly toasted bun) was fantastic. 
Madison Square Park was a particularly fun stop for Leila, who requested we take a look after remembering Samantha and her 1904 American Girl adventures in women’s suffrage.
Between pausing at the Empire State Building and Grand Central Station, we had to take a break to introduce Leila to the library and Bryant Park (bemoaning the fact that we had yet to show her Ghostbusters yet).
Nap time in a hotel means getting pictures of dad and kids snoozing together.
Our hotel’s location meant we passed by the Rockefeller several times today. 
Lunch in New York? It’s gotta be street hot dogs. You can live on them, but they taste like… Well, Leila actually liked hers.
The obligatory family photo at the LOVE sculpture. 
Someone really, really enjoyed her share of dad’s chocolate malt.
