New York Day 5: New Jersey Rehearsal and more Central Park

 This day we needed to just take as it came because we completely altered all our plans/expectations due to winning the golden tickets.

We dove into the world of public transportation and took a bus to New Jersey.

Now is a good time to say something about the people of New York: They get a bad rap for being rude, and we did not experience that at all. Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. We didn't meet one rude person the whole time. Especially when it comes to navigating public transportation, people were very helpful and friendly, for which we are very grateful because we needed all the help we could get!

We were never planning on going to this rehearsal, but I'm so glad we did. First, it was great to see Audra and see her so happy. Second, being able to see their show was awesome! I got teary eyed seeing all that they have been able to accomplish in just 4 days. It's incredible. These kids are incredible! All of them love band, are passionate about band, and want to be great.

This is the only audition band specific to the parade. There were 12 bands. Most all of the bands are high schools are colleges who won a major competition and were invited to come. But Macy's Great American Marching Band is kids from all across the country who audition for a chance to be in the band. This is the only way Audra would ever be able to march in the biggest parade in the country. This is such an incredible experience for her and she was completely in her element with her people! She did say that the band directors were much nicer with the parents around, but they ran a tight ship, and the students listened. They would yell "Black Friday" and the kids RAN to get into their formation.

They practiced at an armory in New Jersey

She's in the middle, second person in, looking at the camera

We were told we could take pictures and video, but we couldn't share them on social media because NBC owns the copyright

This is HAPPY Audra!

Her friend Jackson is right in front of her, also in light pants

It was nice because then we knew where she was standing. Or so we thought. Turns out, in the actual parade they switched formations for the marching, and then switched back right before their performance at Harold's Square. We didn't know that until after the parade- during the parade we were like, "where is she?!?"

Afterwards we headed back into the city. We wanted to see the balloons getting blown up- along with the rest of the USA. The line was 4 hours! We kept walking and walking and could never see the end, so we finally gave up- and I'm glad we did. Very few things in life are worth a 4 hour wait.

We grabbed some pizza, which all of us except Claire loved.

We ended up going back to Central Park and walking around the city some more. We knew we wanted to get a good night's sleep, so it worked out well.

Ben was excited to ride the subway. Claire said it's "sketch" and she was worried about it, but it was fine

Here we are trying to find the end of the never ending line

Ben loved that the cops use a Mustang

Here I am finishing the NYC marathon

Here's the girls riding the Central Park Carousel

This is another band mom, Midge. We became friends and she came with us on some of our excursions as she was on her own. Her son Christian played the cymbols, but Audra never met him

Colbert show

Ed Sullivan Theater

Some pretty Christmas decorations.New York knows how to do Christmas!

Finally they got the scaffolding down

We had seen these french cream stuffed donuts several times and finally got them.  They looked better than they tasted.

Then, we went to bed early, ready for the Main Event: The Parade!