Hi all. Last week I pulled my boys, 10 and 12 out of school for a day trip to NYC. This was the first time for my 10 y.o. To say he is hyperactive is an understatement, and I was afraid of losing him. This wasn't a problem. He (and we) had a blast!

We caught an early NJ Transit train and arrived in the city by 10am. Our first stop was to see Santa in Macy's. We walked right up - got some nice pictures (train display, dancing bears) along the walkways leading to Santa. The windows in Macy's were really cool - they showed large books opening. They were pop up books - showing different scenes from around the city.

Next stop was Toys R Us Times Square. We got to ride on the Nickelodean car on the Ferris wheel, along with Jimmy Neutron and Spongebob. I actually was able to purchase something without waiting in a super long line.

By now my husband was hungry (and he gets cranky when he's hungry) so we went to eat at Mars 2112. You get in a simulator ride where you blast off to Mars. You land on Mars, the red planet. The restaurant has all red lights and rocks and there were aliens walking around. My younger son got the biggest kick out of this. The food was nothing special, and expensive, but you don't eat here for the food. My sister (who came along with us) told me that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ate there a week before we did.

Then we walked through Rockefeller Center and saw the huge tree, then to see the windows at Saks. They were really pretty this year. Next stop was one of my older son's favorite NY places: the NBA Store. Then we walked into Trump Tower and then practically right out - just so the boys could see it. Outside Trump Tower was a demonstration: "Jews who think it's OK to say 'Merry Christmas'". (I'm not making this up - there were news cameras filming this).

After that, we went into FAO Schwarz where the boys "played" the same piano that Tom Hanks played in the movie Big. If you would like to purchase one for your home, you can do so for only $250,000. There were a ton of stuffed animals for sale, including a life size elephant. That was only $15,000.

We ended the day with dessert at Dylan's Candy Bar. Yum Yum. My sister got the largest cupcake and I bought a bunch of different stuff for stocking stuffers.

We did a lot walking on this trip - we walked from Penn Station to Dylan's and then about a 1/3 of the way back. I've never had such a hard time catching a cab. It was really cold (about 30), so maybe that's why.

We had a really fun day. I know some people would question my pulling the boys from school, but we hit NO CROWDS. We saw so much more than if went up on a weekend. I've heard horror stories about being in Toys R Us and it being so absolutely packed that announcements are made to please keep moving!

Sounds great =D>

Don't sweat it. I pull my kids out of school to travel. I wouldn't do it if they were in trouble in school and not making grades, but they are good students. For two years in a row I have petitioned the middle school to take them on trips to Japan for an extra week past Spring break. Both times, the school principal has granted it as educational leave. He "gets it" and is fine w/it as long as the kids make up the work.

and of course, I could take them in summer when it is crowded and hot. But I don't want to do that, I want to take them in spring when the weather is better and there is a chance of seeing cherry blossoms.

Hi emd. Our district just initiated the "excused absense rule", i.e. any absensce for travel, family stuff, etc. must be submitted first to the school's principal for approval. I didn't get any hassle from the school, but several parents have raised eyebrows.

I pull my kids one or two days every year. We usually get a head start on our spring break vacation by leaving on a Friday. Our spring break is the week before Easter and that Sat. is a total zoo at the airport.

My middle school son did miss a lot of work last Thurs. that he is still catching up on. But he wasted his weekend - he is slowly learning about time management! My younger son is in elementary school and he finished all his work on the train ride to NY.

I say good for you karens! The memories you are giving your boys are invaluable, no amount of schooling can compete with that. Sounds like they had a wonderful time.

Hi Karen! Sounds like a wonderful day! You're so lucky living that close to the city. And while i'm from a long line of educators who might frown on pulling the kids out of school, we've often done it, too. Traveling, exploring and time spent with the family is often more educational! And certainly more fun

Thanks for posting.

When I took him to Japan last March, his health/gym teacher had him write a paper on sumo wrestling (we saw a tournament in Osaka) and Japanese Baseball (we went to a game in Tokyo and one in Osaka). I thought that was a creative way to make up the week lost in school for that class. His history teacher had him do a project on Edo history of Japan. And his Japanese teacher had him write some phrases in Japanese to describe his trip and share them w/the class when he got back, and also he had to share 10 new Japanese words he learned on the trip. He also had to make up the work, so in those two classes he sort of got more work for going on the trip...but he enjoyed doing it.