18 April 2008

A Birthday Weekend, Five Weeks Late - Part 2 and A GIVEAWAY!!

Welcome back for Part 2 of the Bear's NYC B-Day Weekend wrap up. This one comes with a giveaway (at the bottom)!
Check out Part 1 if you missed it yesterday.






We stayed at the newish Hampton Inn just blocks from the South St. Seaport. 'Twas a nice place in a cool area (2 short blocks to the #4 and #5 trains...and almost under the Brooklyn Bridge which I took a picture of with my iPhone - the room pic here is from the hotel's site). The rooms are small but do feature a very soft, comfy bed and a 27" flat screen TV. The small theme is continued in the lobby and the "dining" area offering free breakfast in the A.M. and warm cookies/cold milk in the P.M. yet it all comes without a small price tag (rooms are consistently going for $300+ a weekend night).

There is a neat little playground 1 block to the south of the hotel's door, so that's a plus if you stay here with your gang but considering the rooms will likely be a tight squeeze for a family, you may want to consider another hotel in Lower Manhattan, maybe the Embassy Suites on the Hudson river side, near Battery Park. One big positive was the air-conditioning system in the room - it was effective and got the room cold in an instant (we all like to sleep in a chilly room, bundled up with blankets) while not being too obscenely loud. Another nice perk was the $20 validated parking (for 24 hours/no in-out) nearly across the street (not the outdoor spots right next door though, I almost made that mistake). The Embassy Suites, in comparison, will charge you closer to $50 to park for 1 day.

We checked out early on Sunday then went for a drive, something that a sane individual normally wouldn't find enjoyable in Manhattan but, much like D.C., was a ton of fun early on a Sunday morning. We cruised up FDR Drive so the Bear could see more bridges and the boats out on the river then cut over to cruise past Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where I visited for my "real job" several times (the girls had never seen the Upper East Side) before eventually heading into midtown for a stop at M&M World. Another good thing about Sunday mornings? Street parking 2 blocks from Times Square and no meter to feed! I felt like a King after I scored that spot. I stood there for a moment admiring my work while the Mrs. and the Bear were eager to being the short march to candy heaven.
The sweets were nice (as was the quick stop into Other Music where I picked up four new records!!), but the main event of Sunday was at Joe's Pub on Lafayette St at Noon...Ellis Paul's family matinee show. Mr. Paul, as you may recall from my glowing "Dragonfly Races" review, is a big hit in the OWTK house. His debut kid's album is stellar and seems to have real staying power - it's still requested by the Bear and the Mrs. every time we take a drive.
I had the thought a few days before the gig to put in a request for "Abiola" by emailing his camp. He received the request and was gracious enough to work up a live version of the Bear's favorite tune about a smart girl who is crowned princess for her honesty and bravery. I spoke to Ellis after the show and he said he had never once played "Abiola" live because of the vocal work needed for the song - namely a female's voice, as Abiola herself, for 1/2 the singing. To compensate for the fact that he is not both a female and male he modified his vocals a bit for Abiola's lines. Was very cool and very nice of him...it made the Bear's day.
Buy Ellis Paul's terrific kid's debut right now. You won't be disappointed...I promise.
M&M WORLD GIVEAWAY!!!
OWTK brought back some goodies from M&M World to give away to one lucky winner. Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight ET on Wednesday April 23rd 2008. In the comment, let OWTK know about your all-time favorite candy.

I'll kick it off: my favorite growing up was a candy bar (not the record label) called BAR NONE. I don't think they make it anymore. My favorite now is TAKE 5.

ONE (1) winner will be selected at random and will receive a NYC M&M World Little Miss Liberty M&M Dispenser and a heaping of green-grass speckled Central Park GREEN M&M's - a NYC exclusive packaged in a a snazzy plastic wine bottle.

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

115 comments:

Anonymous said...

OK, I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I love chocolate covered cherries!

And they're just so much better when I (have the time to) make them myself instead of buying a box.

Glad you all had such a great trip!

Cher & Gene Klosner said...

Mmmm...snickers...M&M peanuts.. anything with chocolate and nuts...

Happy 4th Birthday, Bear :)

Cher

Unknown said...

Heath Toffee Bars Yum!

Anonymous said...

It's changed over the years, but the salty-sweet combo of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is on top right now. Then again, it's been years since I've had a Fannie May mint meltaway...

Keara @ Now I Know What Life Is All About said...

Peanut Butter Twix! Yum! Love M&Ms too!

Unknown said...

Dove dark chocolate is the best

phxbne said...

Tough choice - Swedish Fish, Cadbury Caramel eggs, just for starters

Dionna said...

I'm a sucker for m&m's.

Anonymous said...

mambas i think thats what they are called i haven't seen them around much.little fruit chews in different flavors.
bwalleshauser AT yahoo DOT com

Sky said...

My favorite candy is Twin Bing...I always called them Twins when I was a kid. Yummm, I haven't had one in years though! Might have to break down get one today!

Anonymous said...

candy is ALWAYS good!!!

Anonymous said...

I thought I posted here before? I guess it didn't work. PLEASE DISREGARD any double posts.

I LOVE chocolate and I LOVE NY (I'm a NY'er).

I can be reached at the URL associated with my name. THANKS

mattie said...

Green M's were my favorite! Grandma saved her yogurt containers (back when they actually had lids) for me to use as cups for tang (dating myself there) in the car. The bottom container always had a few m's in it...the green ones got eaten first!

mengels[at]hotmail[dot]com

Kelley said...

how cute! I dont think I have ever had green grass M&Ms

Kelley said...

great contest....thank you

Karen said...

It has to be Snickers!

Barb said...

M&M's are the best!

Many thanks.

Channah said...

3 musketeer bars. :)

Susanne said...

I think my favorite candy when I was little was M&M's. I also loved Milky Ways. Yummmmmm!

Anonymous said...

I love M&Ms - but my all time favorite candy has to be Junior Mints.

Anonymous said...

Chocolate? Dark chocolate bars. Non-chocolate? Gummy Bears (Haribo). Thanks! ( meg.wilson@gmail.com )

Anonymous said...

Zero bar...because it was my sons favorite candy bar and it's a way for me to stay close to him. 3/12/90-8/21/06


Thanks,
Kristi
myraggdyann@yahoo.com

Andrea said...

I love M & M's!!!

Lissete said...

Crunch bars & KitKats have always been a favorite. I LOVE Take 5! That sweet salty combo rocks!

Cactusflower said...

It's a 3 way tie between Dove chocolates, York peppermint patties and Smarties. I know, I know, and yes, I am over 30. ;)

Jennifer said...

I would have to say that my fav of all time is the good old Reese PB Cup!! Thanks for the giveaway!

Mary512 said...

I like sugary candies like fun dip and bubble jug. great giveaway, thanks!

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

My favorite candy bar has changed over the years. It was Rollo, then Reeses PB Cups, then Snickers, then Nurtageous, then Hersheys with Almonds, & nowadays it's Hershey's Cookies & Cream, Yup, chocolate in every one. M&Ms are so tasty, and I'd love to win! Thank you for the chance =)

Gigi Lynn said...

York Peppermint Patties and Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Brooke Lorren said...

Chocolate truffles.

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I love Reeses Peanut Butter cups. :)

julie said...

My favorite is the classic hershey bar and a jar of creamy jif peanut butter...yum
3beez at bellsouth dot net

Anonymous said...

Hershey Kisses!

dbstout[at]juno[dot]com

Hey, don't forget my giveaways!

comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com

acupofjoy.wordpress.com

thechocolistas.blogspot.com

Bunny B said...

Mmm... I definitely LOVE twix!! Yum Yum! Thanks!! :)

Shalee said...

I loved those Marathon bars. Remember them? Braided caramel covered in chocolate. And they lasted forever because they were so big!

.ambre. said...

my favorite is a peanut butter cup. yum!

bauer zoo said...

it depends...when i'm pregnant, payday bars...in school, snickers (especially the ice cream bars) or those really big sweet tarts (the ones that came 4 in a pack and were chewy). now, anything without coconut.

LivingforGod said...

I like dark chocolate, peanut M&Ms, KitKat, and Snickers.

Anonymous said...

Reese's Pieces!! Hope I win !! cdziuba@aol.com

Jenna said...

I have to admit that I'm a little jealous of your trip to NYC! There are too many candies to count that I love... For car rides I like chewy things, like gummy worms or Now and Later's. I also love Reese's Pieces (I'm a child of the ET generation).

Christin said...

I would have to say Hershey's Special Dark. I would prefer 70-80% dark chocolate...which is like heaven in my mouth. :) I still love M&M's, but I have to say that I sadly miss the tan ones.

CrystalGB said...

M & M's Milky Way, Pay Day. Thanks for the chance to win your great prize.

kevnjacks said...

Oh gosh, the memories of Pop Rocks and Big League Chew! My moms always asked it how I manage to chew half a pack of Big League Chew at a time! LOL!

Unknown said...

Wow!! What a wonderfully unique -- and very cool -- prize to offer! Growing up, my favorite candy bar was the "Zero" bar. I've still found it a few places here and there, but for the most part, I can't get it around here anymore. I also love Sixlets -- the little round candies. Yum! I guess there are not too many candies I don't like! Thank you for offering such great prizes for the giveaway. And good luck everyone!

Momnerd said...

Peanut M&M's are my favorite and this is soo cute!

Anonymous said...

I love all things chocolate!
emily_albrecht at hotmail dot com

Hootyboosmom said...

Great giveaway! Thanks for offering! Honestly, for my favorites - it's a toss-up between M&M's (all kinds) and Hershey's kisses (all kinds)!!!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com

Betsy said...

Chocolate anything! I would take a Hersey bar, back in the day, and dip it into a jar of peanut butter. Those were the days!

noreen said...

growing-up whatchamacallit, now it is kit-kat

Emily said...

Butterfingers my favorite! Thanks for offering this!

princesslimey(at)gmail(dot)com

Katja said...

Fazer chocolate from Finland.

jjstringham said...

My dad collects M&M dispensers and it's almost his birthday. Could you please pick me? Thanks for the great giveaway!

Girl Fisher said...

I'm all about the Heath bar! My father in law also loves M&M dispensers!

Snowbird said...

Probably my favorite candy bar is a Hershey's Bar but I have to admit that growing up Mallo Bars were my favorite. Yum.

Kyra said...

The favorite candy in this house is M&Ms, great for potty training motivation! Would love to win this!

Krista said...

What a fun post! Thanks for the tour of Manhattan!
My favorite candy is York Peppermint Patties, yum!

LadyVampire2u said...

My favorite would have to be Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Thanks for entering me and good luck everyone!

Kimberly said...

I LOVE reese pieces, or peanut butter m&ms!

My husband LOVES green and m&m's! I would be thrilled to give this to him for part of his bday gift! :)

windycindy said...

Hello! What a fun contest. I like an almond joy bar anytime. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I love M&Ms so this is a great giveaway, but my fave is Twix candy bars.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Smellyann said...

What a great giveaway! My favorite candy is a Watchamacallit. I'd love to win. Thanks and please enter mine, too!

Marcia said...

I like tootsie rolls, the flavored ones like vanilla and strawberry.

sweetsue said...

I have always loved Hershey's with almonds. I could eat any kind of milk chocolate though.

Qtpies7 said...

I'd have a hard time choosing between M&Ms and Hershey's Symphony chocolate bars. Yummy!

Anonymous said...

My favorite candy- jelly bellies
My favorite chocolate bar- Recees Cups- does that count?

Cute giveaway!

Tammy said...

what a fun giveaway, my favorite candy bar is a Canadian/British Favorite called Crunchie - it's sponge toffee enrobed in Milk Chocolate, so yummy!

Tabitha said...

My favorite chocolate candy is dove milk chocolate. I love the bags of little squares. But I could eat bags and bags of Jelly Bellies. They are probably my favorite candy ever!

Anonymous said...

Cadbury eggs is my favorite since I only get it at easter time!

samsakara@twcny.rr.com

imbeingheldhostage said...

Oooh, Reese's. 3 Musketeers. Almond Joy. I have to pick one? I used to LOVE Idaho Spuds (is that what they were called?)

Anonymous said...

I love Symphony and Score bars. :) YUMMY giveaway! Thanks. And green is my fave color. :)

adashofsassitude(at)gmail.com

Bebemiqui said...

Cadbury Creme eggs. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Beth said...

Love this idea for a giveaway! My favorite candy is Dove Dark Chocolates.


Thanks for the chance to participate!

flip said...

Currently, my all time favorite are chocolate truffles from Fannie May. As a child, I loved to eat frozen zero bars. I haven't seen zero bars in ages.

Anonymous said...

Oh, yum! Honestly, my favorite candy would have to be either peanut or almond M&M's. They're the best!

bigfamily8(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sweetpea said...

Dark Chocolate M&Ms is my absolute favorite. Thanks. sweetpea023 at gmail dot com

M.E. said...

I do love m&m's, other fav is 3 Muskateers.
Enter me, please!

Anonymous said...

Yum! I love candy! Jelly beans are my fav! threeofakindblog at gmail

frugallm said...

my fave is Roche, you know those expensive hazelnut thingys

Anonymous said...

Is this giveaway repeated in Mr Linky?

Would love to offer it to my nephew.

Ginny said...

Dove Milk Chocolate & Peanut m & m's

Cricket said...

Oh fun! My favorite candy is Bit-O-Honey followed very closely by Abba Zabba and then Bar None (which was discontinued long ago). Ohhhhh and anything with coconut in it! Basically I have lots of favorites...sorry!

Rebecca said...

I love After Eight chocolate bars (soooo good), Lindt chocolates (who doesn't?), and M&M's (favorite tv snack).

Suzie Williams said...

Sounds like a fun trip. The hotel room looks really tiny in the photo, but that's neat they served cookies and milk. I'd love to enter your giveaway. My favorite candy is Twix! I love to suck all the chocolate off them. The kind of disolve in your mouth and they're sooooo good!

stacey said...

I love the Chocolate York Peppermint Patties - delicious! Thanks for the entry, looks like you had a fun trip.

Crayl said...

M&M's are always good, I also love salt water taffy. I remember Bar None. I also loved Zero bars, those are good, ooo and Abba Zabbas.

Hannah said...

A Milky-Way chocolate bar is my all time favorite! With the caramel in the middle!!! Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

snickers crunch-yum!
kawaiineko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

Anonymous said...

snickers crunch-yum!
kawaiineko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
(I forgot my email-sorry)

Unknown said...

mary janes were my fave, buty nowe i lean to mike and ike

Unknown said...

It's a tie between Almond Joys and Peanut M&Ms.
hafner611 {AT }gmail {DOT} com

Pamk said...

reece cups were and are my all time favorite candy
scrtsbpal@yahoo.com

Fiddle D. Dee said...

My favorite is peanut M&Ms! Thanks for the offer!!

Hélène said...

There was something in France called Lion Bars. Those were the best candy I ever had.

Tarasview said...

Toffee!
I would love to win this! Please enter me.
taradawnrobertson[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

My favorites are Snickers and PayDay.

If you get a chance, stop by my blog and join in the fun with my giveaway - http://threepsinapod.blogspot.com/2008/04/bloggy-giveaway-time.html#links

Thanks!

Alyson @ 3 P's

Jhianna said...

My favorite candy is sour Jelly Bellys. (Bellies?)

Jon and Sarah said...

I love gummy bears, peanut m&ms and swedish fish. So yummy!!

Anonymous said...

I'm afraid I don't eat candy, but my husband and kid's do. My kids love starburst, nerds, m&m's and reeses cups. My husband is more of a snob he likes European chocolate.

Robin said...

my fav candy bar is the sugar free baby ruth mmm good here is my email alloye2000@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite has always been Reese's Peanut Butter cups. now I'm hungry...

Scarlett said...

Sounds like you had fun! My favorite candy ever is Twix. So delicious.

Mandy said...

My all-time favorite is orange tic-tacs. When we were dating, my husband and are I were watching a movie and he got out a pack. The doorbell rang and he got up to go get it. When he came back downstairs, they were gone (about 60 seconds). He learned early not to come between me and my orange tic-tacs.:) I always get a stocking full at Christmas from him, yum!

Paisley said...

Any kind of dark chocolate for me, especially if it's combined with mint!

Thanks for the giveaway, and Happy Birthday to Bear!

susan1215 said...

Snickers is my favorite

LeeAnn said...

Peanut M&Ms of course! If I win this I am definitely giving it to my mom though b/c she loves them more than me and she used to live in NYC.

Christi S said...

How cool! I love M&Ms AND NYC! Thanks for sharing!

monky said...

Milk chocolate bars are my fav.

Thank you for the great giveaway!


themonkinme(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Cadbury Carmel filled chocolate bar or sour gummy worms - depends on my mood! ;-) Thanks for a fun giveaway!

Tamara(AK)
mrshuntinak AT msn DOT com

Anonymous said...

my favorite candy is bit ohoney. yummy :) of course m&m's are a close second.

Elena said...

This is a great giveaway! My favorite candy is a Snickers bar. Thanks for the contest!

Anonymous said...

Chocolate with nuts is my thang :)
amazing at eastlink dot ca

Jinxy and Me said...

Almond Joy is my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway!

Nomers said...

Growing up my favorite was KitKat. Although they have a special place in my heart, now that I am older I favor MM's. I always feel I get more with MM's.

James & Andrea said...

Haribo gummies. I love the bears, but my new favorite is the sours--like the sour pasta. Yum!

Unknown said...

my favorite candy is Whatchamacallit or Jolly Ranger Bars (they don't make anymore)