A couple months ago I got this crazy idea that we could take a family trip over President’s Day weekend. We’d fly to Washington, D.C., and tour a couple colleges, then take the train to New York City and see a Broadway show, and fly home from NYC. It sounded hectic and a little crazy, but fun. But then Andrew had a consulting job fall through, and we really want to put a screened porch on the house as soon as possible, and it didn’t seem fiscally responsible, so we dropped the idea.

A week or two later Andrew was asked to attend a conference in Brooklyn. A week before my birthday. And we decided we were meant to see our first Broadway show this year. So, we’re flying out a day early and seeing a matinee of To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m pretty excited.

Andrew and I have been to New York City once before. In September 2006, when Ellie was not yet three years old, we flew with my parent to NYC to pick up a fall foliage cruise. It was Ellie’s first flight, and a first time in NYC for each of us. We flew out a day before the cruise so we’d have some time to see the city. It was crowded and hectic, and we were trying to squeeze in a lot an pushing a stroller. Definitely not the best way to see any city. But we got a flavor of the city at least.

Again this time, we have not nearly enough time to do the thing right. We’re flying out Tuesday afternoon, seeing a Wednesday matinee, and I’m flying home Thursday. Andrew has his conference all day Thursday and is flying home Friday. So we’ll be rushed again. But this will be a very different experience. It’ll just be us two well-traveled adults. We’ll be staying outside of Midtown. And it will be cold. (But, thankfully, not too cold!)

I spent some time today researching places to eat and things to do. We’ll spend Tuesday evening in Brooklyn — we’ll be near the Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights neighborhoods — and most of the day Wednesday on Manhattan Island. We’ll likely walk the Brooklyn Bridge Tuesday and explore Central Park (a place we didn’t get to see last time) Wednesday before the show.

I can’t believe I’m taking another trip — another hurried, hectic trip — so soon after the crazy DisneyWorld weekend. But opportunity knocked.

One last thing: the picture attached to this post is one of my favorites ever. (It’s best viewed on a tablet or desktop, not a phone.) It’s from the deck of our ship, The Norwegian Dawn, as we sailed past the Statue of Liberty at sunset. My parents look so happy and healthy. Ellie was thrilled to be starting an adventure. And I think the Statue of Liberty was meant to be seen from the water. Such a great memory!