Scarlet and Des Take Manhattan For the Holidays

And boy, do they take Manhattan. They grab it by the heart.

They take a big lush bite of the Big Apple. And it is sweet and tart in all the right ways.

Before we begin, though, I have a few questions. Like why has it been such a long December? Is there reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last? Is there reason to believe I’ll stop quoting Counting Crows lyrics in this post? Yes, there is reason, but I am also going to quote Annie Lennox. You see, I wouldn’t be ME if I didn’t start or finish or title this post based on a song, or more than one song. And I have a question for Annie Lennox. Who broke your heart? Who did this to you? Should I kick that person’s teeth in? I’m not ok with her pain.

I probably wouldn’t be ok with my own either.

I write this post annually, and you can come to expect it, like how I write lots of holiday baking posts, a Finish the Sentence Friday post every Friday it’s running, and my big annual end of the year New Year’s recap survey question one. That one will be coming up next week and it’s sure to be great fun because it takes me hours to do it, and I love it. What am I missing anyway, when I lose entire days to writing? Cold, biting wind? Political debates on Facebook? When I write on my laptop, I balance it on a pillow, and Luna sleeps in the crook/overhang of the pillow – against my legs. It’s rather magical. Just like NYC trips. This was their sixth annual holiday NYC trip.

Remember when it all started with the father/daughter trips? Me too.

About two years ago, I had a business trip scheduled that I had to miss because I had a virus with fever. Let me tell you – I have not experienced adult fevers very much. This may have been my second virus-induced fever in all of adulthood and I didn’t take it lightly. So I couldn’t get on that plane. It was during spring break, so Cassidy took both kids to NYC. It was Des’ first time. That said, last Christmas they went back to their father/daughter trip and I stayed home with Des, having a blast. Since Scarlet and Cassidy went to Panama for ten days, and Cassidy didn’t want to make two NYC holiday trips – one with both kids, and one with just Scarlet – the three of them went to take Manhattan together. I don’t even know if I was invited along. Probably?

It’s a lot of logistics, though. And maybe I wanted to stay home with my cold wind and darkness.

In a perfect world, I’d have Scarlet and Cassidy guest blog to tell the stories of the weekend. I think it’s pretty amazing to let the photos do the talking, though, as I normally do. Things were magical, from what I could tell, and they did bring me back lots of chocolate. Plus, their infectious enthusiasm for life (and Star Wars) at the Disney Store in Times Square led to them being famous for a few minutes. And the story is as simple as that. Timing and enthusiasm.

A little charm and charisma never hurt either.

Star Wars: Rise of the Bowmans from cassidy bowman on Vimeo.

The four of us went to Connecticut together because I had a fun Santa-like work event down there, and then I dropped them off at train station, stayed on the platform until the train came, and then blew dozens of kisses into train windows. Then, I drove home alone in the dark rain and just.. got stuff done.. for the next 50 hours. Now we begin the photos. I took none of them!

I’m an editor by nature, though, so consider these my favorites of hundreds:

Star Wars love is legit. It puts you on billboards and makes people fall in love with you.

And of course, a restaurant with a few of my favorite things:

Celebrity sighting! Harry Connick Jr.

Hotels with breakfast buffets!

And then, the Museum of Illusions, which gave the three of them headaches!

You know what helps headaches, right? Tons of sugar. Tons!

And some great window shopping!

They brought me home one of these!

Cool urban playgrounds:

Des’ first subway ride! I asked him how it smelled.

Des got this license plate. Should I tell you why we call him Richard? Guess in the comments!

Their faces here!

They experienced pretty city nights!

And of course, no trip would be complete without a Broadway play!

And.. Des’ first visit to Empire State Building!

And for a grand finale, before coming back home, The Museum of Natural History!

So, do you plan to take Manhattan by storm too?

I’m linking up with Finish The Sentence Friday (FTSF) for another fun and challenging prompt. This week’s topic is “The Holidays..” And there’s time to write yours. Link up your post HERE.