The Time I Took My Kid (just one!) to New York

Firstborn-son-love + Trip to NYC = UH-mazingness. I highly recommend one-on-one trips with your kids. Even if it is one night, down the street from your home.  There is nothing replaceable about that special-special time with ONE kid. Even if you have only one son or daughter, the going away together part with all mom’s attention ON, is priceless.  It moves mountains in their hearts. Memories that will last forever and surpass the #mommyfails.

We went to celebrate Luke’s 16th birthday. He got the NYC bug after an 8th grade school trip.  I did not balk at this idea for location, as I, too, LOVE visiting New York.  The first 5 words I always say when someone asks me about Luke are: He’s such a great kid.  Truth.  And he is a great traveling partner. Easy-going, never got hangry, pleasant always.

Our thoughts on NYC trip 12/16-19/2016 with Luke:
Manhattan is so energetic and alive!!
It has such a cool vibe.
We were not stopped by the cold weather, but rather fully enjoyed it.
We got the puffy black down jacket memo (everywhere!).
It was VERY VERY cold for us Californians–>must layer up!
We both don’t like wearing long underwear😜 feels weird but–keeps you warm!
Starbucks are everywhere, every block at times; 212 total in the city of Manhattan.

Luke doesn’t like taking his picture, so…we didn’t get enough pix of the two of us.

Luke takes better pictures than me.

Mom chickened out of trying the subway system.

Mom gets nauseous in taxis, well, because NYC taxi drivers.  😉

It’s REALLY hard to get up in morning (when you travel from the West).

Nights you have great energy and stamina though!

Although we could not live there, we never get tired of visiting.
Loved walking everywhere–you feel like you are in a movie. We were, right?
Just walking around feels awesome because Manhattan is soooooo different from Palos Verdes/California.

We are compatible museum buddies; good for 60-90 minutes of looking around.

I wished I could have run in Central Park–loved seeing the dedicated runners out there.  Luke is not a runner (YET) and did not share my sentiment.

Eating on the street is fun and expensive (hot dog trucks, ice cream trucks)

Ice cream truck guy totally ripped us off–$15 for Luke’s shake float!!!!

Mom PMS+ New York = eating bliss.                                                                                            –

We had NO FOOD SCHEDULE or SCHEDULE people! (This is huge freedom when you are a PWS family!)

You can see A LOT in 2 1/2 days!! And we did!
We missed Chelsea/Highline (next time).
We could walk/run Central Park daily if had the time.
Empire State Building-wow for both of us.
The 9/11 Memorial-double wow and still so shocking; gives you goose bumps and appreciation for LIFE and FREEDOM.

Luke ate lots of burgers and shakes; no fine/famous dining needed when traveling with a teenage boy.
Having 1:1 time with one child is the BEST!!!! We had to tell/ask each other 3 things of significance on the trip which led to some cool conversations.  (Most of which I will keep sacred between us.)  One of my questions I asked Luke (with trepidation) was, “What do you think I am doing right as your mom?”  And his response was, “You put us first.” Tears.  Because sometimes I feel selfish inside and know my own selfish thoughts inside. But he thinks/feels/perceives that I am making them priority. Thank God.

Thank you Lord for the provision, safe travels, good health, and this wonderful opportunity to be with      JUST Luke.