New York

We're off to New York tomorrow.  Compared to last year, I've done almost no planning.  We'll see Mary Poppins and have lunch with friends, but that's all I have on the agenda so far.  I really wanted to take Sammy to see the Statue of Liberty, but I think it will be too cold.  Somewhere in my electronic world, I have the list of things to do with kids in New York that you all helped me with last year.  Maybe I'll find time tonight to do a little planning.

We'll be testing a couple of new pieces of technology on this trip.  First, my iPad. I usually just rely on my phone and Adam's laptop.  I haven't figured out too many uses for the iPad yet, but I think travel will be a good one.  I'm downloading my first movie as I write this - Tinker Bell - something for Sam to watch on the train.

Also, we bought one of these travel vests for Sam:



It's a vest that a child can wear and strap in using a regular seat belt, instead of using a car seat.  I don't see any other way to take taxis in New York with a child.  It's not possible to lug a car seat around all day just in case you take that 5 minute cab ride back to the hotel when you're too lazy to take the subway.  This vest is small enough to put in a backpack, and it's supposed to be pretty effective for safety.  It will certainly be safer than what we did last time: putting an arm across Sam to keep her from sliding off the seat where she sat, unbuckled, untethered, and squirming like crazy.  The big question about the vest is: will she wear it?  I'll report back next week.

If this trip is half as good as our last trip to New York with Sam, it will be a fine time, indeed.