Starting 2025 with an Adventure

In continuing Saoirse's and my adventure saga, the two of us spent the first weekend of the new year in New York City. It was a quick trip, and we had two main goals: go see the Rockefeller tree (because it was from Massachusetts this year) and go to the MoMA to finally see Starry Night by Van Gogh in person. This was my fourth attempt to go see this painting in person so I am very happy to say we accomplished both tasks!!

My husband Cody was supposed to be joining as well but had to work all weekend at the last minute. Not to be deterred, I did not postpone the trip and instead continued on just Saoirse and myself. I try to take the approach of being very "in the moment" because if I thought about it, I certainly would've chickened out of taking a 2-year-old to an art museum alone (which is exactly what happened last year!).

It took us 3 methods of transportation to reach where we were staying, and then we headed out and saw the Rockefeller Tree. She liked it, but what she liked more was getting a candy cane, which pretty much sums up every attempted magical experience for toddlers everywhere (here’s looking at you, empty box at Christmas…).

The next day is when I finally completed my bucket list item of seeing Starry Night in person! I guess this is when I should explain my prior three attempts: 1. Accidentally went to the MET instead of the MoMA, 2. The entire museum was closed for a few weeks and I found out when I was standing outside the doors, and 3. Me backing out of going due to the fear of taking Saoirse to an art museum by myself. But FINALLY I saw Starry Night and it was everything I hoped it would be! Saoirse got to see the painting front and center and even though she won't appreciate it today, I hope she remembers that we were brave enough to attempt this together.

We finished off the trip with a few hours in an indoor play space, and the jury is still out on which one of us had more fun (although I was certainly much more tired afterwards than she was!). 50 hours after arriving, we were headed home with some beautiful memories and Saoirse’s new-found love of truffle fries.