We're off on a little family adventure this weekend. The kids have Friday off and Greg's starting to feel the slightest bit trunky during these last few weeks at his current job before the move to another company.* This morning we found a great deal for a couple of nights at a hotel in Providence (I know! how spontaneous, don't you think? Another new year's resolution enhancing our somewhat winterblah lives). We love Providence--it's got a great feel with the Rhode Island School of Design, the zoo, Brown University, nearby Newport, and great walking along the river.

And THEN the cherry on top of the weekend sundae, we found out that (cue Sweet Georgia Brown whistling) the Harlem Globetrotters are playing there on Saturday. We are so there. Greg has vivid memories of the Harlem Globetrotters playing at the Spectrum (will they win? will the Globetrotters be able to pull it out in the end? oh, the agony...) One entitlement of parenthood is forcing your own children to enjoy the things you remember loving as a kid, right?

And, let's be clear, there will be some minor forcing for some. This will not be the favorite moment of the weekend for one of our children (three guesses which one...). But our hotel is attached to the mall so I think that will more than make up for watching basketball antics for a couple of hours.

I'll leave you with one clip to brighten your day. If you've ever wished (even just a little bit) that life were more like a musical, this will hit the spot. It's another public improv project like the Frozen Grand Central one:

[Edited to add: I just found out that the Globetrotters have yet another place in Greg's childhood. When he was 7 or 8 he received free tickets to the Globetrotters for good attendance at school in Chicago. He was SO EXCITED he could hardly stand it. Then, in one of life's cruel twists....he got the chickenpox. He remembers sitting in an oatmeal bath, crying and thinking about the fun night that might have been. I picture him shaking his fist to the ceiling and mournfully crying "Globetrotters"! Luckily we are remedying this or it might have been his last words, a la Citizen Kane and rosebud.]

*yes, he's changing jobs. After months of decision wrangling and five rounds of interviews for the job, he's decided to leave his current job for an exciting and interesting new one starting at the beginning of next month. Still here in Boston, so no moving required.