Janet, it looks like you've got things mostly well in hand but if you still do live in NYC, why not visti B&H directly, or Willoughby's or Adorama et. al. and put a D3300 and D5300 in your hands (maybe toss in the Pentax too -- gotta love that they're the least expensive camera bodies with the most water resistance offered).
Thank you to all who replied to my post. I've ultimately decided on Nikon D3300, just purchased! still in the box. I feel it is the best choice for complete beginner (me). I keep wondering if I should have perhaps chosen the Nikon D5200 ... but I will never know I suppose.
