A Big Apple Fourth Of July

We decided to get out of Dodge for Independence Day and enjoy New York City.

Y'know, you can go WAY faster without all that friction of the extra shoe.

We kept Dan busy.And Colleen kept the kids busy. She made them practice Chopin for two hours before they could escape. Above she's saying, "You call that Legato?!"

Truth be told, Dan and Colleen's place in Sunnyside, Queens is like a magical emporium of wonder for children and adults alike. C&D could not have been more lovely or accommodating to us and the chitlins. We really felt welcome and comfortable. Above Henry plays with Dan's "Randomizer." You know...to randomize things.

While an earlier Blog post shows Loretta and Henry dancing to Dan's tune "I'm A Good Man Most Of The Time," here's the live performance!

Then we headed over to Manhattan to meet up with the usual suspects in Central Park. Here, Kevin, Julie, Todd and Jack participate in a heated round of Simon Says.

A great guy on The Great Lawn. (Tommy Breslin)

From the park, we walked over to Jack and Saghi's beautiful pad. Above, Jack quickly (and wisely) childproofs his home. He was a blur -- moving a Ming Vase here, an irreplaceable family heirloom there and throwing entire sheets over couches.

Above, Aaron nervously wonders if Heineken can stain a Persian Rug.

The next morning walking around in Sunnyside we came upon this little impromptu shearing session.

And then we rode kangaroos.Colleen: "Who knew kangaroo rides were available in my neighborhood?!"We also went to Dumbo to meet friends and see two of the New York City Waterfalls. They are part of a public art project. http://www.nycwaterfalls.org/

Henry and Ramón enjoyed hurtling rocks into the East River.

It was great to visit with our good friend Carlos, Marnie and Ramón. They know all the best kid spots in town, like this pirate ship playground.

Then back over to the Brennan-Ghaffaris for a fabulous dinner party capped off with Jack's Birthday Cake. We are eating cake because Jack is now 40, decrepit and old. I'm sure glad I'm still in my dewy, youthful thirties. Please note the way my children are hovering over that chocolate cake.

Here is Saghi, the hostess with the mostest and the mastermind behind getting us all together to celebrate Jack's demise, er, birthday.

The wonderful Julie Brennan was there. As was her delightful daughter Kara. Can these two charming souls really be genetically related to Jack? Astonishing. At some point in the party, Kara launched into a spontaneous solo round of charades. Above she was acting out, "Searching Through Skirts On A Store Rack." And Aunt Saghi guessed it!It's not really a party until someone gets to fly.
Sorry fellas, these two captivating lookers are taken.

Loretta watching the toy sailboats in Central Park.
Henry climbing on Alice.
Loretta plotting her toadstool climbing strategy.Some child rearing advice from Lewis Caroll.

Enjoying the day with old friends. And Jack.