A Banner Dinner

 So to cure D2's FOMO about missing her family for RH, we made reservations for the "Full Squad," as Joey's text group names the 3 couples, to meet at The Palm. We made the reservations later than usual for Wifey and me, 8:15, to let D1 and Joey get the boys situated. We arrived to find D1 and Joey at the bar -- D1 sipping a chardonnay.

We went to our table,and D2 and Jonathan were close behind. The place was buzzing. We all felt so lucky to be together at this legendary steakhouse. The ladies let we men do the ordering -- though D1, the dietitian, got salads for the ladies as well. We men knew we didn't need no stinkin' salads.

We got a huge porterhouse and NY Strip, and some classic sides -- spinach, mushrooms, potatoes. The three men each had 2 martinis -- the young guys went with gin, and I with Ketel.

And feasted, and toasted the new year, and laughed. It was a classic "you had to be there night," with exactly the right mix of stories and alcohol and food. We were reminiscing about the birthday parties we threw for the Ds when they were little -- the oldest grandson turns 4 in December. D1 recalled a time we rented out a movie theater, and they put her name on the marquee outside, and the movie was the updated cartoon "Flubber." Jonathan got excited: "That was my FAVORITE movie! Robin Williams' voice. The dancing flubber creatures!" We realized he had seen it as a boy in Caracas, and Jonathan admitted it was called "Flewbuber." We all found this hilarious. Flewber.

We had some family business to discuss. D1 and Joey say the older boy is asking for Disney. We grown ups kind of despise Disney. A major coup for me as a Florida Dad was the fact that the last Disney trip was when D2 was 8 -- for her birthday.

We had a cruise set, but illness canceled it. D1 brings it up. Joey had an alternative -- there are apparently big, lovely houses one can rent near the parks now. And -- we could take the Brightline train, which the big boy would love.

My criterion was that D2 and Jonathan come along -- the 6 of us have too good of a time together. Wifey points out that the little guy won't remember any of this anyway -- maybe we put off the Disney thing until he's older.

Let this be the main thing we have to decide in the near future. I'll go along with the majority, of course.

The waiter returned with news sad to D1: no carrot cake! Oh well -- they made due with key lime pie and chocolate cake, which came with fresh cream in mini old fashioned milk bottle.

The three cars were brought up -- and we all left for our houses. Joey reminded how awesome it will be when D2 and Jonathan move into their house -- 5 minutes from D1 and Joey. Wifey smirked -- WE should move closer, too. Nah. I love where I live, and don't mind the 30-40 minute drive.

But we also talked about our blessings -- we adore our sons in law, and the lives they give to our precious Ds. So many of our friends barely abide their in laws -- and in some cases openly abhor them.

Our dynamic --two Latin Jewish boys with a couple of gringa Jewesses seems to work out very well.

I next see them Thursday night. Jonathan is involved in FIU's Hillel -- his company asks all of their employees to pick a charity, and this one, close to college age, appealed to Jonathan. They're hosting Rosh Ha Ha Ha -- a comedy night fundraiser, at a local pub on Brickell called Blackbird Ordinary.

I bought tickets thinking D1 and Joey wouldn't, but they bought their own, so now I have 4. Wifey is begging off -- we leave the next am for Philly, and she doesn't like to go out the night before a trip.

But the show is a mix of pro and amatueur comedy -- Chris Farley's brother is one of the comedians.

So I'll probably drive up and give it a go.

And then Friday am it's off to the City of Brotherly Shove, as the late Herald sports editor Ed Pope called it.

But if there's a better to ring in 5784 than we had Friday and last night -- I don't know what it is. I remain one extremely blessed grandpa and Daddy in the USA.