So Little Man and I were at House of Bagels as they opened yesterday -- 6 am! The day rolled on -- boy can that boy talk and ask millions of questions! Wifey and I wondered what would happen if he were born into a community of silence -- he would literally burst.
I had a few errands to run, and Wifey hung with him. He found a walking stick I bought in Monte Cassino Italy, and we told him it was Moses' staff, and he wanted to learn all about the Passover story, even though it's Chanukah.
In the afternoon I texted next door neighbor Mariela, whose girl Amelie is a few weeks older. She was preparing for her Noche Buena dinner, and invited Little Man over. I convinced Wifey it was her turn, and she went over and the two talkative, clearly future leader kids, played happily -- Wifey got a tour of the amazing work Mariela did on the house -- which was already beautiful. He husband Jesus owns seveal crypto companies, and seems to print money -- great for them. We joked we were ashamed to have them over to our dump, but we will, after they return from Aruba post X mas.
Mariela returned Little Man after an hour or so -- he and Amelie really like each other, and he came in. The plan was to visit Anthony's Coal Fired, but then Wifey invited Lili and Alana, first year Northwestern Law student, inside. Lili's Cuban, and I asked about Nochebuena, which was also Erev Wifey's birthday. No plans. I asked if they would give me the privilege of sharing a holiday cocktail, and they would, so I poured some cosmos and myself a regular martini -- or two. I was then inspired to make an impromptu party -- and Jeff walked over -- and we Uber-eated in Anthony's. We ate and laughed, and Little Man played on his IPad while the grownups talked.
We played a game -- were Jeff and Lili's daughter and son in law in New Haven more, or less, quirky as parents to their child than D1 and Joey. I admitted I lost -- they had to buy a $3/4M townhouse rather than stay in their girl's big house during visits. But we adore all of them and know that we were NOT terrible parents in the 80s and 90s, despite the lens of these Millennial helicopters...
The martinis and pizza led to a firepit outside -- it was truly a lovely evening. We had our Jewish Nochebuena after all!
The guests left, and Little Man got another bath in our comically huge tub. He slept pretty well, although when I got up to pee, he slid into my spot, and I decamped to the couch in the next bedroom -- too lazy to open up the bed it has, and learning that hard couches from Ikea are NOT old man hip friendly.
Little Man tried to get me up several times pre dawn since he was "Starving," but I put him off until the the sun was actually out. As I type, he's watching cartoons -- I already completed Wifey's birthday email.
She told me her birthdays are no longer important to her. Yeah -- let the Ds and I forget to send her a heartfelt email -- the consequences will be dire.
Later we'll head to Shorecrest -- Joey and I and Jonathan have a few adult beverages to share, in honor of my wife and their loving, quirky suegra.
It's the first night of Chanukah, and we'll light the menorah, and sing the songs, and then head over to The Citadel, a great food hall where D2 secured us a nice rooftop table. I assured Little Man there WOULD be cake -- and he would get the first slice after his Ippi.
Tomorrow is my nephew of another mister Scott's birthday, and he and fiancee Sam are flying to town from D.C. -- Barry is hosting dinner at their go-to place on Miracle Mile. I may try to influence them to cross the street for a few pops at JohnMartins -- still there but now owned by Cubans instead of friends from County Cavan.
D1 and Joey secured babysitters for NYE, and so Wifey and I can head to Joelle and Kenny's for dinner. My broker and friend Pat sent a very nice bottle of Napa Cab, and I will bring that for all to enjoy.
So for tonight, may the lights of Chanukah illuminate the beginning of Wifey's ( ) year. I am prohibited by marital law from mentioning the number. But we all know it and love her...
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