The Grand Holiday Finale

There are certain things that are of the utmost importance to share with your family. These things become family tradition as they say, or simply put, a happy ritual that makes you feel all giddy inside. For example, all these crazy holiday traditions that we have adopted. Well, it would be apropo that we finish our holiday trip introducing our son to our yearly indulgence to Joe and Pat's Pizza in Staten Island.

There is no pizza that compares to this tasty, thin crust treat, according to Momma who grew up eating this heavenly pie. Ezra has heard about this pie since the day he was born. In fact, if you ask Ezra who makes the pizza, he will tell you, "Joe and Pat." E already knows that a saucy, bready pie just isn't a pizza at all. The only pizza that suffices here in SF is at Delfina. And, there we shirk all tradition and order the ricotta and broccoli rabe pie so E gets his greens.

Anyway, making our way back to NYC from Asheville, Grandpa Oscar picked us up from the airport. It was nice to see him again, and since we only had this day left of our vacation, we wanted to make the best of it.
After relaxing a little at his apartment, we set out for the park. It was very cold that day, so we had to do some extra bundling up.

The sun sets, while E takes a swing. Grandpa watched while Momma had images of pizzas dancing in her head.

Finally we have THE pizza. Look how serious they are. This IS very serious stuff.














As Ezra says goodbye to everyone at the restaurant, we meet Joe. You know, Joe and Pat Joe....Of course, he asks, "Who makes the pizza?" to which E replies,"Joe and Pat!" Momma is so proud.

And, what a great ending to our trip. The following morning we catch a cab back to the airport. The cab driver has two kids, so we teach him the taxi song (Taxi, Taxi, riding in the back seat.....)And, he draws a picture of a dog for Ezra. Ezra named it Joe....


Just kidding...he named it Archie.



So happy to be home, but we miss everyone a lot.