At Izzy’s request, it was a penguin-themed birthday this year. We started the day off with birthday balloons and presents and delicious birthday apple pie which the girls had helped to make and then we went off to Grandma and Grandpa’s for a slumber party. The biggest birthday surprise of all was waiting there — Aunt Squiggy and boyfriend Antonio!

A few days after the slumber party we headed off to the best place around here for visiting birthday penguins - the Central Park Zoo. We had a grand time visiting with all the animals - we saw the seals being fed, both of the polar bears, the penguins (of course), even the elusive red panda made an appearance. After a quick stop at the Children’s Zoo where we fed the goats and alpacas (but stayed clear of the lunatic cow), we went for a wander through the park in search of the carousel by the Dairy.

Somehow I missed the correct turn for the Dairy, but took advantage of my mistake to show the girls the magnificent Bethesda Fountain. The girls were only slightly impressed - but they did have fun crashing the wedding portraits. After the fountain I got us turned back around again in the right direction and before long we were at the carousel. We’ve come to consider ourselves quite the connoisseurs of carousels and the one in Central Park is our favorite so far.

After all that fun, it was time for a bit of refreshment so we headed down fifth avenue for Tea at Takashimaya. It was serene and delightful and delicious (and the price can’t be beat). I imagine that stopping in for tea will now become a regular part of our city visits.

After tea? More food! We took the fifth avenue bus (our favorite) downtown to meet up with Ed and cause a bit of havoc at the office — the girls just love shouting into the mail slot carved into the front door of the loft-like office space :). And then we went off to another delicious and festive meal at Arezzo with a bunch of our near & dear — each of whom upon their arrival elicited squeals of delight from the girls. The restaurant is now a favorite of ours - delicious food, outstanding service and an apparently great tolerance for happyhappyexhausted little girls.