New York last day

Today is Sebastian's birthday. It is one of the reasons we planned the trip the way we did, to be here for his birthday. Our plan is to do the Intrepid, the retired WWII ship that was also involved in the collection of the mission shuttles to the moon. it is also on the water and of great interest to boys. Originally Tom was going with us, but we got a really late start and he didn't want to feel rushed.

Jen had received a project offer from work. She needed to respond and accept before we left the house. Work is work, you don't turn down opportunities and this was a good one. We had also slept in later. Trevor had a load of laundry that needed to be dealt with. So we didn't get out of the house until after 11:00 am. We would need to be back by 3:00 pm for the party. Sebastian's mom had been really generous letting Sebastian hang with us the whole trip. But she needed him back for his birthday party.

So we rushed. Jen figured we had just enough time to do an hour and a half of museum. We walked fast to get there, once off the subway. It was worth it. We did not have time to tour the nuclear sub, because the line for that was really long, but we did get to see the concord jet. I was surprised at how small it was. Just like the airlines we had flown. It didn't have a first class and the seats were pretty packed in. I had always thought it was a glamorous plane. But really it was all about saving time for business men.

We were able to go up on the flight deck of the Intrepid and see the view that the captain would see. I noted with interest the number of telephones that lined the walls. Riley told me he circumvented a rope and went into the bowels of the ship to the quarters below. I know I saw the officers quarters on my way out so I am unsure whether that is what he meant or if he really did see more. I let the boys explore with the agreement to meet back at a specific time. Trevor is the only one without a cell.

Trevor does a flight simulator and loves it. In the shade of the ship we eat a quick PB and J. Then we have to head back at a hustle to get Sebastian home. We are up by Time square so I ask if we can go that subway route. Jen says if we hurry. Hurry is the operative word. Trevor is pushing the stroller with Cole over the rough sidewalks of New York. Jen tells him to be cautious. Cole is not strapped in, just sitting. Trevor moments after told to be cautious hits a rut and flips Cole out onto the sidewalk. Cole is scraped up and upset. Trevor is mortified and sheepish. I had been racing ahead of them all and missed the action. Riley runs after me to bring me back where I had been waiting at the light at the end of the block. So much for rushing.

Jen is carring Cole now in her arms. I suggest a taxi. One pulls over that will hold us all. But once we are loaded he tells us he is almost off duty and will not drive out to Brooklyn. Jen is pissed and tells him that is illegal, but she also understands. She explains to me the cabs are shared and run 24 hours a day. The driver turns the cab over to the next driver at a specific time. He is not supposed to be late, because it bites into someone Else's pay check then. So we pile out, and continue walking. We reach Time square which turns out to be only two more blocks anyway.

I tell the boys to take ten seconds and look around. It has now become a walking mall with big screens on the corner of major building, bill boards are every where. They haven't figured out the new traffic pattern so you see cars periodically pop up and quickly turn down the next street as directed by police. I love it as a walking mall. But we cant stay and shop, we have to get Sebastian to his birthday party. We head down to the subway

Sebastian's mom's stop is short of Jen's. He hops off the train early to get home in time. I am impressed as he leaves by himself. He has a cell and Jen gets a text when he reaches his mom's house. He is about 20 minutes late. We get home to Jen's place to get Tom and Albert. We are going to make two trips in the car to the park for the party, in order to get everyone there. The boys go first.

Their timing is perfect. They arrive at the park just in time to help Sebastian and his mom carry all the picnic stuff to the picnic sight. It makes up for Sebastian being late. We get to meet other parents. One couple, the man is a writer who has just interviewed Cal Ripkin. He does freelance which doesn't pay that well he says. We are impressed though. Any one interviewing Cal Ripkin has to be pretty good. His wife is a science teacher, elementary level. I laugh. Tom's dream is to teach and write. We have a lovely time.

Trevor has a moment though. The boys are off having a water balloon fight. Trevor comes back in tears. Another little boy has gotten carried away and kicked Trevor in the "balls". Trevor has come to the parents for intervention. Albert gets up to go check things out. Trevor recovers from his funk. Tom would have preferred Trevor to defend himself. He out weighed the boy by 60 pounds, but I am proud of Trevor for stepping back. He did not want to get in a fight with one of Sebastian's' friends. Jen says this is a new boy. The mom arrives, she doesn't know anyone and is very pleasant. I get the impression there is no father figure. I think Trevor made a good choice.

I play with the little children. The adults sneak wine and beer out of the cooler into glasses. The police are 20 yards away on the street. They turn a blind eye. If we behave and are not blatant about it, they don't mind. In the heat I pour myself a water bottle of wine. I feel it hit my system. the heat really saps the fluids. It makes you want to drink lots of liquid refreshment. Pizza arrives with Sebastion's step dad. Presents are opened. Riley has bought a model of the intrepid for Sebastian. Trevor gave him a Lego set he had admired while with him. Tom and I gave him gift book store cards. Tom recommends using the gift cards soon as the stocks have been losing money.

Tom has been watching the news. Usually we have to get up early to hear the opening of the market. Now Tom can sleep in and still make the opening. But we don't see bloomburg or Europe because we are already asleep in bed at night.

The party ends and the kids go home. Tomorrow we catch the train for Baltimore. Jen has called a town car to pick us up in the morning.