The Last Hurrahs...

 We have been inundated (blessed, of course;) with visitors this Spring. The Little Man has been a tourist touring champ.  When Grandpapa and Uncle Blaine visited (for Uncle B's big b-day), P was in heaven with all of the men around carrying him.  I'm not sure if he even took in most of the sites the first day, he was so busy using Grandpapa as a human jungle gym....

The kid  took a brief break from Grandpapa's arms when he spied an artist's dedication to the 9/11 downtown and was wooed by the size of the crystal.  (Crystals, gold and diamonds being three of his favorite things ;)  We had to go in for a few moments of ahhhhs:

After that fun-stravaganza, Aunt Marielle and Chris came for a visit.  The child drug them all over town and they were the best sports ever.

Aunt Marielle and P in Central Park...

Phoenix has a longstanding (and not fully explained) issue with police officers.  Chris, is a police officer.  He did more for P's bias in those few days than E and I have been able to manage in the last four years.  In short: the child adores Chris.  Just look at his face here...

He was also enamored with C's size.  At one point he looked adoringly up at Chris and said, "You're taller than the Empire State Building!"  And after the child was carried upon those cloud grazing shoulders, he was putty in Chris' hands.

And, really, what's not to love about someone who encourages you to fling yourself willy-nilly from high spots?

While on our walk in Central Park, P had a brainstorm....

The adoring Aunt and the hamming child...

So, so sweet, Aunt Marielle allowed herself to be pulled through the Museum of Natural History.   I couldn't get a meaningful shot of the two of them, as the child appeared to be giving a speed tour (notice the blur, below...)  Just his favorite highlights!  And she, sweetly, laughed and listened and did without lingering, the whole time.

The next morning brought us brunch with the fam, a rare and happy occurrence, and one of my favorite photos, eveh.  The child was fabulously happy to be surrounded by Uncles and their broad, babe carrying shoulders as we schlepped back from brunch. For some reason, when Bric took his turn, the child turned to hair pulling.  I am laughing now, remembering the sound my sweet brother made ;)  Of course, everyone's laughter just encouraged the child, who very well knows better than to pull someone's hair... and doggonit, if his ornery little face doesn't look like sheer bliss below:

The Torturer and the Torturee... Pleasure and Pain.... (Is it sick I giggle every time I see this pic?  (We love you Bric!!!))

 (And notice, the dear Bric is actually trying to tie the child's shoe while carrying him.  And how is he thanked?  Oy;)


Once to our flat the child somehow conned everyone into putting on his Harry Potter costume and running around with brooms between their legs.  Proof positive of why his Uncles and Aunts are the World's Best.

 (hehe, Ian reminds me of something out of The Dark Crystal here;)

And last but not least, we just had a dear, dear friend of ours visit before she heads back to Brussels to her amazing ministry work.  The child took to her and didn't let go for her entire stay.  She, too, was lovingly given the speed tour through the Natural History Museum.  And excitedly introduced to P's fave, Pinkberry.  And most excitedly taken to Dumbo for a sunset walk.  I was a bit disappointed that our big "ta-dah" was a wee bit underwhelming due to the enormous amount of construction occurring in the area (and all over the bridge), but our guest was gracious and said she prefers a little grit ;)  Ahhh, old friends :)

Of course, lots of home (recovery) time has been required between these marathon touring sessions.  P seems to need this to find balance.  During which time the child has been excitedly packaging his life as he knows it into cardboard boxes and playing, seemingly non-stop, with BB.  Not a half-bad send off to the city we love....