Uncle Jesse Comes to New York

My brother flew out for a week long visit and boy it was a great one. I just dropped him off at the airport this afternoon and I miss him so much already.

We started off by getting a babysitter the first night and heading to our favorite restaurant in Endicott, Lampy's. We LOVE the food there and I decided it would be a great time to break the news of baby #3 to my brother (It was a joke!!). He almost choked on his food. Ah, how I miss my practical jokes on my family. After a wonderful dinner and great conversation (Jake and I had no idea what to do with ourselves without the two girls to care for) we headed into the week. Jake had to work all week so Jesse got to see the ins and outs of my day. I started calling him my manny right away. He is a natural with the girls and helped me non stop. Sophie had a Dermatologist appointment and Jesse came with me to watch Josie. Apparently no one could pass them up in the waiting room and one nurse was commenting how cute Josie was and asked if she was Jesse's. He said "No, I'm the Uncle." To which the nurse replied "Ohhhh, even better!" I don't think she was his type but he's thanked Josie for trying to get him a date. ;)

As with any visit with my family this one was fairly food focused. We took Jesse to Joey's, Lost Dog, Los Tapatios, Wegman's and Apple Hills. He enjoyed almost all of them. I think it's really hard for someone who has had authentic mexican food to enjoy the bastardized east coast version. And don't think we only ate out. Oh no, we had to introduce Jesse to Spiedies. It's so funny because I explain them as kabobs without any vegetables and anyone from this area goes into an almost religious explanation of them, the marinating process, how they were created here, the festival in their name. He enjoyed them and is thinking of coming out for the Spiedie fest this summer.

Of course Jesse was constantly fielding requests from Sophie who thought he was the best playmate ever. They scared each other, sang, raced around the room and watched Sophie's favorite movie Cars. Every morning she woke up with the question "Where's Uncle Jesse?". When she discovered he was sleeping she would ask if she could go wake him up with "a kissy and a tickle".

Overall it was the best visit I can remember having with my brother. We vowed not to let it go as long between visits this next time and promised that no matter where we land, he'll always have a room at our house.