EZ Pass Fever

We Went to Princeton, NJ to remember the life of Spencer (Gigi's 21 year old, 3rd cousin), and offer condolences to his family. After a breakfast with Sigita and Tadas in Cranford, NJ that ran long, we made it in record time.

Genevieve played on the church playground while Daddy attended the memorial service in the church. After the service, she was distracted with searching for clues (she found a UK football under a hedge). She was far too busy to be polite when introduced to Daddy’s (and her’s too) cousins. We moved to a building on campus for a livelier celebration. Genevieve really enjoyed the parmesan cheese slices on the salad and the tiny desserts. She met some other little girls who ran all over the open floor with her. Then, she remembered Nick’s (Lydia's beau) promise of a garden with good fairy house materials. We headed outside with her new friend Pamona. It was here she had her first experience with a cactus. It looked very different than the other fairy house materials, so she lifted it up to take a closer look. The reaction was delayed, but LOUD. She then calmed down during a slide presentation. As soon as it was over, she had to report to Daddy what happened. Then the escalation began. Genevieve realized whenever she touched anything with her right hand, it hurt.

Later that evening, we picked up Sigita and Tadas and headed into THE city. Genevieve’s behavior was TERRIBLE, all because she wanted her seat to be next to the window, like Tadas’. After the crying subsided, whining continued because we could not use the purple EZ pass lane (toll road/tunnel electronic pay). The questions started, why don’t we have one? How do we get one? Mommy gave quick answers, not understanding the long-term impact. I told her that one had to live in New Jersey to have an EZ pass. This began her desire to move to New Jersey. When we finally got through the traffic and tunnel to New York, Genevieve-crabby-pants said she did not want to go to New York, she doesn’t LIKE this city, she wants to go back to New Jersey.

We went to Daddy’s old neighborhood (105 W. 75th @ Amsterdam) and had dinner at an old favorite – La Caridad (78th & Broadway); a unique fusion of Cuban and Chinese. After we were fed, attitudes changed. Genevieve loved the newly renovated Plaza Hotel, glimpsing the Tavern on the Green, and store windows on Fifth Avenue all made up for the holidays (“O Mommy! Look out my window!”). She loved watching the ice skaters at Rockefeller Plaza. After our brief city tour, we returned to Jersey City to visit Kenny at the firehouse.

Gigi was impressed with the trucks, but even more impressed with the “wall of fire” which had photos to commemorate fires and firefighters. She had question after question for Kenny. The questions continued on the ride home, and she got very cranky with our flimsy responses. Clearly we did not understand her real questions. As Daddy helped her get ready for bed, the questions regarding the EZ pass resumed.