Quatro!

A year and a half ago we met a Spanish family at Lou Lodati playground in a friendly exchange that Nacho uncharacteristically initiated. They had just moved here from Arizona, had a second child and were trying to navigate the wilds of Queens with the enthusiasm of people who had finally found a home in this adopted country.  Fast forward a few months and we were seeing them around the neighborhood quite a lot. Carolina and their son German were at Amazing Magic Beans together and we started taking little trips around the city to solidify our blossoming friendships. It helps that Irene and Jose are such likable people and little Valentina is willing to play the part of favorite baby sister to all. We've been to PEEC twice together and there's talk of a Spanish vacation reunion next summer if we can all get to Almeria at the same time. They have blended into our social fabric with such ease that it feels like they've been here much longer.  So naturally when they were looking for a new apartment in the neighborhood, we kept all ears open and managed to put them in contact with another friend who was losing a tenant in their building. That the apartment was cheaper than their current one AND offered membership to our private oasis of Sunnyside Gardens Park was almost too good to be true. But it was. And it meant we'd be seeing a lot more of them around the hood and the park which is like a communal backyard for most of the summer. We racked up a lot of hours watching the big kids dig out the sandbox and Valentina scooter around the black top. We made it to Brooklyn on the ferry and Central Park to run around the lawn.  And we even managed a barbecue with sardines for this growing Spanish community. 

As August drew to a close and school beckoned, they decided to throw a birthday party for German at the park over Labor Day weekend. I love it when a party falls on the actual birthday which was the case for German's 4th. Lots of their school mates from AMB were around this time (unlike at C's party) so it really felt like a last hurrah of summer before the return to school. There was a mask making craft, plenty of pizza and chips and the kids managed to entertain themselves like only a gang of 4 year olds can. Mostly what I saw looking back at the photos I took was a smiling, happy little boy who has made such a lot of friends in his short time in Sunnyside. It really makes you appreciate our community and the kinds of people we are lucky to call neighbors. I've been using the hashtag #sgpfamily a lot on my Instagram lately and it really means something to me. It speaks to how many of us celebrate these important milestones of birthdays and holidays with friends instead of far flung family. And how very fortunate we are to have the park as such a great hang out spot to foster these friendships. So why not have a family portrait in the very heart of it all? Seeing how relaxed and happy German and his family are here makes me smile. It was a perfect summery day to ring in this new year for him. Four is going to be a lot of fun.