On Thursday night, upon arrival in Ocean City, we walked the five blocks to Simpson Avenue to spend time with Grandmom, Poppi, Gia and Uncle Jimmie. 

Not long after we arrived, my cousins from my Grandmother’s side of the family came to visit us from Avalon. Grandmom’s brother, Uncle Sodie; his wife, Aunt Jeannie; and their daughters, Jean Marie and Kathy all dropped by the house.

We had dessert and talked about old times at the shore with family members no longer with us. 

The best part of the night was Tony meeting these cousins for the first time. Uncle Jimmie taught Tony how to say Uncle Sodie before they got to the house so he could surprise him when he got out of the car.

As Uncle Sodie walked across the street, Tony shouted, “Hi Uncle Sodie!” All he could do was laugh because he was so surprised at the greeting!

Tony was a hit with everyone, and Enzo was too, but Tony definitely stole the show. He did have trouble differentiating between Aunt Jeannie and Jean Marie, but he still had a good time.

He was enthralled with Kathy, which is a common name in our family, so we knew he would have no trouble there. 

Of course, Tony had to tell the cousins that he is a paesan and that Daddy calls Enzo a little Goombah. Everyone thought that was pretty funny, especially when he told Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Sodie that he is “A paesan who eats a cannoli!”

The adventures of a two-year-old get better each day and I cannot wait to see Tony and Enzo really begin to interact in the coming months as Enzo becomes mobile. 

Tony enjoyed his time with our cousins and talked about them the whole walk back home to the house on Asbury.