Puttin' on the Ritz

I couldn't help but think about the Beverly Hillbillies as Zachy and I showed up for what had to have been the nicest (and most expensive) holiday party the Portnoys have ever attended. The family of one of Ben's classmates at ASL throws an annual bash at the Ritz, where they rent out an entire wing and shower friends - and evidently complete strangers - with food, entertainment, and gifts. This family of Indian moguls (or are they tycoons? what's the difference?) invited all three kindergarten classes plus many others so there must have been 100+ families there.

Tracy and Ben had a birthday party to attend first so Zach and I went early. Under the best of circumstances Zach doesn't stay tucked in and this day let's just say his tan trousers weren't spared his latest (inaccurate) attempt at peeing in the potty. Meanwhile, Daddy Pig was just about the only guy without a blazer (or suit!) though thankfully I had the sense to not wear jeans to the fete. They had two face painters, a balloon maker, and three (count them, three) magicians for the kids. Zach is surprisingly shy when Ben's not around and instead of enjoying any of these activities he tried to nap in the middle of floor, where he was almost trampled by tuxedoed waiters serving truffled scrambled eggs in shot glasses, smoked salmon balls, and mini chicken legs with those little white gloves on the tip of the bone. I love my son and I love creative appetizers. The devil's pitchfork, indeed.

After checking out the massive holiday cake (second picture), Zachy and I soon found ourselves at our own table with one of those tiered silver serving contraptions with more cakes and finger sandwiches. He was a happy boy. Tracy finally showed up and was equally agape at the splendor. After socializing for a while, we made our way out, but not before we were given five (count them, five) gifts for the boys. Each was a good sized box or package and in aggregate weighed us down, making the lack of taxis that much more frustrating. The Tube it was for us and the Herbs, our friends/neighbors who were also at the party, with many boxes and children in tow. Clearly their son Andrew gave the whole experience a big thumbs up and, not surprisingly, Zach approached it all with his typical zeal.