I hope family and friends enjoyed our post regarding Carlo's Bake Shop, aka "Cake Boss" :) As you could tell we enjoyed going there and ultimately eating our treats :) But the reason we were shockingly close to Carlo's Bake Shop is b/c we made our annual trek across the USA. This year the 9th annual Azerbaijani Reunion was in Jersey City/NYC...the "Baku Babies" are back in NYC :)
We arrived Thursday, August 5, 2010, b/c Ryan was asked to participate in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Gina asked if we wanted Ryan to wear authentic Azerbaijani clothing and walk around the three rings of the circus with Ben and Andy. Also, b/c it was Russian Night at the circus, of course, we replied with a YES! We were told we could then stay and watch the rest of the circus. It was a done deal-not to mention a cultural event for Ryan. The boys (Ben, Andy, and Ryan) all looked amazing in their Azerbaijani clothing...it was as if we were looking at boys who live in Azerbaijan. Ryan truly did have a great time that night b/c not only was he proud of who he is but after he was able to view the circus.
The circus itself was spectacular! I will say that it was done in a much smaller tent, therefore a much smaller area BUT still sensational with all the astonishing acts, especially the elephants and the lions. Even though going to this circus goes against everything I stand for...its unbelievable the lengths we will go to being a parent. The boys (Ryan and Luke) truly were impressed with circus and that to me is pure joy. Isn't it funny, not funny as in HA HA, but in irony what we will do for our children? It's simple, what makes them happy makes us (Ron and myself) happy.
On Friday, as you know, and as I've blogged we went to Carlo's Bakery, Mmmmmmm was that a delicious trip! Then, that night we met up with other parents who have adopted from Azerbaijan and we went to Pizzeria Uno to eat, drink and be among friends (both for the sake of the children and the adults) :) What I find extraordinary-is that most of our children knew each other as babies in the Baby Home back in Azerbaijan and they all have this connection to each other...even now as most of the adopted children from Azerbaijan are between the ages of 6 to 10, who were adopted as infants. When they say "HI" to their friends from Azerbaijan, or as Ryan refers to them as his "Baku Friends", you can see that instant connection.
On Saturday, we were going to go into NYC but decided against it, b/c time was not our friend that morning/ early afternoon. However, we decided to walk along the Hudson River in Jersey City, which is where we were staying with a positively breathtaking view of NYC across the Hudson. We stumbled upon a memorial for the victims of 9/11/01, we had no clue that this was even there. It was extremely sad but yet tastefully done. We walked the entire pier or I should say that Ron and the boys did. The boys were fascinated with the fact that the Statue of Liberty was right there (on Ellis Island) and huge. Can you imagine their reaction when they actually get to Ellis Island and see just how big the Statue of Liberty is? LOL!
Saturday afternoon, was the big event for the Azerbaijani Reunion. We all met at the Baku Palace in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Our family has been to the Baku Palace but each and every time we go there its as if we are going for the first time. As always the food and entertainment did not disappoint! And the Silent Auction, that actually had authentic pieces, brought back from Azerbaijan, by Jane and Judy specifically for this event was magnificent! We ate, we drank, we watched the entertainment (an actual dance company from Azerbaijan), we bid on the Silent Auction, we listened to the wonderful stories that Ben, Sabina, Jane and Judy told us about their visit to Azerbaijan, and most importantly we experienced and enjoyed each others company...it was great to be among friends :)
That evening, we went to Coney Island...not too sure if this was a huge success or a huge failure, or at least for our specific family? Coney Island is like nothing I have ever experienced in my entire life! It was an attack on all of my senses...kid you not! However, we ran into a family that we have not seen in many, many years and it was very sweet to reconnect with this family. As a matter of fact, we reworked our plans for Sunday (our departure day) so that we were able to visit with this family. Ron and I thought that the boys would enjoy seeing the Statue of Liberty (as was the original plan for Sunday) but that reconnecting with this family was important at this juncture in our lives (especially Ryan's life!).
On Sunday, that is what we did, we went to this family's house, they live in North Jersey and our boys played, we ate, we drank, and reconnected :) Our adventure to Jersey City/Hoboken/NYC was special and hopefully one that we will not soon forget :)
Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)
