MFI and I had our 75th and 74th birthdays, respectively, during our stay in Hollywood, FL. Sarah planned a dinner celebration for each of us after eliciting our desires regarding preferred atmosphere and cuisine. She offered us options based on our preferences, and we were treated to two wonderful family dinners out on the town.
MFI chose seafood in a more casual setting, and Sarah made reservations at 15th Street Fisheries in Ft Lauderdale, “Yacht Capital of the World.” The restaurant was busy, which was a testament to their quality. We ate outside on the dock along the New River Intercoastal Waterway at Lauderdale Harbors.
For table appetizers, we ordered Fried Calamari Rings and a Smoked Fish dip platter. MFI and I shared Joe’s Sizzler Skillet, a delicious medley of fish with bay scallops, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, a white wine & sherry sauce on a hot cast iron skillet, along with ciabatta coated with parmesan cheese. We also shared glasses of an Argentinian Malbec and a German Riesling by Clean Slate. For dessert, the table shared the Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie: a warmed brownie with chocolate & caramel sauce, peanut brittle and vanilla ice cream. Yah, pretty decadent!
After eating, Sammy and Happy, having been there before, remembered there was a spot on the dock where they could buy some food for feeding the fish. Grammy accommodated this part of the evening. I loved the way they referred to her all day as “Birthday Girl.”
I chose a more upscale setting with an eclectic menu offering something for everyone in the family. Sarah made reservations at Sunny’s in the Little Haiti section of Miami. Fortunately, upscale didn’t mean “better dressed,” as we were all comfortable in casual clothes.
Sunny’s had outdoor seating also, but we chose to eat at a large round table in their main dining room. I ordered the Octopus Ceviche for a table appetizer, and for our entree, we shared the Australian Lamb Chops. MFI and I each had red wine; a glass of Malbec and Tempernillo, respectively. The dessert was a spectacular Banana Toffee Cheesecake, but my photo highlights the silver alligator serving tray.
We timed our Florida departure to allow for walking the grands as a family to their first three days of school. We enjoyed watching their growing excitement in the weeks and days before school started. Sarah bought their classroom supplies, based on the required list she’d received via email. Sammy happily sorted the supplies into bags according to “hers” versus “his.” Sarah also purchased and repurposed (Sam’s hand-me-downs) their required uniforms. This delighted them both. Hap was particularly thrilled about graduating to a new school and being in it with his sister.
They rode their bikes each day, and we locked them together at the new outside bike rack location. Sammy was entering the second grade, while Happy was new to HAAS (Hollywood Academy of Arts and Science) and their Kindergarten Program. Sammy was an excellent big sister. The night before their first day, she reminded Happy in complete seriousness, that he would have to wipe his own butt. In equal seriousness, he replied that this wouldn’t be a problem. For each of the three days we dropped them off, she grabbed his hand and walked him into the school, and we presumed to his classroom as well. MFI and I noticed just the slightest look of nervousness on Hap’s face the first day, but Sammy gave him strength, and he walked bravely through the door. We all knew he was ready. We were grateful for being able to experience this with them.
