We went to services at Nevei Kodesh tonight and then hit Japango afterward for some quick sushi. Our monkeys are atypical as regards food — they will try almost anything once and they like weird shit like seaweed and tempeh and capers. Needless to say, sushi with them is always fun and an adventure.

Gavi loves all things seafood and was quite happy with our little expotition. He got his salmon roll, a shrimp roll, and sampled a couple of things off mine and Miryam’s platter. He was particularly fond of the Naninay (eel, cucumber, salmon, cream cheese, tempura battered and deep fried), which is served with a martini glass of molasses and Japanese mayonnaise. Miryam gave him one of her pieces and he started deconstructing it with his chopsticks, popping the salmon into his mouth immediately, then showing off the eel to his brother, then rolling the remaining ingredients into a ball and biting off a little nibble. Miryam was offering sips of her Coke-with-lime to Jonah and offered one to Gavi. He said, “No, no, I can’t, I’m savoring.” He rolled his eyes skyward with a look of bliss, chewing slowly. “Still savoring… still savoring… okay, I’m done. No, wait, still savoring…” A brief pause for ecstatic chewing. “Okay, done,” he said, and took a sip of Coke. Miryam and I were falling out laughing.

(Just in case you think this is an isolated incident of cuteness: earlier in the evening Miryam was ordering sushi and wanted Gavi’s shrimp roll done a certain way (no wasabi), and muttered, “Sorry I’m so picky about the sushi, Gavvers.” He proclaimed without blinking an eye, “It’s okay. I don’t mind if you’re picky as long as it makes me happy.” I howled and pointed at Miryam, “That is YOUR son!” She said, “I have noooo idea what you’re talking about.” She lies.)