Last night, Anton and I sat on the stoop waiting impatiently for our guests to arrive…

…until my brother Nick and my cousin’s son Jimmy (aka Anton’s second cousin) arrived from England to spend a week with us in Brooklyn. It’s Jimmy’s first time in the U.S., and when I asked him what he’d like to do — ride the Cyclone at Coney Island? see the view from the Empire State Building? — he asked me, earnestly, “Do you guys have Dunkin’ Donuts?” We do, Jimmy, we do.

What a fun assignment to think about how to show a 13-year-old around NYC — what are the fun activities specifically for preteens? Last night, we ordered pizza and rode bikes and scooters along the river to the Brooklyn Bridge, while the sun set — or, as Jimmy said, whilst the sun set. My brother also cemented his “fun uncle” status by doing wheelies and riding down stairs.

This morning, poor Jimmy woke up at 5 a.m. (jet lag!) but waited patiently until we all roused a few hours later. Then we walked to get bagels and took goofy photos. Next up: shopping for “trainers” and going to the Yankees game. (Toby’s visiting my mom right now, but they come back to New York on Friday for an even bigger reunion.)

Plus, a flashback:

Jimmy and Anton in Cornwall (ages of the cousins, from left to right: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!). They’ve been mischievous soulmates since day one.

On Anton’s sixth birthday, and Jimmy was seven.

This summer, when Anton turned 12 and Jimmy was 13.

We always love having visitors, especially these two! What about you? What do you show people from your hometown? Also, would you like an updated Cup of Jo NYC guide, maybe one for kids, one for teens, and one for adults?

P.S. Our Brooklyn house tour, and all our past England trips, including my aunt’s house tour.