The Nassau Dad Drop: June 25th, 2026

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Niam graduated from pre-K this past week.

Up until that day, I was one of those "it's just pre-K, it'll be cute and silly" guys. And then I sat there and watched him walk down in his cap and gown, climb up on stage, and get his diploma - dressed in slacks and a half-sleeve button down, like some grown man who's too cool for long sleeves.

Sure, it was silly. It was also adorable. And it's a real milestone. He walked off that stage and soon he's off to kindergarten. Real school. He'll take the bus. He'll make friends and lose games at recess. He'll trade for a snack pack at lunch.

How did he grow up this fast?

All the emotions. I felt it. And then I looked down at my three-month-old, sleeping away in her car seat next to me.

There I was, sitting in the middle of it all - one kid on his path, one who can't hold her head up yet. The whole arc of it, all at once. And the only move is to actually be here for it. Not rushing Niam to the next stage. Not wishing Nora would hurry up and sleep through the night. Just being here. Because every phase you're in a hurry to get out of is one you don't get back.

There goes my boy. Here sleeps my baby.

This Weekend → SUMMERFEST at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard 🎶 A high-energy summer kickoff from We Are Live - DJs, vendors, games, and a portion of proceeds going to Tunnel to Towers. Use promo code: NASSAUDADDROP for $5 off your ticket!
💰 Tickets from $24 with $5 off code NASSAUDADDROP
📅 Sat June 27 | 12 PM - 7 PM
🔗 posh.vip/e/summerfest

Next Week → Celebrate America Fireworks & Drone Show at Eisenhower Park 🎆 A free night of red, white and blue - live music from Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock, capped by a fireworks and drone show over the park. Bring chairs, blankets and the kids.
💰 Free
📅 Thu July 2 | 5:30 PM | East Meadow (rain date July 3)
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov

Next Weekend → FourLeaf Air Show and Fireworks at Jones Beach ✈️ The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are joined by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team.
💰 $10 vehicle use fee | Chalet upgrades available
📅 Sun July 5 - Mon July 6
🔗 fourleafairshow.com

City of Long Beach Fireworks 🎆 Boardwalk fireworks visible all along the beachfront, capping the city's "Sea to Shining LBC" weeklong 250th salute.
💰 Free
📅 Fri July 10, ~9:10 PM (rain date July 11)
🔗 longbeachny.gov

Massapequa Festa del Giglio (Italian Feast) 🇮🇹 A Long Island summer tradition unlike a standard carnival - the Giglio is a Neapolitan religious procession where an enormous tower is carried and "danced" through the streets, surrounded by music, food, rides, and zeppoles. One of the most distinctive cultural events on the Island.
💰 Free admission (pay for food/rides)
📅 July 30 - August 2
🔗 massapequa-giglio.org

Jones Beach Boardwalk 🏖️ Admittedly I'm not a big beach person, so I hadn't been in a while - but wow! We went this past weekend and they've really upped the vibe. A couple of bars to grab a drink while you chill on the boardwalk, decent food (hot dogs, fries, the basics), great ice cream, and an all-around fantastic time even if you never set foot on the sand.
🔗 jonesbeach.com

BabyBjörn Bouncer 🪑We don't have the current model, but the BabyBjörn bouncer has been our single most-used baby item, hands down. Nora, like a lot of infants, loves to sit up and take in the room, and this lets her do it in a way that's actually good for her developing back.
🔗 babybjorn.com

Two Things:

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See you next Thursday,
Akash