a literary event

Today Sam's class had their Authors' Celebration. The kids had worked very hard expanding and illustrating their stories, and you could tell. It was helpful to have the sound system, especially since a certain toddler was reading Polar Bear, Polar Bear very loudly to himself in the back of the room. And let me tell you, that teacher is a genius. She planned a dance party in the middle of the readings, just when the kids were getting extra-squirmy.

big kid

Oscar is now a big kid. Not a baby. Even though he walks around holding his arms out to Aaron and me demanding "Pick you up," he's definitely growing up.

Friday afternoon

Yesterday Sam and Abe and our neighbor Samuel disappeared upstairs, and after quite a while, I realized it was pretty quiet up there. Too quiet. So Oscar and I came up to investigate, and we found all three on the top bunk reading Garfield.

So that's who finds Garfield funny! I don't remember laughing at him even as a kid.

Oscar is wearing a shirt that his brothers both wore before him, and it was a hand-me-down to our family--that's the best kind of recycling.

Chanukamania

We had a short but packed trip to Boston to celebrate Chanukah with the Sachses and Gabors. Some highlights:

Sam and Nathaniel create and play a Pokemon-esque card game.


Abe loves his new Polo book.


Rebecca sports a fancy new hairdo.



Ozzie spends quality time with both Gram and Aunt Debbie.




By the way, my big Chanukah gift from Aaron was a fab new camera. I am currently reading the manual and learning new tricks.

Legopalooza 2010

Sam requested a Lego birthday party this year. We did the best we could to accommodate him. A few Lego activities mixed in with the regular birthday party bedlam. I tried with the cake, I really did, but you can tell I was a cake decorating class drop out. Please don't google Lego cakes immediately after looking at this--wait a couple of days to let the memory of mine fade. At least the kids recognized it. If Sam wants a Lego cake again next year, maybe I'll try my luck with fondant. And next year he'll have enough candles to fill up the brick!

How many kids can fit inside the secret compartment of the bunk bed?

Lego building game

scavenger hunt for the Lego cake


another year bites the dust

whirlwind TX trip

This past weekend I jetted to suburban Houston with my bro Daniel to visit our Grandpa Bob. We really had a fun time, and even though the trip was short, we did a lot with Grandpa. And let me tell you, he is incredible. At 98.5, he is slowing down a bit, but that's mostly just physically. We talked and sang and ate and shopped with him, just like we've always done. He's cracking jokes and chatting up the aides in his abode and asking for more hot sauce at his favorite Mexican restaurant. It was truly fabulous to see him and spend time with him.

Bonus: I got to hold my cousin's four-day old baby Levi. And by the way, this is her 12th child! As always, I was impressed by her cool, collected demeanor. Can you imagine?

waiting for dinner

Tonight we ordered pizza, and as we sat around outside waiting for it to arrive, Sam made a sign. The pizza guy was amused and pleased (I guess touched would be too strong a word). He said no one had ever made him a sign before, and that he didn't even need to know the address because he could immediately recognize his destination. Sam is saving the sign.

First Grade!!

Cape Cod

Cousins, beach, mini-golf, dessert, etc. Awesome.

still here--summer recap so far

I've become so lazy about posting to this thing. I'm sorry to the one or two of you who still check it. I've been sucked into putting up photos on Facebook (argh!) because it's easier, but I still want to maintain this. So here are a few.


We went to Utah for a family reunion and birthday celebration for my mom.

Oscar got a haircut and learned how to walk (actually, he couldn't walk in this photo, but until I put up a movie of him walking this is the best you'll get).

Sam and Abe got short haircuts and built lots of things out of legos.

My brother Daniel and I did a sprint triathlon, cheered on by Aaron and the kids.

I almost hesitate to say it because I might jinx it, but here goes anyway: MORE TO COME.

happy day

My three monsters on Mothers' Day 2010.

See all that clean laundry in the background? Still waiting to be folded.

weeks ago!

Weeks ago, we had Passover. And we went to Amherst, where Debbie and the other Gabors hosted a wonderful, big seder. And Daniel L. got matching matzah ties for most of the boyfolk. It was a great time to catch up with cousins and enjoy the holiday. Thanks for the good time, guys, and I promise to catch up with the posting.

matchy matchy

Thank you so much to Aunt Sarah for this awesome birthday gift for Abe. He loooooves it, and he and Baby Anna get loads of compliments on their outfits.

It's time for either

a trim or a barrette. If only they were curls, we could get by without either.

Happy Day

I remember when my mom used to make us this on St. Patrick's Day morning. Or am I making that up, mom? In any case, the kids liked it.

MIA

Upon returning downstairs after putting Oscar down for a nap, I found this.