1st Day of Camp

The kids started at Camp Gan Israel this week and so far it is going well. They were so excited to go, Zoe got a new pink lunch bag but Zachary wanted to stick with the one he had used this year at school. This is Zachary's 3rd year, 2 years in Mini Gan Izzy and now he is a Junior Izzy! It was quite a change for him and also a new location ... so Zachary was a little anxious the first day. Zoe had a little trouble when we dropped her off and again at pick up (she wanted to bring the purple baby doll home) but in between she had a great day.

Day 2 Zachary went on a field trip to the Aquairum and although he did spend some time running around the place going to all the levels, riding the elevator, and also playing on their playscape, he described seeing lots of fish and touching the sting ray. He also said he was much less anxious and had a great time. He also apparently was rewarded for good davening ... not sure what he did, but either way we are proud. Zoe got dropped off and picked up by a friend and was a star. She even actually at her lunch this time. She was excited to head back over to camp to pick up the big kids in the afternoon and even described some of her activities.

We think that camp will be a big success for both kids and give them each an opportunity to experience something very different from their Montessori days. We expect them to grow up a little before they start at their new schools in the fall. How scary is that!

Bronx Zoo with Daddy, Grammy and Grandpa

Daddy took Zachary and Zoe to the Bronx Zoo and Grammy and Grandpa met them there for a day filled with animals, lots of walking and treats and sunshine. Grammy and Grandpa got the kids yummy ice cream treats which they both enjoyed. We think this was Zachary's first ice cream cone and Zoe of course wanted to lick her ice cream too. It was a great day, and the kids continue to talk about seeing all the animals and all the things they experienced at the zoo.
Grammy and Grandpa had lots of fun spending time with the kids in the zoo. It was a trip that no one will forget.


Zoe was so excited to see real live Zebras. Given the word Zebra starts with Z, the kids have been hearing lots about Zebras their whole lives. So to see it in person was priceless. As were the giraffes, elephants and lions (local zoo doesn't have any of these large animals).

Zachary and Zoe visited the children's zoo within the Bronx zoo and got to get up close (and personal?) with many of the animals as well as feed them ... see the kids checking out the sheep.

Zoe inside a tortoise shell and Zachary between some fox ears

Zoe was ssshhhing the group, she must have thought that little guy was sleeping and she also ventured through the tunnels to see the Prairie dogs.

Zachary climbed all along this tree (without help) and he enjoyed it and was very proud of himself.

Nature Center for Aaron's 5th Birthday Pary

Zachary and Zoe are very fortunate to have to pals practically the same age as them that live here in Connecticut and their mommy and daddy are very good friends of Glenn and I. The Rubinfeld family has spent birthdays with us and vice versa. So yet another season of birthdays is upon us and Aaron turns 5 this month. He celebrated his big day at a nature center. Zachary loved it and already wants to know when we will go back. He was a brave boy going with the big kids on an archealogical dig and then a hike and Mama and Zoe stayed behind doing an art project and hanging out. The cake was yummy too and then there was a pinata (see pics below).


Zoe and her pal Jordan - they used to insist on calling each other on the phone - perhaps that will resume again as they get older. Zachary and his pal Aaron, the birthday boy, they look so big to us now! Can't beat those cute smiling faces.

Zachary was not such a strong pinata hitter, but he enjoyed it just the same, and got some candy (Mama helped dive for treats) and Zoe had a little less competition and even got a mini dinosaur to take home from inside her pinata.


Listening intensely to the teacher talk about turtles.

Can you see the snake that Zachary touched. What a great opportunity to be up close to a "safe" snake unlike the one living in our flower bed! Any ideas on how to rid our property of snakes are gladly appreciated.

Zachary found this "bone" (it looks like it is actually a turtle shell) during his dig with the big kids before his hike in the woods to find dinosaur foot prints.

Meanwhile Zoe painted her own dinosaur and then the newspaper underneath.

Fun was had by all at the party and the weather thankfully cooperated. Thanks Adam and Stacey for including us.

Sesame Place May 2009

Stopped for a quick visit to Sesame Place on Memorial Day. The kids hit all their favorite activities. Zachary put on his suit and played in the count's castle (newly updated this year) and ernies splash and Zoe got her picture taken with Abby (Elmo went on break just before and she was heart broken) and also seeing the Sesame Parade. It was a good way to break up the trip back from MD and the kids can't wait to go back.


Daddy took the kids on the teacup ride, which they all enjoyed and gratefully Mama enjoyed watching from the side!




Zoe loved seeing the parade - she was enamored with all the characters and it didn't seem to matter that Mama was so short as we still could see. Zachary and Zoe hung out in the shade to eat lunch and take a break.


Water slides on the count's castle were Zachary's favorite of his visit. We were so proud of him for going on his own and not being scared. Problem being we had trouble luring him away from it. He is still talking about it ...

Can you tell me how to get ... how to get to Sesame Street? Oh wait I am already here, hip hip hooray!