Meeting Ethan Sol Maller

Ethan Sol Maller was born August 12, 2009. He weighed 10 lbs 11.6 oz and was 19.5 in long. He came home from the hospital on August 15 (Zachary's 5th birthday) and Mama, Zachary and Zoe drove down August 16 to meet him and celebrate with the family. He is so cute and snuggly and likes to be held, so we all took several turns holding him throughout our week vacation in Maryland.

We wanted to have fun and be helpful during our visit so we took cousin Joshua with us on many excursions, and below we are at the Wheaton Regional Park where we played on some fun jungle gyms, rode a train, and a carousel where Zachary and Zoe learned that riding horses that go up and down is lots of fun!

The next day we met up with Mama's friend Tammy, her husband Bruce and their daughters Lilly and Avery at a splash pad in Germantown. It was so much fun especially in the hot weather. We went out to lunch afterwards except that Zoe and Joshua slept thru much of lunch


Zachary and Lilly got along quite well - and the next day Zachary took Lilly on a date - out to lunch.



Ethan's bris
He got his hebrew name Eaton Shai and was very brave. Aunt Betsy was so honored to be the Sandek(et) and hold him during the circumcision. Zachary was the big cousin and said the Bracha over the Challah. It was lovely.

So glad Daddy arrived to meet his nephew and hang out with the rest of the family. Both Ethan and Joshua enjoyed having their Uncle Glenn around. The kids had lots of fun hanging out throughout the week going places, playing together and especially eating together - both at home and out. What a great visit we had.

Grandma Gaile had so much fun being with ALL her grandchildren during the week. Here she snuggles her oldest, our Zachary. She got him cupcakes and more trains for his big birthday. It was so fun to be with her, she treated everyone to lots of goodies.

On our way back to New Haven, we stopped to visit our friends in Delaware. Uncle Tom and Aunt Karie and their kids, Allison and Colin. Zoe and Allison became quite chummy this visit - as they discovered their mutual love of dolls. All the kids enjoyed being together and also playing in the pool out back. Sadly that night Zachary developed a stomach bug but he rallied and begged us to take him to Sesame Place on the way back for a quick visit. We saw a show, played a little and ran into our neighbors. Zachary was still not feeling completely better so we didn't stay long, but Daddy made sure that Zoe got to hug Elmo.

Zachary's 5th Birthday - more celebrating

Zachary "officially" turned 5 and we of course did more celebrating all week. It ended with a black and white cookie which he enjoyed as evidenced by the chocolate on his front tooth.

Here we are all together on Zachary's birthday. Don't be alarmed about Zoe - she insisted on the bandaids but her boo boos are already pretty much gone.

Zachary had been very much enjoying his trains these days and he got some new bridges, tracks and a tunnel to add to his ever growing set-up. We wanted everyone to see how much he has going on, and periodically we do reset things but this is still the current layout.

Mama and her babies

In Marylad GG got Zachary cupcakes so we could sing happy birthday one more time. We are down to meet our new cousin/nephew, Ethan Sol, and more pictures will come with him. Stay tuned.

Grammy and Grandpa came to celebrate Zachary's birthday, and they did lots of goofing around (thus them holding him up together in this picture) as well as playing games and reading together.

Zachary got a new bridge from Mama and Daddy...
and hugs from Zoe!

Another shot of the set-up of trains, they are taking over the playroom.

Zachary's 5th Birthday

Zachary is turning 5 this week, we cannot believe it! He celebrate his birthday with a party this weekend with his friend Eitan who is also turning 5. They celebrated their 3rd birthdays together too! Here is our birthday boy posing with his cheesy grin at the farm where we had the party, Common Ground. He had the best birthday ever, and we are so glad. It was a little tenuous at first, since the staff didn't show up to lead the party, but someone else that worked there saved the day and we are so grateful since the kids had a blast.
The Schulman Family at Zachary's birthday, hooray!

Zachary held a chicken which was a little scary at first, but he did great! He also posed for snapshots with many of his friends. Here is his pal Helen who will be in his Kindergarten class.

Here Zachary is with Eitan (the other birthday boy) and Elijah climbing a big tree trunk - good balancing and lots of fun.
Zoe with our pals the Rubinfelds, so nice they could be with us, Zachary and Zoe were so glad to see them.
Zachary and Aaron Rubinfeld, can't believe they are 5 ... and still so cute together!


Zachary fed some hay to the goat that had previously bucked him. No fear of the animals for Zoe or Zachary which made Mama and Daddy happy and proud.
Birthday cake, blowing out the candles (Hope he remembered to make a wish) and eating the yummy cake with his pal Sapir. Zachary and Zoe pose with the other birthday boy and one of his sisters, Abigail, and his brother Ephraim who was in Zoe's class this year. What a smiley bunch.
The two birthday boys, looking a little silly - but they had a great party and so much fun.
Mama and the Zs before the party
Daddy and the Zs before the party

Recent candids

Zachary had to miss his last day of camp ... he had a fever during the night, but he seemed fine in the morning. However since his birthday party was coming on sunday, we decided it was best for him to stay home and rest. He got to go in Mama and Daddy's bed with all his guys (see Tugs the dog) and watch some tv. Gotta love his easy going personality, he was ok with missing the last day because of his fever, but was sure glad all his friends from his bunk called to say hi.

One of the treats of the day was making brownies, what could be bad ... YUMMY!
Glamorous Zoe, modeling some sunglasses and one of her many funny faces. She is the comedian of the family, and we all enjoy her various acts. She is too cute!