1st day of camp

Zachary and Zoe started camp on June 28. Zachary is going to the JCC day camp and it was his first time taking the bus. We all waited with him for his bus monday morning (which was late) and here is a picture of each of them waiting.

It was very exciting indeed to ride the bus and the anticipation of when it would arrive was tremendous. Zachary climbed aboard without any fear and did turn and wave goodbye, see below. Not without Mama stealing a quick kiss before he was off.

Zachary loves camp, he has already learned how to play kickball and soccer and really enjoyed both. Swimming is a huge hit and he can't wait to go back everyday, even despite a bus mix up at the end of the first day!!! They put him on the wrong bus with 2 other pals and thankfully it went to our friends stop in the other part of Westville where he was held until we could get him. Ahhh the joys of camp and summer.

Zoe went back to Camp Gan Izzy this year and met up with some old friends from last summer. She is at a local middle school so she gets air conditioning which is a bonus with these hot summer days ahead. She loves her counselors already and is excited to be at camp especially since this year the t-shirts are purple, fun fun!

Zachary's last day of school

Zachary's last day of Kindergarten - wow that year is over, unbelievable! Here he is sitting in his (now empty) cubby one last time (top photo) and compare that to his first day last September (second photo), hard to believe that was almost 10 months ago. Zachary has grown so much this year, he is a fluent reader, writes well - both upper and lower case, knows his aleph bet and can sound out hebrew words. He has grown socially and emotionally too and is excited to start first grade in the fall with all his Ezra pals. Thanks for a great year!

Zoe posed with Zachary in one of his kindergarten classrooms, as she is already ready to start kindergarten, but she has another year in nursery school first.

Here is Zachary holding his Aleph Bet book - he worked on this all year with Morah Nettie, his Judaics teacher. He decorated each hebrew letter including the Sofitot (final letters) and vowels. The book is amazing and most importantly he was very proud of it!

At pick up Zachary was sporting his new hat that he made with Morah Judy the secular teacher. They tie-dyed them and they were ready just in time to wear home on the last day. We also got a huge pile of his "work" that last day including pictures, a writing journal, math assignments and more. Many things are already hanging in the kitchen and there is still a pile to store and give to him when he is grown up.

Zachary posed with Helen and Camila - his two pals from Nursery School. They have been together since they were 2! In fact Daddy and Mama even took a birthing class with Camila's parents when they were in utero so they have known each other since BEFORE birth (technically). It is amazing to have watched them grow together. We are sad Camila is heading off to a different school but glad she will still be nearby. Have a GREAT summer!

Zoe's last day in the 3's of Gan Hayeled Pre-School ended with an ice cream social. The kids enjoyed ice cream sundaes, which they ate and wore! There were hoola hoops, bubbles, a congo line and limbo. Every time they lowered the limbo stick the kids screamed. Zachary held Zoe's hand until they had to slither underneath (and he also carried one of his flip flops which had fallen off). There was a slide show at the end, the kids had fun and Zoe enjoyed her year at Gan Hayeled. Can't wait for fall!

Zachary and Zoe both played with the hoola hoops, although it seems they need some work in the hip shaking department. It was cute watching to see which children had the moves and which didn't. Also cute, was the many other ways the children played with the hoola hoops.

Here is sweet Zoe posing for Daddy at the beginning of her last day of school. She looked so cute and sweet and we think she knew it. Hard to believe that school is over. We hope she enjoys camp and her summer before heading back to the 4's.

Zachary's first sleep over

Zachary's best pal, Eitan, slept over. I was thefirst sleepover EVER for both boys! First they shared a macaroni dinner, then a movie -- they ate ice cream and popcorn on the couch. Then they got the sleeping bags and snuggled up while watching the end of the movie. Afterwards they did some coloring together. Finally it was time to get ready for bed - PJs on and brushing of teeth. The boys wanted to sleep on the floor in Zachary's room in the sleeping bags, and they slept there all night!! It did take a while to fall asleep - once they figured out they could stay up talking and giggling. They woke up happy the next morning ready to have chocolate chip pancakes. The sleep over was a big success and both boys can't wait to do it again.

We heard the ice cream truck and we were all excited to get a treat! Even Mama an Daddy got an ice cream to celebrate Mama's good news - she got a new job. Sadly after the pictures were taken, Zachary's ice cream fell off the stick, but most of it was quickly rescued and after the tears were dried he was able to enjoy it. Next time perhaps a cone???