The first big blizzard of 2011

It started snowing the night of Mama's birthday (1.11.11) and by the 12th there was a snow day and a backyard full of snow. Zachary braved the cold to hit the backyard and for play - and he enjoyed the swing and the slide.

By 1.13.11 there was another storm, and the kids were off again, this time with Daddy. They went into the backyard again and this time built a snow fort - which was awesome, until it snowed some more and more and buried the snow fort! But the kids loved it and Daddy was proud of his igloo building prowess.

It is VERY important to note - that by the time of this posting, there had been 6 snow days, at least 2 delays and 1 early dismissal on the eve of a 1-2 punch storm promising at least 1 additional snow day if not 2. What a winter we have had!!!!

Mama's Birthday 1.11.11

Mama had an excellent birthday this year ... the kids made signs, cards and wrote beautiful message in the cards. Daddy got Mama a cake, flowers, a new umbrella (on Mama's wish list), a new CD, and the kids also got Mama a gift card for a manicure and pedicure. Daddy and Mama had a sitter lined up, but the snow kept them home, not to worry we still had a good evening. Mama also got to go out with some lady friends for dinner and dessert on another night and she treated herself to a facial. What fun it is to have a birthday and celebrate with the ones you love.

Zoe gave Mama a musical fairy card - it was fun for Zoe and Mama to read and listen to.

Thanks for the cake and candles too - gotta love the fun of blowing out the candles. Of note, Zoe wanted to wear a dress for our family celebration, and since she was staying in, it was ok that she chose her summer sundress.

Highlights from our trip to Florida December 2010

We made our annual trip to Florida this past December. Mama and the kids first and a few dats later, Daddy followed. The kids were great travelers even though our flight got in late. We enjoyed quality time with GG and Zadie and got to meet a musician we have been following for a while - ZACH LADIN! Check him out if you haven't heard his music, he is GREAT! He even played a concert for us.

http://www.zachladin.com

The weather in Florida wasn't as warm as we would have liked although the kids braved the pool as often as possible (see pictures at the end of this post). Once Daddy arrived we visited some special places we had never been to before. Here is a picture from Playmobil Land. We played some with the many playmobil environments and checked out the shop.

Bathtime was a big hit at GG and Zadie's, because Zoe and Zachary very much enjoyed the big bathtub complete with bubblebath and the jets in the tub turned on, which in case you have never tried, makes A LOT of bubbles. Bubble beards were a hit and just general bubble mania.

GG and Zadie took us all to the Ringling Brothers Circus during our visit. We had done this last year and knew the kids would enjoy it. Daddy even conquered his fear of clowns and came with us. Zachary and Mama tried on some costumes and the cotton candy was a big hit (it came in the funny hat). It was really enjoyable to watch Zachary belly laughing at the clowns this year - he got most of the jokes. Zoe loved all the "girls" costumes and the motorcycle on the tight wire was also amazing! Thanks GG and Zadie for taking us, we all loved it.

The other special activity we did, was a visit to Butterfly World. We have driven by it so many times given that it was literally around the corner from Mahma Rita's condo. It was amazing to see so many butterfly species and even get to hold some. We also got to feed Lorikeets and view several species of birds. The kids enjoyed learning a little about butterflies and took home a special book as a treat. I would recommend a visit to anyone heading to southeastern

Florida.

Pool time was not what we had expected given the cool temperatures. That didn't stop the kids from wanting to go as soon as the thermometer was over 70. Zachary was king of the belly flops, and Zoe was a little fish swimming underwater. We were so impressed with their swimming and more importantly they had a blast each time they went to the pool -- even the day the heater was broken.

8th night of Hanukkah

So this is the final post for Hanukkah 2010 ... enjoy!

The quintessential lighting of the Hanukkiah picture - Zachary lit his Hanukkiah every night that we were in CT - and was proud of it too! Zoe also lit herself (once again) this year. They are quite careful and we must admit with so many Hanukkiot lit it looks pretty beautiful.

Zoe used the blessing "booklet" that Zachary had made and belted it out for us. She liked to sing Mao Tzur each night, and some night we got dreidel songs too.

Zachary posing with an earlier gift - a light saber and Zoe in her Cinderella gown (from 1st night). We tried to get a picture of them by our Hanukkiot each night we were in CT "for posterity" so feel free to review the previous entries.


The box that a gift came in for Zachary (wooden car garage) the box ended up being more entertaining then any gift they got - go figure! Isn't that typical of kids? Well as long as they keep those big smiles coming we don't mind. This box was an object of play for the kids for a few days, and the cats enjoyed it too.

7th night of Hanukkah

Check out all the Hanukkiot glowing with candles on the 7th night of Hanukkah 2010. We got Zoe's new Hannukiah on the far right with a picture in it. The kids enjoyed a sweet hug as they awaited their gifts. Later that night we went to Ezra Academy for the Hannukah production and those pictures will come next!

6th night of Hanukkah

Ok so Zachary looks a little like a deer in headlights in this picture but in going along with the theme of the recent posts on this blog I felt compelled to post this one too. Stay tuned, we are reaching the end of Hanukkah!

5th night of Hanukkah

We returned from Maryland in time for the Shul Hanukkah party, on the 5th night of Hanukkah. The party included pizza, crafts, dancing, dreidel spinning, and homemade sufganyiot (donuts). Zoe enjoyed the hot, fresh, sufganiyot at the end of the party.

Zachary enjoyed trying to eat a donut on a string, but alas he needed his hands.

Mama enjoyed another chance to dance with her kids, and then some others joined us too. It was another good party to celebrate Hanukkah and we were glad we made it home in time to go.

Hanukkah Party on 4th night

We joined Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Brian, Joshua and Ethan at a Hanukkah Party at Kehilat Shalom in Gaithersburg, MD on saturday night. It was a lot of fun! They had an activity where we (Zachary and Mama) used toilet paper to make someone a Mummy. There was dancing during which Mama and Zoe had their picture taken for the Gaithersburg Gazette and there was also ice cream which the kids (including Ethan see below) totally enjoyed. What a great party!

4th Night of Hanukkah

The 4th night of Hanukkah (we were still in Maryland) was the night the kids got presents from Grandma Gaile and Zadie (they sent big boxes of goodies). Everyone enjoyed lighting candles and opening presents. Then we went to a hanukkah party at Kehilat Shalom the Shul that Uncle Brian had his Bar Mitzvah at. Pictures from that party to follow in the next post.

Zoe looking sweet.

Zachary enjoying cousin Josh's toys!