Boston Feb., 2012

We visited our dear friends, the Mandel's, in Newton, Mass over shabbat and we had a wonderful time.  It was great to catch up with our old friends from New Haven.  The kids all played and enjoyed lots of yummy treats too.  

After shabbat we headed to a hotel in Boston and took a late night swim.  The next morning we were up and out early for a tour of Boston.  

 We took the Old Town Trolley tour so that we could learn about the rich history of Boston.  This was  also a good way for us to learn our way around without having to drive and park throughout Boston.  The tour was especially amusing to Mama and Daddy since we had a very funny trolley driver.

 After the tour we went to the New England Aquarium.  It was PACKED!  Seems like everyone had the same idea we did.  It didn't matter since we still got to see everything.  Here are the kids in the seal tank area.  One of the seal lions was even named Zoe, but we couldn't figure out which one she was.

 After all our site seeing, we wanted to ride the T back to our hotel.  We enjoyed a short T ride, after which we had a long walk back to our hotel.  Once there we went for another swim and then brought in a yummy dinner from Brookline.  It was a great day.

On Monday (President's Day) we took one last swim before heading towards home.  We made some quick stops at the outlets (Mama and Daddy got clothes this time) and also got ice cream.  We had a great visit to Boston and have a list of more things to do there on our next visit.

Zachary's first Aliyah

Zachary had his first individual aliyah at school today (1 day after his half birthday and on sports day of sprit week) and he did GREAT!  It was a double bonus for Mama and Daddy that Zoe's kindergarten class sang Halleluyah on the bimah as part of the Tefillah.  How sweet that they were all holding hands.

 Zoe sang the loudest and knew all the words, she was also GREAT!

 Zachary was so excited to go up for his aliyah, and he smiled a lot as he stood up there.

 His teacher, Morah Jacqui, was right there with him and he made her proud, saying the blessings nicely and then standing respectfully during the torah reading.  After his 'turn' he got a special blessing (Mishabareach) for good health and a happiness.  We are so proud of him and enjoyed watching him experience this milestone of his spiritual growth.  Mazal Tov to Zalman Avraham!

Afternoon in NYC

Zoe, Zachary and Daddy picked Mama up from the airport in NYC and they spent some time enjoying a spring like day in January.  The kids played in a park near the piers and then we walked out to the piers to see the view.  Fun was had by all and it was good to be back together as a family.

 Here are the kids with the Brooklyn bridge in the background, Zachary's favorite NY bridge!

 What fun afternoon wouldn't be complete without ice cream ... and Zoe stealing Daddy's milkshake.

Afterwards we had a lovely dinner at new kosher restaurant in Stamford, CT - it was a great day!

January snow

Using the sled to go down the street - better tracks so we thought.  

 Wearing swimming goggles - it worked until they got all fogged up.  However, Zachary should have been wearing a scarf, poor kids face and neck were very red and cold when he came in.

 How cute is Zoe, our little snow bunny.  She just makes it look so much fun!