Wedding in Maryland Memorial day Weekend 2009

Looking dapper in fancy clothes for Miriam and Michael's wedding. It was a beautiful day and everyone had so much fun. The kids were good, the company was great, and the wedding was a blast.

Zoe was a dancing queen -- see her shake her booty.

Zachary really enjoyed eating asparagus at the wedding - which made us happy. He especially liked eating it while swinging, not sure the connection but more asparagus in boy makes Mom happy. Zachary posed with Mamma Rita - looking sharp.

Zoe looking cute sucking her thumb and watching the peacocks. Yes, there were 3 peacocks to visit and watch.

It was great to see Aunt Marcia and Mamma and the kids enjoyed having time with them too.

Joshua is quite the ham - posing with Aunt Betsy and his Daddy as well as Aunt Betsy and Uncle Glenn. We really enjoyed having so much quality time with him this visit and he seemed to enjoy us too.

Don't GG and Zadie look sharp all dressed up for the wedding.

Zoe and Aunt Rebecca looking cute - doesn't Aunt Rebecca look great, baby cousin is coming soon. Here is the family before the rehearsal dinner, looking sporty. We enjoyed seeing everyone all weekend.

and now they can ride ....

Zachary and Zoe enjoyed the sunny weather and did some fun activities in the FRONT of our house. We live on a hill making it a little scary (for Mama and Daddy at least) to imagine the kids riding tricycles etc around, but we didn't want them to miss out on this important childhood activity and neither did their family. So Mama let them each pick out their very own helmit and knee pads see Zachary below ....

and GG and Zadie bought a new tricycle for Zoe see her sitting on it (she is still figuring out pedaling) and Zachary got a scooter. We already had some bigwheels which Zachary had lots of fun riding down the hill along the sidewalk and we think it wont be long before they will want big kid bikes - YIKES!

As you can see, Zachary doesn't seem to mind his helmit, but Zoe isn't so sure she wants to sport her new purple helmit.

Here is Zachary riding his scooter ... he keeps saying cheese cause he thinks I am taking his picture and not a movie of how he rides. For the record, this scooter takes quite a bit of balance to ride, so we are pretty impressed!



We have also taught the kids hopskotch which Zachary is quite good at, but Zoe just jumps which is super cute. She will get it in no time!

visitors from Maine

Libby Palkovacs came for a visit with her parents Aunt Cat and Uncle Eric - all the way from Maine. The kids of course wanted her to join them in the bath that night and we think that everyone enjoyed all the splashing and entertainment. Nothing cuter than baby and kid naked bellies we think!
Aunt Cat and Mama went for a ladies walk with Libby and Zoe in the Schulman stroller. Both Libby and Zoe enjoyed the ride and the beautiful weather.
Zachary made Mama a beautiful apron for Mother's Day (at school). He pained it and sewed on 3 buttons. Mama wore the apron to finish preparing Shabbat dinner (he gave it to her as soon as he got home from school friday) and it fits perfect. What a great present. Zoe gave Mama a painted mirror which is displayed on her dresser.

Mothers Day pose with Zachary and Zoe and stealing some kisses too. It is good to feel such love on any day, but especially on Mother's Day.


Libby took her first official swing ride in our backyard and seemed to really enjoy it. She must have also enjoyed swinging with her new pals Zachary (who was up on the bar again) and Zoe in the big girl swing. We are glad to keep the baby swing around for just such an occasion as a first swing ride.

The Moms got to be pamperd on Mother's day and go for massages and lunch and meanwhile the Dads took the kids to the Beardsley Zoo. Zachary had lots of fun looking for the Prairie dogs climbing in the tunnels underneath their habitat and Zoe did some jumping.


Uncle Eric demonstrated his skills as super dad and did a lot of quality time with all the kids. Zachary and Zoe loved being with him since he is so funny, everytime they were together there was lots of laughter.
Near the fountain at the zoo Daddy even got in a shot with Zachary and Zoe, nice to see him on the other end of the camera.

outdoor fun - feels like summer

The summer like weather we have had inspired us to do some water activities in our backyard. The kids donned some swimwear and t-shirts and we set up the sprinkler and water table. Zoe particularly liked climbing into the water table so she could soak her feet. She wanted the pool out too, but we didn't want to go overboard. While watering the lawn Zachary ran through the sprinkler a bunch with shouts of delight. Zoe shows off our flower pot - seeded with wildflowers that haven't yet germinated.



Daddy took the kids to the park to play and they had a blast. It was quite hot as you can tell by Zachary's rosey cheeks. Also note Zachary's new t-shirt which Daddy got at the Dead Show he went to the night before.

Daddy bought Zoe a butterfly net which she tested out. We haven't yet seen any butterflies just yet, but we know based on our book about the crunching munching caterpillar that soon enough they will spread their wings and take flight.

Nava Pollak came to visit us recently and enjoyed our baby swing. We had fun playing together in the backyard on the swingset and seeing Uncle Yossi and Aunt Brooke.

Vidoes of the kids April 2009

Pesach 2009

Pesach 2009 has been full of a new understanding by both Zachary and Zoe about the significance of the holiday. It was complete with singing of songs and the 4 questions and a great appreciation for the taste of Matzah and its related entrees. Each year we acquire new recipes, and learn new songs.

Here is the family at our 2nd seder ... our first we were alone, which turned out to be quite delightful. At both seders Zachary sang most of the 4 questions and Zoe sang her favorite song, Dayenu. A video will be added soon.

The Nolde family joined us once again for our Seder as well as Grammy Ellen and Grandpa Stan. It was quite nice that the brisket was a big hit this year with the kids (unlike years passed) but the favorite was the onion soup nuts that everyone enjoyed in their Matzah ball soup. Zoe was very flirtatious with baby Ethan, who giggled at her and Zachary and Aidan played in between course.



At Zachary and Zoe's school, Garanim, Mama took part in their Seder and watched the annual Pesach play. Last year (as you might recall) Zachary was baby Moses so it was quite a joy to see little Zoe sitting in that basket. Zachary was "grown-up Moses" this year and donned the special costume his teacher keeps for that role. Zoe also got to wear (and chew) Mama's bracelet as you can see in this picture. The kids were cute as ever with their classmates acting out the Magid of Pesach ... we are sad this is the last year!

Celebrating Daddy's birthday ... with a yummy chocolate babka picked out by Zachary. Zoe just couldn't wait - she loves to pick off the chocolate.

Our friend Li Lin and her parents came down from Vermont for a visit to New Haven. The kids enjoyed some fun times in Zachary's bed as well as in Li Lin's air matress. Zoe and Li Lin visited the Peabody museum and went out to lunch, while Zachary was at school. It was a fun visit and the kids enjoyed getting to know each other and the parents enjoyed catching up.