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.

Zoe's half birthday and other early spring fun

Zachary and Zoe enjoyed the new warmth of spring in our backyard. We blew bubbles, played on big wheels and of course played on the swing set. Zachary is working on using our rings/bar combo but both love the big kid swings so that was the favorite.





The kids wanted to do "art" and opted for the art-o-rama wheel of colors. I am not sure which is more fun, testing out each color, and implement or actually making the pictures. Either way it was great to watch their creative sides.




Celebrating Zoe's half birthday - of course with cupcakes. Perhaps a new family tradition! Zachary helped bake them during Zoe's nap and then they enjoyed them for snack. We can't believe Zoe is 2 and 1/2 (oh yea and we can't believe we just signed Zachary up for kindergarten either).


Catching some snuggles with Mama and Daddy during the early days of March Madness. We enjoy the big red couch and the big TV!

How the FLU trumped Purim 2009

Mama and Daddy came down with the FLU this past week even though we all got the flu shot this year. It was a doozy for them and the timing couldn't have been worse with Purim - especially since we had costumes and big plans to celebrate. By Monday Daddy was already in bed but Mama made a valiant effort (can you tell who typed this) to get everything ready for the week and try to observe Purim. We put on costumes (Zoe is wearing a different one then shemodeled in the previous entry) and headed over the the Shul in the hopes that someone would see us. Only the handyman was there, but he did his best. An important note, Zoe was wearing a special outfit Aunt Rebecca had brought home from Thailand way back when Zachary was born but it never fit him at the right time to wear a costume.


After all the work to get to Shul Mama was pooped too so the kids got into PJs (no bath) and got to watch a dvd before bedtime. This was a rare treat and the kids enjoyed while Mama and Daddy rested a little more.

The day of Purim, Zoe enjoyed many treats for lunch from her Shalach Manot bag from school and we were grateful to have less work to do to make her lunch. She is also showing off her Queen Esther crown that she made. Needless to say, Mama and Daddy missed the Purim play at school and friends photos haven't yet arrived. We are all so grateful that Grandma Gaile came up from Florida to help out so Mama and Daddy could rest and the kids wouldn't be neglected and thankfully now everyone is doing better!

Dinosaur and Costumes for Purim

We tried on our costumes for Purim which is coming up. Zoe is going to be a fairy - and even fly with a little help from Mama and Zachary is thinking about being a cowboy. He still needs a horse to ride (cause that is what cowboys do).



During their time off from school Zoe and Zachary built a dinosaur with Daddy. The really had fun, and would probably like their dinosaur to take up permanent residence in our playroom, but he is a little rickety on his old bones and had a fall. Oh well a good project for another day - rebuild him!

Zachary's 1/2 birthday - 4 and 1/2

Zoe has learned to sweep - and sometimes enjoys helping clean up the kitchen with Mama. She also loves Jackson and snuggles him often. We feel lucky that he is such a good sport about it. He is seriously the nicest kitty ever, and even Winston loves him.

Zachary loves to read, in fact these days he has demonstrated that he can indeed read - quite well in fact. He is determined once he gets going and sounds out new words. Here he is reading to himself and sharing the planet book with Zoe. Both kids have taken quite an interest in the solar system, especially the moon and some of the planets. It is exciting to watch them develop this interest.

We decided to celebrate Zachary's 1/2 birthday - can you believe he is 4 and 1/2, we can't! He and Daddy baked cupcakes to celebrate, he even frosted and sprinkled them. We couldn't convince him that he should only eat half a cupcake though, in fact he wanted 2!