Zoe's 4th Birthday

Our baby girl turned 4 years old! We knew she loved princesses so we made her a princess themed birthday party in our Sukkah and had a funny Magician come and perform for all the kids. Zoe (and Zachary) had a great time and we felt it was another successful birthday party!
Zachary giving birthday kisses to Zoe on the morning of her birthday when she was opening presents ... little did they know what was waiting downstairs see below
A giant doll house (behind Zoe) that was fun for everyone, complete with furniture and figures! Zoe is wearing a new dress that GG brought her, doesn't she look adorable?
On Zoe's actual birthday we celebrated in the sukkah with yummy cheesecake and GG and Zadie were with us.

On the day of the party Zoe dressed up in a beautiful dress that Grammy had given her . The family was very excited to celebrate with all our friends.
Zachary was a good sport for the Magician who had lots of tricks up his sleeve.
Zoe's favorite trick was when the bunny appeared in the box, and then when she go to hold the bunny in her lap and all her friends could come up and pet the bunny.
Princess cupcake cake in the shape of a 4, was so cute and delicious! And an adorable picture with Zadie.

Grammy and Grandpa enjoyed the party too ... and we all set together to watch the Magician. Did you notice that Glenn had shaved his beard, doesn't he look different?


Make a wish ... hope it came true!

Garden Harvest

The carrots were still small ... but the cukes have been plentiful and Zachary's parsley continues to flourish. Did we mention that we have so much basil. Already made our first batch of pesto and it was yummy. Tomatoes finally in a steady stream, more than Mama can eat, but the kids are proud of them even though they wont partake. Still waiting on the carrots and beets!

September update - apple picking, family and garden harvest

In order to get ready for Rosh Hashannah (Jewish New Year) we went on our annual apple picking trip. We picked LOTS of apples as well as pears and a few peaches. We had nice weather but sadly not all the varieties of apples were ready just yet. The kids enjoyed nonetheless and we were able to bake a delicious apple cake, make an apple pie and eat lots of yummy apples and honey throughout the holiday.

Daddy taught the kids how to properly remove the stem from the apple and find out who you are going to marry. Not sure it worked out so well for Zoe :-)

Nothing sweeter than Zachary and Zoe's faces in the apple orchard, but we are biased I guess. By the way the kids chose to wear their tie-dyes!

Grammy and Grandpa came for Rosh Hashannah and we snapped a few pictures of the kids with them before dinner. Everyone had fun being together and eating all the sweet treats. We also had a big garden harvest that day, basil, parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes and a carrot. OK so we learned it was too soon on the carrots, we have some more still in the ground. The parsley is the one Zachary planted in Kindergarten (see April entry) which we transplanted into our garden in the early summer. We are sure proud of our garden this year, seems to be the best year yet.

First day of school

Zachary has begun 1st Grade, and with that homework. Here he is completing his first (of many) assignments ... and it seems that soon enough he will need a desk in his room but for now the work is quick and he is good about getting it done and doing a good job at it. How sweet is this face?

Zoe has begun her final year in pre-school, at Gan Hayeled Nursery School. Because Zachary got a brand new backpack (see below), Zoe of course wanted one too. So Aunt Fara and Uncle Ari bought her a princess backpack (a little early) for her 4th birthday. She was so excited to wear it the first day and head off to school. See above as she works on a butterfly in her classroom. She has adjusted quite well although the schedule has been crazy with all of the Jewish Holidays. She has now learned to write her name which is very exciting and we can't wait to see everything she learns this year.

On the first day of school at Ezra Academy, there is a family dinner picnic. This year Daddy was off and was able to join us on the Ezra field. We were excited to see all our friends and have perfect weather. We bought new Ezra shirts, ate our dinner (Daddy packed us lots of yummy treats) and play on the playground and field. One pose with our big bad 1st grader.

Below is Zachary sporting his brand new backpack which he picked out and ordered complete with his name stitched on the back. He was very excited to get to school and sit at a desk. The transition continues -- learning more hebrew, formal math, desk work, and more but he is slowly settling in and happy to head off each morning. We look forward to many big milestones this year for him and are enjoying watching him learn so much already.
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Zachary's 6th Birthday

Zachary Avi turned 6 years old on August 15 and celebrated with family and friends on his very own trolley ride/birthday bash. How many people have had a special trolley ride in honor of their birthday. Not many we think, and we thought the party was a huge success and very fun!

Now we realize that Zachary's face looks a little perplexed in this picture, but we wanted to show the sign on the front of "his" birthday trolley. See below for Zachary hanging out of the trolley and sitting inside of it. We even got to eat cake on the trolley and Zachary got to start the engine and ring the bell.

We had to take some family shots on Zachary's birthday here with GG and Zadie outside of the trolley. Notice that Zadie is wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Zachary as a baby, it was a big hit at the party. And then at home with Mama, Daddy and Zoe. It is hard to believe that Zachary is 6 years old and in 1st grade (pictures in an upcoming post) but he has grown into a smart, funny, sweet boy and we are sure he will continue to make us SO proud of him as he grows up.

Grammy and Grandpa brought Zachary the present he has been asking for forever, a turning train elevator!!! It was so cool and everyone enjoyed playing with it and then Zachary added it into his set up along with other trains and tracks that Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Brian brought him. It was a good haul this birthday, trains, games, legos and magic kits. And, Zachary wrote ALL of his thank you notes, already!

Cousin Ethan's 1st Birthday-- our visit to Maryland

Cousin Ethan Sol turned 1. Mama, Zachary and Zoe drove to Maryland to meet up with GG, Zadie, Aunt Marcia, Mahma, Uncle Brian, Aunt Rebecca, Josh and Ethan to celebrate. Daddy (sadly) had to work. Zoe and Zachary got presents from Aunt Marcia and Mahma - and it was a real treat to see them since we hadn't seen them in a year!

For Ethan's Party, there was a petting zoo right in the front yard. There was a goat, pig, ducks, guinea pigs, a tortoise (that pooped a lot much to the joy of the kids) and a little pony. It was loads of fun and quite adorable. Josh, Zachary and Zoe spent a lot of time in the pen with the animals.

Zadie (wearing a t-shirt with Josh and Ethan's picture on it) and GG each got a pic with the kids.

Happy birthday to Ethan!!!! He loved his cake (see the small round one on the right) and everyone else enjoyed the GIANT giraffe cake.

While Ethan ate his little cake, Zoe and Zachary were sneaking the frosting from the big cake, notice how all you can read is E and not ETHAN!!! At least they were cute doing it. If you were to zoom in you could see the frosting on their faces.

The rest of July ...

Zachary dressed up as a cowboy for Cowboy/Pirate day at camp. Didn't he make a handsome cowboy? He wore his costume all day! Technically he was the sheriff, but we don't think he arrested anybody.

One afternoon after getting home from karate, Zachary and Zoe passed the time waiting for dinner playing on their Leapsters. It is fun for them and it makes it easier for Mama to whip up dinner. It is also sweet that Zoe looks on as Zachary plays and learns his tricks.

Mama ad Zoe pose for a picture before heading out, and Winston got in on the shot.

Zoe the ham making funny faces for the camera.


Zachary and Zoe helped make challah recently, by painting on the egg wash just before it was baked. The help was much appreciated and the challah tasted delicious!

Zachary was giving some love to Winston, and Winston actually seemed to enjoy it, and Daddy was able to catch the picture of them ... cute!