FFF - PAJAMA PARTY!

Favorite Foto Friday - PAJAMA PARTY!

Here is a picture of my pretty princess trying on her new nightgown:

And here is a picture of my big boy in his PJs on our trip last weekend playing with his UncleThis picture was taken right before he flipped over and landed on his uncle:and finally, what is a sleepover without a few tickles!To see more FFF pictures, check out Sarah's blog for the complete listing: http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/

Weekend in Lexington

We spent the Memorial Day weekend in Lexington, VA along with my parents, sister, brother and their families. It was great to see them all and to watch the kids interact. We arrived a day early along with Bubie and PopPop. We spent the day exploring the area and found a small quiet playground. The kids loved playing on the swings, looking for catapillars, and even sliding down the rather large sliding board.Sela had no fear climbing up the ladder, but sliding down was another story. This is what happened when she got scared and tried to stop herself:The kids did some fishing with their PopPop, cousins and Uncles Rick and Jamie:We visited a safari in Lexington. We bought a couple buckets of feed and fed the animals when they came to our car. We saw camels, llamas, zebras, cattle, deer, pigs and many other animals. Nathan loved it:
But, Sela was rather unsure of everything:

During this trip, Uncle Rick taught Nathan how to catch and throw the baseball:

And, the kids loved the bubbles:
both in and out of the tub!

We visited the Natural Bridge and the kids even went into their first cavern.
That evening, the kids ate watermelon around the campfire before roasting marshmellows and playing with their cousins.
It was great to spend time with family:

News and Notes

Yesterday, I received Nathan's report card after having his Portfolio Conference with his teachers on Monday. They are very pleased with the progress he has made this year in school and feel that he has grown and matured in addition to learning. I am so incredibly proud of him!

Nathan's teachers did share a funny story, complete with pictures: when they were learning about Passover, the teachers talked about wine and how it was made. As a demonstration, a large bucket and grapes were brought into the classroom and the kids were all asked to roll up their pants to take a turn stepping on the grapes. When it was Nathan's turn, the teachers said they turned around and Nathan had taken OFF his pants!! Doesn't surprise me at all, but it certainly suprised the teachers.

Nathan will be in this school for one more year and next year, Sela will be joining him there! She is very excited about attending school at Bet Yeladim!

Last night, while we were out, we received a call from Juhani. The kids are so excited to see him. Juhani and Sarah will be returning to the United States next week and will be here for most of the summer. Nathan already has a list of things he wants to do with Juhani. Here are a few pictures from last summer in Hawaii:

Funny things kids say

We had a garage sale Saturday morning. The kids were surprised to see some of their old toys and clothes out on our driveway, but were very pleased when people came up and gave them money!

Nathan and Sela went to my parents house for the afternoon so I could clean up and pack up from the sale. When we were driving home that evening Nathan asked if we could celebrate again. After much questioning, I realized he though we were having a party and celebrating with toys outside and wanted to do it again the following day!

Happy 95th Grandma Helen

Yesterday, we celebrated Grandma Helen's 95th Birthday (which is actually today).

Nathan and Sela were very excited to bring Grandma balloons and didn't care what they said, which is why she has one that says 40th birthday. Here are a few pictures from the party:

Nathan loves to see the birds and fish when he visits Grandmom.

Sela sitting patiently with Uncle Bob while waiting for cake:Here is Grandmom getting ready to blow out her candles:

A birthday kiss:and a beautiful smile for Nathan's Great Grandmother!

FFF: Fun in the sun

This week's Favorite Foto Friday is: FUN IN THE SUN!


The weather here has been rather dreary and rainy. But, we are looking forward to having things clear up soon as next week we meet our family at a cabin in southern Virginia for vacation. Just this morning, Nathan told me that he was sad because he misses his cousins and his Uncle Rick. I think he is more sad because I won't let him use the toys that I have packed away for this trip!


Here are my sun loving bathing beauties from last summer. We can't wait to go to Aunt Sher's pool again!

Our Mother's Day

I received such wonderful and special gifts this year. Nathan decorated a pot and made a paper flower and card for me in school and Sela planted a plant and made a card for me in daycare. In addition, Mom and Dad not only took the kids for the night Friday and didn't return them until Saturday after dinner so I had the entire day to myself, but they took pictures of the kids, put them in frames and bought me gift certificates to get my nails done. I was treated like a queen!

Last night, we had our family Mother's Day celebration - here are a few pics:

In Celebration of Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, in honor of my mother, we purchased gift baskets for the mothers of the students we sponsor in Guatemala. Included in the basket we special food items and things for the kitchen. Here are pictures of the families receiving their baskets:

Miriam Josefina and family:

Luis Alfonso and his mother:

FFF - Mommy and Me

FFF - Favorite Foto Friday

In honor of Mother's Day, I am posting one of my favorite pictures of Nathan, my mother and me. This picture was taken in Oct of 2005 when Nathan was just over 14 months old.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!!

Beautiful Spring Weekend

The weather was beautiful here in Maryland this weekend. We enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with family.
We had our Shabbat dinner on Friday night and called Bubie an PopPop to say the blessings with them over the phone. Nathan and Sela proudly receited the blessings for the Sabbath candles, the (pretend) wine and the challah (braided bread). We then watched a movie together as a family in mommy's room before going to sleep.

On Saturday after taking both dogs to the vet to update their vaccines, we went to Aunt Teri's house. Unfortunately, Uncle Jamie was busy and not around, but the kids had a great time with Aunt Teri. She let them help her pick out flowers which will planted in her garden, then Aunt Teri treated us all to lunch. After lunch, Nathan went with Aunt Teri to Uncle Jamie's old house to help paint. He was very excited to strip down to his underwear and paint the walls! Meanwhile, Sela and mommy went to the library. Sela got her first library card, then lost it. But, we did find it and were able to check out books. Later that day, after picking up a paint covered Nathan, we went to Bubie and PopPop's house to eat pizza and watch the USA Woman's National Team Soccer game.

On Sunday, we met Seth, Bret and Becca for brunch in Bethesda to celebrate Seth's birthday. We were only a month late! :) It was wonderful seeing them and the kids loved playing with the guys in the park!
Later Sunday afternoon while the kids napped at Bubie's house, Dad and I set up Sela's new bed. I learned that not only did I use this bed frame as a child, but so did my dad!! Here is Sela's room with her big girl bed:

And, on the bed is a special blanket made with love by Bubie. (Nathan got one for his room too!)