Our new addition: JENDA

The kids have wanted a dog for a long time. Yes, we already have two beautiful mutts, but the kids wanted a dog who "liked" them! So, after a lot of thought and discussion, we adopted a new puppy and she arrived late last night. We named her Jenda. She is approx 6 pounds at 4 months and is a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix. She came to us from the Golden "S" Rescue in South Carolina (Mishu is from SC too - there are a lot of high kill shelters there). Mishu doesn't mind the new addition, has mostly ignored Jenda and Onyx doesn't know what to make of her, but as long as I don't pay too much attention to Jenda, Onyx is fine with it.

Here is the first picture we saw of Jenda as a puppy, only a few weeks old:


The kids woke up two hours early today to feed, walk and play with their new puppy. They are totally in love. I just hope this great sense of responsibility continues! Here are a few pictures from our morning before school, but I am sure there will be many more to come!

Best Spring Break Ever!

The kids told me that this was the best spring break ever! We had lots of fun visiting with friends and family. We spent a day with Aunt Sherry, Miss Miriam and Prisila at the farm where we took a hike through the woods then had lunch at McDonalds. We spent a day with Bubie and PopPop where the kids played with their cousins Hollie and Harry and did special projects with Bubie and PopPop. We had lunch one day with Aunt Joan and Cousin Henry the the kids went to the movies with Aunt Joan. We spent a day with the Ms. Anne, John, Luke and Grace where we walked through Longwood Gardens and played. We were also fortunate to have a day at the park with our friends Ms. Pattie, Noah and Ciara, but unfortunately, we were having so much fun I forgot to take pictures! The week ended with Sedars at Bubie's and Aunt Joan's then a final playdate with Cayla and Sarah who are visiting from NJ. Thank you so much everyone for making this such a special time for us!

My beautiful BIRTHDAY GIRL

Here is a beautiful picture I took of my birthday girl this morning before school with her new haircut. I am so thrilled that for her birthday, she chose to have a special girls day with just me and her cousin Hollie.

I don't know where time has gone, it seems like just yesterday that I was holding this chubby little baby in my arms. This baby never smiled, and I worried alot! That first smile though was more precious than gold and she hasn't stopped since! Sela continues to love anything pink and girly. She even asked if we can go get a message today! Sela has recently started to display a sneaky mischevious side, but also can be the most polite and well mannered little girl. She loves to be the center of attention but at the same time does get a little shy, unlike when she was a child.

As she grows, learns and develops each day, I am still so very proud to be her mom. She has a good heart, always thinking of others and caring for them deeply. She hurts when others do and has a sensitivity that most can't even learn.

Here is a baby picture of my sweet girl:

1st birthday:

2nd birthday:

3rd birthday:

4th birthday:

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS!

Sela would be THRILLED to get birthday wishes, and you are welcome to e-mail them to: RLShooman@aol.com or leave a comment here which I will print out for her.

November pictures

In November, I tried to get some good shots of the kids before it got too cold...the first one I used on our holiday cards.

December Holidays

The month of December has flow by so quickly! The kids were busy in school, in Hebrew School, getting ready for Chanukah and spending as much time with Bubie and PopPop before they left for Arizona on the 15th. We attempted to make a gingerbread house for our Kaster family Chanukah party. The kids had a great time decorating it, and it must have tasted really good because there was nothing left by the end of the party!
Sela had a pajama party in her kindergarten class before the holidays and Nathan invited me to his class for a holiday party.
Nathan was also in his Hebrew School Class production of the Chanukah Story. There was a last minute cast change and he had to change parts to be Maccabee #3 and did a great job.
We were also very fortunate to spend some time with our cousins from North Carolina and from here in Maryland. The kids had so much fun playing together and as a parent, it was a joy to watch!

These are my handsome nephews...

Andrew (soon to be 12!)

Matthew (7)
and Harry (6 months and all smiles!)
and my beautiful nieces...

Nicole (9)

and Hollie (2)
Sela LOVED the present she received, a hairdressing doll complete with barrettes, beads, feathers and colored hair. She decided to use them on herself rather than the doll for which they were intended. Nathan loved the Star Wars Lego sets he received and had them all put together within the hour!
Here is a beautiful picture of all the cousins together:
and of course, a silly one!
I hope this New Years brings much happiness, good health, prosperity and LOTS of LOVE and good wishes for all!

Fall Leaves

We spent some time this past weekend helping Bubie and PopPop rake leaves. The kids had a great time.

Hershey, Rosh Hashana and Races

The school year has gotten off to a good start. The kids are enjoying their classes and teachers. They have also started Hebrew school at our new synogogue. It is such a joy to see them come out of their classes each Sunday so happy and excited to tell me about their lessons. Karate class is also a weekly event keeping us very busy! We did find time however, to go to Hershey Park with PopPop. Nathan and PopPop had a great time riding all the big kid rides and roller coasters. Sela and I enjoyed spending a little time alone together and she was happy to go on all the rides she wanted to!

Rosh Hashana was spent with family at Aunt Joan's house and the following night at Aunt Sherry's. The kids love playing with their cousins and being with family.


After Rosh Hashana, Nathan joined Bubie, PopPop, Aunt Teri, Uncle Jamie, Hollie and Harry on a trip to Dover, Delaware to watch the NASCAR races. He had a great time and can't wait to go again.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school - Nathan is entering 2nd Grade with Ms. Sachs and Sela will be in Ms. Tallent's Kindergarten class. I cannot wait until they return from school to hear all about it!

I can't believe how quickly time passes. Seems like only yesterday they were babies in my arms! I love them with all my heart and hope today is a wonderful start to a terrific new school year!