What a week

This week was exactly the opposite of our summer in San Diego.  It was busier than I thought possible, very stressful, and not at all picturesque.  Hersh started school.  He is going 5 mornings per week.  He seems to be adjusting and enjoying it, although he is exhausted and asked on numerous mornings if he could, "just stay home and hang out:("  I started two new jobs this week, one of which is co-directing a school part-time.  I am sure things will settle down, but wow, what a week.  AlteLu is doing well, although I think she is feeling affected by the shift in energy within our house, and she is fully a 1 year old.  She wants to walk and talk, but isn't quite there yet, which leads to lots of frustration.
This weekend we are having a birthday party for her which will be fun, and I am grateful that Monday is a holiday!

1st day of school: 4 year old class OKECC

 Ladies lunch:

 Lego Creations:

Typewriter drawing

Apricot, moon, astronaut, launcher

Playing at the fountain!

 Fro yo with Joel:

A year of AlteLu

1!

This past Tuesday our sweet AlteLu turned 1!  It's hard to believe that this little lady lover has been in our lives for a whole year.  In some ways it seems like she just got here.  I am so grateful for the time I have had with her, getting to know her, learn who she is, and support her as she grows.  She is funny, inquisitive, and strong-willed.   She has lots of opinions, ideas, wants, and desires.  She currently says, "this" [DIS!],  "that" [DAT!], "touch" [TOUCH?], "airplane" [EEEEHPLAAAY!], duck" [DUCK!], "seagull" [DUCK!], "flamingo" [DUCK!], and "bird" [DUCK!].  She also gives the most delicious kisses with a loud "mmmmmm."  We simply can't imagine our life or our family without her.  She has brought us so much joy and happiness, while keeping us on our toes.  

We also flew home from SD on Tuesday, which was a really nice way to spend her birthday because the 4 of us were together for the whole day.  We went to breakfast at The Broken Yolk, flew home, and then arrived back in our cozy house.  It felt so good to walk in the door, take a shower, and get into bed.  Hersh said, "Ima, we have the nicest house of anywhere."  On Monday night, which was our last night in SD and our last night with Sabba and Savta, we brought cupcakes down to the beach and had a little celebration for our lady.  She enjoyed her cupcake for sure.  Can't wait to see what the next year brings for our Alte Luna!

mmmmmmm

Sharing a Horchata

Plane Art

Birthday nap on the plane

Hers[c]hel Ave

Helping to unpack

Birthday Beach Celebration:

First birthday cupcake:

1 year old photos

In honor of AlteLu turning 1 we had some "fancy" photos taken.  Here are a few: