7!

Yesterday, our sweetest boy turned 7.  He had a great day--AlteLu and I brought popsicles to his class, where AlteLu proudly helped give them out.  AlteLu and I also took a trip to Costco (which is attached to the mall).  Both kids needed new underoos, and let me tell you, AlteLu loved shopping at the mall! Then we had a mellow afternoon, where AlteLu and I baked the cakes that will become Hersh's volcano cake for his party this weekend.  Hersh alternated between reading Calvin and Hobbes, practicing piano, and taking birthday calls from his adoring fans.  The kids also got into some beading, which is always a good time.  AlteLu made a necklace for Hersh, then made wrapping paper, and wrapped the gift. We had Hersh's favorite dinner--tortellini, broc, garlic bread, veggie meatballs, and tutim.  The evening was finished up with some homemade ice cream cake, cards, and presents.  Hersh was gracious and truly enjoyed every moment.  He let his sister unwrap the gifts for him, and she was the most gracious birthday sister one could hope for.  It was a wonderful day with our boy.  He is a true mensch, who we love more and more each day.  Here's to what being 7 brings!

During his call with Aunt Mimi, she asked him what his 7 wishes are for the coming year:):
1. That my molars will grow 

2. To go to the Amazon rainforest 

3. That I get to "The Prisoner of Azkaban" [the last Harry Potter book].

4. That I get to read "The Boy Who Crashed to Earth"

5. I hope I get my orange belt. (Also: hersh takes karate??)

6. I want to learn more about this desert where it's really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter. How long can a person stand outside in the winter there?

7. I hope to go on a camping trip! With the people I usually go camping with plus AlteLu. 

Almost 7...

Having settled back in from being away, we are in the final stretch of the school year.  But, before we get to all of that, our sweetest boy, HBB, will turn 7.  How can this be?  It seems as though we were just living in Seattle and he was just our first newborn.  Yet, here we are with the sweetest, kindest, funniest, creative, curious boy you could ask for. Reading books to his sister when she isn't feeling well, loving a day in his pajamas, getting ready to ride a new bike, Hersh has it going on.  And let's not forget AlteLu, who is full of life questions these days. She wants to know about husbands, grandparents, names, and babies.  She loves to hear stories about when she was a baby. AlteLu loves to instruct others in a sort of "movement class" and would live on seaweed, yogurt, and trailmix, if she could:)

Pesach and VA

Wow! What a spring break it has been. Following my birthday, we hosted the 1st Seder.  The weather was beautiful--we ate on the porch, Jacob and the kids lead beautifully with Hersh chanting the 4 questions, and AlteLu belting out all of the songs.The Siegelbaum and Rubin Families are the best, and the light up Afikomen prizes were a hit!  We then headed to Philly for 2nd Seder with the Kleins.  Again, a joyous time, and both kids loved being with Isaac.

Then, after a few days at home, we ventured south, first with a stop at King's Dominion, where Hersh and I rode The Berserker, the kids rode rides together, and we watched a live show with Charlie Brown. It was a fun, albeit bizarre day.  Then, it was onto Charlottesville, where we drank wine, visited downtown and the Farmer's Market (I crashed the smoothie stand), visited Monticello (2x), went on a hike, swam in a lake, and watched the Karate Kid.  We played a game where we wrote down every animal we saw (Hersh lost the notebook with this list on the UVA campus--we drove back and it was quickly retrieved by Abba).  The kids shared a bed and are the best of friends--makes my heart warm.  Then today we had pancakes (as requested by Hersh, our almost 7 year old), and drove into the Shenandoah Mountains, to Luray Caverns.  The Caverns were awesome, with the kids soaking up the info shared by the tour guide.  Hersh guessed that one of the formations that looks like ice cream, is Rocky Road, and AlteLu was fascinated by the drapery formations that look like a bath towel.
Some notes from the trip:
-AlteLu enjoyed showering!
-Hersh loves a good activity book
-both kids are amazing hikers, eaters, swimmers in freezing lakes, and love bisli and bamba
-AlteLu is just so sunny and happy (98% of the time). I feel like we should bottle her up and give little doses to those feeling sad.  In the car she decided that Jacob is Clifford, she is Emily Elizabeth, Hersh is Nero, and I am Emily Elizabeth's mom--the game is continuing at home.  She has also been "performing" on a fold up table that is on the floor, as her "stage."
-Hersh is somehow almost 7!!!!!  He is reading Harry Potter and really likes to relax on vacation:)

They are the best children on earth.  We are so grateful for them!