Summer in the South

What an amazing week and a half we have had here in Arkansas.  With 7316 as our home base, our Little Rock stay has been amazing.  Surrounded by the love of Sabba, Savta, and Bamombelle, and with each day filled with summer in the south, we never want to leave!
Last weekend we spent a night out at Lake Katherine with Jacob's childhood friends.  We all enjoyed swimming in the lake, but Hersh really wins the award for most enthusiastic lake swimmer.  He is fearless!  Going down the slide into the lake, jumping off the barge, and demanding that the boat pull him faster with each turn on the innertube.  We then enjoyed an evening at the ballpark--go Travelers! Hersh ran across the field and everyone enjoyed the festivities.  We got our teeth cleaned by Sabba, although AlteLu was not open to this idea.  Then Jacob and Hersh went fishing out at Lakeside with Aunt LeAnn and Uncle Russ.  A visit to the Clinton Library was made, and Jacob and I headed to Bentonville and Crystal Bridges for our first night away from the kids!  We knew they couldn't have been left in better hands.  Fantasia was watched, legos built, and Gato dressed in Aunt Mimi's orphan clothes.  We will finish the trip with a Lakeside 4th of July!  Grateful for this time and can't wait until our next time here in The Rock.

22 months

It's fast approaching--our sweet AlteLu will be 2 before we know it!  For now we are enjoying her amazing 22monthness.  She currently puts the word "big" in front of lots of what she says.  Except when she says it, she puts an "a" on the end, and winds up sounding Italian.  For example, "big-a truck, big-a bowl, big-a puppy."  It is hilarious and so deliciously cute!  Her language skills are amazing.  In the area of colors she still has some work to do:)--she walked up to me yesterday, pointed to my dress, and said, "Ima, red dress."  The dress was blue.  We then showed her Jacob's shirt, which was also blue, and she said, "Yellow shirt."  We found this to be very funny!
We have a family of bunnies living in our backyard that we have been immensely enjoying watching.
Hersh just finished a week of Audubon camp, which received a review of "boring" on Monday, and then on Friday he liked it.  I think we have learned that with Hersh, he initially does not love new experiences, but after a few days warms to what he is doing.  Hersh is also starting to read on his own, which is incredible.  It's slow and steady, but we are proud of him, and love him so much!
Last weekend one of my very best friends, Katie B. came to town for a visit with her boyfriend Chris.  A great time was had by all.  Alte thinks that Kate's name is "cake" which is just fine, because she really loves cake:)  Yesterday we ventured to Flag Pond for a beach day with our friends the Siegelbaum family.  Everyone had a lovely time in the sand and waves.  I love summer!

Two Wheeler!

Here in our little corner of the world we have fully eased into summertime mode.  Free of much obligation and schedule we find ourselves swimming, playing, reading, exploring.  I am still working a bit, but with Hersh out of school and my schedule abbreviated, we are truly embracing the gift that is summer.
Our 5 year old (!) can now ride a two-wheel bike without training wheels!  And our sweet little lady has been saying, "Amo" which just melts your heart.  They both love to swim, with Hersh being able to swim the length of the entire pool, and we are working with AlteLu to jump in on the count of  "shalosh."  Both of our little lovers thoroughly enjoy parties, bbq's, etc. If we tell Alte that we are going to a party she asks, "Cake? Birthday?" and Hersh is always ready for "plans."

Siyum and 11 years!

Last Friday was Hersh's last day of preschool at the OKECC.  It felt like a big deal.  He is now officially done, next Kindergarten.  It was a lovely morning that felt just right.  Surrounded by classmates and friends, we all honored the work of the children and teachers.  We had lunch with good friends, and have slowly been easing into the summer time.  The end of last week was s bit sad, but Hersh seems to have accepted that OKECC is done, and next will be Kindergarten.  We anticipate a fun summer enjoying our boy.
Saturday was our 11 year wedding anniversary.  To celebrate we decided to enjoy a family day at the beach--perfect!  We drove to Flag Pond in Calvert County.  It is by far the most beautiful bay beach we have been to.  Both kids had a fabulous time and so did we.  Swimming, digging, eating, relaxing, playing--both HBB and AlteLu love the beach!  And I love my husband--so grateful and lucky to have him as my life partner.


OKECC Siyum:

 Flag Pond:

Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend is always a favorite in our house.  Maybe it's because the weather is  wonderful, the pools are open, or because Jacob and I got married over Memorial Day Weekend 11(!) years ago.  Regardless the reason, we had a wonderful weekend.  Shavuot Shabbat dinner with friends.  Wiz of Oz play at Glen Echo that AlteLu and I walked out of during the tornado.  Delicious vegetarian Chinese food, bbq's, friends, bike riding, swimming, and a visit from Aunt Mimi and Daniel--whew!  It was a busy wonderful weekend.
Now we are preparing for Hersh's siyum at Ohr Kodesh.  It is hard to believe that this is happening.  That our little boy, who it seems just started preschool, is now done.  He is sad, and having a hard time with the idea that he will not be returning to the Dvorim class.  He is worried about not seeing his friends anymore, specifically Frida, who seems to be Hersh's first "best friend." Ahh, transitions, scary and hard for all involved, yet exciting and a necessary part of life.  We just need to remember that HBB needs some extra love through this next bit.