Paris

This was a big trip. We were so excited and also really curious how it would go. I wondered if it would be essentially a 'kid trip' in Paris, or if it would be a real sight seeing, get-lost-in-the-culture trip. I also wondered about how we'd manage the flights.

We started by connecting through Miami with a visit to Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Ed. We saw lots of family, went to a farmer's market, went to the beach and ate at Joe's Stone Crabs like always. Grandma also gave you each a make-over which you loved. While there, Zoe wrote President Obama a letter about climate change concerns, and grandma helped you mail it. On the way home from Paris, we stopped in Miami again. While there, daddy spontaneously shaved his mustache. The kids were so surprised!!

Paris exceeded all my expectations. You were such great travelers, and we were able to do everything we wanted to do. We walked everywhere, went to museums, tried new restaurants, took the train, and participated in all kinds of winter holiday celebrations. Two things that really helped: you each had a camera and we sampled a treat at nearly every bakery we passed. Another surprise, Uncle Brad and Jordan surprised us for a ride at the carousal. We also got to celebrate daddy's birthday in Paris and Miami. It was fantastic!!

In front of the Eiffel Tower

Montmartre 

Outside the Louvre - we spent a lot of time here

On the Champs Ulysses

On the train to Versailles

These little handsets were fun for you to carry and use to learn about Versailles.

Ice skating

At the top of Notre-Dame

On the Pont des Arts bridge where people put locks as a sign of love.

This was a really fun day. We had a lot of walking to do, and you each were requesting piggy back rides. We told you that we'd give you piggy back rides, but you needed to first compose a song that included rhyme, a chorus, and several observations about our outing. You worked so hard on this song. When you finished, we were back at the train. It was awesome.

Fall Fun

We've had a few chilly, rainy fall days - perfect for trips to the indoor pools or bowling.

Sophie and her buddy Sam

We can finally bowl with out chasing anyone all over the alley, and most of the balls now make it all the way down to the pins too.

However, it's been warm enough to be out biking and playing at the parks, so we've been doing a good bit of outdoor activities too. At ZooLights this year, we didn't even need jackets!

Chanukah

I totally overdid it this year. We haven't been shopping for much of anything in a long time. I've mostly been weeding out. So when thinking about upcoming trips and cold winter months, I had lots of things that I'd hoped we'd have on hand to engage the kids.

Over the course of the holiday, Zoe, Mia and Sophie each sang in holiday concerts at school, at Temple and out in the community (pictures to come). Sophie was the dreidel at the Chanukah party at Hebrew school.

Sophie getting spun around during the dreidel game.

We had latkas and donuts and whatever other fried food we were offered.

Only down side was that we need more time at home to play. Last night, we pondered keeping the kids home from school one day this week so they could just play with their toys. Still thinking about that one.

Now, the clean up begins!

Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving 2015

We were better prepared this year than we were last year when we ran the Turkey Trot. Our practice runs definitely payed off! Scott finished his SECOND 5K, and everyone did great. The weather was terrific, and the mood was really fun. Now, if only we could do something about the little hills on the course.  After the run, we went out to breakfast with friends and then home to get ready for Thanksgiving with grandpa, grandma and friends. Great way to start the day!

Before

After

Grandpa and Grandma Sirkin Visit - Thanksgiving 2015

We had such beautiful weather this Thanksgiving. The kids were able to play outside while we cooked. We even took a break to meet several families at the park for impromptu kickball and tag football games. 

 When it was time to eat, the girls insisted that they wanted to try Tofurky. I'm such a compliant mom that I bought the yucky stuff for them to try. Bluch. We had a festive house with all the kids decorations, and a really nice dinner too. And, as always, way too much dessert.

We were all sad when it was time for grandma and grandpa to go home. We met them at the hotel for breakfast and good-byes.

Fortunately, it's not a very long good-bye. We'll be in Miami in two weeks. :)

Zoe - Horse Camp

One of Zoe's birthday presents was a 2 hour horse camp at a local ranch. We were surprised to find out how many of these incredible stables exist in a relatively short distance.

At this facility, their belief is basically that anyone can trail ride because that's just about a horse's ability to follow the tail of the horse in front of them. In order to really learn to ride, they want kids to slow down and learn the basics of handling the horse and riding.

Zoe loved every minute.

Soccer Season - Zoe

While you still play several sports during the year, soccer seems to be gaining ground as your favorite.

This soccer season, you were committed to up your game. You wanted to play goalie, even though it gave you "butterflies in your stomach" before games. You also were far more strategic in your approach to the game on offense and defense. You had good team spirit, and the whole team wore matching cheetah socks this season which added to the camaraderie.  The team's efforts paid off. You were undefeated and first in the division, although I'm not sure if you even know that.

What I was most proud of though was how you maintained good sportsmanship. This was potentially a more difficult soccer season because your friends were split on two different teams and the coaches, for a variety of reasons, were at serious odds with each other. As a parent, I'd never experienced this before, and we had to remind the coaches that they couldn't air their conflict out in front of the kids, after they did so on one or two occasions. While the coaches had issues playing each other's teams, the kids didn't. Despite the coach tension which I'm sure you were aware of, the kids maintained good sportsmanship, played hard and kept it all very fun (including the random mid-field cartwheel).

Congratulations on a terrific Fall soccer season Cheetahs!

Oliver

A short note to say that Oliver is as awesome as ever. He had his one year check up earlier this month. He's really closer to a year and a half, but the vet wants to see him on the year anniversary of when we adopted him. He hates going to the vet, which means I hate taking him to the vet, but once there he was ok.

He is such a yummy, sweet little cat, and we are happy every day to have him.

Soccer Season - Mia

Mia, this was a seriously strong soccer season for you. This fall, you decided that you wanted to really learn the game and be more of a leader on the team. I think that your attitude was inspired by having last year's lead player leave the team to play travel soccer. You and several of your teammates went to a developmental soccer workshop one night a week in addition to soccer practice. That soccer workshop was an eye opener. Unlike team practices which are easily cancelled due to weather and poor lightening after daylight savings time, the development practices occurred rain or shine, dark or light because they were on lit turf fields. You played one 90 minute practice in pouring rain. While you thought they were crazy for not canceling practice, at the end, you clearly felt great.

Your team was supportive, cohesive, and talented. You also had wonderful coaches who know the game well, encouraged you to have fun and do your best, and were also very laid back. As a result, you all played really well together. Watching your huge smile after scoring a goal or blocking on defense was a treat. Given that your team name is the "Sharks", it's no wonder that you all wanted shark socks. Something about these socks seemed to help build camaraderie too. 

To celebrate the end of the season we toasted with donuts and hot cider. 

 

Make-A-Wish

I joined the board of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic about 15 months ago. I was nervous about the commitment, but also inspired to try and meet it.

I became interested in Make-A-Wish a little over 5 years ago. I was so impressed to see how the impact of a wish was able to lift up a close family friend whose daughter was coping with Leukemia. I was able to follow the process of the wish and the outcome, and was completely moved by the power of the wish.  We referred to it as the one bright spot in an otherwise overwhelmingly challenging time. It was the one light where everyone felt excited and forward looking. They didn't have to worry about any details, doses, or damages. All they had to do was share their deepest hopes and ideas and let others work to make them come true.

After becoming a wish granter, I got to experience how much the organization gives to children in need and also to their families. But even more, it filled me up too. Being a wish granter means that you have the freedom to be a bright spot - to not focus on the illness but instead to bring joy. As a wish ambassador, I got to do more of the same, but for kids visiting our region to fulfill wishes granted by chapters in other parts of the world. To be a friendly face rolling out the red carpet for a family who has just taken a successful journey with an ill or recovering child is incredibly fulfilling.

But the greatest pleasure for me has been my ability to serve on the Board. Not only can I bring my skills in organizational consulting to the effort, but I can have a greater impact on wishes and children in our region. All of that is reinforced by my continuing to grant wishes.

This was on my mind tonight because I am preparing to meet a new family as their wish granter on Monday. A friend and camp alumni of mine from more than 30 years ago posted a message to all camp alumni asking for support. Two camp alumni friends have three children, one of whom has been recently diagnosed with a life threatening medical condition. I contacted the family to offer support and also to let them know about Make A Wish. Last week, the mom called me to say they were ready. Her medical providers have indicated that this is a "priority wish" which means we need to grant it within six months. Heartbreaking. Now though, we find a bright spot. We become the bright spot. An opportunity for the family to create a few happy memories, to help the child find the strength to comply with treatments, and to allow a focus on something far away for medical details and appointments.

I've done a lot of volunteer work in my life. Make A Wish has a power that is nearly unparalleled in my experience so far.

Zoe - 10th Birthday Celebration

Zoe, you have been riveted by horses this year. When it was time to think about your birthday party, all you wanted was something horse-related.

Dad and I were not as sure about this. Horse back riding is expensive. It can be dangerous. The locations tend to be further away.

After talking it through with you, we made an agreement that I think reflects the kind of considerate problem solver you've become. We agreed to invite about half as many kids as you normally would, to make a cake and eat it at home (vs. rent a party room at the barn), make our own invitations, and you would make the goody bags yourself. You also researched horse-related charities in the mid-atlantic region and selected one with a good rating on Charity Navigator. You then made the invitations to include the charity information and suggested donations for the charity instead of gifts.  For the goody bags, you wove a bookmark for each guest out of yarn in a colorful pattern.

We arrived at the barn and the kids were each paired with a helper and a horse.

From there, the kids were all fitted for helmets, and then brought all of their gear from the barn out to the stables themselves.

Each child groomed their horse with the proper combs for different parts of the body and used tools to get the crud out of their hooves. They also put on the bridles with some help and saddled up. 

They had a series of balancing lessons and then played a game of putting rings over cones while on their horses, before taking a tiny trail ride and doing a little trotting. 

After, they had a barn tour and ran through a relay race in the horse ring before setting out hay for the horses for the evening. 

Back to our house for cake (cupcakes).

 The day ended with a family dinner. Happy kids.

Blissfully exhausted Zoe. 

Footnote: I know almost nothing about your class birthday celebration because in 4th grade parents aren't invited! I dropped off zucchini bread as a class treat (at your request), and you offered a water buffalo from Heifer as a class donation (thanks to another Milk Mom who taught us about Heifer). From all reports, you had a great day.