Fundraising adventures

Samantha is in public school and that requires fund-raising. We've seen it before and we will see it again. I was hugely impressed by Sam as we went to the neighbor's houses. She was polite and articulate, even offering suggestions. As per usual in my (unbiased) opinion, I was extremely proud of her!

Daddy created the script for Sam below partly due to fundraising overload...

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Samantha and I'm participating in a fund raiser for my school. I would appreciate if you would please look through this catalog of worthless crap and see if there's anything you feel obligated to purchase. Since my parents have been duped by this same undertaking in the past, your obligation to purchase this stuff from me is much appreciated. Please make checks payable to my school booster club. I appreciate your assistance and don't call me when your junk breaks. I didn't build it. China did.

Zoo time

Recent Saturdays have been trips to the zoo with the kids. I took them today (so Daddy could get some stuff done) and Daddy took them last week (so I could shop for clothes that actually fit with a friend). The kids were extremely well-behaved both days and we had a great time!

Here are some highlights:

Bucket Lists

Quick tangent: I don't have much patience for people who talk wistfully about changing their lives and don't do anything to actually change it. I have drastically changed my life, which is why I don't believe people when they say, "I can't do it". Yes, you can! If I can pull it off, then there is no reason you can't. However if you don't want to, then that's your choice. Be aware of your decision and live with that choice.


A bucket list is defined as a list of things a person wants to do before they "kick the bucket" (die).

This year our family had ideas that we just didn't get to despite our desires. Some of it was due to procrastination and other things were out of our control. That's just the way it goes sometimes. In the hopes of identifying some priorities for next year, here is our bucket list for next spring:

1. Plant a garden. (Nothing fancy, but I want my kids to stick something in the ground, see it grow and eat it.)


2. Camping. (I don't know exactly how we'll do this yet, but I'm betting Auntie She will help us. This one may have to wait until the summer, but it's guaranteed to be an adventure!)


3. Volunteering spring cleanup. (I want us to do volunteer work together. Why? Can you think of a reason not to?)


4. Vacation. (Spring break family style!)

I'm sure we'll come up with some more things before spring gets here, but it's a good start!

Little Drama Girl

Our little drama girl had her first Drama Club meeting this week. But for now, Samantha is a little drama girl. Between swimming, soccer and drama club, we are so maxed out on activities that we chose not to attend Sunday school this year. Weekends are precious this year. When soccer ends we may find something else, maybe karate or music. I love that these classes open the world to her and that she is enthusiastic! It is always her choice.

From one perspective it seems like we have a lot of stuff going on. I wholeheartedly agree and feel overwhelmed at times! But isn't that the way life with kids is for most people? As parents, we're supposed to prepare them for the real world... doesn't that include experiences to help them identify their passions?

All activities are Sam's choice and both Daddy and I are watchful for any sign that she's overloaded. It will get even crazier when Sofia starts her classes because she will have the same options that Samantha has had. My objective is to broaden their horizons, meeting other people and learning different things. I search for various clubs (for the future) and I'm planning to volunteer reading at Sam's school.

This picture is the stamp Samantha got for being a great helper in school. She was meticulous about not washing it off while washing her hands. It reads, "I Love Kindergarten".

A night for the kids

I knew Daddy needed as much sleep as possible due to a sore throat/cold/horrendous ailment that he's currently afflicted with. So when Samantha went to him after vomiting in her bed around 3 am this morning, I was glad that I woke up and Daddy didn't. Also because Daddy physically can't handle vomit without joining in. (Yes, I've seen it happen. Multiple times. It's not worth the battle, so I'm always on vomit detail.) I took care of Sam, helped her get cleaned up and got her setup for another round, just in case. Then I again thought of Daddy who reacts about the same to the odor of vomit as the actual presence of it and figured I better wash everything now, despite the hour of day.

In the midst of cleaning Samantha up, Sofia came out of her room desperately wanting a diaper change. I soon realized that her diaper had leaked and her bed was a mess too. It was at that point I flashed to a particular scene involving sick kids from the movie, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood". I smiled, knowing it could be worse and delirious from the consecutive nights lacking sleep. I got Sofia back to sleep avoiding the mess. Samantha was still wide awake from the excitement and/or drama of throwing up so we talked some more.

As soon as I got Samantha settled down and Sofia was sleeping, I headed downstairs to monitor laundry and watch TV. Soon I was nodding off, which meant that it was Fonzie's turn of course. He managed to look sheepish when I asked him if he had to go outside which was actually comical. I let him out, set my phone alarm to let him back in and got him taken care of.

Thankfully we don't have many nights like this and more importantly we can deal with it when it happens. Life is short and finding the humor in the truly messy moments is one of the best ways to lead by example.

Relaxing weekend

Here is a recipe for a relaxing weekend:

Friday - Grammy and Sheila come for dinner. Games are played and good fun is all-around.

Saturday - The girls head to Nana and Papa's for time with their cousins while Daddy and I get home projects done. I get the under stairs closet cleaned out so the girls can have their indoor clubhouse while Daddy weeded outside and delivers the donations I assembled.

Sunday - Daddy and I sleep uninterrupted! I mow while Daddy rests from his cold ailment, getting me some exercise. The kids return from their adventure at Como Town. Sofie and I take Fonzie for a stroll and some park playtime while Sam goes to a birthday party with a bunch of preschool pals. Everyone has a great time!


Thanks to our loved ones who make these weekends possible!

Rosh Hashanna

We didn't make it to synagogue this year because it was Samantha's first week of school. However, we did go to Nana and Papa's house for our traditional family dinner. It was wonderful to see our relatives, especially Irving and Aunt Merrian! Daddy and I had a great time with our niece and nephew too!

Shanah Tova!

Samamtha's 1st day of school (on the bus)

Dearest Samantha,

This letter may not be age-appropriate, but maybe someday you'll understand the message.

Again, I'm trying to write down my feelings about you heading to school. My previous attempts just haven't conveyed the message I want to give you on this day. I was overwhelmed watching you get on the bus this morning, knowing it wasn't rational (or realistic) to keep you in the house forever and forget school entirely.

You are now at school, your very first day! You are about to eat lunch and just thinking that thought is causing so many emotions for me that I'm having a hard time sorting them out. You are out in the world and every experience involves you more in that world. While it's jarring to me how fast you're maturing, I'm so proud of you because your attitude is wonderful. You seem ready and eager to embrace the outside world, come what may.

Samantha - you are smart, capable, kind and independent. You love adventure, you're articulate and know how to face your fears. I love seeing those qualities in you. The only thing in the world that will hold you back is yourself. Keep focusing on seeing the good around you - in people, in nature and especially whatever situation you find yourself in. Don't ignore the badness you find, just don't be a part of it. Don't be afraid to stand up against negativity - just know that not everyone wants to be positive. Some people are okay with being unhappy. You can only change or control yourself. It takes enormous courage to walk a path of your own design and be positive. Take some time to look at yourself objectively and ensure you are comfortable with you and wherever you are in life. Remember to take care of you - it's not anyone else's job (including your dad and me).

I've started teaching you about controlling your emotions and I'm already impressed. My lesson is really just being aware of when you're approaching that flash point of anger that can result in doing or saying something you regret later. Maybe you'll remember us talking about the flashing light people should have above their heads, warning others to stay away until the storm passes. We've used the analogy many times, as when I've told you that I'm frustrated and heading towards anger if you don't listen to me. There are consequences to not heeding the warning. My hope is that you've seen my example and will apply it to yourself. There is no escape from powerless feelings like grief and anger, but you can learn to control how you react to them and how long you feel that way. Trust me on this - if I can learn it, you can too!

The world is yours and I'm truly honored to be your mom. I love you so much!

Love,

Momma

Samantha's kindergarten orientation

What an adventure... Kindergarten orientation!

Samantha was a little tentative at first, carefully observing and looking around. The shyness wore off in time for the scavenger hunt and familiarizing herself with the school. She was a little intimidated when she met her principal, but lit up when she discovered that there was a drama club! Of course we signed her up right away.

Daddy and I took her out to lunch and I got to hang out with Samantha for the rest of the day. We talked about being nervous and having fun and especially how important it is for her to tell us if she's struggling with things because we're here to guide her, not to mention how much we love her!

Samantha's "mantra" is 2 main things: Worry about yourself and be kind. We have been talking about this a lot since it encompasses most situations.

Labor Day weekend- Renaissance Festival

This has been a fabulous holiday weekend! Daddy and I "unplugged" and enjoyed our family. There were visits to the park (with me still playing "Monster" for all the kids), games, lots of tumbling and dancing and adventure clubs. Sometimes the girls had separate clubs and sometimes they were in the same club. This kept them entertained for hours. I got to join the club(s) and later I became the "Club-crasher" (meaning that I was the monster again). Grammy met us at the park in time to see the ice cream truck and then came for dinner Saturday.

Sunday we met our friends at the Renaissance Festival! I have never been there and it was so much fun! The variety of things to do was awesome! Most of the rides were hand-powered, including the giant rocking horse! I took Sofia, Samantha and Naamah for an elephant ride! All the kids had fun and weren't too weary from walking! Samantha requested that evening to go back!

Labor Day began with a long stroll for Fonz while the girls and I played at the park. We took care of some errands and relaxed for a bit at home before the family came over. Nana, Papa, Todd, Shelly, Jordan and Dylan joined us for dinner which was a fun way to end the weekend!

I'm sad that it's over, but we have another adventure tomorrow - kindergarten orientation!

Samantha's busy day

Samantha had a day with her daddy today. They went to the zoo and got haircuts afterwards. The weather wasn't great, but they had a great time indoors! Sam chose her hairstyle, which you can see her. She really loves the independence that we continue to give her!

From Daddy...

She's decided to keep her bangs long, opted to go first and asked me to stay in the waiting area so she could be by herself with Katie.

I've been awed by her all day. She even reminded me that we have to bring treats tonight. I completely forgot, but we're set for everything now. I guess you could call me a proud father and then some today. It choked me up a bit to think that she's old enough to be starting school and even got complimented by some random lady in Target after Samantha helped her find Teddy Grams on the shelf. I'll remember today for quite some time.

We went to her school's open house to drop off her supplies and meet her teacher. Samantha was tired and a little overwhelmed, but handled herself really well.

There was one thing left to do after visiting her school... soccer! Week 2 went along fine until a hard rain hit, meaning we were all soaked before they called the game off. We saw a beautiful rainbow on the way home though!

Momma's Birthday and State Fair

We celebrated my birthday this year by attending the State Fair. It's a family tradition that I love. The weather was awesome and everyone behaved very well. I got to take both kids down the carpet slide (their birthday gift to me), we rode the Skyride and a few other rides at the Kidway (including the Bumper Boats), checked out the animal barns and watched the Ag Magic Show.

Once we got home, it was time to relax which we all did. Daddy took Fonz for a stroll while I played the monster at the park with the girls. It truly was a lovely birthday and I feel very blessed!