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!