happy Channukah!

this year the fourth graders each had to write an essay on a miracle that had happened in their own life. Stefanie wrote about what a miracle it was that I was able to adopt her. I couldn't agree more.

Happy Halloween

Jena all set to go out and Stef wishing I would get the camera out of her face so she could finish her homework!

Busy holiday season

we are nearing the end of the busy High Holy Day season- so many holidays the girls don't have a full week of school for almost a month.This year I decided that we would celebrate Succot at our house instead of Amah and Zayde's, which meant we had to build our own succah. We celebrate the Harvest festival by eating in the succah, a temporary structure that must have a roof made of natural materials that allows you to see the stars at night. Thanks to Uncle Lenny we have the best succah. Of course, the weather man is now calling for rain the first two nights of Succot! Oh well.

the Sweetest Place on Earth!

We just came home from a great trip to Hershey Park with Amah and Zayde. Uncle Dave was able to join us for the day at the Park so that Stef could go on all the crazy rides she wanted (since Mommy wouldn't). She went on all the rollercoasters she was tall enough for and there were alot! Some were so scary that Jena and I couldn't even bear to watch. Jena found plenty of rides that were her speed (not too high and not too spin-y) and Zayde and I even found a few our speed- slow and low to the ground. What's not to like about a place that gives you chocolate when you check in and kisses on your bed?

old friends are the best friends

Stef left for a week of overnight camp today. Two of her friends from preschool went as well, which had us all digging out old photos of the three girls together. My, how they've grown!

Happy 4th!

To start our celebration off right, we went to Independence Mall in downtown Philadelphia. We saw the Liberty Bell and then Jena took part in helping to fold the flag in front of the Constitution Center. We ended the morning with a great meal at my favorite Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown. Last time I ate there was the day I had to get my fingerprints repeated for the INS when i was completing my application to adopt Jena. Both girls loved it too and can't wait to go back.

first grade here she comes!

Jena's end of year Gan celebration "cruise"

notice anything missing?

Jena is losing teeth faster than the tooth fairy can keep up! Looking more and more like a hockey player everyday

almost summer!

enjoying some nice hot weather this Memorial Day weekend

Happy Mothers Day 2011

We had perfect weather and a perfect family fun day at Storybook land!

Springtime!

our pink tree is in full bloom and we saw a rainbow over Cherry Hill. Springtime at last!

Happy Passover!

Why is this night different from all other nights...

At the Passover Seder, the youngest child asked "The Four Questions" (Why is this night different from all other nights?). This year Jena is ready to ask the questions in Hebrew so Stefanie took on an added challenge and will be asking the questions in Chinese. In order to accomplish this, I translated the questions from Hebrew to English and brought the translation to our Piano teacher, whose husband then translated them into Chinese. I hope that after three translations the meaning is still basically the same! I hope to video both girls reading their parts but I could only talk them into doing one question each, and even that was under duress( hence the unhappy looks)
Happy Passover!

china sisters and best friends

Eight years ago in china:




last night in our house

Happy Birthday Stefanie!

when Stefanie calls my cellphone this is her ringtone:

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

To celebrate her birthday my very grown-up 9 year old took two best friends out to dinner where she ate an entire steak from the adult menu. This year she asked her Zayde for a complete set of the books of the bible in Hebrew/English translation and excitedly told her friends over dinner how beautiful the books were. She asked for a Jellybean Machine from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dave and an electric guitar from her mother. I think those three presents are an accurate reflection of the wonder that is Stefanie.
Girl, your amazing, just the way you are

stefanie the swimmer

a great end to the swim season as Stefanie swam in 5 races at the championship meet and had 3 top ten finishes. She finished third in butterfly- not bad for the girl who, the first week of practice, told her coaches she didn't know how to do butterfly (because she couldn't do it "perfectly"). Since the meet was in Harrisburg we toped the whole day off with a visit and dinner with BJ and Olivia!Stef is in the green swim cap, in the lane closest to the camera.

an attempt at a movie

if this works you should get to see a little movie of Stefanie's class program celebrating the Havdalah service (done on Saturday night to mark the end of the Sabbath). The class put on a 20 minute program, all in hebrew and wonderful to watch- now- let's see if my movie works ....

Happy Birthday Amah!

We had the family over to celebrate Amah's birthday. Jena was an excellent older cousin, patiently showing Rafi how to play the wii and sharing all her toys without complaint. A quick pic of Stefanie as she was running out the door on the way to her last swim met of the season.

family playday

everyone had a day off for MLK day so we picked cousin Rafi and Aunt Sarah up at the train station and went to the Discovery museum followed by lunch at friendly's. what more could anyone ask for?

snuggly girls

glad they are making the footie PJs in all sizes now- I'm not ready for the girls to outgrow them!

snow fun

fun on a weekend snowday!