Reading in the rocking chairs

visit from Grandma and Yuri Papa

Aaron's parents visited us and were really happy to see the kids again. Yuri and Daniel played with cowboy hats, then Yuri demonstrated a magical ability to put Daniel to sleep. Tamar is always slow to warm up to people she hasn't seen in a while, and Yuri was pretty happy when she eventually let herself be hugged.

--Victoria

Tamar's cutest song ever (ba ba sheepie)

Tamar loves the song "Ba ba black sheep, have you any wool?" and she sings it all the time--to herself, to me, to Daniel after I've put them down to sleep at night. Because she's not talking clearly yet, the first line always comes out as "ba ba sheepie...  haa-vaa...  WOOL!!"  Eventually she'll be able to pronounce it correctly, and it won't be quite as cute.  Until then, I grin every time I hear her singing "ba ba sheepie."  --Victoria

Grocery helpers

Tamar and Daniel enjoyed helping carry groceries in from the car.  Even if they could only carry one light item at a time!  The photos are not great because of the light, but you get the idea...  --Victoria

Daniel discovers the "selfie"

He liked seeing photographs of himself!

Tamar and Daniel in the wagon

 The wagon continues to be a big hit. They like to sit in it occasionally as it's parked in various places in the kitchen or living room.  I like it when they do things together.  --Victoria

Rocking Horses in the Park

Benji and I found a new playground!

Daniel asks for a hug

He knows that he can get away with a lot (for example, getting out of his car seat or his booster at the dinner table) if he frames his desire as a request for a hug.  Who could resist?  However, because he can't pronounce anything clearly, it sounds like, "UCK?  UCK?"

--Victoria

Tamar Inspects the Lulav

The lulav (three branches) and etrog (a citrus fruit that looks like a large lumpy lemon) are items that traditionally get waved in each geographical direction, then towards the sky and towards the earth, to commemorate the start of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. This year, we ordered a set (on amazon, no less!) and did the whole waving routine during a "sukkah decorating party" that we held for our friends.  The many kids who attended loved taking turns holding the lulav and etrog and waving them in each direction.

A few days later, Tamar decided to sit down for a while and check out the lulav for a while after we had dinner in the sukkah on the patio one evening. 

--Victoria

Benji's Minions

Benji is occasionally lazy about carrying his school backpack and any other gear he needs (such as--for example--his small black karate gear backpack). A few days ago, he announced that he wasn't going to carry them, dumped them in the driveway, and walked to the sidewalk. I was about to get angry at him when I realized that Tamar and Daniel were solving his problem for him.

Okay, I was still not happy that he left his bags, but I was a lot more amused after seeing what his siblings were doing.

--Victoria

Dinner In The Sukkah!

Benji Lost His Fourth Tooth! (no more crazy monster face)

Daniel On The Table

He loves to climb onto the table.  Fortunately, Tamar loves to let me know he's climbed up there by saying "TAY-bell! TAY-bell!"  So much for twins working together...  --Victoria

Time For Cold Weather PJs

Daniel Lounging in the Former Toy Box

Tamar at Dance Class

I've been taking her to a "Mommy and Me" dance class at "Tippi Toes" dance studio.  She loves it! 

--Victoria

Another Fun Day at the Building Museum

Such busy kids!  They love the National Building Museum.  We bought a membership there.  :)

--Victoria