Daniel the traveler

Before the trip to New Jersey on Memorial Day weekend, I asked the kids to pack a few toys into a bag if they wanted to take anything in the car with them.  Before I knew it (and LONG before anyone else in the family was ready to go), Daniel had filled a suitcase with toys, put a cap on his head, and declared himself ready for the trip!  --Victoria

Weekend Fun! (pool time)

It was hot last weekend and we broke out the wading pool.  Benji wasn't overly excited this time but the twins really enjoyed themselves.  --Victoria

Benji the Master of Games

A few days ago, after dinner, he got out one of our simple board games and taught Tamar and Daniel how to play it.  At first he was rolling the dice for them AND moving the pieces for them (that is, making them sit at the board and watch him play on their behalf).  I joined the game and, with just a little gentle encouragement, he let them handle their own dice-rolling and token-moving.   They LOVE getting to play with their big brother and (occasionally with a little guidance required) he's great at helping them learn new skills and play as a group.  I'm so glad they are getting old enough to be little friends for him. 


--Victoria




Benji explains the rules of the game:

Tamar expresses dubiousness about one of Benji's explanations:

Daniel loves puzzles!

Just like his big brother, he's very good at them.  It's interesting to note that, although Tamar's vocabulary is significantly ahead of his, Daniel's puzzle-assembling skills are clearly ahead of hers.


--Victoria

KID PILE UP!!!

They love rough-housing on our bed and usually manage not to hurt each other too much.  --Victoria


P.S. I can't believe how wiry (skinny) Benji is...  (these photos make me think that we need to get a feeding tube of butter into that boy -- he eats healthy food and enough of it but I guess his metabolism is just really fast)

Benji's School Concert (and keyboard performance debut!) (part 1)

Benji's school had their Spring recital yesterday evening and of the two classes of students in his grade, Benji was one of four students who was chosen to help accompany the songs on the keyboard.  We are so proud of him!  His amazing music teacher planned some great programs that instruct parents to take the program home, spread it open, and have their child copy the music notes (see photo below).


Benji did a great job during the recital.  I'm delighted to see how much he's enjoying music in general and learning to play the keyboard in particular.


--Victoria


Here's the program.

Musicians in place (CHECK OUT BENJI ON THE RIGHT!) as the singers start to file onto the stage...

Mr. Levy does a sound check on Benji's keyboard.

Waiting for the show to start!

The next post will include links to videos of the concert!

Tamar channels Captain Underpants

Although her battle cry is not "Tra-la-la" like the Epic Captain Underpants.  Instead, she likes to run away in the middle of changing her clothes and yell "NAKED GIRL TO THE RESCUE!"  I have no idea where this came from but it's hilarious!


--Victoria