Walking!

Charlie is walking! Josh has been in Atlanta for a week and no sooner had he left then C started taking steps without holding on. How exciting.





We had a wonderful time in Valatie for Passover. L said the 4 questions, found the afikomen, and was saronated with a version of Layla on her way to bed. After the kids went to bed we did some group yoga.







Around the house, a visit from Uncle Michael and Aunt Briony, and our new garden in progress:

Snowing?

It snowed in the morning about an inch and then all melted by afternoon. We had very little snow this year, but here is some evidence of us enjoying it when it did fall:

Sunny California

We just got back from a week's vacation in California. The kids were great travelers on the plane but it was a long day. This was our first time flying JetBlue and it was great! TVs in each seat and free checked luggage.

Charlie clearly said "Bob" a bunch of times. He is starting to walk holding on to the wall and I'm sure will let go soon. Leila liked all the fruit they had for breakfast and taking her animals for a picnic on the levee. It was sunny everyday and you could clearly see constellations at night.

Here are some other highlights:

Friday- Visited the CuriOdyssey on Coyote Point in San Mateo. They have some hands on science exhibits and animals (coyote, birds, snakes, bob cats, etc.) Leila favorite part was a squirrel nest that had giant acorns.

Saturday- took a 2 mile walk on the levee. Had dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Kids especially liked the mango ice cream. Charlie was adventurous and tried everything.

Sunday- Was 74 degrees today; what a treat! In celebration of Bob's birthday lots of family got together. It was nice to see Aunt Joyce who flew in for the weekend. Took another 2 mile walk, Mommy is getting in her exercise!

Monday- We went to Pier 39 and saw sea lions. We had fish and chips, watched a magician and visited the aquarium. Leila would not touch the shark but sharks were her favorite to look at in the tank. Charlie liked touching the turtle.

Tuesday- Went swimming at the JCC. The water was warm so L stayed in for almost an hour. Charlie liked it too but not for a long. Later we made Hamantaschen with Aunt Debbie. It was neat to use a fresh lemon from the tree in the recipe.

Wednesday- Took a walk on the levee and waved goodbye to CA. We did not get into our beds until 1am and spent Thursday recuperating.

Videos!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

Papa Barry and Grandma Marcia come to visit for Charlie's B-day. We went out to brunch in Fairport (with a nice view of the frozen canal). Charlie ate a ton of food and seemed to be enjoying the attention. Video footage of this and L's snow tubing escapades coming soon.

Here we are getting ready to go snow tubing the back yard. Our little dare devil loved spinning in circles.












Our favorite game: Put our hand on our head!





Check out my new top teeth!

Candles are burning low. . .

On the 1st night of Hanukkah we lit candles and sang songs at home. (Leila knows the blessing by heart now we are impressed)

On the 2nd night of Hanukkah Dmitry came to visit. The kids were excited to have a new face around.

On the 3rd night of Hanukkah, we had dinner with Papa Lou and Grandma Elaine. As Leila likes to say "Your not supposed to say yum, but yum." (this is actually a quote from the movie Julia and Julia.)

On the 4th night of Hanukkah Grandma Gail made us latkah. Charlie can climb to the top of the steps with only a little assist, wow!

On the 5th day of Hanukkah we had some college friends of Josh and Dmitry over for lunch. We had Alex and Angie over to light candles with us in the evening. Leila picked the color candles so they were blue and red the components of her favorite color, purple.

Josh keeps walking around the house singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" because Charlie to getting his this weekend!

On the 6th day of Hanukkah (which coincidentally was also Christmas day this year) we went to the JCC to play. (where else would we go, bowling?). We watched the movie Ice Age which featured L's favorite topic of the month, hot lava! (Mom- L don't get too near the stove it is hot L- d you know what else it hot? Hot lava! It will come out of a volcano if you stand too close, so don't go near a volcano unless it is dead)

On the 7th day of Hanukkah Shevah has off of work. We plan to relax during the day and go to Elaine's family Christmas party in the afternoon.

On the 8th day of Hanukkah we will be seeing Uncle Ben and Aunt Kiera for more latkahs at Grandma Gails. (Thank you for the pjs for C and Hello kitty stuff for L. They were both thrilled with the gifts; well Charlie is thrilled with the wrapping paper but we will take it)

Happy Hanukah!

Charlie is enjoying his first Hanukah so far! Leila also loves basking in attention, and unwrapping presents. She helped teach her class a Hanukah song and even made up a little dance. Here are some pics: