Happy Sukkot!

Test driving

Emily made an edible sukkah!

Belle at school with friends

Intro to root beer

I drove Belle's friend home from Belle's gymnastics class today. Somehow, the conversation among the four of us in the car (three Cepler girls and Belle's friend) drifted onto beverages. The friend asked me if I like beer. I said yes- some beers, sometimes.
The six-year-old volunteered that she loves beer. I asked her what beer she likes best.
Her response?
"Root beer! It's beer for kids!"

Later at home, Emily asked if we had any "kids' beer" in the house. We did, so the girls tried it. They didn't love it (they find carbonation uncomfortable in their mouths; we refer to seltzer as "spicy water"). But it was a fun culinary adventure, inspired by one of my favorite kid conversation as so far.

Emily and Grampy play

Belle's school friends

14 Ceplers

Visiting Grandma Ann

Picking my battles

Emily dutifully wore the dress I laid out for her. She accessorized it with her sparking blue sneakers, Darth Vader (from "StarT Wars") socks, capris leggings, a skirt, and a single braid, leaving half of her hair down. Though not a walking fashionista, I decided that her choices didn't harm anyone, so I let it slide.

Climbing Belle

Emily wrote her name!

Delicious breakfast

The other day, in my ENL (English as a new language) class, students were sharing foods central to their home cultures. Students from El Salvador mentioned their papusas, which I had never heard of. One students was so surprised that I'd never heard of or eaten a papusa, he took it upon himself to educate me in the most delicious possible way. He asked his mother to make me a papusa, which he delivered to me in my first period class. It is made from a homemade corn tortilla with cheese, similar to a quesadilla or arepa, but distinctly different. It was delicious! And so thoughtful of the student. What a wonderful breakfast!

Plan B

Plan A was for Belle and me to go to her first Mets game. When she woke up sick, we switched to plan B. Emily and I biked the Bronx River and hit Carvel. Then Belle and I brought the Mets to our house and watched on tv. We even sang the National Anthem, threw out a first pitch and had ice cream in a Mets helmet, while the Mets won 17-0!

Emily's best school project yet

Notice the detail in the family portrait she drew.

Belle pushing Tommy

Tiny dancers

Ballet

For Emily and Mina

Heart of gold

Belle is an extremely compassionate and empathetic child.

Last week, Craig was going away for two nights for work.  Belle asked where he was going, where he would sleep, and whom he'd be with.  When she learned he'd be solo in a hotel room for two nights, she cried worrying about Craig being lonely:  "I don't want Daddy to be lonely all alone in a hotel room!"

Last night, in preparation for the Tooth Fairy's visit, Belle asked me for $2.  She explained that the Tooth Fairy gave her $2 when she lost her first tooth, so Belle worried that the Tooth Fairy may run out of money for other children.  Belle wanted to return her $2 instead of receiving $2 more.

A heart of gold.

Belle lost her second tooth today!

She pulled it out herself this morning at school!

Lizard!

At Zohar's birthday party.

My trip to Glens Falls

Featuring someone who wanted to come home with me and a book title quiz.

What happens when my keys are in the wrong car

Emily and I biked to her school so I could go to the high school and pick up the keys from seren's car.

Glow-in-the-dark bouncing

Emily bikes Avon

Emily and Grampy

Emily was the photographer!

Ice cream in the middle afternoon? Grandparent privilege