Thinking of Grandma

The classes and my Coteacher

The party planners

"Surprise" party for me

Thrown by my 25 ENL (English as a new language) students. So lovely. So much fun!

Emily visits Belle's school; hugging ensues

Pajamikah!

Sunnies

Hanukkah and Pajamakuh Party at SW

Belle hard at work

Writing in her writer's notebook.

Skating with Grandpa 2

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Ice skating with Grandpa

Em in her baker's hat

Belle at Sunday's birthday party

Belle lost a tooth on the bus!

Portrait

Snuggles

"You can't say, 'You can't play.'"

We had two family Hanukkah parties this weekend, which was a treat for Belle and Emily who love playing with their cousins.  On Saturday, Emily's buddy Cousin Mia was under the weather so she stayed home.  No big deal.
At one point in the evening during the party, Emily asked me where the older kids, Belle, Noah, and Dylan, were playing.  I found them "hiding" in Dylan's closet.  I asked them to include Emily.  One child said, "I wish Mia was here."  Then another child said, "It's just that this closet is really small."  Finally, Belle said, "You can't say, 'you can't play,'" evoking her classroom rule.  "Move over and make room for Emily."
As it turned out, Emily opted out of the closet-hiding activity, but that's not the point.  I am so proud of Belle for standing up to her cousins.  I am so proud of Belle for standing up for her sister.  Belle is teaching Emily how to be a good big sister by example, and I'm proud of her for that, too.  Finally, I am happy that Belle is learning such wonderful rules and values at school.

Hair and make-up

Belle "done up" from a birthday party.

Cousin Izzy gives Emily a ride

Silly cousin fun

Getting the hang of it

On their feet!

Kangaroo Emily

Emily performs in ballet class

New wheels!

Proud ballerina

Last day of ballet

Monday adventures

Belle made freshly squeezed orange juice, and our neighbor did Emily's hair.

1 day, 4 boroughs

We drove through four boroughs today: Through the Bronx and Queens to Brooklyn. THEN, through Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan to Riverdale in the Bronx. THEN back to Manhattan, and finally back to the Bronx. 

I am most proud that I/we found parking and parallel parked four times today in three different boroughs.

We are all exhausted.

Adventures in pregnant parenting

1. The girls had separately been asking how the baby will get out of my belly.  After hemming and hawing (and googling), we decided to tell them the truth.  On Saturday morning, when one of them asked for the hundredth time, and specifically said, "you said you'd tell us later. Is it later now?" I decided to tell them.

It was not the big deal I"d worried it would be.  Emily said, "Interesting!" Belle said, "Ew!"  And then they asked me to read them the library book ZOOTOPIA based on the Disney movie.  End of story.

2. On Friday morning, after the bell rang ending my first period English class, two  ninth grade students approached me to let me know that my pants were on backwards.  My pants had been on backwards all through first period. I thanked them for letting me know and then dashed to the restroom so I could turn my maternity jeans around.

I've been teaching for over 11 years and this must be my most embarrassing experience yet. 

Sasha and Emily playing

Tufts crew in NYC

Julie and Bill, Beth and Matt and Maia, Joanna and Jeremy and Sasha

Enjoying the music of Bruce Springsteen

Ice skating lessons