It’s been a wonderful week.
It started off with an opportunity for me to help out at Amaya’s Girl Scout meeting. Our troop leader is my friend Laura and my hat’s off to her for the effort and energy she puts in for these girls.
It’s SO nice to be able to get inside of Thornton Creek again. I definitely feel the loss of the all the time that wasn’t possible and I’m going to try to make the most of opportunities when I can, now that restrictions are lifted.
The meeting was from 3:45- 5pm and it included snacks, learning about being fair, a vote on whether or not to play a game outside or do a craft (the game won) and some girl scout friendship circle type stuff. It’s a really nice group of girls and I loved seeing them all together.
Sara and Amaya – relaxing after a hard day at school.
This girl will do the splits anywhere she can.
A wonderful group of girls.
All of the kids had a great week at swim. The boys are moving through level 5 really nicely. It seems like it’s all starting to click for them. And Amaya is probably one, maybe two, weeks away from graduating from the final level (8) at Aquatots. I found somewhere she can transition to but they’re so full that they’re not even taking new names for the waitlist so we’ll call regularly to try to get on the list and maybe look for alternatives in the meantime. I think I’ve mentioned that Amaya loves to swim, but doesn’t want to compete, so it’s just about finding her somewhere that she can keep developing her skills.
Ready for school! Amaya was “on the phone” during this picture lol.
The checklists are still working really well for the kids – especially Steven. I just love how he edits them and, even more, I love how they motivate him.
On Thursday morning, Steven, Sammy, Amaya and I headed to the airport for a Passover trip to NY! Sun in their eyes and smiles on their faces. <3
After all these years flying together, it is so easy to fly with these three. I just love it and I’m so happy that they do, too.
When I told Amaya we were on a smaller plane for the flight to NY she said, “Uh oh. Those usually don’t have TVs.” Girl knows her Delta planes.
Hello New York!
We landed around noon and got a wonderful welcome at JFK from Aunt Sara and Charlie.
We spent the afternoon at the Goldbergs’. It was a gorgeous day and we got a ton of sunshine. Such a nice day.
Savta and her Sammy
Of course Chelsy made the trip to NY. She now has a chair of her own – a gift from Sophia from her own American Girl doll days.
IHOP for dinner. (Kids still think it’s funny to call it “ear jump”.)
We’re staying at a hotel this trip and everyone was ALL SMILES this morning on the way to pick up Charlie, Chase and Aunt Sara before heading to Nana and Papa’s house.
Always need lego time.
We all picked up some McDonald’s for lunch and ate at Savta’s house.
They match!
It was another beautiful day. We got so lucky with the weather.
We had a wonderful, wonderful first Passover Seder.
Lots of family photos to kick things off…
The photo above was a recreation of this one from 2018.
I think this is my favorite. ❤️
Fun with Savta
A “reclining” Seder
Charlie did an amazing job reading Hebrew and Amaya was excited to read the Four Questions in English.
Four Questions + Splits
Chelsy loves matzah
Friday night was not just a sleepover at Nana and Papa’s but a literal sleepover IN Nana’s room with her.
A little Survivor to wind down before bed…
Four kids, asleep on Nana’s floor. Love this so much.
By 7am, the kids and Nana were set up downstairs and watching this past week’s survivor. They’re doing the best to keep me spoiler free because I haven’t watched it yet.
Eye color twins! We never noticed this before!
We had another lovely Seder with participation from almost everyone! This time Steven did the English rendition of the four questions. Notice Jason in the background? He arrived on Friday night. ❤️
Amaya and Steven, handing out the parsley and salt water.
Forever, the kids will talk about the Afikoman fire on the 2nd night of Passover, 2022. Uncle Dave hid the afikoman, and a $1 bill, in a light fixture. Unaware, someone turned on the light fixture. Ooops!
We had a wonderful afternoon back at Aunt Sara and Uncle Dave’s house. Antie joined us as well as the rest of the Zargaris (Harts, Menageds) – Joe, Nicole, Eli, Dalie, Mike, Rachel, Jake and Naomi. Dave’s parents – Allen and Syvia came, too. The kids had an amazing time playing together. Plus, I got a birthday cake. 🙂
Amaya’s crutches game was strong all weekend. She even convineced Mike that she really needed them.
Jason, the kids and I stayed at a hotel by LGA and headed back to MI early this morning so we could have a relaxing afternoon – which we did!
And that’s all for us this week! We’re ready for a week of Passover and doing our best to avoid bread, pasta, etc. We can do it!
Have a great week!
*Blog title by Steven