Creative Chanukiah 2013

Every year we build a family menorah for the contest at Sunday School. This year, Benji's class also had a family program on the same day, in which we ... built a menorah. Here is the result of our class project (it is magnetic and has magnetic candles you add each night):

Our family menorah was well-received, and Rabbi Tom even asked the kids to come up and talk about it. Abby refused (shocker!). Benji gleefully went up to the microphone, but then did not know what to say. In response, Rabbi Tom told the audience "this child never stops talking. Now he is tongue-tied?," which did get quite a few laughs. Benji might be a bit chatty at CBI sometimes. :)

Here is a close-up shot of the menorah before we took it to CBI. It has a little model for all the Jewish holidays of the year. We got lots of comments on the tiny Seder plate, which was a favorite:

Tooth #2 for Benji

Another visit from Clarence the Tooth Fairy this week.

Happy Hanukkah!

Benji with his menorah hat (with some of his Sunday School classmates).

Disguising Tom Turkey

Another favorite remembered from Abby's kindergarten days.  Benji wanted to disguise his Turkey as a pizza man (because that is what he was in the story they read).  It came out pretty well!

K/1 Harvest Feast

A Greenbrier tradition. Abby asked for permission to join (reliving old times in Ms. Anderson's class). Benji made a place mat, which he treasures (just like Abby's!).

Benji's "What I am Thankful For": I am thankful for my mommy because she is loving. I am thankful for my daddy because he reads me a book every night. I am thankful for food so I do not get hungry."
 

Photo Op

New Mailbox

We finally got it up. The kids really enjoyed helping with this.

Father-Daughter Dance

Abby and Kevin on their way to the masquerade ball.

Chalk Friends

After school fun.

Girl Scout Campfire

Took our Girl Scout troop out to Sugar Hollow on Friday for a campfire and sing-a-long. It was coooold, but a good time was had by all:

If you give a boy a book (and cd)

Benji reading along to the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie CD. Look familiar Uncle Chris?

Leaf Helpers

May the Force be with You

Alex Abrams-Garrett's Star Wars themed birthday party

Just playing around

Waiting to hit the Darth Vader pinata

West Palm Beach

The kids had a four-day weekend, so we went for a visit to Grandpa Steve. Scattered pictures:

Benji was upset because I put everything in two suitcases, neither of which was his.  Abby consoled him by telling him she needed help pulling hers.

The captain invited the kids to see the cockpit and showed them how the controls worked

On the plane

Relaxing on Grandpa Steve's porch

Both kids now grab for the comics every Sunday

Windy day

We watched a boat capsize

The sailor was fine and righted the boat

Grandpa Steve's peacocks

We tried the beach again, but still too windy

Last night dinner at IHOP.  Grandpa Steve helping Benji with the kids' puzzles on the menu

Lunch Date

In the Greenbrier courtyard.

Hair Cuts

Abby got hers blown out

Lunch at Hotcakes as a post-haircut treat

Halloween Model Magic