Building Sukkahs

Sunday night was the start of Sukkot, and in preparation Benji's Sunday School class discussed the holiday and then built mini (edible) sukkahs.  I stopped in to help with the project (and take some pictures, of course):

After Sunday School, both kids were in a good mood:

So we decided to take the afternoon to build our real sukkah at home:

Abby looks grouchy in this picture, but she was just anxious to start decorating, which we did the next day.

Vegetarian Fesitval 2015

Our annual chance to eat good vegetarian food from out of town.  It was low-key and rainy this year, but we enjoyed some Indian food:

While walking around the booths, we got waylaid by the Bernie Sanders folks and Abby decided to help decorate his poster (this one is for you Grandpa Steve):

Shoe Tying

Benji came bounding down the steps at dismissal one day last week, bursting with the news that he had finally learned to tie his shoes. He dropped down to demonstrate at once:

Yom Kippur 2015

Both kids decided to stay home for services:

Dance Party

Abby asked if we could have an impromptu dance party in the den, so we made a play list and off we went...

Chess Practice

Out of the blue on Monday night, Benji asked us to teach him chess.  He picked it up fairly quickly and beat Kevin (with some help) on his first game:

A Visit to Chesapeake

Gammy recently discovered that an old friend of hers had relocated to Chesapeake (about 2.5 hours away), so we planned a weekend visit.  We had originally intended to drop Gammy off with her friend and continue on to Virginia Beach, but Colleen insisted they had plenty of room for us to stay and lots to do.  The kids loved the pool, hot tub and 3D TV, so we had an enjoyable, relaxing weekend around the house:

Buford Harvest Festival 2015

This is a fun annual event at the school Abby will attend next year.  There was a band:

And lots of activities in the garden.  Abby liked watering the plants with a sponge:

Benji liked the tree stump path:

Benji and Kevin had matching t-shirts, which made them easier to spot

And both kids liked the bicycles that you pedaled to make water come out of the hose:

Some more watering, this time with water bottles:

There was also corn grinding:

and face painting, cider tasting (Benji's favorite), mural painting, dinner and a raffle (which we won!).

Spinning Blue Henries

Kevin asked Benji to put his shoes on. When I got to the entryway, he announced "look, Blue Henry is on a spinning ride!"  I probably should not have laughed so hard:

Greenbrier Fall Picnic 2015

Friday night was Greenbrier's fall picnic.  Abby was at a sleepover, so it was just us and the boy.  We started the evening with a little ball and then moved on to the playground:

Andy giving Benji some pointers

Benji fielding as Jack reaches first base

All smiles

Benji at bat

On the spider wen -- it was a beautiful blue sky day

Of course he wanted ice cream

On the roof of the shed with classmate Kailas

Rolling down the big hill

Take two

All worn out, and he still hasn't reached the bottom

Rosh Hashanah Eve

Ok, these are in backwards order, but I did not have a chance to download my camera until today.  We had a lovely and festive Rosh Hashanah dinner on Sunday with Gammy.  All the food came out well (Abby said the Matzoh Ball soup was the best ever and I should definitely use that recipe from now on) and the kids dressed up for the occasion:

Challah cover Benji made in Sunday School

Abby showing off the Challah cover she made when she was in second grade