Scorpie-

Mike brought "scorpie" back from Reno a few years ago. Rory still affectionately carries and cares for it - set in a glass dome on pink sparkles. Brought her to schol the other day - love that she still has it.

Stella is up on her hands and knees -rocking and army crawling. We were at Grannie Annie's this shabbos. Daron and Ian bth have great senses of humor - keep us laughing.

The other day I came home and as usual had pumped while driving. Daron said "shouldnt that be illegal" delivering it with perfect timimng as always.

Iand and his friends made up a P language - eveyr word starts with P.

Do you need a subway sandwich?

"Cause I think your button came off" said Daron to me just now.

Dorothy got in trouble at school the other day for saying "What's wrong with you people?" to her teachers.

Stella is sitting up, spitting, and loving her siblings. With help she gets on all fours and rocks.

Ian is a star. His group leader told me today he is the best davener. Mikey comes for shabbos a lot and is sweet and they are all funny. He and Daron dont eat much. Today- Ian was still eating after 4 minutes and Mikey wanted to go play so he looked at Ian who was making a second moo shoo beef wrap and said "Ian's a good eater"

Woodloch was great. Although Dorothy had a ITU (we went to urgent care) and Mike fell 3/4 of the way into a skiing lesson and twiested his knee. Grannie Annie and Saba Josh came up with us from Tues- Thus and then went to CHicago cause Caleb had an exibit of Dead people - Mr. and Mrs. Bones.

I had taught dorothy to wipe from front to back. At the lunc table she was touching my hair. I told her it was not polite manners to touch hari at the table. "oops" she said, embarrased. Not a beat later she said - "when girls wipe they have to wipe from front to back" - daron said "ugh- dont ruin my appetite" and she was insulted- having no idea why he would say that.

I bought a red woodloch sweatshirt. Stella ate a meatball today, some chicken, enjoys most of what we give her to eat, loves challah. Still exclusivly nursing.

What's Wrong with you People

Ian had a really amaazingly interesting assignment with school. They called it the Living Museum and each kid had to bring in sometihng that was handed down through generations. We gave him a few options and he selected my grandfather from Chicago's army knife which we learned at the event has symbols of the free masons.

WE could not ask for better big brothers and sister for Baby Stella who weighed 15.3 at her 6 mo check up. She continues to be of incredible demeanor, queit, calm. From about 6 weeks till 5 months she slept like a champ. We would feed her around 10 or 11 and she would sleep till the morning. It has been a little rougher since that time but even middle of the night she smiles and kicks her feet after a few calls to get you in the room. She is teething. Adores her siblings, can sit up well but still not a pro at rolling from front to back. Time is speeding by- it is so hard to soak up every moment. Which is why i have turned to photography as my latest obsession. Trying to freeze the clock periodically.


Daron is a mench. Funny. Adorable Has been patient with his siblings and while he is a little on the slow side when it comes to getting ready, he is speedy and talented on the bball court which is started recently. He has some great friends this year on the country club side.

Dorothy is still a spitfire. Yesterday she told me she got in time out becaseu when the teachers were late to bring her her snack- she said "What's wrong with you people?" and wasnt sure why that was a bad a thing to say. She was a bit distraught today when she said something else and realized she doesnt know which things are ok to say or not. I promised to help.

I got into bed early last night and mike got Stella at 5am when she woke up and so i feel like a million bucks.

Pasta Ears

Dorothy touched Stella's ears the other day and said they felt like pasta. Soft. She's not wrong.

It is Chanukah.

Boys are still focused on Lego but now we are into thousands of peices. Dorothy is getting dolls and projects. Stella is thrilled with stacking cups.

Stella is sitting up - almost by herself. Such a sweet, sweet and happy baby. Ian finished hockey season and is doing really well in school. He is enjoying the independence of junior congregation.

Daron is starting basketball and has a new and nice group of friends in the country club section this year.

Dorothy is dancing and singing and talking and reminding me of me. She is a great big sister and today we all played mouse trap when Mike went to Maariv.

Still nursing Stella exclusively and happy about it.

Mike and I are watching It's a Wonderful Life.

Yavneh Walk Run

Daron killed it. http://www.bestrace.com/results/11/111113PR1.HTM

We were pretty far to the back of the crew when they said "Go" but Daron tore ahead of me. I ended up in 18th place, not too shabby for 4 months - post 4th c-section but I couldnt get near Daron. Emotion overtook me more than once as I watched his skinny legs kicking up ahead of me. Pride brought on tears and of course a little concern. He finished 8th. Out of adults and children (all 343 of them) - including several adults who travel to races just to place.

Gila Elbaum told me later that Daron and Andy had been running together for a while and then Daron looked at him and said "see ya later" and took off.


Stella got earings. She had her second set of tetus shots and about a week and a half later I took her to Claires (with Debbie) for ruby red studs. She scremed, so briefly but even just before we did it - it was the first time I wondered what I was doing- why make holes in this so perfect little being. She is the most amazing baby for a fourth kid at this time in our lives. She is so placid, so easy, so much fun and her siblings adore her. Today Daron remarked just how big she is getting. Time is flying- I can't seem to catch it as it zooms by.

Ians hocky season is nearly over He is so handsome, so big. I comb his hair and his shoulders are so broad. He is rocking school, great grades. He got glasses - he looks so good looking in them. He remains an incredible big brother and I sometimes just can't believe he isnt a tiny baby himself.

Dorothy watched Annie (we fast forwarded through the scary parts) and now she loves to sing "The sun wil come up" - she claps and sings and dances and we are considering Yeshivat Heatid.


Did I forget to say that Stella turns over both ways?

Shalom Bat

It was just a regular shabbos at Grannie Annie and Saba Josh- until the snow started... and didnt stop!

Then the pwoer went out - all the night before we were supposed to host 40 people for a Shalom Bat. I was up all night after we bundled the kids and turned on flashlights. It was really so cold - but i was worried about Stella - glad we had a hat for her. I wish I could say I was playing it cool but I couldnt for some reason so I fell asleep only to wake up cold and hungry? Had gefilte fish by flashlight at 1:30 am and then caught a few zzs. THen Saba Josh lit the fireplace and the kids had cereal while we discovered the down like blocking the driveway.

Turned ot to be just a cable line and the police lady moved it so we could escape back home where we were seemingly among the few with power. Party was really nice but I missed most of it since only half my brain was turned on.

Debbie is workijng out ok except for crazy boyfriend.

Daroneye - thank god he was ok- but tripped into a chair- nice bruise.
Daron's birthday party was a movie about a dophin i cried through.
Hocky started great.
Work crazy. I am taking boxing. MIke is job hunting but with decent compsure.

new school year

yom kippur night and i m one handed cause nursing

Ian - fifth grade means recess football which reqired some parental nudging and behind the scenes fenageling. Heavy heavy backpack. HOckey starts tomorrow and we are all looking forward.

Daron - first grade- started out missing Morah Meidav. Darons birthday party tomorrow to see Dolphins Tale. He has some new friends this yera - on the country club side of the world. He is taking swimming lessons begrudgingly at the JCC and is super funny.

Debbie is working out as a sitter. First time house is clean in ages

Dorothy is doing well at PRe0K in gan aviv. Loks like it was a fine choice. Dancing, swimming and soccer for this fiesty chick
!

Stella - a dream. Happy, mild. Wakes up smiling - sometimes we go in there and she si just staring up at the sky and see s us and gives a huge smaile. The kids are great with her. Shes been sleeping from 10 or 11 somethng until 6-8 since she was about 6 weeks old. Amazing. My back is hurting me but I feel blessed - overwhelmingly blessed every day.

Parents came for Rosh Hashana was nice.



We;ve been watching Brothers and Sisters.

Oh and I passed my personal training exam - I am actually a certified personal trainer - once I pass CPR>