Where do they learn to talk like this?!!!

Normally I take Elie's chupo (pacifier) from him as soon as I go into his room in the morning.  Well this particular day we were running late and I just wanted to get the boys ready for school and in the car without a fuss... so I thought I'd let him keep it until I get him in his carseat.  So, I get him all strapped in according to plan but just as I'm about to yank it from his mouth he says, "Don even fink 'bout taka ma chupo!" (Don't even think about taking my chupo!"

Angry Birds

Those of you familiar with the Angry Birds game will definitely recognize Asher's depiction on paper... clearly he's a fan!

Auntie Kristi

Yay, Kristi is in town! The boys were super excited to have her stay.

Two Wheelin'!

Asher has been asking and asking Papi to take his training wheels off.  Finally today he took them off.  In just enough time for me to do the Thanksgiving cleanup this is what he accomplished!

Elie making hamotzi

 

This is Elie reciting the beracha for hamotzi (blessing for bread).  

Below it is written in Hebrew, the transliteration version as well as translated into English.

Asher and Elie speak

"Max is a good dog, and Julio is a cat."  Elie -September 2012

At our friends house for lunch last week one of the other guests (possibly in his sixties) asks Elie how old he is.  Elie says, "2 1/2, how old are you?" November 2012

Asher is such a mensch always helping me vacuum.  He was testing out all of the different hose attachments and says, "This one really sucks well!" October 2012

Asher's Left

Asher traced his left hand and spelled "LEFT"

Elie's getup

If Elie had it his way, this is how he would dress for school. He loves this beanie and never takes it off. He's really into shoes... any shoes from his rain boots to these Uggs or other people's. But he's not really into pants.

Morning conversations

This morning while taking the boys to school, there was an interview on the radio with an author of parenting books.  She was explaining that a big problem with parents these days is that they are afraid to let their kids fail.

 Asher says, "What?!  That lady isn't nice to  say she wants kids to fail!"
I say, "I know that doesn't sound very good but let me explain... remember when you got your new scooter and didn't know how to ride it and you kept falling off it?!  Well, we could have just held on to you and the scooter so you wouldn't fall and hurt yourself... however, you would never learn to ride your scooter by yourself!  We had to let you fall, skin your elbows and knees in order for you to learn."

"Does that make sense?"  as I throw my hands up and shrug.

Elie responds in his soft, yet firm voice, "Asher, Mommy is talking to you! "

Brocolli Monster!

Elie could devour a whole head of steamed brocolli in one sitting!

Scooter!

Our neighbor across the street just got a new scooter and was nice enough to let Moi and Asher take it for a spin.

Someone Feels Right at Home!

He thought he'd be adventurous by not only scaling the wall but climbing around the perimeter of our backyard for all to see!

First Day of School

                       Just look at these little punchkins!  Don't they look so studious with backpacks on and lunch bags in hand?!

Update long overdue!

Our new "hood"

So much has happened over the past two months and I haven't had time to post.  The biggest thing... we moved from Bettendorf, Iowa to La Jolla, California!  I never imagined I would ever be fortunate to live in a place as beautiful as this with perfect weather all year around and no traffic!  I am still pinching myself everyday. 

The shul we belong to is so welcoming and the members come from such diverse backgrounds.  After the first day we felt right at home and in our element.  We have been invited to people's homes for shabbos lunch and dinners every week so far.

Asher and Elie started their new school and love it.  They look forward to going everyday and love their teachers. 

Post Ranch Summer, 2012

These boys love every minute at the ranch-- well, besides those "time-outs" for pulling hair, spitting, pinning little brother down or having sword fights at the table.  All of that time in between, they collected eggs, did "chores" with Bampa like cutting and rolling hay on tractors, supervising cement trucks with the new construction and watering the trees.

     The boys were picking berries of this bush to feed to the chickens.

 Once Elie took possession of the hose he made certain it stayed that way.  He kept Asher from snatching it back by spraying him if he got too close for comfort.  Asher wasn't very happy about that!

                                          

Collecting eggs in the chicken coupe. 

 Hosing down the muddy shoes and clothes

                                                                              

Hummingbirds!

There were a couple evenings where the house got too hot.  My mom and I wrapped wet rags around our heads; problem solved!