Another lovely holiday!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Another Milestone
Max had his first afternoon of Hebrew school yesterday. I was worried how it would go because (1) 4-6pm is a long time after a full day of school and (2) he doesn't know anyone in his class since we just recently joined the synagogue. I needn't have worried. Max is so "chill" about things like this. He went right into his class and had a great time. He came out two hours later knowing all about his Hebrew name, and the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah (including a few cute songs!). I am very pleased with the program at Temple Beth Abraham and I think it's going to be a great experience for Max. What a year he's having!
Sorry for the blurry camera-phone image. Max is at the front left wearing a yellow shirt. Rabbi Bloom is leading the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders in some Rosh Hashanah "hits"!
Sorry for the blurry camera-phone image. Max is at the front left wearing a yellow shirt. Rabbi Bloom is leading the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders in some Rosh Hashanah "hits"!Monday, September 12, 2011
Henry's First Day of Preschool
Well, it's done. My last baby is off at school. (Insert hysterical sobbing here)
Yesiree...it's been an emotional morning in the Gerber residence -- for mom but not for boys.
Young Henry set off on the first stage of his academic journey and started at preschool. He has been eagerly awaiting this day for weeks (years?). All weekend long he kept reminding me, "Mom! I start preschool on Monday!" Yeah kid, I know. Thanks for reminding me.
This morning he was up early and was dressed and wearing his shark backpack a full 1/2 hour before we had to leave for MAX'S dropoff! We took Max to kindergarten, scooted home and got in the car to drive to preschool. "Mom! This is the way to Max's old school!" Henry exclaimed.
"No, Henry," I responded, "This is the way to YOUR school."
"That's right!" he said, "I'm in preschool now!"
Needless to say, the dropoff went smoothly. There were a few hysterical three-year-olds around, but Henry walked right into his class and wouldn't even let me help him hang up his backpack. "I can do it myself!" he said. He then proceeded over to the rug and sat right down in that "criss-cross-applesauce" position that he's been practicing all summer. He looked like a pro. I snapped one quick shot from the door (see below) and then I walked away. And teared up. And got in my car. And teared up a little more.
It's been one hit after another this year -- first kindergarten for Max and now preschool for Henry. That's how parenting goes. It's our job to let them go, but sometimes it hurts like a "MOTHER".
Lucky for me, I didn't have to suffer alone. My friend Emily was also dropping off her baby at school this morning. We went to breakfast together and commiserated. That's right -- a breakfast WITHOUT any little people! Emily still grabbed a stack of napkins large enough to swab off an army of sticky, snotty, spilling toddlers, but we figure that rehabilitation is going to take some time. With luck, we can someday feel like women again and not just moms. But then again, I have a feeling that the "mom" part never really leaves you even when the kids do...
Proud Henry ready for school
Check out the cool shark backpack! (thanks, Dodie)
So excited!
Checking out the equipment before class
Criss-Cross-Applesauce
Yesiree...it's been an emotional morning in the Gerber residence -- for mom but not for boys.
Young Henry set off on the first stage of his academic journey and started at preschool. He has been eagerly awaiting this day for weeks (years?). All weekend long he kept reminding me, "Mom! I start preschool on Monday!" Yeah kid, I know. Thanks for reminding me.
This morning he was up early and was dressed and wearing his shark backpack a full 1/2 hour before we had to leave for MAX'S dropoff! We took Max to kindergarten, scooted home and got in the car to drive to preschool. "Mom! This is the way to Max's old school!" Henry exclaimed.
"No, Henry," I responded, "This is the way to YOUR school."
"That's right!" he said, "I'm in preschool now!"
Needless to say, the dropoff went smoothly. There were a few hysterical three-year-olds around, but Henry walked right into his class and wouldn't even let me help him hang up his backpack. "I can do it myself!" he said. He then proceeded over to the rug and sat right down in that "criss-cross-applesauce" position that he's been practicing all summer. He looked like a pro. I snapped one quick shot from the door (see below) and then I walked away. And teared up. And got in my car. And teared up a little more.
It's been one hit after another this year -- first kindergarten for Max and now preschool for Henry. That's how parenting goes. It's our job to let them go, but sometimes it hurts like a "MOTHER".
Lucky for me, I didn't have to suffer alone. My friend Emily was also dropping off her baby at school this morning. We went to breakfast together and commiserated. That's right -- a breakfast WITHOUT any little people! Emily still grabbed a stack of napkins large enough to swab off an army of sticky, snotty, spilling toddlers, but we figure that rehabilitation is going to take some time. With luck, we can someday feel like women again and not just moms. But then again, I have a feeling that the "mom" part never really leaves you even when the kids do...
Proud Henry ready for school
Check out the cool shark backpack! (thanks, Dodie)
So excited!
Checking out the equipment before class
Criss-Cross-ApplesauceSunday, September 4, 2011
Cheering the Cardinal to Victory
We took the boys down to Stanford yesterday for their first football game. We had a great time even though the stadium was pretty hot. The boys hung in there for three quarters (a constant supply of snacks helped). Stanford crushed San Jose state and we enjoyed being part of the excitement as Stanford launched what we hope will be their best season ever!
On a separate note, it's always a kick to return to "The Farm", but I felt a little old this time. All of the current students wandering around looked SO YOUNG! I feel as though I just graduated a couple years ago (and running into a guy from my freshman dorm reinforced that feeling), but then I looked around at all the kids masquerading as college students and I realized that it has actually been 14 years since I left. Jeez! Where does the time go?!
Existential crisis aside, however, it was a really fun day and now that the boys are old enough to stick it out, we hope to attend many more games.
On a separate note, it's always a kick to return to "The Farm", but I felt a little old this time. All of the current students wandering around looked SO YOUNG! I feel as though I just graduated a couple years ago (and running into a guy from my freshman dorm reinforced that feeling), but then I looked around at all the kids masquerading as college students and I realized that it has actually been 14 years since I left. Jeez! Where does the time go?!
Existential crisis aside, however, it was a really fun day and now that the boys are old enough to stick it out, we hope to attend many more games.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Max's First Day of Kindergarten
I've been dreading this day for weeks, not because I thought Max couldn't handle it (he may be the most even-tempered and matter-of-fact child in the world), but because I wasn't sure how I would feel. Max is my baby, after all, my first born. I've spent more time with him over the past five years than anyone else, that's for sure! Kindergarten seems like such a big milestone, the "first day of the rest of his life". Would I cry? Would it be hard to let him go? I was not looking forward to it
As it turns out, however, it was a very pleasant morning. I walked over to Edison School with a huge neighborhood contingent. Max and his buddies were excited to be together and even Henry got in on the excitement by filling a backpack full of maracas and wearing it to school and back (believe me -- everyone heard us coming!). Once we arrived at school, things were crazy and chaotic, and before I knew it, Max was whisked away by the competent and extremely friendly Ms. Corpuz. After that, with Henry whining about needing a snack and a bathroom, I didn't have time to get sentimental.
Henry and I picked Max up a few hours later and he was calm and cheerful. I didn't get too many details about the day (he ate his snack in the shade, didn't get to play very long, colored something, wrote his name and received doughnut from his teacher).
And so it goes. My little guy is a not-so-little elementary school student and I'm still standing, at least until Henry starts preschool in a couple weeks.
Ready for School
Lookin' Cool
Henry had to get in on the "backpack action" as well
The neighborhood crew
Mick had a hard time this morning, but rallied once class started
Lining up for class
In the classroom Max is front and center!
As it turns out, however, it was a very pleasant morning. I walked over to Edison School with a huge neighborhood contingent. Max and his buddies were excited to be together and even Henry got in on the excitement by filling a backpack full of maracas and wearing it to school and back (believe me -- everyone heard us coming!). Once we arrived at school, things were crazy and chaotic, and before I knew it, Max was whisked away by the competent and extremely friendly Ms. Corpuz. After that, with Henry whining about needing a snack and a bathroom, I didn't have time to get sentimental.
Henry and I picked Max up a few hours later and he was calm and cheerful. I didn't get too many details about the day (he ate his snack in the shade, didn't get to play very long, colored something, wrote his name and received doughnut from his teacher).
And so it goes. My little guy is a not-so-little elementary school student and I'm still standing, at least until Henry starts preschool in a couple weeks.
Ready for School
Lookin' Cool
Henry had to get in on the "backpack action" as well
The neighborhood crew
Mick had a hard time this morning, but rallied once class started
Lining up for class
In the classroom Max is front and center!
Dinnertime Entertainment
Sometimes it takes a village to get dinner down the gullet of a cranky baby...
Sunday, August 28, 2011
What a Difference a Year Makes
I have always loved my annual trip up to June Lake in the Eastern Sierra. My family has been going there for decades, and I have so many fond memories of fishing with my dad, climbing up rocks with my cousins and singing with the whole family around the campfire. It has been a real joy introducing my boys to this special place over the past five years, but as anyone with children can tell you, vacation isn't the same once kids are in the picture. Yes, I still loved June Lake as much as ever, but instead of sitting peacefully by the lake, I found myself running after toddlers and making pot after pot of "stone soup" to keep them entertained (Dodie's great idea, of course!). Instead of enjoying a few late night cocktails at the Tiger Bar, I found myself home putting sleepy babies to bed while everyone else stayed out for hours.
This year, however, something was different. Apparently 5 years old and 3 1/2 is some sort of magic threshold. Max and Henry were actually engaged in the fishing (and caught nine and five fish respectively!). They were able to skip naps, go with the flow, and stay up late hanging out. Scott and I were in absolute heaven, and as much as I sometimes miss the snuggly little babies I used to cart around, I have to admit that there's something to be said for the "big-kid crowd"!
Two cuties ready for fun
Hanging out with sister and niece at Ellery Lake
Dodie and Olivia
BBQ at the Landberg/Gruber residence
Up at the Virginias
A truly "epic" day of fishing!
Posing in front of Mono Lake
Mother and Daughter with tufas
Early morning at Silver Lake
Taking a spin on the pontoon boat on June Lake
All the young cousins at Steve's cabin
Family shot
The whole gang (minus Olivia and Scott) in front of Steve's cabin
Concentrating on reeling in his first fish
Success!!!
Snow in August???!!! (yes, it was that kind of winter)
Nicolle, David, and Olivia
Henry and Dodie with one of his first fish
Holly and Virginia with their "lunker"
This year, however, something was different. Apparently 5 years old and 3 1/2 is some sort of magic threshold. Max and Henry were actually engaged in the fishing (and caught nine and five fish respectively!). They were able to skip naps, go with the flow, and stay up late hanging out. Scott and I were in absolute heaven, and as much as I sometimes miss the snuggly little babies I used to cart around, I have to admit that there's something to be said for the "big-kid crowd"!
Two cuties ready for fun
Hanging out with sister and niece at Ellery Lake
Dodie and Olivia
BBQ at the Landberg/Gruber residence
Up at the Virginias
A truly "epic" day of fishing!
Posing in front of Mono Lake
Mother and Daughter with tufas
Early morning at Silver Lake
Taking a spin on the pontoon boat on June Lake
All the young cousins at Steve's cabin
Family shot
The whole gang (minus Olivia and Scott) in front of Steve's cabin
Concentrating on reeling in his first fish
Success!!!
Snow in August???!!! (yes, it was that kind of winter)
Nicolle, David, and Olivia
Henry and Dodie with one of his first fish
Holly and Virginia with their "lunker"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
