RE spells Relief

Alan and I breathed a sigh of relief today as Shara had a fairly successful time at Sunday school. She had been told that if she didn't go with the class, without mommy or daddy, she wouldn't get to go to LegoFest. This really didn't do much when it came down to her actually going. I had spoken to Ellen, the school director, earlier about this and gave her permission to pick Shara up and take her down to the class. She did have to do this, and both of us felt bad, but it was certainly for the best because at the end of the service, when the kids came back in, there was Shara, all smiles and so proud of herself and the home she decorated for her Webkinz dog, Sara. I cried I was so proud and relieved. She still didn't get to go to Legofest. They were sold out! But she did go bowling with Alan and they had a fun time.

Yom Kippur 2010

Last weekend we had a really fun time at Aunt Jill and Bubbe's for Yom Kippur. Alan wasn't able to join us because he was sick with what lots of other people had. We picked Liz up and were lucky to have her company for the ride there and back. The way out was relaxing and we had a very nice dinner at Sushi Thai in Clifton Park, before going to the Lookers. Shara loved her sushi and Liz's. They made her favorite, Sweet potato maki, and she had a whole bowl of miso soup, and 2 of Liz's California Roll. Liz had a boat - it was beautiful and she shared some of her fabulous sushi and sashimi with me too. I had pad thai, but no one really had any of that but me. It was very peanut buttery, but good. Not as good as Liz's white tuna though. So dinner out with Shara and Liz was like being out with a much older kid. She's so much fun and doesn't act like such a little girl any more but like a kid. And with a great sense of humor. Not just goofy kid things, but really funny stuff that makes me laugh. Of course I can't think of anything now, but will try to post when she says it. Ok, so after dinner we went to the Lookers and Liz got her big surprise of Samantha being home for the weekend too. We were assaulted by crazy Ruby, Dana's dog, but other than that, had a pleasant evening visiting.

The next morning we woke up before anyone else, except Andy of course, and had hot chocolate milk and tv. Shara didn't mind that I had to use hot fudge sundae topping. After getting ready, we had some breakfast and made the deal of the century for both of us. Shara didn't want to go to shull, but with the promise of two cider doughnuts, she agreed to be a well behaved child; no complaining, fussing, arguing, etc. She really didn't have that hard of a time keeping her promise. I was bored too so we went for a walk around the shull, played outside in the beautiful sun, relaxed, and had a nice time with each other. What was more impressive was how she keep herself busy at bubbe's while I helped get dinner together and ready for the company. Shara helped too by plating cookies, putting nuts in a dish and other odds and ends. Then when Jimmy and his girlfriend came, she was showered with attention. Then she wanted no part of me, of course. Later in the evening Liz, Samantha, Shara, Bubbe, Aunt Jill and I had fun playing with all of our cameras.

Sunday we decided to leave by noon and we made our schedule. This was very nice because we were able to relax and get our things packed up, enjoy breakfast, pick grapes! and watch aunt Jill make chocolate chip cookies. Liz was happy to have the room of the van to bring back more of her things and we liked having Liz for the ride home. We decided that we should stop for lunch, but Shara wasn't hungry, unless it was a cider doughnut, of course. Liz found a nice cafe in Lee and it was a great find. Liz & I split their grilled veggie sandwich with aioli on a baguette. Shara had a minestrone soup that she didn't love. She did really like Liz's Chai and my potato chips though. While there I saw a flier for a harvest fest, featuring famous cider doughnuts from Hilltop Orchards. Well it sounded like that was where we were headed next. We didn't realize that we would be going back toward New York but that was fine because we were exploring and not on a very tight schedule at all. And we had the GPS and a full tank of gas. Very important for being carefree. We found the orchard and were a bit surprised that it was so small and not really overcrowded. Apparently it was featured on the Today show and even had wine tastings. We had a couple tastes of wine and then got our doughnuts. Had to get 1/2 dozen because these things were right out of the fryer and loaded with cinnamon sugar and smelled great. They were. I had two, Shara and Liz each had one. These things were dangerous. We didn't pick apples, but I got a peck and we got back in the car and headed on to get Liz home. It was a fairly quiet trip. I let Shara watch her movies, which got very dull, but she was happy. So we dropped Liz off, and after we got back on the road, Shara started acting tired and cranky. So we got home and she was a little better and we had dinner and got to bed so we could get back to our normal weekly schedule.

Shara singing in the shower

Evidently Shara likes to belt out her own original tunes while she's in the shower. Check out the youtube.com video of her singing in the shower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxnKLch0RFs

Horseback Riding

Shara finally got to get her pony ride today and she loved it. Koren, who donated the ride from the church auction, though Shara was a natural. She was so comfortable on the pony. She wasn't scared at all and they started slow, but Shara wanted to hold the reins, and then they went on to halting and steering, and then Koren let out the rope a bit and Shara had a little room to go in a circle. After the lesson, Maya and Shara had a really fun time playing in the hay loft and then in the field. It was such a nice time and a great opportunity to get to know a fellow UU family.

20100912HorseBack

Pictures

2010-09-02

End of the Summer - boo

Shara & Jack looking spiffy on their first day of school.

Bus stop girls.

Fun time at the "labor day" party. 

Jack, relaxing in the sun

How cute!

Well, last weekend was the official end of summer. We had a nice time with family and friends at a Cuban themed cookout. Good mojitos, sangria, salsa and food.

It was nice that several people got to go into the pool. Unless there's a heatwave, and you never know!, I'm guessing it's pretty much the end of our swimming season. But what a season we had. I think we were in the pool at least 3/4 of the days, and many nights. Earl couldn't keep us out.

End of the Summer?

Although school starts tomorrow, it won't really be the end of summer if we continue to swim and sweat so much. Last night Shara's in bed and we hear the kids playing outside and she says she wishes they'd be quite. Don't they know she's trying to go to sleep? I told her once school starts they'll all have to go to sleep early too.

One thing that's changed with Shara is her sense of humor. I'm not sure what's been happening during the daytime, but she's really cracking herself up. She's been playing around with making up stories. Not being sarcastic, but saying just the opposite of the truth. Like tonight she said, "when I went out Tina's front door it was like the north pole." I stupidly asked, "you mean it's so cold in her house because of the air conditioner?" thinking she meant when she goes into Tina's house. She said, "no, outside tina's house is like the north pole". Oh, you mean it's so hot in Tina's that going outside feels cool?". At least she didn't get mad at me and start crying. She just said, "I'm kidding. It's really hot. I said the opposite." Oh, ok, ha ha. But sometimes she'll get herself rolling she thinks she's so funny. It really is cute.

I have pictures to post of our recent excursions - Marshfield Fair for one. We went last Sunday and had a great time wandering around. Shara and Alan got the wrist bands so could go on basically unlimited rides. Shara went on the spinning dragons 2 times, the carousel 1 time, and the caterpillar roller-coaster. Though the wrist band didn't cover it, she also went on a pony ride, by herself, without mommy or daddy. She also loved getting a ribbon for completing the kids stations - a great program where the kids go around to different places at the fair - agricultural building, animals, crafts, etc. and having to answer questions about each area. We all learned some things. We were lucky meet up with Liz and Jesus, though the heat drove them away earlier, so it was good that we drove separately. We should be seeing them again this weekend. Shara (all of us) love having our Lizzy so close.

Last weekend was also a lantern walk in Easton. We made our lanterns last weekend when it was raining all day and we didn't go to the fair. It was a great project, though the walk could have been done a little better in our opinion. The walk wasn't very organized or spectacular, mostly because we walked before it got dark out. I hope next year they reverse the order of things and have the music first, then walk back to a certain location to say goodbyes. But it was fun playing with Shara while the music played. We got our exercise running up and down the hill near the library.

So, she doesn't seem at all nervous about school tomorrow. In fact, I don't get the feeling any of us are ready for it and it hasn't become a very big deal. Our schedule is the same and instead of going to Tina's, we meet Tina and the other kids at the bus stop. She'll know most of the kids in her class. She's ridden the bus already. She's been there all day and is a pro at lunch and recess. Going to the extended day kindergarten really gave her an advantage in this respect. I just have to remember to bring my camera!