Four-tunately, I'm Four

I can't believe you turned four today, Liana! We have had a week of celebrations, with BoMa and BoPa in town.


Mommy and I baked a fantastic swimming pool cake with floating bears. I hope it tastes as fun as it looks.


The celebration went swimmingly...


...and the cake and pizza were delicious!


On my actual birthday, Mema and mommy came to school to help me and my friends decorate our own cupcakes.


I think your Monkey friends had a lot of fun.


Then it was time for candles. Happy birthday, big sister.


After school, we went to dinner with daddy to continue the festivities. I got to decorate my own pizza (do you see a theme?).


And together we blew out your candle. I am the one who is four-tunate (even though I'm not even two!).


Of course since I'm now four, I was still awake at 10:07...only 183 days until I'm 4 1/2.

I Could Eat You Up, Sister!

Daria, you're part of this complete breakfast.

Liana, you're the icing on my cake!


There is nothing quite like being sisters.

We Come From a Long Line of April Fools

Today would have been Grandpa's 73rd birthday. We remember our most beloved April Fool so much every day and know that he would be so very proud of us.

He definitely would have been pleased with how silly we can be! Today was silly dress up day at school and I was super cozy in my pajamas. And I took silliness to a whole new level (in case you can't tell: I have socks on hands, one pigtail and one braid, two different boots, and my pants and shirt are on backwards).

Silly geese!

Ninety Five Reasons to Celebrate Nana

We didn't drive I-95 to get there, but this weekend we headed down to Florida to celebrate our Nana's 95th!

We also got to celebrate Aunt Abi's 33rd.

Aunt Abi is daddy's sister and we all know how special sisters are...

...not to mention grandparents.

We spent each morning at services, where we had Shabbat dinner for breakfast. Alex the monkey is slowly learning to chime in on the "amen" with me. Don't you think it's time he learned "bo-rei p'ri ha-a-da-mah" (the blessing over bananas)?

Speaking of Alex, he never feels like I've got a monkey on my back.

Meanwhile, back at the resort (get it?)...

...spending the afternoon on my back at the beach is a treat not to be missed.

Nana and her girlfriends are also a treat. I hear they have shared quite a few happy occasions over the decades and I hope we have friends like them with whom to celebrate our milestones.

Here's to celebrating family - together!

Lots and Lots of Lots

Purim was extra-special this year because it was on a Saturday night and Sunday, so we stayed up super duper late to celebrate. All you cared about was checking out the mishloach manot. That's because this elephant didn't forget all the goodies we got last year.

In the morning, you were invited to sing with your classmates, but I was the only one interested in getting on stage to participate...

...as the lyrics say "let's nosh some hamantash."

Chag Purim Sameach!

A Daria-matic Reading of "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"

For those who have not heard it, the famous story goes that a told b and b told c, "I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree." Much mayhem ensues, the entire alphabet climbs the tree, and well, "Oh no!" and "Chicka Boom!" I think Daria has her own interpretation, however...

Artsy Fartsy Family

We're two silly sisters bumping belly buttons!

Do you like my wacky stripey toe glove? I can stand on one foot.

Yes, well, look at me, sis. Anything you can do...I can too.

Nice footwork. You show great promise as a dancer...

...and your watercolor technique is excellent.

When it comes to being creative, however, I'm particularly proud to have mastered the art of the diaper change, a musical masterpiece in baby's two movements. (You probably didn't see that coming, despite having read the title of the entry.)

Hap-PopPop-y Birthday to You!

This weekend, we drove down to Baltimore to celebrate our PopPop. He was having a very big birthday. So big, he got three cakes!

Mema enjoyed celebrating her daddy's birthday.

While being with our great-grandparents was fun, time with cousins was especially wonderful.

On Sunday morning I missed my usual swimming class, so Daisy agreed to help me 'make an arrow' and 'float with big arms.'

Then it was off to brunch at Suburban House to continue PopPop's celebration weekend with bagels and lox.

I wanted to keep with Sunday morning tradition, so I worked with mommy on the crossword.

Speaking of a relaxing Sunday morning, how about some massages?!

Don't we girls look relaxed - thumbs in or, as Aunt Julie says, "assuming the position."

It was also nice to spend some time with Great Uncle Herb, even if he seemed more interested in guy stuff.

We are just as cozy as pigs-in-a-blanket having a matzoh ball. We couldn't have pickled a better family. Speaking of picking, couldn't you come up with some better deli puns? Is my humor too wry or have we gotten carraway-ed?

Bobo fed us our first jell-o ever. It was so yummy and jiggly. Just like you, sis.

PopPop has a spectacular lap. Just the right size for two girls. Yes, I know. I remember when Leah and I were little we fit just right (scroll down a bit)...

We hope PopPop (and BoBo) enjoyed his birthday weekend as much as we did. Can't wait to celebrate more birthdays.

Get the Point?

Lately my fingers have become a very important part of ensuring that I get what I want. In this case, my right pointer is adorned with une framboise, a berry which tastes best when eaten off of one's "digit."


When Josh and Rachel were in town to visit, I also made sure to "point out" the many online wedding planning resources they could "index" (in this case using my left one).

Not-So-Secret Admirers

We are lucky to have so many friends, especially boys. There's nothing like a pre-Valentine's day dinner with a handsome, older gentleman like Ari.


Except the second annual pre-Valentine's day dinner with an adorable classmate like Leo.


Speaking of classmates, you made some beautiful valentines for your friends.


Thank you. Among our friends and admirers from near and far, Samara and her mommy are particularly special. They visited us all the way from Hong Kong and boy are we counting down until they move back!