The First Birthday!

"My baby's name is Adel and she is already one!" is what Zusha announces to anyone who is willing to listen.
Although the party was almost four weeks ago, the later I post about it the longer the festivities last, right? That's my philosophy, at least.

Introducing the big one-year-old girlie!


Look how gracefully Adel accepts her birthday ice cream cake!

(Also, please notice how Gedalya announces that he is a chameleon, because of his party blower. LOL.)

Digging in!



"This isn't all that bad!"


Zusha agrees.


Flapping her wings in excitement


And then it was time for presents!
"Thank you, everyone, so much. I have no words. I am so grateful. *sniffle*"

Adel got a board book, soft fabric blocks,

colorful stacking cups and a baby dolly.

Which Gedalya adopted for himself right away.


It's not like I left him deprived, though. The boys received a "Happy Birthday, Adel" present as well. A panda puzzle, slinkies, and Lego cars and trucks.


And each child got a helium balloon.

Yep, Adel still loves them!

Then we attempted at some family photos. I guess between all the attempts, we do have the whole family in there. LOL


(Showing off her big girl skirt... heh heh. )


Happy birthday sweet little Adi! We are so blessed to have you and look forward to many more years as wonderful as the first!

Sukkos Wrap-up

Adi in the sukka...




Lulav and esrog...



Adi's turn for hoshanos!


And our chol hamoed "trip" to the urologist.


My brave little birdie.


Look at those gorgeous kidneys! (I have no idea what I'm looking at but I was told they are gorgeous. )


And that's the end! No more yomim tovim until Chanuka!

So Far...

Here's what was determined so far:
It's an animal that is found in some zoos. It doesn't live on farms and is only found in certain regions. It's not an octopus, polar bear, or an elephant, and there are no people involved in the picture, just that one animal.

With that info, you can continue the questions in this post. Once the answer has been guessed, I have a little something for all those who played.

One more bit of info I will offer to start off this round: it's in the avian family.

Adel Would Like to Tell You

This little girl:


would like to tell you how she rocked back and forth on hands and knees in therapy last week.


And also how she pushed herself backwards- with her arms!- while on her belly. Mama sat behind her and kept moving away, while Adel looked over her shoulder, giggled, and slid once more towards her Mama.


She'd also like to share how, when the special ed teacher asks her where her eyes are, she blinks.


And wiggles her fingers and toes slightly when asked about them.


And! She eats leaves! Adi would like everyone to see how nicely she eats leaves. Of course.

The Trio

The Trio.


So cute.


So lovely.


So mischievous.


So caring.


So fun!


My little Poozils.

Let's Play 20 Questions

Little Gedalya. He runs like the wind. He walks in midair like a cartoon character. He jumps, flies, and defies physics.
He watches his brother draw, craft, create... and he wishes he had the patience to sit and make something, too. Usually Gedalya just draws whatever and then gives it a name. Usually the name is "kootchookoo." A kootchookoo which cuts things.

He created it to use as an answer when someone asks him what he is drawing or making.


But this time, this time he finally set out to draw something and he accomplished.


Now let's play 20 questions. You ask me "yes or no" questions about this object in the comments of this post and I will answer each one. Let's see how long it takes to guess! Come on, it'll be fun. Each person can (and should!) ask more than one question.

Chol Hamoed Sukkos

We had the longest Chol Hamoed possible this Sukkos. Four full days plus Hoshana Raba, and no Shabbos in between.

We didn't really go anywhere special... the library, parks, urologist, and this special carnival that comes twice a year for Yom Tov. The kids look forward to it so much!

As soon as we approached it, I was transported to the same place, exactly one year earlier, when we took the boys here three days before Adel's birth. It was so much harder then!


Adel standing outside the ride, holding onto the fence and watching her brothers as they wave wildly at her each time they pass.


Someone is a tad frightened!




The huge crayon we won at the fair.


It was huge.


"Uh, Mama, this thing is... big."