Michaela Is Here!

Michaela arrived on Wednesday night, her first solo flight! She did great and was so sophisticated walking off the plane, it brought tears to my eyes. When we arrived back at Nona's house, we had dinner and a belated birthday celebration.

Today, the girls and I went to New Hampshire to visit Nana and Grandpa, Aunty Debbie and cousins Josh and Morgan. It was so fun for the kids to get reacquainted, the cousins are looking forward to spending more time together when Ron is here.

Poor Talya....

On Sunday Talya had a sore throat and low grade fever. Since I had so recently had Strep, I got worried and took her to the clinic on the Cape. They ran a Rapid Strep test which was negative (as mine had been) but were unable to run a regular culture because the Sunday clinic can't send things out. On Monday, Talya was still sick, but she still tried really hard to rally and go to the beach.

After talking to her doctor, the decision was made to treat her for Strep. That night, she was still feeling sick, but still took the time to read to Ayelet. Fortunately, by the next morning the antibiotics had kicked in and she was already feeling MUCH better.

So of course, we headed to the beach!

And, we went on a bunny hunt.

Then, that night, Talya and I went to Sundae School and Talya danced up a storm.

Tomorrow - Michaela arrives!!

Settling In At Cape Cod

We have spent the last few days getting reacquainted with our favorite parts of the Cape. Blueberry picking was a big hit - though Ayelet couldn't understand why her bucket kept emptying instead of filling.
One beautiful beach day, Talya found a friend and Ayelet fell in love with the sand, the water and the sun.

Special time with family -

And of course, Sundae School, what would our vacation be without ice cream.

New York City!

Talya and I had an amazing (though too short) day in NYC. Aunty Audrey kept Ayelet for the day, and Talya and I set out to see as much as we could of the big city. Talya is so young still, she knows tidbits about New York from some of her books and movies, she hasn't yet learned much more about New York. It was fun to bring the city alive for her!

We started with a train ride to Grand Central Station (which she remembered from Madagascar). We had decided on the train that we would start our day by taking a taxi to Battery Park and then taking the Staten Island Ferry (thanks Margot).
From the ferry, we were able to see the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and of course the New York skyline.

After our ferry ride, we took the subway to Times Square. We paused to look around for the newsstand from The Cricket in Times Square, then we walked up to Mr. Broadway's for lunch. I had wanted a good kosher meat lunch, but forgot about the nine days, instead I had felafel (delicious) and Talya had pasta.

The we really started to explore Times Square. Talya loved Times Square, there were street performers, like this one eating fire and all the glitz and glam of Times Square.

We went to the Ferris wheel there, and caught a glimpse of the life sized doll house and the video gaming areas, then we were off again and headed to the Plaza. (See Eloise post for details about the Plaza.)

After our visit to The Plaza, we hopped on the bus (it was raining) and headed back to Grand Central Station to catch our train back to Connecticut. There was so much more to do, but what a satisfying day.

Eloise At The Plaza

Talya's favorite part of our day in New York was our visit to the Plaza. (Thank you Robin for this great idea!). She was so excited when we got out of the subway and the sign said "The Plaza Hotel"! The look on her face was priceless.

She loved the P's on the doors, rugs, walls, etc.
She tried to pose just like Eloise.

In the Eloise room, she sat down to have tea.

She wrote Eloise a letter and put it in her mailbox.

And, she had a chance to read Eloise's special Plaza Hotel menu.

Talya was SO disappointed that Eloise wasn't there. She asked someone there where Eloise was, they told her that Eloise was out for the day. I think that she would have waited there if we could.

We Made It - Summer Vacation Is Here!

The girls and I had a great flight to NYC. Considering how nervous I was, I was so relieved! We were all thrilled to see Aunty Audrey too! Here are a few shots of our first night here.

Ayelet made herself comfortable by walking around Aunty Audrey's house and going up and down her steps.
After dinner we went on a successful bunny hunt.

Here is Aunty Audrey's beautiful house in Greenwich.

And the house across the street that I fell in love with! (Think big!)

Tomorrow, Talya and I are hitting the big apple!!!!!

Schechter Open House - We Miss Michaela!

Sisters reunited!

"Mom, I am ready to come to camp, can you tell?"

Ayelet's 15 Month Check Up

Ayelet had her 15 month check up (a little late)! In the last couple of months, Ayelet has really blossomed! She has grown a little:

Height: 30 1/2 inches (40th percentile)

Weight: 20.1 lbs (11th percentile)

She has many words now and really appreciates expressing herself. She also understands everything - which makes her a great help when it is time to tidy the house. When asked to put dirty clothes in the hamper, she does; when asked to straighten the shoes on the shoe shelf, she happily obliges. She loves doing everything that her big sisters do and that her mama does, she especially loves "talking" on the phone and cooking. She is walking like a pro and loves to swing and slide. She doesn't sleep so well, but after the past two nights, there is hope. Soon enough, she will be on the beaches of the Cape and she will make the sand and surf her own, just as her sisters did.

So Much Summer Fun

A trip to the beach to enjoy the low tides,
Michaela's camp out birthday party,

Girls doing yoga in the afternoon.