Hotel B & Z

The other night, Amelia and Leo stayed at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Libertyville. They each had their own private suite and fresh pancakes and waffles were served to them in the morning. Here they are, watching an encore showing of "Calliou" in the viewing lounge. I guess they were perfect guests since the owners have already asked them back :)

My best kind of day, with my best kids

Today, we took Amelia for her 4th birthday pictures. Just as with Leo's, we were a few weeks late (they only get cuter, right??). Everyone behaved and we got some very cute pictures of my favorite girl ;)
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Keeping themselves busy while we waiting for Sean, our photographer...



Amelia, posing like a pro...before I was asked (so politely) not to take pictures - hmph!



Leo...um, yah.



Not sure why they keep this out if they dont want the kids to go on it...



After the portraits were ready, we went to Bubbie and Zadie's old library, Ela Library. It has a wonderful children's area and we were lucky to stumble on a drop in story and craft time as well.




Amelia requested Chipotle for lunch. That's ma girl!



Some funny "chip" pictures...

Another day...

Amelia's friend, Tatum, came over for a belated birthday breakfast and brought Amelia this very stylish present. A complete novice, Amelia really pulled out all the stops with her cheering! Check out Leo on the side, playing in his own "Gymboree".




Yes, he knows how cute he is!



Amelia and Leo wanted to show me their huge muscles after their meal of (lots of) applesauce and (not so much) chicken...(not to mention) sprinkle cookies for dessert. Tomorrow will be a healthier day...

The last of many celebrations...

Today was Amelia's birthday celebration at school. It was originally scheduled for last Wednesday, but we were snowed out that day from school and everything else. Unfortunately, Bubbie and Tante had major conflicts and Daddy and Uncle Gary already took off Monday to travel to Israel with us. Luckily, Zadie made it and was able to celebrate with Leo, Amelia, and me. It was interesting sitting in front of everyone, it definitely made picture-taking a little bit difficult. The teachers were shocked because Amelia totally clammed up everytime they asked her a question. I think their exact words were, "The most verbal one in the class wont say a word!" I don't know how verbal I was at 4, but I felt for Amelia and I think she handled herself just fine. In the end, I know Amelia enjoyed her birthday celebration...now we can (finally) start counting down till next year ;)
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Bird's eye view...there are those 1/2 brown, 1/2 green/blue eyes Amelia is always talking about.



Putting her 4 "candles" on her "cake"...



The birthday march - instruments and all! I really haven't witnessed any other siblings in this same situation, but it always warms my heart when Amelia takes Leo's hand and makes sure that he is right there in the middle of everything.



Zadie's girl...



I made many attempts at a sitting/smiling picture. This is what I came up with...



I guess whoever was pouring the juice was way more interesting than I was...



Waiting on the birthday chair for everyone to say Happy Birthday before they could get their coat on...



The real deal! I always get my smile ;)



After school, we went to lunch and I promised them ice cream on the way back. I ended up driving straight home and, strangely enough, neither of them realized the snafoo. After the gym this afternoon, we had to go pick something up that was a little bit of a drive so I reminded them that I owed them some ice cream. Here are those pictures...



After they swallowed their ice cream whole and Leo started asking for more, I promised him that if we passed another McDonalds, I would get them more. I crossed my fingers that we wouldn't pass one. Here is the evidence that I should not rely on my fingers so much.

Overheard...

So, it is snowing once again and Hebrew School was cancelled. Not wanting to put another movie on, I threw Amelia and Leo in the bath to pass the time a little bit. I put them in my bath because it is bigger and keeps the splashing to a minimum. I can also sit right outside with the laptop and see everything...and hear everything. This is what Amelia had to say to Leo (atleast, she was trying to talk to him while he was busy doing other things):

"I was pregnant with him (who???) for a long time..."
"He was born until 1 in a clock..."
"I was like married to him...major manor...major manor" (is that from Mary Poppins?)
(Singing) "We love x-mas, crystal chris...we will celebrate x-mas till february 4th!!"
"February 4th is my birthday, so tomorrow is my birthday"
"Leo, rinse my foot"
"Rinse my 'nother foot"
"Put a water fountain on me! Should I sing the water fountain song?"
(Singing) "Waters pouring everywhere, its x-mas time and it's everywhere!" "There's water pouring on me, it's x-mas, we love the holiday, its x-mas" (maybe we *wont* watch Polar Express again...)
"Leo, say hip hip hooray!"
(Singing) "We will break a slide today, way up in the sky, for may...wicked, wicked, wicked! oh, just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...in the most delightful way."

Starting early...

With Tante having a baby in her tummy, we talk alot about babies in general. Amelia made herself a big tummy before so I asked her if there was a baby in her tummy! She said "yes" and wanted to show me. I told her that she wasn't going to have a baby for a VERY LONG time, not until she gets married.

Amelia: Who am I going to marry? Oh! I am going to marry Ethan!
Me: Ok...
Amelia: No, I am going to marry Roni!
Me: Ok...
Amelia: No, wait!! I am not going to marry someone with curly hair!!!

If only finding someone to marry was as easy as deciding what hair you liked the best...

Today, in Jerusalem...

Today was our long awaited trip to Israel with Amelia's class. They have been going back and forth for weeks now, trying different fruits, visiting kibbutzes...and probably much more that I never get to hear about. With only three tickets per family, Danny and I boarded the plane with Amelia (who was in First Class!) and we had a wonderful visit in the most amazing city.
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In line for our boarding passes...


Posing with her handmade t-shirt...



In First class - waiting for Ari to take his seat next to her...



There he is!



Chowing down on their in-flight snack...



Decorating and planting...




In line for some fresh squeezed OJ and hummus and pita - yummy!


Browsing at the local shuk...



Jewelry shopping...



Pizza, anyone?



Writing her postcard to Bubbie and Zadie from the coast...



Back in Vernon Hills...hope she remembered her coat!!