Snippets from New Hampster

Just ahead of the primaries, Jess and Paul, Hannah and Theo invited the Kline-Solmsen clan for the weekend to "New Hampster."

We had a great time skiing, skating, playing and hanging out.

Ela and Hannah shuffled off on the ice - Ela wearing high heeled skates - kibbitzing with Hannah.

Ela and Hannah met three horses while ice skating. Ela explained that their names were Boston, Carolina and Jamaica Plain.

Indeed, we had too much fun.

The Barbara Update

Today, after starting to learn how to knit a scarf for her doll, Ela sat reading Make Way for Ducklings to her baby doll. When it was time to go on our walk to the shoe store and library, I asked her to go make a pish because we were about to go out. She finished reading the book to her doll, slid off the couch, and said in her motherly voice, "Don't worry, Gramma. I know all about raising children," as she went off to the bathroom, did her thing and got on her jacket.

Gila had to have a baby, too, and all I could find was Elmo. Gila hugged Elmo passionately and we were off, babies in tow. Both girls ran up the first hill on Pierpont and then Gila opted for the stroller. 

Once we got to the shoe store, both girls got busy checking out the merchandise. Ela, the pro, put her foot on the measuring device, happy to learn that she had grown a full size larger and really did need new shoes. Gila cried, but the sales person was so quick, the crying didn't last for long. Ela found sneakers she deemed, "cool," checking with me several times to make sure I agreed. Then she found what I call Mary Janes, but she defined as high heels. There was no arguing about the purchase - even though I knew her mom had just bought a pair for her. Ela made sure all tags were cut off, we added two pairs of tights to the merchandise and each girl wearing new sneakers, we proceeded to the library. 

Gila, in the stroller, stuck her feet out straight out in front of her, knees stiff, so she could look at her new sneakers all the way to the library and home. Great success all the way around.

Fradin-Rhodes Visit Begins

Jill, Scott, Dante and Paris arrived last night in time for pre-bedtime fun.

We had a late dinner. Ela was so excited that she waited for her cousins by the window until they arrived - she would not eat until they got here.

After dinner, Dante and Paris accompanied Ela upstairs for bedtime - including singing the Sh'ma with her - she was very excited.

This morning we had a huge pancake breakfast with fruit salad provided by Grandma and Saba. Then we were off to go ice skating at the frog pond on the Commons downtown. It was Ela's first time and she eventually skated by herself.

Please see the following video for highlights.

Tomorrow morning we leave for two days of skiing and swimming in the Berkshires. Stay tuned for our next update.

December 15 Update from Barbara

I just want to tell you about our day yesterday. Gila ate two bowls of oatmeal and drank half a cup of milk in the morning. Then went around the apartment singing (I'm serious). She sounded just like Ela singing to herself. What I didn't realize was that she also was opening everything she could and removing contents very efficiently. She also emptied my purse with incredible speed, loving every moment. then she took a three-hour nap and awoke to eat a good size sandwich and drink more milk. She took a two hour nap in the afternoon. Since you asked about the approximate number of words I think she says, I listened carefully. This is what I'm pretty sure I heard: "Mama," "Abba," "Ela," "molk,", "yeh," or "yah," (never a "no," rather a sharp shrug of her left shoulder when she doesn't want something), "challah - well more like "awah," "Gamma," "cow," "kak (quack), and a few more that escape me at the moment.

Ela was great. She told me to make the challah because she was busy. I think her imaginary friend accompanied her through part of the day. She and Saba went out in the snow for about two hours and made monster tracks and angels. She came in for hot chocolate and then we played one of her word games. Her concentration was amazing. She did almost all of the puzzle pieces. Then we read and had lunch. She took a rest, I'm not sure if she actually slept - oh and yes, she did have a good dood ( is that how you spell it?), and we made chocolate pudding and played the picture/letter game i think Saba and I gave her for Chanukkah. Again, she amazed me with the number of letters she could identify. We talked about how letters can look different (caps and small letters) and how confusing it is with "m's" and "w's", "d's" and "b's" because they look the same but are different depending on whether they are "right side up" or "upside down." Then it was time to make the pasta and she got right in to help with the
first run through the pasta maker. Both girls helped shape the challahs. It was a merry scene in the kitchen; a messy scene as well, but well worth it.

Ela and I talked about this Christian development. She explained that Abby's mom came into her class like her Abba did and told them to put out cookies for Santa so that when he comes with the presents he can eat the cookies. Interestingly, she didn't mention the Christmas trees. We talked about loving Chanukah and Shabbat (Oh she was a gorgeous Shabbat bride last night) and Purim and that was great about being Jewish. She agreed, but explained that now she was Christian. She seems so okay with the fact that the rest of the family is Jewish. I find that rather charming. I tried to think back about you kids and only could remember the child at Steele School (kindergarten) who told you she wouldn't play with you or was it be your friend? anymore because you were Jewish and your response: Well, i was Jewish yesterday and you played with me. I loved your spunk. Kids seem to confront stuff or at least vocabulary so early today.