Happy Mother's Day!

Zara is trying not be awoken, "blankie, hold on to me as tight as you can!"

Reunion and reminiscing

In Atlanta! Here I am with my friend greg and Leigh's girls- they have 4 children - of which 3 happen to be adopted- they are an amazing family to marvel!

Still a Fan ..

Of my old stomping grounds- the Palm! Odd to visit a place I worked in for over 14 years but everyone is so great and all the same crew there to hash over old stories! We went out for Matt's buddy Franco for his free birthday lobster. Funnily enough, Franco doesn't eat lobster but never fear we found some takers!
I also recently flew to the palm in Atlanta where I began my career. My first GM Willy Cellucci who I opened that location with back in 1995 passed away. It was an incredible celebration of life and I got to meet "again" his boys who i knew as toddlers and now are adults in college! Galina flew up from Florida and Cheryl from Pittsburgh- it was a major moment is all I am say about that!

Happy new year from fabulous Naples!

Poor Matt- left his bag on the plane - it went to Milwaukee for fun and back tomorrow- mommy needed only 2 Xanax-
and lastly- the security TSA bag checker surprised me in another part of the airport by asking me if Zara was Aisha- apparently had opened my bag to find a photo album with Aisha in it and recognized Zara also!!???
Happy 2013!

NEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME

How funny, yesterday Zara was playing with her new witch hat and black cat goody bag, she said, "what is that?  you say? I love you and i have dirty feet". At first we were both utterly confused...

Then realised she was trying to remember the line trick or treat line, "smell my feet, give me something good to eat".   I just loved the word association. 

Do I have any last minute revelations for the end of the blog?  Certainly nothing life changing, although the other day we were out with friends and Zara was offered a "Coke".  She said "no" and then asked me what coke was!!??  I will take that as a small success!  

But lets be real- she definitely knows what Root Beer is.

Today is the last pool day- home of our gold medalist, the official last day of summer in my mind.  

Rosh Hashanah is tomorrow, hoping for a sweet Happy New Year and we could use it, with all the protests overseas-not to mention the fear of a brutal winter.  Unrest everywhere which only reminds me to really slurp as much as you can out out of each memorable moment! 

Hence here is my 3 year blog for me to always have to pour over and cheer on the good ole days when Munch was a pre - schooler.   

Carl took this and texted it to me entitled, "Dork!"  Laughing laughing!

FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN - getting out the door!

 

My first Back to School night

I love the way she crosses her Z's!  This was hanging in the hall way for Back to School night.  Zara was the only girl who used decoration other than colored crayons, that kid can NOT live without JEWELS!??

Joe Joe and Zara running home from school after pick up.  Just happy we have a great crossing guard at the junction!

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT- I had the chance to see some of Zara's work these past 12 days.
Here she wrote "I went to PE" all by herself!  And all the kids sitting in a circle.
It was pretty neat when I met Maureen Leventhal- she did our homestudy and had last seen Zara at one month old!  We even talked about doing a presentation in Zara's class about the amazing way families are made.  We have at least 3 adopted children in Zara's class of 22 and the school seems to be a pretty good (although could still be better) diverse crowd.   I will say i feel like it is a private school in terms of the new beauty of the renovation as well as the caring of the teachers and attention  to each student from the principal and admin staff.   

She said we are all holding Ice Cream Cones!!  Thats def my kid!  But wish we had torso's and two more appendages!  And the baby with the red lips is baby Emilee. 

Julia from BCC lives only a few blocks away and came over after school.

Our newly painted porch!- In time for a a crazy winter they have predicted.

Couldn't resist sharing my old comic books from India- we read them over and over for years1

This was the impressive scene we came upon on the very first day of school with Daddy!  The shot was taken just as we turned the corner  -as I do every day and am still blown away with the crowd!

PINKALICIOUS PALS 'ROUND the HOOD

Wagshal's hosted a Free Pink Party for neighborhood customers, and it was truly impressive! The Pastry Chef put together an incredible spread for the kiddies- and yes there were a few boys who got in the action!

Ruthie and Zara met here by chance!  Both new at Kindergarten, but sadly in different classes.

Maeve and Z

Zara found Hannah from My Gym , and we also saw Rachel from Karate as well as Maeve in the hood.  Mommy saw Mary Winter as well as Holly and her brand new baby girl!

A pedicure treat for the gals!  And Zara then got to "play" with Finn and Cael!

With Eden after school one day

And dinner at Lucy and Eli's!  - and seeing their brand new home all moved in and comfy!

School Drop off and The Pick Up Rountine

I just love the warm weather - glorious sunshine of these September days going to and fro school.  Sometimes we walk home alone and other times we have a friend!   Friends in hand are always better!  Zara is picking up tidbits here and there and coming home with quips like "STOP COLLABORATE AND LISTEN" whilst trying to snap her fingers. 

The other day she asked if she could have straight hair- and I attempted to make it the way she craved, and she was so thrilled and pleased that I actually felt sorry for her when she realised, "Mommy, it's not forever?"  She seemed so dejected that her hair would most probably be straight by morning-if no- in a few hours. 

 I hope that she will grow to love those curls that so many of her friends like on her. 

Randomly,  the other day she asked me "will you take me for a ride on your hog?"  referring to my scooter.  How funny!!!

Mr Max and Zara have apparently been chasing each other at recess, she even came home with the chant, " missed me missed me now you gotta kiss me"  REALLY??! this all seems very early... 

the best part of drop off- the adult chats!

a peaceful walk home with her main alton man!

happy zara with a full day ahead of her!

THIS IS IT!

We found the class line up and minutes later we were allowed to walk in with them!

The Alton Buddies together on their first day!

with daddy!

her desk assignment

She was tan, rested and ready!

Julia and her mommy

Isabel and her family

Audrey in Ms Gero's class walking in!

The first morning circle, introductions!

And here is the Famous Ms Lauren Rockwell, who welcomed Zara, a new Owl, on the sneak peek day!