Greetings from Camp....

Another week another camp. That's been our mantra since the week after Memorial Day. As soon as I began my negotiations with Trevelino Keller Communications Group back in the spring I knew I'd need to hop on the summer camp band wagon quickly to ensure my active, creative and fun loving girls would have some where to go every day.

(Meanwhile, sweet baby Jake is in a full-time day care and perfect happy).

A few weeks were already on the books: a 3rd return year to Camp Kingfisher at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, a week stay at Girl Scout overnight camp (Camp Meriwether) and our beach vacation.

A few other weeks, I struggled to find something (Memorial Day week and Fourth of July) so I went with Camp GramE and PopPop and am grateful we had the option of family near by.

My goal here on this entirely neglected blog is to capture what camps we registered for, and provide a quick review that is partially mine, and partially filtered by two 8.5 year old girls. There were a few on my radar we did not try out but would like to for 2013.

My main requirements in finding a camp (besides the type of activity offered and the basics such as being safe, well run, etc.) were COST and LOCATION. Next were the HOURS they operated (full day? half day? extended hours?). I also was not interested in any camps that were very religiously affiliated. I am sure there are many amazing church camps but even if my kids weren't Jewish, they're rarely full day or even enough hours to fill in as child care for working parents.

And frankly, Jewish day camps and overnight camps are not cost effective for our family but there are PLENTY of great options out there for people who are looking for that type of thing.

So those were the criteria. I hope to get covered in the next few posts a quick review of each of the camps they've gone to so far and information on like-minded programs and links with information that could be useful in planning for NEXT summer.

As if I can even think about that yet.
We haven't even had our vacation!!!

Merry Merry!!!

Gleeful Gifts Christmas Card

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Making My Lists.... Checking them Twice

How does this time of year always sneak up on me? Gee, wait-- I know.... it goes like this: Halloween (costumes, parties, trick or treat), Thanksgiving (20+ folks at our house), twin birthday (a tea party for 18 girls which I created and hosted), Hanukkah (8 crazy nights).....and oh, the rest of the holiday season!

As usual, I am so far behind on holiday cards it's not even funny. I've selected the outfits, i'm attempting to update my mailing lists. But I have yet to wrangle all three kids in to some decent light and snap a picture that is card worthy.

Thankfully, I know I'll order my cards from Shutterfly. I like to try to find a holiday-neutral design that's not too Christmas-y but still festive enough.

I'm leaning towards some of the modern choices for Christmas Cards and loving the flat stationary choices.

Maybe something like this?

I did create a photo book for Jake’s first birthday recently and it came out just amazing. I did the Simple Path with a selection of photos. It would have been totally fool proof except the book came out a tad too long. I had to edit it down a bit and try to stick to a theme (mainly just Jake photos) and ended up with about 33 gorgeous pages. The full bleed photo pages were my favorite ones.

Some of my friends create a new book for every vacation they take and now have a shelf full of custom-memory books. Perhaps that could be a goal for us as well? I do a good job with our online albums but it would be great to have some more tangible keepsakes. Meanwhile, those books or calendars make amazing photo gifts.

Jake also scored a gorgeous birth announcement from Shutterfly. Back when the girls were born in 2003 getting custom-designed card stock announcements or cards was totally cost prohibitive. Those types of photo cards have gotten considerably more affordable.




So perhaps the new New Year’s resolution will be to keep up with my photo projects? Start a year-in-review book early in the year? I really treasure all our family photos – they deserve to be seen off the screen every now and again!

If I can't get my shopping in order perhaps I should peruse my photos for a few great last minute gift ideas. I certainly have enough content to work with!

Giving thanks....

Brown Orange Band 5x7 folded card

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Raffi, Blankie and our Happy Interfaith Family

Raffi and Blankie on the Road to Florida, May 2008

Sydney has two very special things in her life: Raffi and Blankie. And in case you're curious, Blankie is a "girl" and apparently also Jewish.

She adopted Blankie as her most "special" thing many years ago (age 2?) which was once a lavender receiving blanket with little bunnies on it. Over the years it's faded and beome extremely thread bare which is part of blankie's allure. See, those frayed edges are her special "tickler" things--- and she self soothes by holding the edges between her thumb and forefinger-- or stroking the loose edges against her face (or yours if she's feeling affectionate).

Raffi was a stuffed animal purchased at Zoo Atlanta by my mom after a visit there 3 years ago. He is THE animal that must be with us at all times.  His fur is matted, eyes, scratched and has quite the floppy neck.

Today Raffi and Blankie took on entirely new personalities as Syndey announced shortly after waking up:  "Blankie is Jewish, and Raffi is Christian."

Scott and I, who were still laying in bed tried very hard not to laugh and simply said "OK."

At that point Blankie attempted to "say the blessings" however apparenly he doesn't know Hebrew so she sang "Shabbat Shalom" instead.

I found the whole thing hysterical and realized that all our open discussions of who-is-what, and who belives what is starting to sink in..... and that they hopefully have a very healthy respect for all people regardless of belief or religious affliation.   Of course they also now think "Irish" is a religion... having a hard time with that one.

Right now they both accept and proudly state that "Mommy is not Jewish.  We are."  And there is no value judgement attached to that declaration.   I hope it always stays that way as they explore their identify and parts of their heritage.  Religious education begins this fall and it will hopefully allow them to get a clearer picture of what they're in for the next 8 years (Bat Mitzvah Age) or the rest of their life if they choose to stay in the faith.

At the same time, I know that exposure to the love and support and values at St. Andrews has helped shape them into the wonderful kids they are today.  They'll likely always be surrounded by more non-Jews that Jews-- that's just how the world works.

But if Raffi and Blankie can get along so well-- can't we all?

A few pics from this weekend

It was HOT this weekend!  Took a trip to the Inman Park festival..... and it was at least in the mid 80's.  Big crowds + heat meant not much actual shopping.  

Sunday was laid back with yard work and a movie night for the girls while Scott saw "The Boss" in concert again.     I'm a tad jealous but have my Vegas trip coming up in a few weeks so I'll survive!

Sydney is so sensitive and kept crying during "Babe" anytime she thought the poor pig might loose his life (a recurring theme of the film of course).   And as usual- the floodgates opened when the movie was over.  Nothing new here-- this habit goes back about 3 years to the very beginnings of their movie-watching career.

What's New........

My last post was more prophetic than I knew. Facebook has become a pretty instantaneous way to share updates in 140 characters, and easily updated mobile photos from my phone.

This combined with no camera since Thanksgiving (blackberry only, and a new cool Flip Video) has made capturing all of our time with the girls difficult.

However, looking ahead I think that this blog will merit more attention, and may even warrant a name change.  



Yes, the girls will be big sisters to ONE baby, some time in early October!    This is going to be quite an adventure.   Really the timing is pretty cool, since they'll be a few months in to kindergarten.  Their reaction was priceless:  shock, excitement, and even some doubt ("you're not joking???") which quickly turned to a practical and nuturing attitude.  I sense they'll be old enough to enjoy this and be helpful at the same time.  They're ready to set up a nursery now!  Hopefully they can wait a few more months before they start redecorating.   

But, really, Scott and I are thrilled.   Amazing how life changes your perspective on what you thought you wanted...... 

So my hopes for this blog moving forward are to get some of our fun videos up here ...... as well as perhaps their thoughts on what it will be like to be "Life with Leah & Sydney and Baby.....".

Here are links to some recent albums

Spring Break

Spring Break 2009

Some Thanksgiving through January

December 2008

Fall/Halloween

Cagle's Dairy, L5P Parade and Halloween

Labor Day Beach Photos (hybrid of Shankmans and Garricks)

Labor Day 2008

This blog is nice but Facebook is more fun

So what have we been up to for the past 9 months? It seems that all of our life cycle events that occured were for the most part captured on the camera.... occassionally posted on Picasa........ and then in between its been "fun with facebook"-- posting stories, pictures, videos, status updates and more.

My friends get it, of course, but I feel bad for family members who used to look here to see what was new with the girls and the rest of us.

I don't think it's possible to make up for lost time but here is a list in NO ORDER of some highlights (and photos too!)

- Our big trip to Disneyworld in December 2007! Highlight of the year!
-A "first"- going camping for one night at Stone Mountain
-Two broken arms, fixed in time for the 4th of July
-Starting pre-K (at the same school)
-Finding more confidence in swimming at the pool with some lessons and as many evening/weekend visits as we could squeeze in
-A fabulous week at the beach with us, GramE, PopPop and Uncle Keith
-First "salon" manicures courtesy of DeeDee
-An unfortunate bout of pneumonia during spring break landing Leah in the hospital for 1 nite bookended by a fun visit to D.C.
-Another sucessful season of Tiny Tykes Soccer, a semester of Kindermusik, and a totally over the top dance recital!
-Visits from Aunt Myra, Uncle Alan, Isaac, Sara, Dee Dee and Poppy Joel
-Too many random colds, sniffles, coughs to mention
-Plenty of fun birthday parties with friends and outings to Zoo Atlanta, Children's Museum, High Museum of Art, and The Braves

So no promises on keeping this thing up to date. It's just too easy when I have facebook open all day! Even if no one ever looks at this blog, I find it's a great way to take a look back at what's been happening, outside the chaos of our day to day.

Leah in the Light

Finally dumping my camera after, oh 3 months-- this one was last week after dinner and the light was just so pretty I couldn't resist. A few more to follow

Egg Dying with GramE

This past thursday pre-easter. Took some convincing that you could EAT the eggs... but now they love em!

Welcome to the Dollhouse

When I was a little girl my Poppy (Lauren Hansen) made me a dollhouse that he created entirely by hand. It was fully lit and lovingly decorated by my mom. It went in to storage sometime in 1987 when my family moved from CT to SC and stayed in a box for the past two decades. Just recently, my mom took the dollhouse on as her new 'project' to bring it in to the next century-- with new furniture and details, updated "people" and a fresh coat of paint. The girls LOVE IT and have named everyone in the family and play for hours on end with this new and improved version. I'm so happy to see them get such joy from one of my most favorite childhood memories.

Me and The Girls on Easter

Sydney and Her Bunny

Happy Easter!

Hanging out with Sara & Isaac

We had a great weekend! Saturday was all snow and lots of indoor fun (though they did brave the snow for about 30 minutes). Leah declared "I want MORE snow than THIS!"

Snow Day

The Little Drummer Girl

Birthday Photos from Ellis

Click the post title for all the pics from Ellis of the girls' birthday!

Here's one during the cakes

Laurie Berkner

Two weeks ago we went to see kiddie icon Laurie Berkner perform at symphony hall. Alison and Ginny went with us. Honestly, I think I may have been more excited than the kids. Sydney danced the ENTIRE show-- we sat in the first row of the loge so there was plenty of room to squirm around. She performed all the "hits" and everyone had a great time! We hung out next door at the High Museum for a while after the show to get a snack and admire the Lichtenstein house, and the Oldenberg sculptures. My kids are big fans of pop art!

Laurie Berkner Concert

America's Dorkiest Home Videos

While in their gymnastics attire, Sydney performs a "tap dance" while Leah-- I don't even know WHAT she was doing but watch the left side of the screen.

All I Want for Christmas

Is everything! This was taken at Northpoint Mall yesterday afternoon........ the girls were overhwelmed with the "REAL SANTA" and gave him high-fives and inquired as to how his reindeer were doing. 'Tis the season .... we're on party 4 of 4 tonight and are having lots of fun!