Indoor Winter Fun

Harry and Tzofi going stir crazy

Tzofi takes Noonie camping

The best friends, posing for the cameras (Noonie's smiling on the inside)

Chanukah Party Time - the fun, like the oil, never ends

So although it's February, we're still in Chanukah mode which is appropriate to where we live, Modiin, home of the Maccabees and all. Tzofi's still singing all her favorite Chanukah songs - including Maoz Tzur in its entirety (and accurately too I must add). And you can't blame the girl for keeping the party going since her Chanukah party at school this year was a great big blowout jamboree.

The kids were all asked to come in white - little did they know they'd be all lit up with blacklight - neato - along with all the neon dreidls that hung from the ceiling. Liat the rhythm-music teacher led a special session for parents and kids with songs and dancing. A dreidl-pinata was busted opened by the kids to reveal special toys and treats for each (from Tsila). And all the fried-food-fun ended in a big shredded paper fight which was somehow linked to the sufganiyot, or doughnuts, that Tzofi ate and later threw up.

Tsila and kids singing along

Harry and Tzofi (note the neon mobiles the kids made to take home in the background)

Shredded paper madness


At home, lighting candles

Golan Goodness with the Goldmans

Right before Chanukah, we drove up north, far north to be exact, to spend a Shabbat weekend with 'Ha Goldmanim' on Moshav Yonatan. We had such a great time. Shmuel and Leah and their four children - little Atarah, engaging Oryanne, funnyman Yonatan, and wise, oldest sister Shayelle - were incredible hosts. And Tzofi had such a blast, playing with all the kids, singing with Shmuel, drinking tons of Kiddush juice, eating up all Leah's delicious food (including those rice crispy/oatmeal cookies, mmm) and generally enjoying moshav life. Thanks for the sweet retreat treat, guys!

Tzofi dives into the green leaves


Shmuel and Atarah kangaroo style
Tzofi learns to pose for the camera at Har Bental and stops to point out the art (Look Mommy a 'nake!)
No this way, Dada

Bobo in the trenches
Nahal fun with Dada
Nahal fun with Mommy

Beauty
From left to right: Oryanne, Tzofi (yes, she's the finger in her nose kid) and Shayelle

Click here to learn more about Moshav Yonatan

Shabbat Shalom

When Tzofi has school on Fridays, the half-day activities include Shabbat-related songs and preparations. Kabbalat Shabbat is celebrated through song - Hinei Ma Tov U'Mana'im for example - and dance - everyone holds hands and sways along - and brachot - lighting the candles and saying Kiddush. It's very cute. We discovered this one day when Tzofi, at home, declared the day "Yom Shishi, Erev Shabbat" (Friday, Shabbat eve), started singing a resounding version of Hinei Ma Tov, looked high and low for the Shabbat candles and demanded some "Kikush" juice. It was quite amazing.

The next Friday, Tzofi wanted to dress up for Shabbat and, in return, was honored at school with the nomination of "Ima Shabbat" or Shabbat mother. Her best friend, Gil, played the part of Abba Shabbat, or Shabbat father. When we showed up to pick her up, the two were hand in hand with their respective head coverings. Oh yeah, it was extremely adorable. Harry and I were convinced they would break out in a toddler rendition of "Sunrise Sunset" but maybe by the end of the year...

Ima Shabbat Tzofi lighting candles with her head covered.

Ima Shabbat Tzofi saying the "bracha" or blessing. Yes, she sings that too.
Abba Shabbat Gil saying Kiddush and tasting the "Shabbat juice".

Happy Hanukkah!

In anticipation of this week's big Hanukkah celebration. Harry and Tzofi participated in the Pass the Candle video, which can be viewed in full here. For those of you who don't look quick enough, seconds 44-48 were captured in slow motion below.

Happy Hanukkah to all! And stay tuned for more celebration pics as we close in on Tzofi's big gan Hanukkah blowout.

Bringing Down the House (or Park)

Back in November, on a beautiful afternoon, we went for a birthday picnic party in Tel Aviv's HaYarkon park. Tzofi kicked things up a notch with a few new tricks up her sleeve:

Comedy shtick straight from the Catskills, "So I was in gan yesterday and the teacher starts singing!? Am I right or whaaaa?!"

And a new rap, straight from the 'diin, "Wellllll myyyyy name is Tzofi and I'm here say, I like to eat French Toast every day.... Yeahhhhhhh boyeeeeeeeeee."
Good times.

Happy Birthday Harry!

Happy birthday Harry! Celebrations were in full swing earlier in November as Tzofi and I ordered a special ice cream cake for Dada - filled with layers of ice cream that I even got them to separate with Oreo cookie crumble (not usually done here). Tzofi wasn't really interested in the presents (a juicer!) or singing, because when faced with ice cream she becomes slightly (read: majorly) obsessed.


More, please.