Rosh 5770 - Sept. 2009

This year Rosh Hashana was on a sunny 70+ degree weekend. Since we didn't sell the Fire Island house, we spent it there. Dinner was at our house on Friday night. Abram, Aaron and Martha join us for the traditional sedar.

Cutie and I went to the Fire Island Minyan for services. I bought her a flower craft a few weeks ago and told her if she'd stop sucking her thumb I would give it to her. The following day she asked if there was something else she could do for the present. She could do Adon Alom in shul. She got Michael's attention and asked if she could do it. He said yes. Right after the announcements she went up. But unfortunately there was a bigger kid with a big dad who also went up to do it and they started singing a different tune. She was devastated. Everyone came over and told her they would make sure she could do it the next day.

During Kiddush there was a special table for vegatarians. It was the first time in her life where she met other so many other people who didn't like to eat things that died. She was happy.

We were then invited to Michael's house for some heated pool swimming. We went home, got our swimsuits and headed back to OBP. We had company for the journey. The distant between Robbins Rest and OBP is about 45 minutes. Since there is no longer water taxi service at Robbins Rest - this is a trek.

Swimming makes Cutie very happy. She swam with Zander who's in first grade. They kept racing back and forth all afternoon. Cutie swims faster, but Zander was faster with touching the wall. She seemed OK with the sharing. She made a friend.

It was 7pm when we left and we went straight to Abram's for dinner. On the way we ate the leek omlette and I bought her an ice cream sundae with hot fudge and whipped cream. She said the sundae was a gift for trying to do Adon. I didn't disagree. Abram's friend Joe stopped by and shared his fabulous Israel trip he took his family on. His beaming face said everything when he told his stories. Note to self, I have to find out the name of his guide. This started an evening of "when I went to Israel stories".

Day 2 of Rosh we had to go back to the minyan. Yitz (one of the vegaratians) took Cutie and stood next to her during her singing. The look on her face when she finished was priceless. Cutie It was pot luck for Kiddish and I brought the Spinach kugal and some whiskey.

It was back to Zander's for swimming. I went home to clean up because renters were coming on Monday.

Tonight we will be doing the flower craft.

First Day Of Kindergarten

It should really be Kindergarden. Anyway,
I forgot to take the photo. Cutie was adorable getting on the bus. I kissed her goodby and said she would be OK.
I found out later she cried when she got off the bus. She didn't know where to go. The teachers were not there to pick her up. I guess it was a little overwhelming.
Not sure when pickup time was, I went down to the bus stop at 3:35 and waited until 4:00. I started calling other parents with children on the bus. Yes, mommy was freaked.
She came home at 4:15. She was smiling and so happy. She said she liked Kindergarten. They have legos. She was a little disappointed they didn't teach her to read. She made a new friend. She told me she cried a little at the playground because she was homesick. No mention of crying when she got off the bus. When I asked her about it, she said she didn't want to worry me. When I was putting her to bed, she poked me in the eye. She was so sorry and she wanted to help fix it. She ran into the kitchen and frantically asked Daddy for a wet washcloth for mommy. I poked her in the eye. She needs my help.
When all was fixed I asked if she sucked her thumb in school. She said yes, during rest time. She said nobody saw her. She hid under the desk. I wouldn't let her suck her thumb in bed and held her hand for a while. She said "after I help you with your eye, how could you do this to me." She had a point, but she has to stop soon.