Benjamin is Still Benjamin

Christmas Day 2009

Well, it's Xmas Day 2009 in Canton, MA... We were just reflecting on the fact that we have one son celebrating with his Lutheran/Baptist cousins in Missouri and another son having a Shabbat sleepover with his Chasidic grandfather and his wife in Natick, MA. How life is never boring for us! Elyse took Benjamin to the movies this morning. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakquel. It was VERY cute. Jonathan tells us that it only scored 1 and a half stars from the movie critics, but then again, what do they know?! Ben and I were quite entertained for the hour and a half movie. Plus, we got some quality time together, which isn't so easy to come by in our everyday lives. This past week, Elyse also took him to Friendly's for a nice dinner together. This week was a challenging one, by all accounts. It started on Sunday night at 3:45 am (or, should I say, Monday morning!) when Joshua visited our bedroom to tell us that he wasn't feeling well... Next thing, stomach virus vomitus was on our carpet! Next day, Samantha followed suit. And, so it went... Zachary, Benjamin, Jonathan, Elyse... One by one, we fell just like dominoes! ARGH! That has to be one of the parts of parenting I loathe the most- cleaning up bodily fluids. But, it must be done. And, so it was. Laundry galore. Anyhow, on this day, we are mostly almost all recovered. Jonathan has a bit of a chest cold still, but this too shall pass. Why is it that on Xmas everything shuts down? Except Asian restaurants, movie theaters, Walgreens, McDs Drive Thru, and probably something else I am not thinking of right now. EVEN Dunkin Donuts was closed, heavens to betsy! Ok, well, I am done for now... Time to work on a project- clean up kids books... Fun, fun, fun! Have a great night... And, by the way, Happy Belated Festivus!

Benjamin is Benjamin

Benjamin is Dan

Benjamin Brings the Message

Benjamin gets Wooed

Benjamin Gets the Birthright

Benjamin Gets Married!?!

Joshua sings a song learned at school

He was so insistent on my videotaping him singing this song. Check it out... I think he is trying to be a ham, just like Benjamin, our little Habonim star. Joshua is a star in his own right, isn't he?!

Benjamin - Movie Mogul

Benjamin - Leader of Great Lands

Benjamin Builds an Ark

Benjamin Debuts in the Garden of Eden

White Mountains NH July 2009 - Cohen Invasion

What a great time we had on our Family Vacation to the White Mountains of New Hampshire! We spent one glorious week together in a 5 bedroom condo in Bartlett, 10 minutes from Storyland. There was so much to see and so much to do that I feel exhausted as if I need a vacation from our vacation! It was soooooo worth it. The kids had a blast together. They bonded just like we thought they would. I have so much to say about it but I am short on time right now, so I think I will just go ahead and post some photos for now...then, later I'll dialogue about them, although it does seem that the pictures speak for themselves! See for yourself...

Zachary calls the Police!

Let me set the scene. It's 5 pm on a Wednesday. The kiddos are running around in the house. I am lounging on the couch with my feet up. The doorbell rings. Joshua opens the door. There stands a young, strapping, blue-eyed Police Officer. He says Hi. I say Hello. He says, "You called 911?!" I say, "No." I think for a second. Ah, yes, little almost 20 month old Zachary WAS playing with the telephone about 9 minutes and 17 seconds ago! He says that the line is still tied up. The search is on. I find the phone 30 seconds later, thrown under the gate in the dining room. Sure enough, it was off the hook. The mystery was that the number that appeared on the display was NOT 911, but 008996. Perhaps, he pressed so many numbers that it went onto the next line. The police man was mystified by this, as well as were we. Zachary is very precocious, isn't he?! At least, I feel safe knowing that he knows how to beckon help! Is this the face of a smart boy or what?!

Samantha feeds Zachary... Too sweet!

Today, Samantha decided that she would feed Zachary his Special K, so she went to the drawer and got a spoon, got his cereal bowl, and went over to him to take care of him. It was the sweetest thing I have seen in a little while! She kept opening her mouth at every spoonful she fed him (you know, how we all do this when feeding a baby; it's almost automatic!) I am going to try to post the videos I took, but for now, here are a few cute photos... Bon apetit!

School's out for Summer!

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of school (Early Release) for the year... Where does the time go?! The boys are excited for all that is Summer... Camp, swimming, playdates, movies, camping, smores, sprinklers, etc. I am grateful for their enthusiasm. I am also grateful that they are going to Camp (Pequitside Day Camp) again this year. And, due to Nana and Papa's generosity, they will each attend 4 weeks of camp, rather than the usual 2 weeks. Thanks, guys!

So, Jonathan is away in CA and we miss him a great deal, but are looking at the bright side- we will see him one week from tomorrow! Then, we will celebrate Nana's Bday and the USA's Bday all together. Can't wait!

On another note, Poor Little Zachary has a virus of some sort (maybe Rotavirus), though he is faring ok, thank God!

And, check out Samantha's Cole-Harrington Preschool Photo... What a beauty!

Father's Day 2009

What a nice day we had today... We took over a Conference Room at Cedar Hill Rehab facility, where Papa is staying until July 2nd. There was a lunch planned for relatives of residents and patients. Since we were 10 people, they set us up in our own private room, which turned out to be a very good thing. The kids ran around and made as much noise as they wanted, and let me tell you, did they want to make lotsa noise today! Happy Father's Day to the BEST DAD in the Cohen family, Jonathan! And, to my own Dad, Harold Wolrich, thank you for everything you have given, done, and been for me. I love you!

Crossover Pack Mtg cont...

I forgot to mention just how touching it was to watch the older Scouts pass down their neckerchiefs to the younger ones by placing them on their necks. What a great idea! Now all I have to do is buy new hats, slides, a shirt for Benjamin since the Webelos one is tan, not blue...I'd better get on the internet to buy some secondhand ones...Gotta go!

Last Cub Scouts Pack Meeting of the Year...

CROSSOVER BBQ is the word of the night... We just returned from the last Pack Meeting of the Year. What a fun time we all had! Aiya and Auntie Lee were generous and kind enough to come along to help out with the Littles. And, it's a good thing they did! Samantha and Zachary were quite busy running around the UCC Church exterior and interior, basically any place they could discover. The boys played games, were awarded their earned awards, and were crossed over into the next rank. Benjamin became a Webelo 1 and Joshua became a Wolf Scout. The year has flown by. It's hard to believe that it's the end of it for now. The boys have enjoyed it a great deal; they have many memories of good times with friends. Thanks to the Den Leadership of Sue McDonnell (Ben-Bears) and Gina Franco (Josh-Tigers)! And, to Jonathan, for all his hard work in helping the boys attain and track their Achievements. Check out the photos!

Joshua's Tooth Saga continues...

Well, the Tooth Fairy was called upon again this week. It happened this time at Costco while Joshua was biting into a hotdog. All of a sudden, he exclaimed, "I just lost my tooth!" Thank God he didn't swallow it! So, I made a big deal of it. Joshua asked me to call Daddy, which we did. It is one of the front teeth, so it is highly visibly missing, yet he looks so cute, just like a little jack o'lantern! The next morning as I was sitting in the study before anyone else had awakened, I remembered that I had forgotten to take the tooth from the carefully-placed envelope and put money under his pillow instead. Panic set in. I ran upstairs and was saved by the bell. He was sleeping in Zachary's crib (a new habit he has!), so I was able to sneak in quietly and do the deed in his own empty bed, pillow just waiting to be picked up. When he woke up, I asked him if the Tooth Fairy came. He was concerned that he had only been given $3, instead of the $5 that he was expecting (since it was his 5th tooth...this is a game I started with him...$1 per tooth). I told him that the Tooth Fairy must have run out of money. Benjamin almost spilled the beans this time. Sometime in the last 3 months or so, he figured out that the Tooth Fairy was Truly Yours. He mentioned it, but Joshua did not hear him (THANKS BE TO GOD!) Wow, is our first son so grown up at 9 yrs old that he already knows the truth about this charade?! That means that in the very near future, Jon and I are going to be mere mortals rather than the hero and heroine we once were to him!!! Anyhow, in the end, all is well with the Tooth Tales... Let the saga continue...

Flag Day Parade at Cole-Harrington June 12, 2009

Another year at Cole-Harrington for the Cohen's, another Flag Day parade... This year I took Zachary in the carriage and walked with Samantha and her class. It is so cute to see all the kiddies dressed up in their Red, White and Blue outfits with their homemade, decorated hats and accessories! It had rained in the early morning, but by the time we were set to march at 10:00 am, the sky had brightened some and we were in the clear. Everyone loves a parade; that's for sure! Check out the photos...

Joshua's tooth saga...

Well, tonight while I was getting dinner ready for everyone, Joshua was standing in the kitchen and all of a sudden, he said, "Mommy, I just lost my tooth". I responded appropriately, "I hope that the Tooth Fairy comes tonight." He was distraught. He said that the tooth flew out of his hand. So, we searched fruitlessly on the kitchen floor for it (it's no surprise that we couldn't find it; I haven't cleaned the floor in a week in anticipation of the Cleaning Woman coming on Friday!) So, I told him that he can write a note to her explaining his predicament. He thought that was a great idea and went hurriedly away to write. "I can't find my tooth- I lost it"... He is so funny! We placed the note instead of the tooth inside the envelope. I sure hope that she will still show up even though there is nothing for her to take away, only money to give away! And, it's his fourth tooth and we just started this tradition of giving him the number of teeth he has lost in dollars, so tonight is a $4 debt!

Mother's Day 2009

What a lovely day I had today! I was lucky to be able to sleep in until 7'ish this morning. The boys slept at Aiya's house and Jonathan watched the little ones. We went to Brunch at Owen O'Leary's in Brockton. It was nice to see everyone. We had 18 people in our party. Afterwards, the boys went to Auntie Robyn and Uncle Jeff's house with Aiya and Auntie Lee. Then, they went to visit Papa at the Rehab facility. Jon and I came home. He put the littles to nap while I thoroughly detailed my car (it came out awesome, if I do say so!) Jonathan mowed the lawn. It looks fabulous. I received cards and gifts from everyone, which were all very sweet and special. However, the prize goes to Benjamin for the "Happy Mom's Day" card he made for me at school. I hope it's ok with him that I share with you all what he wrote. It brought tears to my eyes when I read it tonight (the card was missing for the day!) Thanks to all my wonderful children! I love you so much!
It goes like this:
Your eyes are as brown as a chocolate kiss. Your hair is as black as a blackout. Your smile makes me see possibilities.
I appreciate that you take care of me. Also, you always help me with homework. I am thankful you get me toys.
I enjoy when you take me to Walmart. I also enjoy when you take me to the movies.
I love it when you call me Ben-Ben. It makes me feel happy.
You mean more to me than all the Bakugan in the world (high praise, indeed!)
Happy Mom's Day 09! Love, Ben
P.S. These are not all the reasons I love you!

Benjamin Dodgers baseball...

Benjamin is very excited this year about his baseball team, the Dodgers. He is in the Minor League now, which is slightly akin to the Professional League in Canton kidsspeak. They take it VERY seriously at this level. There is either a practice or a game every other day. The boys are aged 9 through 11 years, quite a large span at this level. Benjamin is probably the smallest in his age bracket, never mind a group of 10 and 11 year olds! The kids on the team like him and say that he is good. When I went to the game the other night, one of the boys said, "Ben is good. When he goes up to bat, he has a low strike zone and the pitcher has a hard time throwing strikes. He gets alot of balls and gets walked." I witnessed Ben getting walked and then scoring a run in the second inning. Yippee! I kept saying that Ben is the Team's Secret Weapon Walker! He stole a base, made some good plays in the field, and was scheduled to pitch on Saturday. He did not end up pitching because he arrived a few minutes late. He will get a chance to pitch some other time. I have been meaning to ask him to write a Blog entry, but he has been too busy playing ball... I will talk to him about it tomorrow. Until then... Play Ball!

Lots is happening... here in the Cohen household

Well, as I sit here in front of the computer, many thoughts come to mind... some are happy, some are sad, and some are somewhere in-between... First, the sad ones are for two young women who have passed away; they were both less than 48 years old. One is Su, a friend of our friend's Julie and Dave Landman. She and her husband and two boys were living in Germany while her hubby was on assignment for the Dept of Defense. Unfortunately, she is not coming home. The other is a friend of our friend's Wendy and Bill Barrett. Her name was Michelle Schreibman. She and her hubby have two children also (though much older than Su's are). She was a wonderful woman who always smiled and had a contagious laugh. She was a kind and gentle soul who would not hurt a fly. RIP Su and Michelle. It brings to mind my own mortality, as I am now 40 years old. Life is just precious and we never know from day to day what will happen. It sounds cliche, but I really do try to live in the moment and enjoy the blessings I have been given. At least if I die tomorrow, I will know that I have lived life to the fullest.

On the happier side, I watch our children grow, learn, experience, develop, test the limits, thrive, etc. Noone could have ever imparted to me of the joys in being a parent before I experienced them for myself. Little Zachary (18 months now) continues to say words out of the blue that just amaze me. Today he said, "pillow", "broccoli", and "outside". Yesterday it was "balloon", "flower", and "pocketbook". Before you know it, he'll be saying "Maserati" and "keys"! He is just a delight to be around. Whenever you catch his eye, he smiles. It's like an automatic reaction that gets triggered when someone gives him attention... He seems to be very bright, as he understands EVERYTHING that is spoken to him (or even what is not spoken to him, but to someone else). He has been known to go directly to the front door and grab his shoes and jacket, when he hears me say that it's time to go. He also is very accomplished at putting things in the garbage or missing the mark then saying, "ah oh"...

Little Samantha is loving Preschool at Cole-Harrington. She lights up the room when she walks in. One little boy in particular, Jacob, runs over to greet her. Ya know, she is a novelty, since she only attends two days per week and many of the other children attending every day. She usually comes home from school in different clothes than she left the house wearing. Already, she is a clothes hog! Actually, it's because she is constantly getting her long sleeves wet from washing her hands, so the teachers change her shirt. Hopefully, now that the warm weather is here, we won't have this issue. She is definitely 3 years old, no question about it! She is defiant, uncooperative, and uses the word "no" alot. At the same time, she can be sweet, loving, and helpful. Welcome us to the Terrible Threes!

Big Joshua is doing his thing. He loves Cub Scouts and Hebrew School. He is such a loving spirit and has alot of energy. Today he gave me a poem that he wrote for me for Mother's Day. It goes like this, "To Mommy, 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 to 6, you have been the Best mom!!!!!!!!!!!!" Signed with a heart, the date, and his name. I almost plotzed, it was so sweet. He really craves attention and is trying to find his place in the family. I realize that he is the only one without a real placeholder. Benjamin is the first born, Samantha is the only girl, and Zachary is the baby. Joshua is a special child and challenges me to be my very best, most patient self. I love him for helping me grow as a mother and woman.

Big Benjamin is actively involved in many things. He is taking Guitar lessons, Cub Scouts, Hebrew, Minor League Baseball, and has PACE (gifted program) and is learning the Recorder at school. He has a few good friends that he loves to have Playdates with too, Aidas and Troy. Ah, and the Bakugan obsession, how could I forget to mention this above with Joshua?! Benjamin and Joshua are fascinated by it. They play it at recess, they play it at home, they talk about it constantly. Joshua even sometimes sleeps with his Bakugan collection! Ben has a scoresheet that he made up for the group of kids that play at school. Benjamin is very smart and excels at most everything he does. He is considerate, compliant, and cooperative. Not to mention handsome! He is usually a fabulous Big brother to Samantha, especially. It's hard to believe that he is entering 4th grade next September.

Well, that's all for now. I know that there is more, but I am too tired to continue, so for now, adios!

"My Own"

Samantha has taken on a very cute verbal habit of referring to things a "my own..." or "your own...", like "where is my own kitty" or "are you going in your own car". Even though (almost) everything she does is cute times 10, this is one of those things we hope would never go away. This morning, while in the shower, the door opened. Samantha poked her head in and asked for a Kleenex so that she could "get out my own favorite boogie".

Benjamin's 9th Birthday

Sunrise, Sunset...Quickly fly the years. When did he grow to be so tall?! I don't remember growing older; when did he?! La la la... Our eldest son turned 9 on March 27, 2009. He has grown to be such a responsible, caring, athletic, smart, wonderful mensch. It is exciting to watch his development over the years. Who knows what the future will bring for him, but one thing we do know is that it will be BRIGHT. Will he be a Video Game Designer and make tons of money (as he said recently) or will he be an Engineer/Businessman like his Daddy? In any case, here are some photos of his Star Wars Sleepover party. May the force be with you, Benjamin! Love, Mommy and Daddy and family