ROAD TRIP 2008-2009, The BEGINNING...

We decided to leave early for our Road trip because of the impending snowstorm. This was an EXCELLENT idea given that our area was befallen with over a foot of snow... We put the kids to bed at 7 pm, packed everything up for 4 hours, and took off in the car at 11 pm. Jonathan and I drove through the night, arriving in Chantilly, VA at 7 am. The kids slept some on the ride, but not as much as I would have thought. They were just so excited for our trip. When we arrived at the IHOP for breakfast, we told them that it was "pajama day" there. They were so cute in their bunny suits... Needless to say, we were exhausted and Friday was a low-key day of rest for all. Jonathan took the boys to Walmart to buy a few things that we had forgotten, such as a nightgown for me, razor blades, and some other stuff. The littles and I hung back to nap, the boys watched tv for hours, and we went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday.

Weddings - Ours and My parents...

Well, I just figured out how to use the scanner on our "new" printer/copier/scanner thingamajig, so you get to view some pretty cool older photos...
First, the wedding of my parents, Lorraine and Harold Wolrich. They were married on August 31, 1958 (Just 50 years ago!) at the Aperion Plaza in Boston. Check out the photo... Aren't they cute?!
Second, Jonathan and my wedding. We were married on September 14, 1997 at Temple Israel, Sharon, MA. Aren't we just as cute?!
Much love, Elyse

She's a Big Girl Now!... (No, it's not because she's wearing Pullups though...)

It's because today is her FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL... She was so excited to go to Big Girl School this morning... I kept talking it up over breakfast and getting dressed time... She LOVES her Dora backpack and lunchbox and keeps asking to see Boots on the outer part. It was quite uneventful for her and for me. It was as if she had been going there every day for years... She walked right in and found her coat hook and her cubby, then put her lunchbox where it belongs. Miss Rachel and Miss Krystal were excited to see her. They said that Miss Diane (the Lead Teacher) would give me a call after lunch when the kids go down for nap. It is 12:50 pm right now and I am thinking of her and whether she will nap at school. I did make certain that she brought her pink kitty with her (she didn't want pink blankie today and asked me to leave it in the car until later) so she has her familiar lovey at her side. She was hysterically funny when she walked right over to the table where two little girls were sitting and doing puzzles. She just joined them and made fast friends with Bridget and Kristina. Isn't it nice to be 2 when you are just accepted right away like that?! Zachary doesn't look too happy in the photos we took this morning; I suppose he is not happy to see her go. They have been together practically every day of his short life so far. I suppose I'd feel the same way if I were him. Well, anyhow, take a look at the photos...

Zachary's 1st Birthday Party

On November 10, 2007 a very special little boy arrived in our lives...He has filled our home with incredible joy and fulfillment...It's hard to remember the family without him. This past Monday we celebrated his first birthday. It was a small party consisting of us (except for Jonathan, who was at work slaving away), nana and papa, aiya, auntie lee. We had cake and ice cream. No surprise that Zachary lapped it up and enjoyed it immensely. Little did we know that just 4 hours later, Jon would find him in his crib lying in his own vomit, struck down by the stomach flu that we all ended up getting this week. Unfortunately, we had to postpone his scheduled larger party with family and friends from November 9th to November 16th. Then, on Thursday, November 13th, Samantha came down with the bug again (after having it just on Tuesday and seemingly better). So, we made the executive decision to cancel the party for tomorrow. Ah, well... Such is life. It's a good thing we had the small one for him ON his actual birthday and didn't wait for the big party to give him cake and ice cream. What kind of parents would we be if THAT happened?! Here are some photos...

If I want to take a shower...

this is what I must contend with afterwards! Zachary discovered that not only it is very cool to unroll the toilet paper himself, but, also to watch mommy's reaction when she steps out of the shower. Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it and I might as well walk around like the rest of the unwashed masses! The every other day shower is enough for me, now that I am the mother of four angels, who occupy my every waking moment- in thought, in action, and in every way. Could I really be more blessed?!

A New President

So, it's been just over a week since the Presidential election. Elyse and I watched together, gripped by the sense of change sweeping through the country and the world. In our lives, the closest excitement I can remember was New Years Eve 2000. I remember staying up far into the morning and watching the celebrations sweep across the world as midnight moved west. I recall feeling that the world was fully connected at that time. Of course, since then so much has happened in the world and our lives that cast a pall over that optimism.

But in one day, the world swung quickly back. We live in tough times: thousands dying for no reason in Iraq, unparalleled economy crisis, xenophobia. The rise of the Internet and new technologies will chronicle those events in far greater detail than I could. I can imagine the kids in 10, 15 years doing research on "Modern History" by pulling up the blogs and articles of the time and getting a feel for the events as they unfolded. But, as always, the personal perspective can never be fully communicated. Life must be experienced. Aiya sent me a e-mail a week before the election drawing a parallel with her youth:

You are too young to know what a really energized young population can do.  I think Obama is the first person in decades to touch that place in the hearts and minds of young people.  I think blacks have never had this chance to be part of an all encompassing experience and not just a black leader for black people.  I have to admit it also touches a place in me that the last several elections made me think I would never feel again.

In the week since the election, Obama has continued to demonstrate an understanding of the possibilities of his mandate. I subscribe to the blog on change.gov, which is the web site of his transition team. I look forward to the next posting.

I hope that we are seeing the dawn of a new US. One where my children will be safer and more prosperous. I am really beginning to understand the old adage that parents just want their children to be better off than they are.

Halloween in the Cohen neighborhood...

Well, it was a typical one this year, with lotsa candy and fun. There was one atypical part which was a great treat to me (Elyse, mommy)! This time, Aiya who usually goes around with Jonathan and the kids while I stay home and hand out candy, was concerned about walking around outside with the uneven pavement. She and I switched roles... What a blast I had! I was like a really big, old kid taking the boys to every possible house in our neighborhood and beyond. I even drove them over to an adjacent neighborhood where one of Benjamin's friends lives. No bother that he wasn't home at the time; we just hit up all HIS neighbor's houses then! Having 4 children sure is a bonus when it comes to this holiday! Check out the costumes here...