tales from a far-land

This past October was amazing!  It made turning forty (gulp...) surprisingly fun.  Every time I looked on the calendar, it seemed like there was another exciting adventure to be embraced. My first exciting adventure of the the month was a Girls Trip to Colorado.  During this weekend trip, I was lucky to have spent my time visiting my cousins, Jodi and Shannon, and Palmer sister, Toni.   On Friday, we spent time pampering ourselves with pedicures, appetizers and cocktails.   Saturday was spent enjoying the changing fall colors with a day trip to Breckenridge via Guanella Pass, Kenosha Pass and Boreas Pass.   And we spent Sunday cheering on the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High.  I can officially cross that wish off of my Bucket List.  Thank you, Toni!  I had such a wonderful time! Cousin Photo ... Jodi, Shannon and I The changing fall leaves of Colorado Sampling some local beer at Breckenridge Bre...

Wow, I just cannot believe how fast time can pass.  We have been a little busy for the past month and I haven't had the chance to blog the kids' teacher's notes each week.  However, here is a recap of what our kids have been learning at Sunday School for the past month: The Story of Noah and the Ark Practicing the blessings for the candles, kiddush and challah Singing Boker Tov and Hanukkah songs Learning their Hebrew Aleph Bet Learning bout Tzedakah.  The kids have learned that when we share with others, such as giving clothing, food, toys, or money, we are helping to make the world a better place. Learning about the Jewish concept of kindness, called "derech eretz" meaning 'the way of the land'.  They have learned about the importance of being kind towards one another, and learning from our parents, family members, teachers, friends, etc. to live like a 'good person' always showing respect.

School pictures are in!  They look pretty adorable (even if Madi looks a little sleepy). I cannot believe how much they have grown! Madilyn:  Kindergarten, Age 5 Aiden:  Preschool, Age 4

Here is what Aiden did yesterday at Sunday School.  We took him out of class briefly so he could celebrate Madilyn's Consecration with us. From Ms. Julia (Aiden's Class): Dear Pre-K Parents, We had a lovely morning learning about Creation ad Adam, and Eve.  We read the stories of “Adam’s First Shabbat,” and “Adam and Eve’s New Day.”  We learned that God said “kee tov” (very good) after each day of Creation.  We made Shabbat placemats that will be laminated and used in class for our mock Shabbat celebrations.  These will be sent home at the end of the year. When we discussed our week’s mitzvot, the unanimous mitzvah was being kind to our parents.  We had music and sang the “Boker Tov” song with fervor. Our Shabbat eema and abba were Maia and Jacob. Our Hebrew letter was HAY for “har” (mountain) and  “Hagaddah” (the Passover Seder guide.)  Enjoy the HAY fun sheet I sent home. Shavuah tov.

Yesterday was a very special Sunday for Madilyn.  It was Consecration Sunday. The ceremony of Consecration marks the beginning on one’s Jewish learning. When young people begin their study of Judaism, they are honored before the community as a new student and often presented with a certificate marking the occasion and gifts like miniature Torah scrolls, which Madilyn received. Temple Chai also added some other rituals to their ceremony like some special blessings for the kids and the recitation of the Sh’ma prayer.  The kids also sang a couple of Hebrew songs for us.  I think Madi's favorite part of the entire ceremony was the cake we was consumed afterward. From Ms. Ruth (Madilyn's Class): Dear Parents, Today was such a special day!!   We started off in our classroom working on our individual "Books" of Creation, setting out the creations on each day, with the seventh day being the day of Rest, Shabbat.  The children so enjoyed talking about all the...

Here is what the kids did in Sunday School this week.  From Ms. Ruth (Madilyn's Class): Dear Parents, Today was all about the forthcoming Jewish Holiday of Simchat Torah.  We started the day coloring in a flag and working on our Simchat Torah Packet, while learning all about the celebration and importance of the Torah!  During circle time we went into more detail, learning more about the Torah in regard to how it is made up including the Mantle, the Crown, the Breast Plate, the Yad (Pointer), etc., etc.  We read "Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah" and "The Littlest Tree", a rhyming book, about how the littlest "tree", who thought he was useless,  was used for the Torah handles!! Thereafter we were happy to sit down with our friends for snack.  We pretended it was Shabbat, and Riley (as Eema) and Lucas (as Abba) lead the Blessings for the Candles, Kiddish and Challah.  Thank you so much to Lucas Lang's and Parker Ross' Families for al...

From Ms. Ruth (Madilyn's Class): Dear Parents, Today was all about the celebration and learning about the joyous Jewish Holiday/Festival of Sukkot.  We started our day working on our Sukkot worksheets, and then during circle time went into more detail learning about this Jewish Holiday and discussing the wonderful traditions.  We spoke about the Sukkah "Booth", the harvest festival, the building of the Sukkah, the Lulav and the Etrog, etc., etc.  We also read "Sammy Spider's First Sukkot" and "The Sukkah that I Built".  Thereafter it was time for snack and we again pretended it was Shabbat.  We chose our Abba (Benjamin) and Eema (Addison) and said the Shabbat Blessings for the candles, wine and the Challah, which we so enjoyed together with our yummy snacks today.  Thank you so much to Benjamin Wieland's and Addison Spatola's families for the snacks supplied today. We managed to do some revision of the Aleph Bet and were excited t...