The Boat Ride.  Who is that at the wheel?

David is steering?  Are you kidding?

No the captain handed it over to him and as you can see he took it.  Down the Connecticut river we went.  He navigated between the buoys and then even turned us around 180 degrees to return to the dock.  See for yourself.

He was not the only one steering us that afternoon.  Little Yamima, David's cousin, took the wheel and loved it.

We on the other hand just enjoyed the calm and serenity of the ride.

Don't worry there was lots of time for hugs all around before, during, and after the ride.

Happy Birthday Bubbie.

Look Park - David Makes Us All Kids Again

Look Park in Massachusetts.  All aboard!

Bubbie had a great idea while we were visiting.  Lets go to Look Park.  This is a great place for kids (and a chance for adults to be a part of their kid's lives).  As you can see David is very serious on the train ride.

Hiking though the park, he is holding Dad's hand but you would never know it by the almost prancing like steps he takes in the park along my side.

Every corner there is a discover - ducks!  Lets see how quietly I can sneak up on them while they are trying to nap.  (Sounds like David in the morning sneaking up on us before we get out of bed.)

Watch out.  Here comes the crazy man in the bumper boat - aiming right at me.

I should say me and my mom.

Watch out! Summer is at the wheel now.

Ok - lets do something a bit more relaxing - chill - something David is good at already.

Golf!  Leave it to David to figure out that if he sinks the shot at the 18th hole he loses the ball.  This man was not about to give it up that easily.  How many holes later was he still playing?

Bubbie got into it as well.  What I missed the shot!  Whats the story?

Summer is determined to get the shot.  

We were competing a bit and she was not going to miss this one - whatever the cost.

Time to further de-stress.  Lets feed the sheep.

What a lovely couple watching us, as we watch the little one, who watches the world around him.

Time to say good-bye.

A brief time in the park reminds us of how important it is to appreciate the world around us.

No one said you couldn't take a break and eat too.

Thanks Bubbie for bringing us to Look Park and thanks Herb for a lovely lunch.

Happy Birthday Bubbie!    David played Happy Birthday to Bubbie on her 85th birthday.

It was a chance to have a party and what a party it was including a big cake.

Mom looked great - look at that red gown.

Look at that great guy she is with.  Great to meet you Herb.

We are standing in front of the synagogue I went to as a kid.  My parents and grandparents were instrumental in bringing this synagogue to Danielson - a very small town in Connecticut.

           

Judy was the MC this time and a couple of the grand kids did the motzei or blessing over the bread before the meal was served.  (That blonde one looks familiar.)

I had a couple of fun memories to share with mom and everyone.

We knew what "we" meant when mom was running out the door saying "we" have to clean the kitchen.

We had plenty of relatives - that's for sure.  

Hi Mark - great to see you.  

I remember when you were on my mom's tv show - a couple years back now.

Here is the Fetterman Family all together.

David, Summer, little David, Bubbie, and Sarah.

Sister Sarah, cousin Robyn, and Sarah's friend Glenn came too.  

It was quite a family affair - about 125 or more were present to share in the festivities.

There were so many stories and praises for Bubbie.  

Here is one from Gert (the wife of the doctor who brought me into the world):

From Gert Margolick to Elsie on her 85th birthday celebration

I could not find a birthday card

To properly capture the high regard

That so many of us feel for you

So this poor verse will have to do

You've shown in situations grave

That you could be both stoic and brave,

A woman of valor ? eliciting smiles

Dispensing opinions or mah jongg tiles!

Whether at the White House, UConn, or synagogue,

Your achievements would fill a computer blog.

A career to be proud of ? fond memories galore,

A milestone birthday  -- onward from 84!

Remember, Elsie, as I now close,

That in Storrs and Danielson there are plenty of those

Who will not forget the years you spent

On worthy projects you started or helped implement.

The best advice you will find me giving

Is enjoy your great family, and retirement living

Bake an occasional tart, torte, or bundt

And gay mit glick and zie gezundt!

Happy Birthday and Love,

Gert

President Lynn Pasquerella of Mount Holyoak College was also there to share a few memories and highlight Bubbie's commitment to both social justice concerns and family.

It was a time for David to renew his connections with his cousins and uncles and aunts (and Bubbie). 

A few of those cousins are growing up just like him.  You can see they are having a ball.

Nothing like family - mishpokah.

It was a wonderful celebration of a wonderful woman - an accomplished academic, an advocate for social justice, an inspiration to so many, and a model for our entire family.  

Happy Birthday Mom!  

                                        

1st Grade - What a Milestone!

1st Day of 1st Grade.  Ok, as if we needed one more thing to remind us that we are all getting older, David attended 1st grade today.

What a milestone!  

He was so excited - almost jumping out of his skin while we were waiting on the playground for them to let him in.  

Great to re-live this excitement, since it was so long ago.  That's what kids are for in many respects - allowing us to see that joy and excitement through their eyes (at a point when we only have a faint glimmer of that moment left in our fading memories).  

At this age it is still all or nothing - absolute joy and excitement or the crest fallen, lowest point in life.  Of course the source of that kind of joy and despair can come from a chocolate muffin at this age, but I digress.  

Mom and dad were a little bit nervous, a bit rushed, but we knew it was a momentous occassion for the little man.  Here is mom and David in front of the school - getting ready to say good bye.

Dad too.

Look at Mr. Smiles himself.  Look at that outfit - pretty nice, even wore a collared shirt for his first day.  (It was going to be a pink t-shirt but luckily he did not need much persuading that a collared shirt of his choice might be a better option for the first day.)

Up close and personal.  He brushed his teeth two times this morning to get those teeth shiny enough for first grade.  He even combed his hair (can't you tell)?

The big moment is upon us - "drum roll please" - the teacher is officially signing him in.

Then the fun begins as he enters his first moment of formal public education.  (David finished kindergarden at Bowman yesterday - no sense in wasting time right?) 

David is now on his journey of 1-12 or in his case 1 through higher education.  What?  High expectations you say?  What did you expect from David's parents (overachievers, high achievers, or whatever you call them)?  

As he enters the classroom, his parents return to their adult lives (whatever that is right little man).

Congrats on your first day buddy!  Thanks for letting us be a part of it.

Crowden Suzuki Violin Workshop 2012!

Crowden Suzuki Violin Workshop 2012.  David participated in this 4 day violin camp this year.  Which if you read between the lines, since he is only 5 1/2, means mom and dad chaffeured the little guy to Berkeley and back each day.  Who is exhausted?  Not the little man.

It begins with lots of one-on-one training.  As an educator this was wonderful to watch.  David would play a passage.  The teacher would watch and listen.  Then the teacher would pin point precisely what David needed to work on and she did this for every single student.  It was an art form just watching her.  David was able to make quantum leaps with this kind of precision instruction.

Keep in mind they are just kids so there are all sorts of devices needed to get them to maintain focus and concentration.  One is to put the violins down, but not just down in front of them.  "Lets make a circle" with them.  Beautiful to watch.

After much instruction (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), it is time to prepare for the performance.  

Yes during this period of time they have memorized and learned to play new pieces that they will perform.  Makes you think what we might do in public education if we were to apply this same approach.  The turn around time for learning is extraordinary.

When you see this kind of teaching and learning in action it makes you think about how profound the bumper sticker is:  "the arts are basic."

Now it is time to tune up and get in some last minute practice before the concert begins.  David is focused and serious.

Mom is around to give him last minute advice before his performance.  

Summer has been instrumental in making sure he learns his lessons and practices almost every night. We are aware of the socioeconomic, educational advantage of having a parent right in there at every step in the process and we are appreciative of the opportunities afforded him to learn.

The performance is about to begin.  Crowden has a beautiful auditorium.  The acoustics were fantastic.

Of course, as I mentioned, no matter how serious and committed everyone is, we are still talking about 5 1/2 year old kids.  So to make sure they are paying attention to your every move during the performance you need to get their attention before the performance.  

A sort of Simon Says game is particularly useful.   Everyone is told to point the bow to the ceiling, then put the tip of the bow on your nose, and then you hear the teacher say:  "now watch my movements as we play."  A nice technique.  It really works for David (of course he really gets into trying to reach the ceiling as you can see).

Here is Dragon Song, a piece David learned during the workshop. 

As you can see, he is careful, attentive, and still having a ball.

Sure his proud parents were there for the performance. What were you thinking?  Do you think we would miss this (particularly after attending everyone of his classes for 3 days)?  Do you think he would let us miss it?

We actually learned a lot and it is always helpful to step out of your comfort or safe zone intellectually and emotionally. This was challenging but helped refine our skills and insights in the process as well.

But boys will be boys.  Right after the performance where did we find David?  Climbing trees behind the school.  He may be very accomplished in many respects but he still is a kid and there is nothing wrong with that.  

The man is keeping us young and compels us to continue to learn along with him!