Happy Birthday, Robin

After weeks of anticipation, Robin turned two today! What did she want for her birthday? Cupcakes, and for people to sing happy birthday to her. Done and done. Here was our great day.

Breakfast. Even though Daddy cooks amazing pancakes, sweet potato oatmeal, and waffles, Robin wants cereal. Kix, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Raisin Bran!

At Brookside Gardens seeing the "mini-trains." There was an amazing model train display and Robin and Miriam loved to watch them. Then we took a walk around the beautiful gardens.

Lunch at the Tastee Diner (a Silver Spring institution since 1935). Waffles dunked in chocolate milkshake for Miriam (see above) and mac n' cheese, applesauce, and a chocolate milkshake for Robin. We won't mention what the parents ate, but it is the "Season of Gluttony!"

We had a Skype date with Grandma Jean and Pop Pop (who sent a great singing card, which Robin danced to, a lot!) and then Uncle Rob, Aunt Vida, and Cousin Pearce came over for a birthday dinner, and CUPCAKES with chocolate icing. See the results, above!

Playing with her new trains before bath and bedtime. This girl LOVES trains! Now we are off to Worcester, Mass., to visit the Myers clan.

Happy Hannukah!

The Asch Family (especially the kids) have been eagerly anticipating Chanukkah...the candles, the gelt (yum!), the jelly doughnuts (yum! yum!), and the presents. What could be better?In preschool, Miriam made a great chanukkiah, which she kindly gifted to Robin who doesn't have one yet. After we lit the candles (but not, thank goodness, the girls' hair, as we've done in the past), the girls opened their first presents: beautiful Shabbat coats from Nana.

The girls in their coats. Dickens novel? Nineteenth century Eastern Europe? You be the judge.

Robin with the chanukkiah that Miriam made her.

Miriam is enthralled with the candles.

Jumping!

We've been holed up inside the house recently since it has been getting cold! This means we have to find some ways to get our exercise inside. Here, Robin demonstrates her jumping skills and her expanding vocabulary.

Photographers at work

Miri and Robin got a new digital camera (it's allegedly kid-proof -- we'll see), and they have been taking pictures of all sorts of things: the floor, the toilet roll dispenser, the faucet. Every now and again, we'll see a person in there. Check out their oeuvre:

Miri self-portrait

Robin, as seen by Miri

Panda portrait