Garfield Get Together

At our annual block party our car enthusiast neighbor asked Jacob if he wanted to take a ride in a Ferrari. It took much prodding on Jacob's part but we convinced him to go.

Jacob experienced zero to sixty in three seconds and a top speed of one hundred and one. I don't know where in Venice this is achieved as it takes me twenty minutes just to get to Ralphs grocery store. He came back in one piece so I didn't worry.

Jacob's Bar Mitzvah - Friday Night Service

Michael managed to take a few pictures after Friday night's service. Jacob did several prayers on Friday night. He did well and I think it helped prep him for Saturday morning.

The green kippah (yarmulkas) made a big hit.

Jacob looked so snappy in his new suit.

These ladies are part of the sisterhood who made the cake according to Jacob's specifications; white cake, white frosting.

Nothing like a formal event to get your kid to smile.

After Friday night's service, Michael and I went home to assemble 48 cupcake hamburgers.

They were well worth the effort as I think they were a very popular item. We hope to be able to share more pictures later.

Michael's Birthday

We celebrated Michael's milestone birthday with a quiet dinner party at home. With all the big celebrations coming up we decided to keep it low key. You only turn 50 once so the mother of all ice cream cakes was needed to celebrate.

Trying to cut this monster frozen cake.

Naked cake.

Banana Split Ice Cream Cake from Bon Appetit. Recipe and video available from the website. Stay tuned for more milestone birthdays.

First Day of School

Parents warned me that middle school would go by in a blip and they were right. I can't believe that Jacob is starting his final year of middle school. Where did the time go? I seem to be saying that a lot lately, I need to get it on a t-shirt.

8th Grade

7th Grade

6th Grade
This photo melts my heart. Here is to a successful year.

San Francisco 2016

We drove up to the bay area on Friday and met with my long time friend Julie, her husband and youngest son Jack who is now 8 years old. We had a wonderful visit as I have not seen Julie in a long time. I neglected to take any photos.

We stayed in an Airbnb in Berkeley. It was a back house with a bed, sofa bed, kitchenette and bathroom. It was the perfect set up for our family and it was nice to have some meals in the cottage. They also had a chicken coop in the backyard and one morning I did not like the chicken coop but that was ok.

Saturday morning was a beautiful day in San Francisco. We met some nice people who were willing to take a picture of us, of course Jacob declined. We had wonderful pastries by the bay.

Our morning activity was the Exploratorium.

Jacob enjoyed this exhibit the most; strandbeest.  Jacob teases me for taking pictures of people's backs but when he won't cooperate for a picture what choice do I have. 

I thought this was a cool exhibit; Scott Weaver's 100,000-toothpick sculpture.

We headed out for quite the walk to our lunch destination.

We walked a lot of hills that day. Jacob of course had a blast with it.

We ate lunch at Golden Boy Pizza. The walls were covered with stickers and they played heavy metal music. Jacob and I deemed it "sketchy" but of course it was fine and good pizza.

Jacob is learning to take pictures of his food too:)

The red building is the pizza joint.

We ended our day with a Cable Car ride to the museum.

It was fun watching how it all worked. Our dinner plans included meeting up with Howard and Margi. Again we forgot to take pictures but dinner included Mexican food, almost an entire challah and dessert. Balanced meal right?

On Sunday we went to the botanical gardens at UC Berkeley with Michael's friend Abe, his wife Layla and their two daughters.

Jacob was the only one who remembered to take pictures.

The gardens were beautiful despite the hot day.

At the end of our day we did go to the University campus a bit. I had never been to UC Berkeley so it was fun to see. I did not realize how old the college was, established in 1868. All in all it was a great trip and we look forward to going back especially for the food.

Semester Two Awards Ceremony

Jacob achieved the Principal's Honor Roll again this semester and yet he said he was going to try harder next year. Our little perfectionist. Many of Jacob's teachers were at the awards so we had the opportunity to chat with them and tell them what a wonderful job they are doing. 

The awards ceremony was held the same week the kids were back from their trips; Catalina for 7th grade and Santa Monica for 6th grade, so many of the awardees were absent.

Sometimes you have to sneak a picture of Jacob. We are very proud of his achievements.

This is what I will not miss of 7th grade, holes in the knees. Jacob has gone through 10 pairs of pants. If only they made Tough-skins in khaki. We are hoping that playing tag will go by the wayside in 8th grade as Jacob has turned it into a contact sport. Happy Summer!

Catalina

Jacob survived his trip to Emerald Bay, Catalina with his middle school. I would call the trip character building. He took a whopping 142 pictures but I have whittled it down to a few for you. I think he cherished his camera as it was the only "device" that he was allowed to bring.

The ferry boat ride over was a bumpy one. Jacob did not do well even with medication. 

Sleeping arrangements.

Eating arrangements.

Kayaking

Squid dissection day.

Poor squid.

Jacob said the water was very clear.

Campfire Night

The ride back was much smoother according to Jacob. He saw dolphins and a humpback whale on the trip back. Not a bad way to end a trip.