Family News!

Two big events in the month of April: Jacob started walking and Mike got tenure. We'll leave you to decide the relative long-term importance of each.

We are very happy.

No video of the tenure (although there is a letter, complete with signatures in purple ink, natch), but here's Jacob walking. You'll, uh, want to turn down the volume on this one, as Natalie is yowling in the background about some not-entirely-urgent injury.

 

 Here are the champions themselves:

In other spring news, it was Purim:

My challah project continues (sporadically). This is an onion and poppy seed ring, traditional for Purim since it is in the spirit of Esther's braid. Or something. Anyway, not my fave, but Mike liked it.

I thought it tasted like a giant kaiser roll; he thought it tasted like a giant kaiser roll. What can I say? Opposites attract.

Natalie's also been busy. Here she is with one of her art creations:

An elephant she made for the back of Daddy's chair: 

She's also working on writing:

 Jacob is working on reading. He has eclectic tastes.

 Here is Natalie sorting:

And wearing her spring crown:

The kids are also starting to play together, which is really fun to see:

Natalie still plays alone, too:

It's gotten warmer, but her love for hot chocolate knows no bounds:

To compensate for my ongoing love of all things chocolate, I've been starting to run again, after taking a break because of an injury all winter. Here I am with the kids at the Zoo Run 5k. I ran the whole way pushing the kids solo, since Mike was out of town that weekend.

A few JBoy shots:

Next up: pictures from South Texas, Bluebonnets, and Passover. Whew!

Spring has Sprung

Our spring was super-crazy this year! Within the span of six weeks, I had three trips, and Mike had one. Verdict: not recommended. Actually, I think we're still recovering. Clearly, I've fallen behind on the blogging.

I'm making a very honest attempt to catch-up, though. So here are some pictures from a fairly spur of the moment New-York-Minute trip I made for the wedding of a dear friend. Shockingly, there are frequent flier miles bargains to be had if you're willing to fly in/out of Newark in March. Who'd have thunk it?

Anyway, solo trip, out on Friday, back on Monday (in time for preschool pick-up, no less!). Total whirlwind. Totally awesome. Would do it again. (You know, now that I'm rested and not just delusional from fatigue. Or something.)

I arrived in the city in time for a late lunch with a knitting friend (who was every bit as lovely as I thought she'd be!). Then, Aufruf with the happy couple. I hadn't been to one of these since my own. It was very sweet - although not literally sweet, since there was no throwing of candy. Perhaps it's not too late?

Anyway, I had this weird feeling, standing there, watching one of my dearest friends up on the bimah. When I graduated from college, wow, did I know how I thought things were going to go down for both us for, you know, the rest of our lives. I knew it. And (this really ought to go without saying, but, well, the enemy of hubris is honesty, so, uh, duh), wow, was I ever wrong. Things turned out better and worse and sadder and happier and altogether different than I ever thought possible. You. Just. Never. Know.

Luckily, I was able to keep my deep thoughts to myself and be (hopefully) a somewhat pleasant dinner guest (Real conversation! With adults! About not-work! The mind boggles!). Dinner was totally awesome; my joy was only diminished by the fact that Mike missed one of the best meals of my life. 

 Just how serious are the chefs about cooking? Behold their spice rack:

I took lots of photos of the meal, but, shockingly, iPhone pictures of food + photographer enjoying the food and drinks don't make for amazing pictures. Here is my best shot:

Enjoyment:

Other weekend happiness:

I should also add that I had a very lovely meal with representatives of the Michigan crew. Which, well, must be proof of how much they adore Mike.

Can't be in New York without a (non-cranberry) bagel. Or so I'm told. And, yes, I brought some home!

Wedding scenes. This is what happiness looks like: