Let Summer Begin!

More Graduations!

Leah finished up her middle school career last week! Poppy & Gheghe came down for the weekend and then we all attended Leah's graduation ceremony on Monday. Along with a middle school diploma, she received the Citizenship Award, won the Patriotic Essay writing contest (second year in a row!), received the President's Education Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and the Bronze Scholarship Award. Jack received the National Physical Fitness award (and was nominated for the Robert A Gibbs Athletic Award) along with several academic mentions in individual subjects. His art work placed second in the county-wide Yom Hasoah Day of Remembrance Art Contest. So, we are pretty proud of these two! They will both be attending new schools next year, and we know they are going to kick butt! Way to go, Leah & Jack!

Mother's Day.

For Jack's birthday we gave him a brand-new trampoline, something he has been asking for since Christmas. Santa did not come through, so we had to pick up his slack. Jack has gotten very good on the trampoline, spending a lot of hours at his cousin Andrew's, practicing jumps and flips and whatever. So he was very pleased to unwrap his present, and he and Andrew spent much of Saturday morning helping John and Poppy put it together. Enjoy this montage of photos, which shows the weekend in a nutshell:

Crazy May.

So May started out pretty good. I finished up my tennis season, the kids took their standardized testing (both scoring post-high school levels, thank you very much), school shows, painted the family room... all that stuff. Then, on May 8th, we woke up to find yet another teenager living in our house. Jack is 13!

I would like to take this opportunity...

... to apologize to humankind for this. I have no explanation.

The Unbearable Weirdness of Being Jack.

All stuffed with fluff.

After Joshua was born, we hightailed it to the Smith Haven Mall to create a Build-A-Bear for our new cousin. Will had never been, so he enjoyed the experience of stuffing, fluffing, and dressing the Joshua Bear!

School's out!

Last day today! But before we go, we must pause for a brief PBA (Public Brag Announcement)!

Leah & Jack received many awards at today's festivities - both received High Honor Roll for this quarter, along with the President's Education Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. They also received several academic awards, and received recognition for service, athletics, citizenship, scholarship, and spirit.

Last month every student wrote an essay detailing their choice for "Most Influential American" in the last 50 years. The essays were then judged by the top administration at all six schools. The finalists and winner were announced at the ceremony today. The top three finalists were... Jack, Leah, and some other kid. And the award-winning essay was written by... Leah! She was completely surprised and had to read her essay aloud after they called her name. It was excellently and effortlessly written. Yes, I am biased, but I speak the truth.


















Way to go, guys! We are so proud of you both. And believe it or not, a year from now Leah will be wearing the cap and gown...

Talent Show!

Carolyn gets the prize... Jack and some friends performed a dance routine to Hannah Montana's See You Again (or is it Miley Cyrus?). He certainly does have a certain talent for entertaining people! Too bad he's so shy, though.

K.N.O. (Kids Night Out)

Tonight Leah & Jack attended their final school dance of the year - a formal affair, of course!

They had a great time, and now we all are looking forward to summer vacation!

Happy Birthday, Jackie-Boy.

We are starting to see glimpses of the man you are to become, and we couldn't be prouder.







We love you! Have a fantastic 12th birthday.