Sukkot has really been speaking to me this year...even though the evenings have been rainy so we haven't eaten in the sukkah, and the ground is covered in so many nuts and sticks and weeds I need tunnel vision to focus on the sukkah and not the yard work...I've been reminded over and over how lucky we are to have dry, secure, temperature-controlled shelter, and I've been moved and reminded morning and evening as we shake the lulav that God really is all around us, as alone as we may feel in any of our earthly struggles-chag sameach to you too!

Oh didn't I just mention the power of play! These are the images that bring me so much joy! We stopped at a few yard sales this morning and now look at the new stuffed animals dining on the beloved buckeyes we've been playing with lately, and the duplos turning into pyramids, and castles...and even into little duplo dogs!

Georgia's sukkot drawing and tray that she made on her date with Nana :)

My quandry this week has been that I feel so taxed, so maxed out, but everything I do contributes so tremendously to my happiness I don't want to let any of it go...I kept thinking "something has got to give!" Then last night I read a magazine from cover to cover-something I haven't done in nearly a year and a half (as the tremendous stack of mags on my bedroom floor will attest to) and I was delighted by the recipes, and the decorating, and I came across an article on the power of play. Of course the article said working moms are notorious for not allowing themselves playtime. I think I need more play, not less of anything. I carefully carve out part of each weekend and weeknight for the kids to just play and create...I know how critical it is. I'm reminded that cooking is a way I like to play...so I'm psyched to be going on a grocery shopping date with Scarlett this afternoon to fill the house with flavors and colors and get creative in the kitchen again...

Zeke came home from school one Wednesday afternoon and said "I want to make that box into a purple airplane." Uh, ok buddy -how about after I get dinner started? The three girls and I made these kippot by cutting fabric according to the pattern in Judaikitch, decorating it with fabric markers and sewing

I'm still going in reverse chronology here to catch up on some of our summer fun...I realized as school was starting there were just a few things I'd hoped to do this summer that we just hadn't and one was to take the kids to mini golf...so one night we just did it and they had a blast...they sort of thought you use the putter like a hockey stick and drag the ball everywhere

Hi friends and family! Thanks so much for coming back to view my new blog...I'm still working out the kinks-split posts and turned photos-so keep clicking "older posts" and keep coming back, I'm so glad you're here!

When I was uploading photos I kept scrolling past this photo of Georgia apple picking at age 3 and I just had to post it along with one of 6 year old Georgia in the orchard this year-doing one of her current favorite activities-simultaneously tormenting and looking up to her big sister Stella.

The kids hamming it up on erev Rosh Hashana-could they be any cuter?

Scarlett exploring Squaw Rock at tashlich and a cuddly family photo

Above: Lining up for tashlich in Cleveland and again after tashlich

Below: some puppies we met in Marion...You never know where these Frieds and Badens will find our next adventure!

Rosh Hashana apple picking in Marion, Ohio

Ohio Renfest!!! Zeke chose to go in full regalia, the kids found a live show about a dragon hatching and were called up on stage! S, G, and their friend Katie pose with beautiful butterfly barettes, and if you've ever met Zeke, you know this last photo shows how every trip ends!