January Joy

January was filled with all sorts of fun activities.

Derek was Shabbat Abba, baked his own Challah, and went to Tot Shabbat with the family!

Happy to be Abba.

Goofy Abba.

Derek tries his home-made Challah!

You want some?

Time for Shabbat!

Family shot.

 Birthday celebrations were bountiful this past month.  Our first Chuck-E-Cheese outing was for Chase's 6th birthday!

Derek convinced some kids to help him climb to the top of this structure.

Both boys enjoyed riding Noah's Ark.

 But nobody enjoyed the ride more than Josh.  Here's a video of his 5th time on the ride (in a row):

As always, Alaina made an amazing cake.  Isn't she talented?!

Derek enjoyed kicking back with Little Stuart:

 And Josh had fun with Barney and the Merry-go-round:

Derek ended the party with a safari jeep ride:

On the way home, he had his first ring pop...boy did he like that!

The following week the boys helped cheer on the Eagles' Boys' Soccer Team (and Derek really had fun playing with his new friend, Raik)!

Derek had so much fun, he couldn't take him eyes off of him!

 

At the second game that week, Dana and Derek carved their names into a tree.

 
The following weekend held beautiful weather!  So, naturally, we went to a park:

Josh swung for a while....

The boys did the see-saw together...

Even Daddy got in on the action!

 Then, Grandma treated Derek to a special treat!  He went to see Frozen!!

On the way to the show.

 The next morning, Derek wanted to take a picture of Mommy and Josh:

1 of 29483209483 billion shots

 Bubby came up to play with the boys.  We all went to the Festival Flea Market Mall. 

When Bub arrived, Josh clung to her!

Boys will be (silly) boys.

Because we shopped through lunch time, Bubby decided the boys deserved a special lunch...FROZEN YOGURT!!!

 

Boy did they enjoy their lunch (except the photos that were taken)!

So, here's the thing....this "winter" in South Florida really has brought us about one or two days where we could wear long sleeves.  So, when the freezer door was left open and "snow" formed in the freezer...naturally, we had to have it "snow" in the house!

The only snow he'll see in a while.

Derek tries to get his own snow.

We are so lucky.  Our boys, generally, play well together:

Josh wants to do everything with Derek...even wear his shoes!

Grandma took care of the boys one morning and wanted to know we would rank her ability to feed Josh Breakfast:

 We rank it: Adorable to Quite Adorable!

Even if he had a spoon, we're not sure he would end up any cleaner:

Don't worry, she always cleans him off, afterwards:

Both boys enjoyed girl scout cookies:

There was a quick visit with Auntie Shana and Uncle Brian (and some errand running at the post office, too):

Uncle Brian put this label on Derek's back - in case he got lost.

Then it was time for another birthday party!

Both boys had a great time at Maizy's 2nd birthday!!!

The next day was another birthday party ('tis the season):

Derek got a Pirate painted on his arm!

Best buds: Tyler and Derek

We've been averaging 3 birthday parties per weekend...so, it's been a bit hectic!

In the mean time, Josh is his easy-going self while getting a check-up:

Grandma and Josh race to see who can finish the puzzle first.

Finally, we helped Mommy's Chinese students celebrate the New Year.  The students hosted a celebration at school (including making their own food and setting off their lanterns):

Derek really enjoyed the food.

Diana made him the food herself!

The minute the boys arrived, a rush of students ran to the stage to see them!  It was adorable.

Derek tries a lantern.

Each student writes their dreams for the year on their lantern.

Then we light a flame, the smoke fills the lantern, and they float of into the night sky!

It was really, really neat.

I'm so thankful my students helped us join in their celebration. (Notice the wish at the top of this lantern - 4.0 GPA)!  Gotta love it!

Mommy treated Daddy to a birthday night out (Jerry Seinfeld was in town).  So, the boys got to sleep at Bubby and Zaide's house!

Derek got to sleep in Uncle Brian's old G.I. Joe bed tent!

Josh was happy to try it out, too.

Josh will stand for about 30 seconds now (and clap for himself, too)!

Derek is happy to take pictures of the weekend events.

Happy to stand...but no walking, yet!

The next morning, Mommy picked up the boys and (you guessed it), headed of to another birthday party:

First, Josh cleaned up all of his toys.

Then he was ready to partay!

He played with the big boys!

Of course, when Cherry arrives (especially on a Monday), the boys are super snuggly, cuddly, and, as she puts it, "He is Mr. Clingy."

Mr. Clingy

And his brother, snuggly.

This month was BUSY!  But, oh so much fun!!!

Lastly, we'll leave you with a cute video of Derek showing off his binoculars that he made in school: