A big day

Today turned out to be a day that both Stella and I had been waiting for for a long time. She because at long last, after much hard work and practice, this was the day she finally did a back hip circle on the bars in gymnastics. After she did it, she did the best, happiest, most exuberant dance of joy. And to top it off, she also landed a front handspring on the tumbling track. Her enthusiasm at gymnastics is something to behold and happily Grandma and Grandpa were both there to witness this momentous occasion. 

And momentous for me because tonight was the first night that the alarm went off indicating that Stella had finished her twenty minutes of required reading and she didn't want to instantly stop. How I hope a love for reading and books is being ignited in that child. Tonight was the first time I thought maybe (courtesy of Beverly Cleary) it's happening.

Our little latke

Vivian's Silver Room Hanukkah party last Thursday was really fun. She is going through a phase of being particularly sad about saying goodbyes so about halfway through the fifty minute party, she started to get worried about whether it was almost over. But her excitement at seeing us come into the room as she stood with her friends in her glittery latke costume was pretty great and priceless. And she even did pretty well with the goodbye overall.