Josh and Chester 's Visit...Fantastic!

Chester and Josh had a great February vacation together!  They spent so much quality time together with Josh and his family.  Chester and Josh spent time visiting with Bubbe and Grampa, went on a group play date with his Tel Aviv friends, played with Zach W and his new remote Morphibian, enjoyed sledding, went bowling ,and went kitchen appliance shopping!

At our morning meeting, Josh really enjoyed reading Chester's journal and sharing Chester stories with all his friends! 

Josie can't wait to take Chester home for the weekend tomorrow!

Happy 'Actual' Birthday Teddy Fox

Today Teddy is a SIX years old!!! Daddy, Jon, and his sister Sally came in to help him celebrate his summer birthday. Teddy did celebrate his school birthday w/ Mommy and his brother Sam, but daddy couldn't make it that day and Sally was sick, so Teddy was thrilled to be able to celebrate at school with Daddy and Sally. We even got to read in our fort outside. Mommy, Stephanie dropped in later with some very sweet and delicious watermelon? Stephanie, what is your secret for selecting sweet watermelon? Thank you to Jon and Sally for sharing your time with us.

Tzedakah~ Shabbat Shalom

 

We have been discussing Tzedakah in terms of kindness towards another. Let us stop and think of a time someone did something kind towards us and acknowledge it in some way. How could we do that? A phone call or a card perhaps? We might also consider 'extending' good wishes, in written form, just 'because' we are thinking of a loved one and want them to know that. If we know someone who is feeling sick, we might want to consider sending good wishes. Today some children decided to write to their family members with letters of gratitude for special memories, love, and good wishes.

Teddy Friedman wanted to 'thank' his uncle Alan for letting him stay at camp for (4) days. His favorite part of the stay was playing drama games and playing with 'Einstein' his dog.

Mia wanted to send a note to her Auntie Amy to say "I love you" and to Adam, her brother, who was sick. She couldn't kiss him or touch him, because he was throwing up, so a card was a good idea.

Hadley sent a note to mom to let her know "she loved her so much."

Ilana sent a note to her family, Mom, Dad, Zack, and Talia to let them know she loved them.

Teddy Post wrote a note to his Sadie. Most people heart goes Beep Beep, but his heart goes Beep`beep beep beep. He wanted to let him know that he loved him and wanted him to 'feel better'. He drew a picture of him and his Sadie holding hands.

Shabbat Shalom everyone. Extending kindness towards one another is the best gift we can give. G-d bless

Chanukah and World Wishes

Prior to our holiday break we asked your children what their wishes were for Chanukah for their family and the larger world. Their responses were sweet and inspiring... ~ I want my parents to stay healthy. ~ I want everyone in the world to have enough toys and food and clothes. ~ I wish for all the people of the world to have enough food. ~ I wish that everyone in the world feels good. ~ My mom to stay alive forever because she's the greatest in the whole world and I love her. ~ I wish for my family to get all the presents they want because I'm getting all the presents I want. ~ I wish they didn't go to work so I could see them. ~ I wish that people who don't have money have books.

Chanukah Blessings !!!

Thankful for our Friends and Family

Parents ~ Be Proud ~ I help others when I.....

Today we read a book entitled: Have you filled your Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. Here we are with a group, much larger than our families, and in a smaller space, and we have to figure out how we can all live together, for this time, within this space, and feel good about ourselves and one another. We talked about Mitzvot and the idea of how we can help one another. We posed the following: I help others when I ....... The challenge was for them to think of ways they can be helpful... Just wanted to share that the responses given and illustrated for this class book involved an act of kindness to a family member as well as friends at school. 1) .... push my brother on the swing 2) .....share a toy with ______ 3) .....share food and love 4) ----- when my brother is sick, I give him one of my blankets. 5) ----- build blocks again 6) ---- when my mom is sick, I'll give her one of my blankets if she rests on the couch 7).----- when my mom is tired, I'm going to help when she tells me what to do 8) --- I want to write something to my mom to say I love you and will do something nice for you~ I will draw you a picture. 9) ---- help someone climb a walkway. We look forward to hearing and witnessing these life lessons of caring for each other, ourselves, and our environment as the year evolves.