Shabbat Shalom!

Anyone who knows my dad or Scott's mom, knows that Judaism runs deep in their veins. From the die-hard Temple goer Sabba to the Cantor Nana, the girls have a love of their faith ingrained in them since before birth. Jenna must have gotten this gene in full force.

A while back, months maybe more now, Jenna asked to celebrate Shabbat at our house. (She had done so with Emmy and Sabba and it stuck-BIG TIME!) Now every Friday night we have our rituals, Jenna and honestly Maya know them all. We use the same tablecloth, eat nearly the same meal, and take part in the same ceremony each Friday night.

Recently, Jenna learned to say all of the Shabbat blessings-independently! This past Friday night, we invited Nana, Howard and Uncle Gary to join us. In atypical form, Jenna was not shy in front of an audience. She stood in her chair, Kippah adorned, and told us all as we started with the "prune juice/wine" she would say the blessings. And she did. She even chanted them-a little bit. She went from the Kiddush to the blessing for the candles and finally the Hamotzi. All said with near perfection and the mouths dropped. She and Maya requested to contribute to their Tzedakah boxes, tasted their "wine" and sampled the Challah.

We all enjoyed a tasty dinner and entertaining conversations. The meal was completed with "special treats" made by the girls-Torah and Star of David sugar cookies. Jenna managed to get in her weekly phone call with Emmy and Sabba to wish them Shabbat Shalom despite them being on Cape Cod.

Scott and I know as parents what elation we feel to see our children maturing into beautiful young girls and learning so much and impressing us each day, however, we beam with pride when they can show others just how amazingly incredible they are and that those people appreciate it and are proud just like us! :)

November Candids

Here are some cute pics. Check out the one of the two/three heads of HUNTS! (Maybe 2025 or so.)

Veteran's Day 2004

Veteran's Day 2004 is a day that will stick in my mind forever. Nothing dramatic took place, nothing monumental occurred in my life, but still it remains etched-nearly in stone in my memory.

Scott and I had been "officially" dating for about a month or so at that point and he offered to take me to his parents' then summer home, in Ogunquit, ME for the day. (Little did I know then that Scott NEVER took or has since taken off Veteran's Day-had I known I would have realized even earlier he was a keeper taking a vacation day to spend with me!)

We were driving home from a wonderful day alone in their spectacular home and neighborhood, complete with a walk on the beach and on the Marginal Way. Our day was so perfect. We were nearing our approach to the highway, driving right past Anthony's-Jack's favorite coffee stop, when it happened.

"I just can't imagine ever having a daughter, I just picture myself with a son."--note the singular and no thought of daughter was on Scott's radar screen-that was FOR SURE! There were other things said, some pertinent, some irrelevant, some thought-provoking, some funny, but nothing stands out as much as that sentence.

I thought about it for a while after that and continued to analyze and re-analyze and over analyze my then boyfriend's comment and how that would impact our future together. It was a discussion that I know I didn't wait too long to dive into with Scott.

As time went on and we moved in together, got engaged, got married and then decided to start a family, we tackled the typical topics related to having a baby-did we want to know the gender, did we have a name or names chosen, would we be on the same page as parents, would this be our only child, what would it be like?

Finding out our March 2008 arrival was going to be a girl was such a joy for us BOTH! Scott beamed with pride telling his friends, family, co-workers, embraced the questions/teasing and jokes about how testy teenage girls can be and how challenging they can seem. Only 9 months or so after our peanut Jenna was welcomed into our lives, we were elated to have the upcoming arrival of a baby sister for her. Again the onslaught of comments, taunting about saving for two Bat Mitzvahs, sweet sixteens and weddings came about and Scott took it with SUCH a good sense of humor-as he does with everything...

I remember that day in 2004 so vividly even now, 6 years later. I remember my worries, agonizing over what if we did get married and have a daughter (or more than 1 as I was hoping) how would this impact Scott? (Afterall, we had no control over the gender... He knew that right? :) ) And as I look back now, I laugh, often out loud, when I see Scott and our girls. He is the dream dad for daughters (and for sons too I am certain though we have no reference to date.) He plays baby, does ponytails, sings songs, can put on tights (on the girls), knows all the princesses names, draws pictures, uses his imagination to play all sorts of games, and most of all adores his two daughters like the most amazing, loving, dedicated, warm, affectionate, perfect dad I always dreamt he would be!

Why all the worry, I was right on that day in November 2004-all was perfect! (And it still is!) :)

Thanksgiving 2010

In true Leigh & Scott fashion, we alloted 2 1/2 hours for a trip that ended up taking 1 1/2 hours (including 2 stops along the way!) We decided instead of surprising our hosts an hour early, we would take the girls to see the Chatham Lighthouse and lookout at the beach, one of the few places that was open on Thanksgiving.

Despite the low 40's air temperature, the girls were eager to walk on the sand. We agreed and ventured down the multiple sets of stairs, only to need a near immediate diaper change of one of our then less than happy troops, so it was back to the car. We changed a diaper, dumped out a boat-load of sand from Jenna's "Baby Lilah's" (her sparkly silver shoes) and headed over to Lynn and Doug's house.

We had the pleasure of sharing Thanksgiving 2010 with the Johnstons, Emersons, Ritts and Amston and Charlie of course--the two most well behaved dogs! We shared drinks, conversation, toys, laughs and some of the most delicious foods, with some of our most favorite people. The girls got to share some special time with people they don't see as often as any of us would like and made up for it with snuggles from Doug, (Maya) chalk with Ashley, (Jenna) talks with Uncle Derek (both lucky girls) and big hugs from Auntie Sam, (Jenna). They also got some always appreciated quality time with Emmy and Sabba.

Jenna announced as we buckled her into her yellow carseat in the Johnston's driveway, "Happy Thanksgiving Mommy, Daddy and Maya! And now it is Hanukkah!" (Guess all of our talk about it happening after Thanskgiving was taken quite literally! :) )

The girls had a blast-falling asleep at 5:55 p.m. on the way home, for the night! On the drive home, Scott and I talked about the enjoyable drama-free day, even accompanied by a Patriots win, during a game we watched more of than likely all of the games of the last 3 seasons, COMBINED--a definite thrill for the two of us once big time Pats fans!

We have so much to be thankful for, so many tangible things, so many possessions we own, however, what could be more important than the most prized people in our lives-our family and friends. We are so blessed!

Precious Gifts

As I grow older, I think about how blessed I am in my life each day. I count my fortunes each day as I hear about more and more friends and family facing adversity. From cancer to miscarriages to unexpected death of a loved one to unemployment to children with illnesses and diseases to alcoholism to infertility to post-partum depression and more people of our relatively young age group are being blasted with so much. And then I look at our two daughters, my incredible husband and wonder how did we get so lucky?

My blessings are not lost on me and each time we are awoken in the middle of the night by a crying toddler or each tantrum we have to navigate and each phone call we share or dinner table conversation we have and each night as we read our bedtime stories and cuddle, I am thankful. Not just for what life has offered to Scott and me and to our amazingly wonderfully precious girls, but I am hopeful that those plagued with not as many blessings as we are at this time, will be so again one day; then that will be an added blessing in my life.

MOOCK and Lunch!

We had a great morning/afternoon today! Sharing a concert with one of the girls fave's (and Sabba's favorites) Allistair Moock! We heard all the good ones, "Rock Island"--Jenna's preference, "A Cow Says Moo"-Maya's top choice and some more. The girls were dancing in the aisles, well clapping hands and running up and down the aisle a bit.

After the concert, we went to lunch at Not Your Average Joe's down the street. Maya tasted her very first try at tomato soup and LOVED it! Jenna deemed herself bread passer outer and handed everyone a piece of bread and then dug into her grilled cheese, fruit and Daddy's sweet potato fries. Jenna's contributions to the conversation were priceless- "Emmy what are you getting for lunch?" "Sabba do you want some more bread?" "Maya do you want some more bread?" (Maya then shaking her head "No!")

A visit to the bathroom was a learning experience today-aren't they always? While using the toilet Jenna had her first experience with the automatic flush toilets. While still "using it" it flushed, twice. Her response while this occurred--"NO I not done!!!!" I then explained why the toilet didn't realize she needed more time and all was righted.

We were a bit tied up while the concert took place between the snacks, the dancing, the running (the chasing) so none of the pictures are from there, but we sure did capture a few cuties from lunch! :)

Dinner Date!

No not the romantic kind, no not the intimate candle lit kind, not the quiet heart to heart conversation kind, the family friendly kind! :)

Tonight we were invited to the Drago's home for dinner along with the Batchelder family. The kids had a BLAST! (As is evident now as Jenna falls asleep in her bed talking about her night to her "hop-hop" and Bubba her bear.)

We were welcomed, as the gracious Drago hosts always do, with such a welcoming and warm atmosphere. Our kids feel so at home there. They went off to play with the toys they knew just where to find and our evening of semi-relaxation began. Scott enjoyed a few beers-SUCH a rarity these days we are often embarrassed when we have to tell our family and friends we have one lone beer in the fridge and it might be out of date; while I downed a few delicious glasses of wine-Paul refilling my glass before I could even get up to do it myself.

Emma, Lauren and Jenna adorned the three pizzas with pepperoni, chicken and cheese--us Farbers forgot the meatballs at home! The grown-ups added some veggies as well when the girls weren't looking and then the pizzas were tossed into the oven. Within the blink of an eye, out came the food, everyone headed to the table and the couch and began to dig in. Amy complimented the meal with a stellar salad and all were happily chowing down.

What was such a pleasure was to listen to the conversations and witness the interactions between the kids. No longer are they unsure what to do or say, but now cannot wait to get down to the business of playing dress-up, dancing, talking about princesses and sharing SO nicely! :) (YAY!) Even Maya and Jack have developed into their own-they now are able to join in the fun of the bigger kids and take part in the action!

A HUGE plus of this wonderful maturity is the permission it allows us adults to talk and actually have conversations. It was great!!!!!

As the three big princesses ran around in their various tutus and such, the evening completed itself with a FANTASTIC, delicious, rich, amazing cake, thank you Jill and Mike, and some adorable turkey sugar cookies-in each of the girl's favorite colors.

As the 7 o'clock hour arrived, like clockwork, the kiddies began to fade, Maya first, followed by a few more and then they were done.

We are very lucky to have such great friends-people we trust to help our kids open their drink, help them put on a tutu, cut their pizza, hold a hand, assist on the potty and most of all, people we could call family. :) Thanks for a fabulous night! xoxo

A Year Ago or so

A year ago or so, life was CRAZY!!!!!!!!! Scott had the Hunt's Show over Halloween weekend 2009, as he had the year before and suddenly, I was left a single parent with two VERY little girls. Jenna just over a year and a half and Maya nearly 1 month old.

We put all the right plans in place and had back up support from Emmy and Sabba arranged. It was going to be doable for sure. And then--SWINE FLU! Emmy got sick and we couldn't have them come here and help. The panic set in-I was going to be alone with the two of them for the weekend-that was going to be a first.

Now a year (and a week) later, here we are. The girls are needy, but in SUCH different ways. They are so much more independent, so much less demading--well demanding differently---and we are here again, hanging alone this weekend-except for a visit from Emmy and Sabba tomorrow afternoon, but that's more because they miss their ladies!

What a difference a year makes!

A few videos to enjoy!

Jenna's infamous dance class- She is far right in dark pink!

One of our first adventures to the pet store-sans stroller!