Yesterday we celebrated the Jewish New Year.

Unlike previous years, when just Jack went to temple, this year Adam wanted all the kids to participate.

So we scrounged the closets for all the years of fancy clothes that originated with Jack. Then Adam went one night after work and got Jack another set which he will definitely outgrow before he needs them again!

We took them to the children’s service. It was an hour long service full of song, stories and the blowing of the shofar. At one point they invited kids with their own shofars to go up and blow them. It was really cute.

Most of the kids did surprisingly well.

Jack played the all knowing, Hebrew school going, big brother. He pointed out the intricate architecture of the temple to the twins. “Don’t worry,” he told Ben, “We don’t read this whole book, we just skip through it.”

The twins stood and sat when asked. And they fidgeted quietly in their own seats. Or appropriately whispered.

Ben had a tougher time. He left the room at one point. Then he came back, but when he did he laid in front of us on the ground instead of sitting. The room was filled with people with kids so no one blinked an eye when they had to step over him to bring a smaller bladdered person to the bathroom.

Then, after that it was back home for homework and lunch.

In the afternoon we took advantage of the scorching heat and headed to the beach.

There was a lot of burying and sand play.

And ice cream.

And fun in the water, including a few races.

Afterwards, we showered up and headed out for a nice dinner.

Shine Restaurant

Wishing all who celebrate a very happy new year!