Goodbye old friend

A week ago today, Matt and I took Kaya to the vet and had her euthanized. We had been putting it off for months, hoping she would die in her sleep or at home with us. We knew it was coming, she was wasting away in front of our eyes, she was loosing control of her bowels and she was afraid to go outside without us. She was old and she was sick. Ultimately I know we made the right decision, but it was tough.
We had been preparing the girls for months. "Kaya is really sick girls, she is going to die soon." "Be gentle with Kaya guys, she is really old..." Sydney would tell everyone who walked through the door that Kaya was old and going to die soon. As it became more apparent that Matt and I were going to have to make the decision we started to talk about it more. Death is not a topic that we have shied away from. We talk about Linda, who died before the girls were born, all the time. The girls know that Linda was very sick, so sick in fact that not even the doctors could make her better and she died. They know how sad that makes us and uncle Eric because we all miss her. I explained to the girls that Kaya was going to be with Linda and that Linda would be very excited to have a dog to love and massage. We talked about this idea all the time, Sydney was comforted by it and so was Lior until the day I made an appointment for Kaya to go to the vet.
I warned the girls before I made the phone call to the vet, "Kaya is going to die today or tomorrow." "Mommy, not today, not tomorrow, not ever!" "My dog is not going to die!" replied Lior. Lior was adamant that I not take her dog away and reminded me about it all day long. "Mommy I don't want my dog to die, not today, not ever!" We talked through it and she sat with Kaya and we had a good conversation:
Lior: "Mommy Hashem is everywhere right?"
Me: "Yes Lior he is."
Lior: "If he is everywhere, how will he take Kaya to Linda?"
Me: "He will leave her body here and take all the things we love about Kaya and bring them to Linda and then she will be everywhere too."
Lior: "Oh, but Kaya will be with Linda and her bunny right? and Hashem will bring her to Linda?"
Me: "Yes Liorie"
Lior: "Mommy I don't want my doggie to die."
Me: "I know Lior"
It has been a week and the girls are still asking for her. Today as I was bringing Jordan up for a nap she asked me why Kaya had to die and I just do not have a really good answer. I miss her, the house feels empty without her. Cyrus misses her. Today one of my neighbors yelled down the street that she was sorry to hear about Kaya. When Cyrus heard her name he came running with his ears up looking for her. I thought my heart would break.
I know Matt and I made the right decision. When we took Kaya to the doctor we weighed her and she was down to twenty nine pounds, she was so sick. I think she knew how much we all loved her and she could not let go. She did not want to leave the kids who loved her. She did not want to leave me, we had been such good friends for sixteen years. She did not want to leave our little family. I held her head while the Vet administered the drugs and looked in her eyes, I saw the pain leave her eyes. I believe that she looked at me and said thank you. I believe that she had had enough and was finally out of pain. Goodbye my friend, we love you, love you, love you!

Not enough?

Four days in Disney was not enough for us, we needed to go to Chuck E. Cheese today. Fun fun fun!!!

Sleeping beauties

I think we could send a marching band through the room. They are out!! I wonder how they will be at Animal Kingdom today?

Four hundred and forty four

The number of pictures taken today. I should say pictures taken by us because uncle Eric took a ton also.
Plenty of great photo opportunities, especially when we met the princesses and ate lunch with our friends Tigger and Pooh!

Disney: day three

On our third day at Disney we had a great time. All three of the girls rode on the kiddie roller coaster and LOVED IT!!! Jordan was finally tall enough and was not left behind. I'm actually not sure she LOVED the ride but she did it every time we asked her to. The kids got their pictures taken with the princesses. They loved it. It's a shame Sydney was so wiped from the heat. Next time we will head there first.
Lior and Belle bonded because they both like to read books.

Akiva was trying to make a clean getaway, way too many princesses for him!

They were all completely entranced by Belle who engaged them in the nicest conversation about reading. They were more than thrilled!
Cinderella and Sydney-rella, no words necessary!


Jordan was thrilled to meet Aurora, Jordan is really not particular she likes all the princesses.

Faces were painted. Jordan picked Minnie Mouse, a shock I know, but it's hard to want to convince her to be anything else. She is Minnie Mouse!Grandpa thought she looked spectacular. It's hard to tell because once again hi head was lobbed off the picture. I'm starting to wonder who this trip was for... it seems like it's all about the kids. Hmmm...
Look at that face, she loved looking at herself! I don't blame her she looked spectacular!



Sydney decided to be a Mermaid. Sydney was so excited by the face painting. She could barely contain herself! Those dimples are just popping out!

The process just excites her.


And the end result is just breathtaking. She is just so beautiful!
Lior decided to be a unicorn, again. Lior doesn't really like change. I can't blame her when you know the end result is going to look great. Why change?


And she does look great! Believe it or not she was really excited about the face painting!

Our three faced painted beauties! Next time Akiva is going to have to get in on some of this Disney Magic! He wants everyone to know his name is NOT Skip!

We ate Lunch with Tigger and Pooh again. Akiva really enjoyed this dining experience. He is just getting cuter each and every day! He bonded with Pooh.
And got up close and personal with Piglet. Watch him get closer and closer!


He gives great kisses!
The meal would not have been complete without a birthday cupcake for Grandpa, who managed to keep his head and his body in the picture. It's a good thing the girls were helping him blow out his candle, it gets harder to do the older you get!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Too much fun

The car ride to the park did him in today.

Disney: day two

Hollywood Studios was our Friday destination. Danny's family was leaving at about two so we spent the morning with them. We all got out picture taken with Minnie Mouse, poor grandpa was cut out of the picture. It is a good thing there were some Disney photographers taking pictures also or we would not have any pictures of him on his celebratory trip. We tried to get Jordan to take her picture with her but she was just overwhelmed by the prospect of standing that close to her namesake. The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins.
The uncles had fun too! Lior took a real shine to Uncle Eric this trip. Lior actually likes both of her uncles, as long as Danny is not closing anyones fingers in doors!
Akiva was sad to find out that Tanya was leaving, he found someone who was interested in holding him non-stop.
It was back to the stroller for him!
After Danny and his brood left we stayed at the park and did everything the kids wanted to do including getting our pictures taken with Mickey Mouse. Sydney of course ran right up to him and gave him the biggest hug imaginable. She loves the characters.
Lior and Jordan are more cautious but I managed to capture the "high-five".

Disney day one

Our first day in Disney was great, by the time we arrived parking was free and we were able to park close enough to the ticket and transportation center that we could walk. To top it off we did not have to pay for parking. The only downside was that it was raining, really really raining but because we were in the happiest place on earth it just did not matter! We met up the rest of the family and began celebrating Grandpa's seventy first birthday.
We went on as many rides as we could, with our favorite cousins.


We watched the castle turn every color imaginable.
The parade was a huge hit, especially when Cinderella passed by and looked at our very own Sydney-rella. Seeing the Little Mermaid was a big hit too, she is Matt's girl friend after all.
The fireworks were a hit again. Akiva loved them! I thought he might be scared of them but he just looked up at the sky with those huge blue eyes of his and pointed. He was very vocal about it too.

Trike a thon

The girls had a trike-a-thon at school in the middle of May. It was adorable! All the little kids on their bikes raising money for a scholarship fund. Sydney and Jordan rode around the track but Lior refused because she is stubborn. I actually do not know who is more stubborn, Lior or her father, who picks the battle with her. I had to work the day of the event and met my little brood there and I had forgotten to tell Matt that Lior wanted her scooter and so did she and her refused to go home for it, so she sat on the side and watched.
By the time I realized what had happened Lior had missed it. Hopefully she will stop picking these battles and join in on the fun!

Yup!

I wonder who she takes after?

An evening out