Yadin Tefillin

Yadin put on tefillin this morning at camp for the first time. His bar mitzvah is exactly one month away. All of his grandparents were here, as was Aleza and Leor, his new cousin. Zoey managed to sneak out and come as well.
It was really a special moment and I'm glad that everyone was there to share. You could see his pride on his face, even if he's a bit bedazzled by how to put the tefillin on and take them off. I can't even remember learning how to put on tefillin, but I can tell you, it's not easy teaching someone else how to do it.
I'll post some pics later.

Day 5 (Friday) - Hard and Yummy (Zoey) and a bit about Shabbat

This was in the five minutes that I was there at the ranger program

This morning when we woke up, we drove up to Sand Beach. The water was FREEZING. We went to a ranger program. It was okay. But after 5 minutes, Yadin and I got bored so we left to play in the sand. In the end I really wanted to go into the water, so I just jumped in. I ran from the sand and just jumped all my body in. It was freezing and I ran out. Then we climbed on the rocks and then we went home.

Climbing up blah blah blah mountain

I ate Wacky Mac for lunch. After a couple hours, we went on a hike. The hike was really hard. It was called blah blah blah mountain. I don't remember the name. (Editor's note: Champlain Mountain). There was this woman that told us there was a ton of blueberries next to us on our way up. So me and Yadin started picking and picking and picking blueberries. So then Abba made a rule: Abba's not allowed to pass us. And if he does, we don't get ice cream after the hike. Mommy asked me if I like the hike and I told her it was hard and yummy. She said that's going to be the title of your blog entry.

Must find more blueberries. Me love blueberries.

Every time Abba got close to us we ran away and said "the monster is coming." We were picking and running, picking and running. There was this one bush with tons of blueberries. We call it the bush. Rakia also really wanted blueberries so Abba and Mommy stopped to get her some, so that's how we had time to pick up tons of blueberries. Afterwards I gave some of mine to Anan to try because I told him it was so yummy. From now on, Anan eats blueberries and says they're really yummy.

On the way home we stopped for ice cream. I got Candy Shoppe flavor. Candy Shoppe is with all kinds of candy in it: M&M's, Reeses' Pieces, chocolate chips. We went home and ate Shabbat dinner.

Take a close look at my face. The monster
is coming! Must run!

On Shabbat morning we filled up the house with a ton of balloons before Abba woke up and surprised him. He turned 41. We went on a walk with Marshall and Lisa and Dalia and Micah. We skipped lots of rocks. My record is 5. Then we went back home to eat lunch and after lunch we went to the swimming hole. It was really fun. Me and Yadin and Anan did a puzzle of Acadia on Shabbat.

Then we went to an island. the island was really cool. You could walk to it at low tide. Yadin found a starfish. A half-starfish, missing two of its arms?/legs? We're not sure what you call them. I picked it up and brought it to show it to Abba. Then I put it back in the ocean. Then we went back home, and then after havdalah, I went with Mommy shopping to get some presents for my friends, for Shira and the baby. Good night!

Anan's Shabbat: Mommy bests the monster, a cast of characters from Spongebob, and goodbye to Maine

I woke up in the morning because Zoey took my pillow and I didn't like that. Then I went downstairs and ate some breakfast Abba woke up and we did happy birthday to him. We had a lot of balloons. We worked on a puzzle of Acadia. Then we went on the shore path and we skipped a lot of rocks. Yadin's record was 6, mine was 4, Mommy's was 5, and Zoey's, I believe, was 4. We walked back home, we had lunch, then we went to the wading pool.

Here is the wading pool across from our house. We took this
picture on Day 1, of course, not on Shabbat.

We went to Bar Island and Abba told us there was a monster, and Mommy went next to the monster. The monster would bite off the neck and then she would stay in the monster's tummy and die. She didn't die. We walked to Bar Island, and we throwed rocks. The monster didn't eat Mommy because Mommy scared him because she speaked Hebrew. And then she came back.

We saw Petrick (a star fish). He was so funny. He was dead, and then we saw Mr. Crab, and he was also dead. And then we went home and saw Spongebob next to the sink.

After havdalah we watched the Tour de France and then we went to bed. In the morning we said goodbye to Maine and went in the car. That's it.

License plates I have seen on the trip (Yadin)

39 states and counting:
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virgina, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, California, Washington DC, and - on our way from ME to MA today - Nevada, Alabama, and West Virginia.

Plus Canadian license plates we have seen: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Price Edward Island, Brunswick, and British Columbia.

Day 5 (Friday) - Anan expands his repertoire of foods that grow from the ground



Am I a stud, or what?

Examining a rock

I woke up in the moring, ate breakfast, watched TV. We went to Sand Beach and we learned about the sand, and that the sand was brought there by the water. I got a magnifying glass and we looked at the sand. The ranger taught us. We digged really big holes. She showed us what is down there -- a lot of sand and the big rocks. She asked for volunteers and I was a snail. And then I went in the water and it was a little bit cold, but I got all my face wet. After that I climbed on big rocks. It was fun to go on the big rocks. Then we went home, and we rested for a couple minutes.

Look at this cool trail. This is the way up Champlain Mountain!

We went to a high mountain, and while we were on the mountain, somebody told Zoey and Yadin there was blueberries. They love really blueberries, and they took a lot of blueberries and they went slow and slow and slow. And we got up to the mountain and we had five minutes at the top. Then we started going down and I tried a blueberry and I loved it. And then Abba needed to pass us and if he passed us we would not get ice cream, and then me, Zoey, and Yadin took a lot of blueberries and Abba almost passed me but I was lucky because he didn't pass me. And then we went all the way down and got ice cream.

Five minutes at the top

I tried Candy Shoppe (flavor of IC), and me, Zoey and Yadin got that with sprinkles. Then we went back home, had dinner, and everybody went to sleep. And I went to sleep the latest, latest, latest because I was not tired so much.

Day 5 (Friday) - A close call (Yadin)

So many blueberries, so little time

Today I woke up and we went to Sand Beach. There weren't any waves there, unfortunately. Then we went back home. Then we went to Champlain Mountain, north face. In the start of the tiyul, it was just a normal hike with a bit of climbing. Then somebody told us that there was blueberries on the trail, and me and Zoey love blueberries. We started picking them but it really slowed us down. They were really yummy. Then Abba said that we have to be in front of him or we lose ice cream. Then we stopped at the top of the montain, and all of us still had our ice creams. Then when we ewnt down the mountain, we had to run hard to find good blueberry patches and still be ahead of Abba. And then Anan tries some blueberrie and he really liked it. All f us were really close to losing ice cream, but then we made it down. Then we brought in Shabbat, had a nice dinner and went to sleep.

Gotta catch up to Abba

Shabbat--a true day of rest

Shabbat couldn't have come at a better time. I think we were all getting a bit worn down, so having a mandated day of rest was really perfect. We went for two walks on Shabbat, one on the Ocean Path and the other to Bar Island--as always, I'll let the kids describe that.

The week has been one of the best of my life. Spending time with my family has really never been better. We seem to work pretty well as a unit, especially when we are removed from the stresses of daily life. Acadia is the perfect vacation for a family who loves the outdoors.

Day 5 - Quick summary before Shabbat

Another great day here on Mt Desert Island...starting off on Sand Beach, which has beautiful smooth sand but freezing cold water. Some of the kids (mostly Anan) participated in a park ranger's program about sand, and we dipped our toes before they got numb. The brave among us went all the way in (Josh, me, Anan, almost all of Zoey), but we could only stay in for 30 seconds before getting out. Anan had fun jumping from rock to rock. He and Rakia did not seem to mind the freezing cold water.

Braving the water at Sand Beach

I might make this my new profile picture on FB!

On top of Mt Champlain

After a little siesta at home, and cooking for Shabbat, we went out again, on our last Acadia tiyul. We thought we'd go for an easy stroll but ended up, once again, going up Champlain Mountain - our most strenuous hike yet. The kids scampered up and down the mountain, shouting, what has become this week's theme: "What a view". The views were truly impressive and we got to see Mt. Desert Island from yet another angle. The best part was that the entire trail was surrounded by wild blueberry bushes and the kids picked and ate their fill. If left up to themselves, they never would have made it up the mountain (due to stopping at every blueberry bush), but then we made a game of it: whoever stopped too long for the blueberries and got stuck behind Josh and Rakia wouldn't get ice cream at the end. This was good incentive to keep everyone moving.

Ice cream was had by all

Gotta run - Shabbat Shalom - will post pictures tomorrow night!

Day 4 - Yadin

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life because Dodah had a baby. I was so happy. Anyways we went on a boat ride to see whales. As soon as we got on me and Zoey felt sick and went to sleep. Luckily I didn't throw up, but Zoey did. In the end I saw some whales. It was cool. Then we went on another hike and went home.

Day 4 - Zoey's day

Today we woke up really early to go whale watching, and I found out I have a new cousin. I got so excited and Dodah called and told us it's a boy. I'm really really excited and I saw pictures of him - he's so cute. I can't wait to go to the brit to meet him.

Every time I bring an apple
for myself, she eats it

We ate breakfast and then we started walking to the boat. When we got on the boat, I got so excited to go on the big boat, but I got really really seasick. Me and Yadin were resting for like a half an hour. Then I woke up and I felt like I was going to throw up, so Mommy and Abba gave me a bag and I threw up in the bag. A lot. Then I rested more and when I got up, I felt a little better to go outside. I saw the whales and the puffins. Yadin and Anan got a hot chocolate, but I wasn't feeling good to get any. On the boat it was really really cold and windy so we needed to bring warm clothes. Then we got off the boat and sat on the grass to eat some lunch. Rakia ate my lunch, as always, but I wasn't that hungry. Then me and Mommy were looking at some stores. Then we went home.

On top of Gorham Mountain

After another two hours we went on another hike. It's called Gorham Mountain. When we got to the top, we saw lots of pretty views. Then we climbed back down and we walked some more. In the middle of the hike, Yadin and Anan were playing a game that they could only walk on the rocks, so I carried them each time to the next rock. I liked it because it gave me exercise. Then we walked to Thunder Hole where we went a couple days ago. Me, Yadin and Anan climbed some rocks and it was really fun. We went back home and ate Wacky Mac for dinner and watched the Tour de France with Abba. Then I ate some ice cream and went to bed. I was really tired.

Tomorrow we're going to the beach - I can't wait!

Day 4 - Anan saw some whales and climbed a mountain

We woke up in the morning really early and we played a lot. Then we went to whale watching. It was fun to be on the boat. Me, Yadin and Zoey always went up and down, up and down, up and down. We saw some birds. I don't remember what they're called. And me and Abba saw whales a lot of times. It was cold, really cold and then in the middle of the ride I went inside and warmed up. We went a lot a lot a lot a lot there and back. I was sleeping and meanwhile Abba was taking a picture of me while I was sleeping.  We were already there and I was still sleeping and then we went off the boat.

Self portrait, while
searching for whales

We ate lunch on the grass and then me, Abba and Rakia played tag. Then me and Rakia were sitting on Abba and giving him patches and then Abba was sitting on me and he told Rakia to lick my face. Then Zoey and Mommy went to a store and then they came back. And then we went home.

We went on a hike and Zoey needed to carry us and we needed to touch only the rocks and we can't touch the ground. When there was no rocks, Zoey needed to carry us. And then when Zoey carried Yadin, there was a rock that was moving and she put him on that rock and then he fell on the ground. We saw views. It was a good day and we were climbing on the boulders at Thunder Hole, me, Yadin and Zoey went. Then me and Yadin also went, again, on them. We had five more minutes and then we went home. We ate pizza and we saw the Tour de France. That's it.

On top of Gorham Mountain with my sherpa

Day 4 - Whale watching and Gorham Mountain (Julie)

Another great day, made even better by the news early this morning that we have a new nephew/cousin!

Aside from Mad Dog, I think the rest of us are not yet so sea-worthy. As soon as we got out to sea, Yadin and Zoey promptly curled up into little balls and tried to stave off sea-sickness. Zoey made use of the "motion disturbance" bags conveniently located all around the boat. Anan and Rakia did much better. We were draped in several layers of sweatshirts/fleeces/etc. for when we were out on the deck. One of the best things on the boat was the guide, named Julie, who talked almost non-stop for four hours, telling us lots of interesting facts and factoids about Mt. Desert Island, the whales, little penguin-like birds called puffins, and more. We learned that Cadillac Mountain (where we saw the sunset on the first day) was named for Antoine Cadillac, who went on the found Detroit. We finally got to see a pair of finback whales and that was a treat, and even Yadin and Zoey woke up from their naps and were able to see a whale or two. The boat rocked all of us to sleep at some point and we were happy to get back on dry land.

After a brief rest at home, we went out again, this time back into Acadia, where we did a great hike up Gorham Mountain, plenty of good climbing and big rocks and everyone was in high spirits. Anan and Yadin devised a game in which they had to step only on rocks and Zoey had to carry them in between. She didn't seem to mind playing the sherpa. When we got to the top we were rewarded with more stunning views. And when we got to the bottom, we walked along Ocean Path, back to one of our favorite places, Thunder Hole, and the kids climbed a few more boulders. Terrific day!

On top of Gorham Mountain



Mountain Goats

I've figured it out. Our kids are really kids. As in the "one little kid, one little kid" variety. They scamper up mountains like mountain goats. They scamper down mountains like mountain goats. They ignore those trying to control them like mountain goats. And they wreck the house like mountain goats.
I still feel the motion of the boat from this morning.

Day 4--Whale watching

I'll let the kids describe their own experience for this one. For my part I love to be out on the ocean, far from land. I enjoy the air, even if it was quite frigid up here in Maine.
But the best part is seeing those whales. When you think about it, it's not easy for us human beings to see large mammals any more, at least in the wild. The land-based ones have been hunted down almost to extinction. We almost did the same thing to the whales, but thanks to the discovery of petroleum, the whales survived (kind of ironic isn't it). Whales are relatively easy to see, at least if you know where they are. The fact that it's difficult to see them, and they don't stay up on the surface for long, reminds us that animals were not created for our viewing pleasure, the impression one gets in a zoo.

I doubt the kids took in all these lessons. In fact, they are probably so zoo-conditioned that they expected the whales to come up to the boat, say hello and stay in viewing area until we'd had our fill. I too feel a tinge of disappointment at not getting to see more of them. I guess I suffer from the same captivity they do.

Meanwhile, I'm still feeling those swells, which is making writing a bit difficult. Zoo-conditioned, land-locked. Oy, the maladies of civilization are endless!

Day 3 - A few words from me

Sleeping on Beech Cliff. Reminds me of Seminar, when we
learned how to sleep anywhere

Suffice it to say that we are having a blast, running the kids ragged (see above), and I'll try to write more soon. Just posting a few cute pictures...





Loved the wind

Getting blown off the mountain on Cadillac Mountain
the other night



Me and my riding partner. I love riding the carriage roads in
Acadia!

Day 3 - Biking Day (Anan)

Me and the guy from the bike store

In the start of the morning we woke up late. We went to a bike store and we got bikes. And then we rode our bikes and then we took a little bus and we put our bikes in the back of the bus. When we got to Acadia, we rode next to Eagle Lake. Then when we got to the end we went to a store and bought drinks. I was riding with Abba. And then me and Abba saw two horses and a couple people in a carriage. Then we rode along and sang, sing-along, sing-along, sing-along and we didn't find Mommy, Zoey and Yadin (and Rakia). Then we saw a lot of people and Abba told me to say, if we see a guy, "Hey Buddy" so I said it to everybody. And then in the starting place we saw Mommy and Zoey and Rakia. Then we went and we went and we went and we went and we didn't find Yadin so we went back, and he was there with Zoey and Mommy.

On Beech Cliff

I liked the hike we did tonight. The name of the hike was Beech Cliff Loop. I liked climbing and Abba scared me saying that the bear would come and then he told me that the bear will not come. We saw amazing views and then we went a lot more and I liked really, really, really, really climbing on the big rocks.

Day 3 - According to Zoey

Me on my bike

Today was an awesome day. It was really, really fun. Before I tell you about how our day went, I want to tell you that the house is awesome. Today we went bike riding. Me and Yadin each got a bike, Anan and Abba were on a bike together, and Mommy took Rakia in a baby seat. We went on the bus to get to the park where we were going to ride our bikes. It was really fun on the bus with Rakia. Then we started riding up the hill. I got a little tired because I didn't have any water with me, but then Mommy stopped and gave me her water. We rode from Eagle Lake up to Jordan Pond. In Jordan Pond we got off our bikes and walked around a little bit. We each got something to drink and then we saw some views. We took some pictures there.

Anan took a picture of us at Jordan Pond

Then we got back on our bikes and started riding. Me, Mommy, and Yadin kept on riding and went up ahead. Yadin went really, really up ahead and I stopped to drink a little bit, so I couldn't see which way he was going. I got a little scared so I just went towards the signs for Bar Harbor, where we're staying. I kept on riding and I was asking people if they saw a boy riding wearing a black shirt. Then I stopped a second and finally I saw Mommy, and she told me that she asked people if they saw a little girl wearing a pink shirt, and they told her yes and which way I went. Then we asked some people where we were on the map. We sat down and Mommy told me to walk a little bit next to the water to see if I could see Yadin or Abba and Anan. Finally I saw two people with yellow shirts and it was Abba and Anan. I showed them where Mommy and Rakia were sitting. Then Abba and Anan started biking to find Yadin and we stayed there in case he came back. Mommy and Rakia walked a little bit and I saw Yadin coming down the hill, so I yelled, "Yadin, Yadin." Then Mommy came back and a couple minutes later Abba and Anan came back.

Me and Yadin on the bike bus

Then we took some pictures of us on the bikes and we went back on the bus to bring the bikes back. We got some ice cream - my flavor was strawberry. It started pouring and we stayed under a cover (a bandstand), then we returned the bikes to where we got them from and then we walked back home.

On Beech Cliff

We ate some pizza for dinner. After dinner we went into the car and drove up to the west side of the island. In the start we walked the wrong way, but then we went back and walked the right way. It was really fun climbing, we had to go after the blue sign. We saw a lot of views of islands and we saw the sunset. It was really pretty. Today was an amazing day and I can't wait to go whale watching tomorrow.