glenrockschwartz

Dear Alex, Sometimes these blog posts write themselves if you wait long enough.  There was one recent event that I had hoped to relay to you in your ten year old birthday letter from me - and I will get to it here - but in the meantime, several other events nearly identical in what they say about you as a ten year old have emerged. If one of your dad's nicknames is Easily Excitable Eric, I think one of yours should be Overly Opinionated Alex (Absolutely Arrogant Alex has better alliteration, but is a bit too strong).  As you reach your pre-teen years, you have taken an approach in letting people know exactly where you stand, regardless of their position in life, regardless of whether that opinion might hurt someone's feelings.  You just have an opinion and come hell or high water, you are going to let everyone know. Of course, my (typical) response to this type of behavior is to try and prove your opinion wrong.  To change what you think because it bothers me t...

When I think about what idyllic children should be, this is one of the images that floats into my head. Alex reading to a clean, freshly showered and pajama-clad Avery before bed last night. Simply heartwarming.

I've been procrastinating writing this post. It has been mulling around in my head for the past two and half months, but still I have been struggling to put the proverbial pen to paper.  Maybe because there is an element of sacrilege to it. I guess I'll start with the basics.  What is a mikvah?  If you want to learn a lot about it, you can check out this website: http://www.mikvah.org/what_is_mikvah  or you can just go to dictionary.com to read it described as a ritual bath to which Orthodox Jews are traditionally required to go on certain occassions, as before the sabbath and after each menstrual period, to cleanse and purify themselves. Basically a deep pool like this one: I think most modern Americans associate water and purity ceremonies with baptism, not Judaism, but here it is, the most observant among us go not once to 'join the club', but rather WEEKLY, before EVERY Shabbat to ensure purity of mind, body and soul. Sure, I could have the time to do ...

Hi kids, It has been too long since I have written to you.  Winter seems to be never ending this year, but I think we may be reaching the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. In just a few weeks, Alex will turn ten - double digits! and Avery is not far behind in turning six. Alex you have been physically growing taller before our very eyes.  In the past month alone, you have grown another half inch and are now just a half inch shy of five feet.  I have also quipped to people lately that you are made out of hamburgers.  This is your favorite food and I indulge you in them to keep up with your never ending hunger.  In fact, this morning when I woke you up for school, you turned over, opened your eyes and said to me, "I am REALLY hungry."  It is a joy and wonder to watch you continue to grow and be healthy and happy.  And just so you remember yourself at this point in time, this video will remind you always of your amazing confidence and talen...

Dear Alex, It has come to my attention recently that you have moved from generally noticing all girls, to perhaps being more specific in noticing and quietly liking one girl in particular.  I should have guessed that this would happen soon, given that this summer the boys in your camp group were a bit in awe about your friendships with girls and openly teased you for being a 'flirt'.  Even so, upon first thought, I thought that you were WAY too young and then realized that it is actually me who is WAY not ready.  In fact, you are at a perfect age.  When I was in fourth grade a boy named Rob Chaseman used to ride his bike home next to me and a group of my friends.  He used to sing Rolling Stones songs and I think I had a crush on him for doing this. I think you are a rockstar, just like he was. I love you so much, Mommy

Dear Alex, On October 25, 2013, just five months shy of your tenth birthday, this is what I know: Alex likes Adele and Adele likes Alex.  And I love you! Love, Mom PS this picture is from a Halloween parade - this isn't the way you guys dressed in 2013

Hi Alex and Avery, When you get older and have kids of your own, you will contemplate leaving the city for the space and greenery of the suburbs.  You will do this because the giant sized kid toys will be taking over your apartment and you will have convinced yourselves that your children need freedom to have fresh air whenever they want it, although in reality your kids will want to stay inside and watch tv, play video games or use the computer rather than go in the backyard.  You will also justify the decision to go suburban because of the schools, the excellent schools!  Before, during and after you make the suburban transition, you will bring up these justifications ad nauseum to your friends who have chosen to remain city dwellers, but in reality, you will be repeating these mantras to quell the fear in your own hearts. "Will I begin to wear mom jeans?" you wonder (or for Alex, whatever the male equivalent is to 'mom jeans').  Will I feel completely isolated...