Pater: So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

Posted by Pater , Friday, September 25, 2015 12:15 AM

“When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.”

Happy Birthday AJ1!!!!  And remember, what was true for A A Milne in 1927, still rings true in 2015 - being six rocks, so please stay that age for ever and ever.  And if that's just not possible, then promise us you'll be as wonderful in years to come as you are at six.

In case you're reading this in your twenties, AJ1, worrying about boyfriends, lost in the academic/work pursuit of Medicine/Law/French Philosophy As It Applies To The Reign of Louis VI (delete as applicable, unless you feel you can do all three), and uncertain of your place in the world, here are Pater's Top Ten Reminders on What it Means to be Wonderful:

1) You fear nothing

2) You excel at everything you do

3) Humour, humour, humour

4) You strike a pose, no matter what you're wearing or how you look

5) You chill out when your work is done

6) You watch out for your brothers (male Hass Avocados tend to need extra attention lest they do something stupid)

7) You realise that creativity is the highest form of intelligence

8) You never forget your family loves you and 9) you party hearty (even better if you can do both at the same time!)

10) You always state the obvious.  For example, in case you didn't realise it, Mater and Pater are very proud of the girl you are growing to be; are astounded by your wit and wisdom; love the effort you put into all your pursuits; cherish the importance you place on family; and stand in awe of your friendly, out-going nature.  In other words, from the tips of your curly brown hair down to the end of your painted toenails, we love you very much, for ever and ever.

Happy Sixth Birthday, AJ1!!!

Mater: Happy New Year

Posted by Pater , Sunday, September 13, 2015 4:21 PM

Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, takes place each year on the first two days of the Hebrew Month of Tishri.  Traditionally, it's the day when each individual stands in judgement before their Creator and hopes their good deeds outweigh their bad ones (so basically Christmas without the presents).  It reminds Mater of the toy Minion you three Avocado Jnrs won recently at Wonderland.  Pater asked you which one of you should have the toy and told you, " I'm going to give this to whoever is the best child in the house.  Who never talks back to Mater?  Who does everything she says? Who loves and fears Mater in equal measure?" All three of you immediately answered, "okay, Pater, you get the toy."

The well known symbols of this austere day are food and prayer. And lots of them.

Lots of big meals, preceded with apples in honey, as we aspire to a sweet new year.  Lots of time spent in synagogue, praying and listening to the shofar, a ram's horn which produces soul-stirring blasts that words alone can't achieve.  The common denominator in both is family, who sit with us as we go through multiple food courses and rabbinical sermons.  This Rosh HaShanah, as in past, we celebrated with (most of) our family, remembering all the good times spent together in the previous year and looking forward to all the good times to expect in the year ahead.