Ten years ago today, we started this blog as a way for you, our Avocado Juniors, to know why we did what we did when we did. In that time, we have published 180 posts which have been viewed 24,000 times by people in Canada, America, Israel, Europe and surprisingly enough, Japan and South Korea, all of which has raised revenue of $64 towards the Hass Avocado Endowment Fund (would it have killed any of you 24,000 viewers to click on the ads just once???).
Over the last ten years, our family has seen the births of 4 amazing Avocado Juniors; celebrated 24 Avocado Junior birthday parties officially (unofficially the number is probably closer to 50; AJ2, J'accuse!); thought up 10 different Purim costume themes; rejected 43 bad Purim costume themes; experienced 3 snips at ages 8 days and 3 years (different parts of the body, all male, we promise); sadly lost 2 much loved and much missed grandfathers; traveled to numerous countries, quite often without throwing up mid-route; and enjoyed a mixture of laughter, tears, harmony, diapers, fights, homework, chaos, and sheer, unadulterated love.
But in an age of show not tell, pictures not words, simplicity not complexity, how to express all that we've done and all the changes over ten years? Pater has really struggled with this and since Mater is too busy planning for her upcoming trip with AJ1 to New York (see next month's blogpost), the task fell on his narrow shoulders. What do all the Avocado Juniors have in common over a multi-year period, that pictorially ties them together and can be used to express a Hollywood-style collage of time? We have lots of repeating themes but not stretching over ten years. And then bingo, Pater got it. True, the answer says as much about the strange inner workings of Pater's mind, as it does about the growth of our family, but here goes:
Traditionally, ten year anniversaries are celebrated with Tin. Tin makes up 12% of bronze and is used to strengthen its resistance to corrosion. Our favourite place in the world is Toronto Zoo, which in a busy world of school, work, hockey lessons, karate classes and so many disparate activities, some would say (mainly Pater) strengthens our familial bonds, preventing us from corroding as a nuclear unit. Don't worry if it's not making sense yet. Nearly there! So how better to describe in pictures the last 10 years than through our interactions with the famous bronze statues in Toronto Zoo...
Thank you to Messrs. Orangutan and Komodo Dragon, and all the amazing people at Toronto Zoo for running the best place in the world filled with simplicity, wide open space, fresh air and, most importantly, a space free of flashing light, beeping sounds, expensive trinkets and all things technology. Oh and the animals are pretty darn amazing too.
But a bigger thanks to our four Avocado Juniors who, over the last ten years, have each etched a special place in the hearts of their Mater and Pater, not to mention their grandparents, family, friends and every person they meet. You are all growing up so fast, and while we wish we could halt time, we're also looking forward to seeing what the next ten years holds for each of you. And whether you'll still sit on the komodo dragon or orangutan when you're 18 while Pater takes a photo for this blog!
Happy 10th anniversary to the hassesarentonlyavocados blog and thank you to the four key participants who made it possible. We love you now and for ever, with or without a zoo membership.
It's hard to believe that what started over twenty years ago with Mater and Pater meeting at Camp Moshava Ennismore...
(note the freshly painted bench with red tractor rims - Pater's creation at camp)
...and a brief re-visit 10 years ago...
(remember the bench...)
...and then again 8 and 9 years ago...
(the bench is still there)
...has led to the much anticipated, nerve wrecking (for adults and children alike), momentous rite of passage for AJ1 and Cousin Toronto who are going to Camp Moshava!!!!! Of course, before any girl can spend four weeks in the wilderness, her Mater has to take her shopping (those bags won't fill themselves)...
With AJ1 finally ready to go camp (though it would take Pater at least another week before he was ready), the amazing day arrived. And after a few tears (again, Pater), AJ1 and Cousin Toronto were off...
AJ1 and her friends drove through the hallowed, wooden gates of Camp and the fun began and never seemed to end...
(Pater's Bench is still there!!!)
Yup, fireworks, sports, woodwork, ropes course, art, a beehive (what!!!!), farm animals, technology, learning, singing and all with an amazing group of friends. What could make the experience better?
At her first ever sleep-away camp, when her parents were constantly worried about how she would manage being away from home for 4 weeks but were reassuring themselves that she was grown up and knew how to look after herself, yes that self-same AJ1 went and fractured her arm! Pater was ready to fly in a surgeon but was persuaded that AJ1 was just fine despite her arm being in a sling...
But Pater was not still not sure. His little princess was away from home, her arm hanging from its socket (apparently...) and by God, he was going to make sure she was okay. So he threw your brothers in the car and drove us to Ennismore...
...and even got the rest of the family to come for Visiting Day...
Admittedly, the multiple visits had another ulterior motive. Mater, Pater and AJ1 all love Camp Moshava Ennismore to the moon and back. But we needed to make sure AJ2, 3 & 4 were bitten by the same bug (aka camp mosquito and blackfly). So Camp Moshava Ennismore introduced them to a couple fun things at the lake...
...a bit of a splash at the pool...
...one or two lovable, furry animals...
...archery!!!! What?!!!!...
...explore their artistic side...
...and basically introduced them to the most important places in Camp, starting of course with...
It's not official, but the boys may have agreed to sign up for 6 weeks next camp. As for AJ1's plans for next summer? True there were smiles when she got off the bus and discovered her bedroom had been reorganized (and not been taken over by her stinky brothers)...
...but something tells me she may want to be back next year...
Thank you to Vicky and all the amazing staff at Camp Moshava for ensuring our AJ1 had the first of many amazing experiences at the camp we love and owe so much to...
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