Sleeping, sliding and saying Shema

Ariel went to Lakewood for his Uncle Yechiel's wedding, flying into and out of Philadelphia for the occasion.

He was very good on all the flights -- from Tel Aviv to London, London to Philadelphia, and back again -- and handled an overwhelming experience with aplomb.

There was so much to do: get reacquainted with Bubbie and Zaydie, and with (Great) Uncle Zvi and (Great) Aunt Ruchama, and with Yechiel, as well as meeting Uncle Andrew and SO many other people. Fortunately, there was also plenty of noshing going on, and plenty of playing.

Throughout the week, certain activities were repeated most often -- namely, sleeping in strange positions and playing his little heart out. Here are some photos of those moments, including a shot of Ariel propped up against a chair at the wedding, somehow managing to sleep through all the noise. At the end is a photo of Ariel "davening" one morning, wearing Abba's "pippah" -- er, kippah.

Oh, yes: Ariel also went to see the Liberty Bell. He was less than impressed. After waiting in line in the heat and several hours on the road, he gave me a look that said, "Abba, it's a bell. It's broken. Yay. Can we go get lunch now?"

Ayyeh, Merca, aypaym, abba

Ariel's now quite a jet-setter. He just landed in the US with Abba after a long flight (yes, alone with Abba -- good job, Sam!). He's going to celebrate, be"H, his uncle Yechiel's wedding this week. Ariel was very excited to go to the airport, where he saw lots of "aypayms" and then got to have french fries for breakfast with Abba. He was a good boy all the way through London and to Philly, and is now getting reacquainted with Bubbie and Zaydie -- and with the ground. Luckily for Abba, Ariel was able to sit in an empty seat on both flights. Now if only that luck continues in August when Ima takes Ariel to Merca.

Upon arrival, Ariel and Abba were greeted by Bubbie and Zaydie, and drove to Lakewood. Ariel was a good boy and slept on the ride, and before bed had a treat: chicken soup and parve "eyekeem."

Conversation with Ima on the phone at about 11 p.m. Lakewood time:

Ima: Hi Ariel
Ariel: MIMA!!!
Ima: Ima loves you very much.
Ariel: MIMA!!! eyekeem
Ima: Did abba give you ice cream?
Ariel: yeah
[in the background: Abba: Ariel, do you love ice cream?]
Ariel: Yeah. eyekeem. MIMA!!!
[in the background: Abba: Ariel loves ice cream and Ima. Ariel: yeah]
Ima: is the ice cream good?
Ariel: Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm. Eyekeem!

Not that this is exactly Shakespeare, but it gives you a sense of what it's like to carry on a conversation with an overtired 21 month old.