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?"