The World According to Tzofi: From Riverdale to Raanana, Picnic Fun with the Hallers, Pesach 09

Hooray for visiting Hallers! We were so excited to spend the afternoon with the visiting Riverdale Hallers in Park Raanana for some picnic and playground fun. It (almost) didn't matter that it was sweltering hot. (Really truly). Tzofi enjoyed photographing the day. And we all enjoyed the family QT - come back soon and often!

The World According to Tzofi: Adventure Day, Pesach 09

Tzofi and I braved the traffic and crowds to (ad)venture up north with our favorite Kenny and Amir for a full-day Chol HaMoed Pesach adventure through old Yaffo to the Zoo near Haifa and back. Tzofi took charge of photographing the day for everyone - including her blog - so, except for the first few pictures, enjoy her masterful handling and composition. This is how she sees the world after all. Given her love for the camera, expect more images from 'The World According to Tzofi'.

Happy Passover!

Little did she know it, but Tzofi's been preparing for Passover since, well, since Purim really. In school, they've been learning about cleaning - Spring cleaning here is known as Passover cleaning, for obvious reasons and also since Passover is known as the holiday of Spring. And shortly after they all scrubbed the place clean, they started in on the songs and story of Passover. From seder songs to general holiday songs to springtime celebrations, Tzofi's so excited and it's been great fun for all.

So enjoy these great clips of her singing some Seder hits (in order of their appearance). Happy Passover to all of you from all of us (oh yeah and there were dances too!)

Still Celebrating Purim (and Chanukah)

On Purim itself, Tzofi and I partied like there was no tomorrow. Below, are scenes from our dress up and accessories party - Tzofi insisted on putting all her barettes in her hair. And soon enough, the photoshoot turned into a musical performance extravaganza with Tzofi showing off all she learns in school - and loves to sing all the time. Enjoy (and hold on to your seatbelts, cause it aint just cute, we think it's quite amazing too).

It's Purim Time! Enter the Busy Bee

For days at school, Tzofi was playing dressup - everything from animals to clowns to Geishas (or something Asian, it was weird). Then the big day arrived. Friday before Purim itself.

(wait for it)

The Modiin Purim Parade (cheers)

It was 80 degrees (no joke). And all the poor tots were so excited to wear their costumes. Warnings of overheating went unheeded (but still heated). That morning, Tzofi's eyes lit up upon viewing her 'busy bee' costume for this year. Have to admit, it came out pretty damn great.

The cuteness was unbearable. More pics to come. Here's the first photo shoot of the day.


Showing off her leg warmers

And the wings

Tzofi's At-Home Big 2nd Birthday Party

Luckily, Tzofi's birthday came out a day before election day here in Israel so to celebrate during the day off, we invited some of Tzofi's nearest and dearest for a brunch/ bagel and rainbow cake party. Tzofi and the rainbow cake were both big hits - for obvious reasons - each in their own right.

The Animal Whisperer

Zoo time, at the Ramat Gan Safari and Zoo, is special time for Harry and Tzofi. If you ask her, Tzofi zoo highlights include elephants, 'tushy' monkeys, snakes, giraffes, hippos, peacocks, and soft pretzels ("beigeleh"). On a recent early trip, Tzofi was the first, and only, kid to enter the petting zoo where she was welcomed by all the petting zoo animals who seemed to have yet to retreat from the pesky paws of the day's little visitors.

Tzofi seemed to provide an assuring calm to the animals, sharing her joy and love with them, including what seems to be a real moment with the sheep - an eye to eye transference of understanding. Enjoy below what we've come to call 'holy triumvirate' of Tzofi's zoo experience.