Letters to Jake

MY LITTLE MAN...

2008-10-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful 6 weeks we have had together, since your return from Australia. And when your Dad needed to set things up for your year in China, I had the opportunity to move into your home in Hoboken with Mom and brother Oliver for almost a month.

YOU ARE THE BEST ROOMMATE!!!

We slept together every night and talked and hugged and kissed and watched movies, played games, read stories and every night was like a pajama party.

You loved your time back in Hoboken, loved your time at the Wallace School and got right back in with your old friends,especially Bella and Christian.

You are so grown up! I love how you and your brother love each other. When you see each other your faces light up.

Remember when you said to me "Nana, why are you staring at me so much?". I told you that I needed to "soak you up for when you went to China". And what did you do-you just looked and me and smiled like a photograph that I could seal in my mind. Now, You always let me stare at you because you know that I am taking mental photographs to fill my heart and soul while you are away.

Jake, You bring me so much joy. And no matter how many miles are between us...we are together. And when you are with me in person, only then am I complete. I LOVE BEING A NANA!!!

THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE!

2008-08-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

It's true...when I am with you Jake and your brother Oliver, the world IS a better place for me!

And after seeing your delicious faces when I said good night to you...I think that it is the same for you.

The minute that I said "Hello" to you and got my hug, I knew that the bond that we created was still there and you were the little boy who was always in my dreams. But if at all possible, you are even better than before.

This past year has been such a worldly, nurturing experience for you. You know it from your conversation. "My best friend in Australia, has that game", and "When we were in Sydney, I always remembered you, Nana'.

Jake, your laugh,your smile, facial expressions and love for me were just as I remembered.

And now we have Oliver! Could having grandchildren get any better???

He is sooooo cute, and as the hours passed he warmed up to me and let me hug him and kiss him, and hug him and kiss him some more. And when we went for a walk in his carriage downstairs, and he was lying there oh so tired, I talked and sang to him, just as I did with you Jake... from the day you were born. Oliver is on the brink of taking his first steps and that will be a beautiful sight to see. And as he gave me 200 pieces of paper, one at a time and I said, thank you...he smiled with each and every thank you. So it IS true, when I am with my grandchildren, the world IS a better place for me!

What a homecoming...my kids are back!

I Woke Up This Morning!

2008-07-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and I was filled with my Jake...
Starbucks
The Movie Dates
Barnes and Noble
The Pajama Parties
Fishing
Madisons
The Long Conversations
Piano Lesson...much too early
Golf Lessons...right on time
Swimming at the Y
The Ferry Rides
and Lite Rail
Lua...fine dining
The Nana and Jake..a team!!!

What can I say...

2008-06-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

My darling, darling Jake,

Nana doesn't write that much on the blog because having you so far away often makes me too emotional to start writing. But you and Oliver are always in my heart!

I know that the Australian trip and now China trip are all for the end result of your Dad climbing the corporate ladder and making a better life for you and your family. And hopefully, indeed, the end result will be you returning home in the not too distant future.

When that day comes, look for me at school events, ball games and any other place where I can be near to you and your brother.

Always remember that... you are my spackle and you are the glue that fills my heart.

Love,
The Nana

THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE!

2008-02-20T10:10:00.000-08:00

WELL JAKE,
THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE!!!
I HAVE WAITED SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL I GET ON A PLANE AND FLY TO YOUR WAITING ARMS IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA.
I HAVE BEEN PACKED FOR OVER A MONTH, AND I AM WAITING FOR THE CAR SERVICE TO RING THE DOOR BELL.
YOU HAVE GROWN SO TALL AND I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ME.
WE WILL EXPLORE AUSTRALIA TOGETHER AND MAKE NEW MEMORIES THAT WE CAN SHARE A LIFETIME.

SO GO TO THE AIRPORT AND BEFORE LONG "the nana" WILL BE THERE TO SAY...
G'DAY MATE!!!

AUSTRALIA...Here I come!!!

2008-02-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

AUSTRALIA...HERE I COME!!!
Dearest Zuli and Jessica,
I am finally leaving for my much anticipated 2 month trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank goodness SKYPE kept me connected to Rebecca, Eric, Jake and Oliver every single day for hours at a time. I felt much more connected to them than I could ever have imagined. In addition, as I mentioned...I took a full time job selling jewelry which I adored and it kept me busy at all times. That is what I needed. (MY sister Sherry goes to Florida from November-May)
The children are more amazing than ever and if you have been following their websites, Oliver is another Jake. Magnificent!!!!
I could not bring myself to go to Hoboken. I tried one day and it was too emotional for me.The children are adoring this experience and they are all thriving. So as a Mom, I couldn't be happier. Thank goodness Harvey and I are like 2 peas in a pod, so we just clinged to one another.
Lesson learned: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
When I came off my cruise last July and Rebecca told me that the family was leaving in October to go to Australia for a year, I thought that someone punched me in the stomach! Crying, I begged her to leave me Jake. She said she couldn't split up her family, and I felt "How could she do this to me".
But you are never too old to learn and I came to realize the big picture and that they are a family unit who sometimes needs to do things on their own. And miraculously...I am surviving.
The kids, Eric and Rebecca are waiting with great anticipation for me to come. Shortly after, Harvey will join me and when we leave for our cruise to New Zealand, the Rubensteins will be visiting and then Rebecca's best friend Allisyn.So before long we will be back into the loving cocoon of Hoboken...and our first stop will be seeing both you Zuli and you Jessica.
All my love,
Jake's Nana
Oliver's Nana
Beyond Basics Nana
Roberta

G'Day Mate!!!

2007-11-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

My dearest Jake,

From the moment I came off of a cruise ship last July, and your Mother told me that you were moving to Sydney, Australia for 10 months...I have been paralyzed and unable to write. The pain of not seeing you each and every Thursday was too much to bear.

I looked at you each week before you left and cried my eyes out at the thought of not being with you, my best boy...my best friend. I started to write to you dozens of times, but became overwhelmed.

You mean the world to me, as your qualities are such that we are truly soul mates. In case you don't know what that means-it means that we really know one another very well and we know what makes each other happy and what makes each other sad.

But now, on November 11, since you are settled in at Sydney Australia...I have adjusted in many ways.

SKYPE means that we can see and speak to each other every single day and last Thursday we even had breakfast together and one of our "Starbucks" conversations.

I woke up at 5a.m. and we had milk and cookies together and chatted just the way we do every Thursday!

I have been working practically every day to help pass the time until I go to visit you and spend almost 2 months in Australia. I will be spending your birthday with you and we are already planning some wonderful outings for us. And hopefully, as any unselfish Nana would feel... I am happy that you and your family are taking advantage of this wonderful experience.

You are getting taller each and every day and I can see that you are very loving toward your new brother OLIVER.

Mom told me that one day when she was homesick, you were very kind to her and very caring. WHAT A BOY!

So now I have learned that what hasn't killed the Nana...makes her stronger.

I LOVE YOU MY JAKE,

G'Day Mate

How Am I Supposed To Live Without You???

2007-08-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

View Michael Bolton "How am I supposed to live without you?"
on www.youtube.com

I could hardly believe it
When I heard the news today
I had to come and get it straight from you
They said you were leavin'
Someone swept your heart away
From the look upon your face
I see it's true

So tell me all about it,
Tell me 'bout the plans you're makin'
Then tell me one thing more before I go

Tell me how am I supposed to live without you
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you
How am I supposed to carry on
When all that I've been livin' for is gone

I didn't come here for cryin'
Didn't come here to breakdown
It's just a dream of mine is coming to an end
And how can I blame you
When I built my world around
The hope that someday we'd be so much more than friends

And I don't wanna know the price I'm gonna pay for dreaming
When even now it's more than I can take

Tell me how am I supposed to live without you
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you
How am I supposed to carry on
When all that I've been livin' for is gone

The greatest thing you'll ever learn...

2007-07-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

There was a boy
A beautiful and enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea

And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me...

"THE GREATEST THING
YOU'LL EVER LEARN
IS JUST TO LOVE AND BE LOVED
IN RETURN''

Watch out Tiger Woods!!!

2007-06-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Well Jake,

We have spent Thursdays together swimming at The Y, taking dance lessons, gymnastic lessons even piano lessons. We have gone to museums,

Chelsea Piers, ferry rides, train rides and the list goes on.

And now, thanks to Hoboken Golf...Nana gave you your first golf lesson.

YOU DID SO GOOD!

You paid attention and had a good swing. I was sitting on the side with Aunt Sherry fainting from your adorableness.

I Love You So!!!

It's the simple things we love!!!

2007-06-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

So I picked you up at school. You had just come back from Orlando...I missed you so much. When I saw you, I said "Jake you look so tall!!!".
You stood up straight and flashed me that big smile/grin that "Had me at Hello".

After all... you were away for 5 days and you really did look taller to me.
We went to Barnes and Noble. Seems like no big deal, but to us it is always a special time. After all, snacks and a drink then picking out books and finding a big cozy armchair to snuggle into and having me read stories to you...it doesn't get better than that.

I love our conversations and I love that when I tell you the same things over and over, you always say to me..."I KNOW NANA, I KNOW!"
And what is it that I always say to you???
Jake do you know who Nana's best friend is? And you always smile and point to YOURSELF.
And then I tell you..."Who will always be My Very First Grandchild???
And you always smile and point to YOURSELF.

2 Days Until Graduation!!!

2007-06-06T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well my dear Grandson,
There are only 2 more days until you graduate from Beyond Basics pre-school. We are all very excited for you. They have a beautiful program planned. This is also the weekend of your Grandmas 60th birthday party at my house.

You are very blessed to have 2 sets of grandparents who love you so much.
And even better, your Grandparents love one another so much!
All her friends will get a chance to meet you and believe me...they are in for a treat!!!

You also have 3 great-grandparents over 85 which is quite unusual.

In 9 more years, when we are 69, you will be having a Bar Mitzvah(God Willing).

Your Mother looks so very beautiful in her 7th month of pregnancy. These are all treasured moments to remember.
See you soon,
Love,
The Nana

MY MOM AND DAD ARE BRINGING ME BACK SHAPIRO'S

2007-05-27T23:45:00.000-07:00

Jake asked me if his Mama would read him a book the night that she came home from Mexico. I said "of course, she always does!

And maybe she would bring him back a book from Mexico".

Jake said "NO!!!

His Mom and Dad were bringing him back SHAPIRO"S

I asked him what were SHAPIRO"S???

"You know Nana...what Mexican people wear on their heads, SHAPIRO"S!

A Week With Jake!

2007-05-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well Jake...the week that Nana was watching you, while your Mommy and Daddy were in Cancun, has come to an end.
And I feel the way that I did when your Mom and Uncle Scott went back to college.
Or the way that I felt at 4PM when Parents Visiting Day at camp was coming to an end. I MISS YOU ALREADY!!!

We had such a good time together.

I think that you are so good with me because you know that I am older and all I want to do... is love you. You listened to me so beautifully and you are such a reasonable young boy.
The best part of being your Nana is that all we need to do together is have a good time and enjoy ourselves.
Parents have so many things that they have to teach their children, it is endless. A Nana teaches her grandson to LOVE and to RESPECT...those are the 2 main things.
When you were with Poppy and Scott today, you said that you wished that we lived closer to one another. Then we could see each other everyday. Well, we may not see each other everyday Jake, but you are always in my heart!!!
The next time your Mom and Dad want to go on a vacation...CALL ME!!!!
Love,
The Nana

Is this possible???

2007-04-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

How is it possible that I spent the most glorious Passover seder with my daughter, son-in-law, son, husband and 4 year old grandson...and my 4 year old grandson read the 4 questions and answered them by READING from a PASSOVER BOOK!!!
Jake, you never cease to amaze me.
You are so smart and intuitive. You understand most things and I really have to thank you for being such a delicious boy when I take care of you. It is like you appreciate the time we spend together so you enjoy it as much as I do.
Sometimes I feel that I am dreaming.

Being your Nana is the best!

SO MANY THINGS ARE HAPPENING!!!

2007-03-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

On Valentines Day your Mom and Dad asked me to watch you, so that they could go out to dinner...it was a very special occasion.
I asked you if you would like to go on a date with your Nana and go out for dinner. I told you that you could pick whatever restaurant you wanted.
You said " I WANT TO GO TO LUA, NANA". Well even though it is a really expensive restaurant I said "Jake, wherever you want to go!"
So I came over all dressed up wearing a red dress and lots of my bling. I dressed you in your tuxedo pants, white shirt outside and black tuxedo vest. YOU LOOKED LIKE JAMES TAYLOR, CARLY SIMON'S EX HUSBAND.
We had such a great time. Everyone in the restaurant loved you. When you walked into the restaurant, Latin music was blasting and you did your special Latin Dancing with your John Travolta "Pulp Fiction" hand over your eyes step.
After we came home your Mom and Dad came home and told you why it was a very special day for them.
They showed you a picture of the new baby in your Moms stomach which would be your new brother or sister.

You told your Mom..."I'm proud of you Mom for being pregnant and you said you wanted it to be a girl or a boy"!!!

Well Jake, the fun has just begun. You turned 4 just a couple of weeks ago, and you have helped to make these the 4 happiest years of my life.

We have been going swimming together every Thursday and before we go, we go to Starbucks. During our last conversation we talked about how we had hearts big enough to love a new child. YOU ARE AMAZING and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!

OYE COMO VA!

2007-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

It's Official!!!
Jake, now you and Nana have learned to dance together to the Latin tune...Oye Como Va. It is Nana's favorite and you have all the moves down pat.

Can't wait for our Starbucks and swimming on Thursday!

THE BLISSFUL COUPLE

2006-12-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

THEY LAUGH TOGETHER
READ TOGETHER.
DANCE TOGETHER.
SWIM TOGETHER.
LISTEN TO MUSIC TOGETHER.
WALK, HOLDING HANDS, TOGETHER

THEY LOVE EXCHANGING
WARM
WET
MUSHY
KISSES.

HE RUSHES TO GREET HER,
HIS ARMS OUTSTRETCHED,
JOYFULLY CALLING HER NAME,
WHEN HE SEES HER AT THE DOOR.

WHO, YOU ARE WONDERING,
IS THIS BLISSFUL COUPLE???

SHE IS HIS NANA...
HE IS ALMOST FOUR!!!

I Miss You Already!!!

2006-12-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

It's the time of the year when Christmas and New Year's come, and I know that you are off on a plane to Florida.

Usually we have a chance to have a wonderful Chanukah together...and this year was the best. We celebrated at my house with all the traditional favorites-latkes, brisket, loads of presents, menorahs, dreidels and stories and songs. Then I stayed over the night before your school Holiday Breakfast, and sleep-overs are now becoming our new favorite thing. Your Mom reads us stories and we listen to audio books before we fall asleep.

I think that your Dad might agree that I fall asleep before you, but as to date you are the only person, besides Poppy, who has not complained about my snoring.

Anyway, getting back to Christmas/New Years, you are traditionally snuggled in at Coral Springs Florida with your parents, Grandma and Pop-Pop. Cousins Logan and Evan, Aunt Dana, Uncle Ryan, your great Grandparent POP POP POP and Uncle Freddy. In addition you have Great Grandma Natalie, Great Grandpa Murray(who you say along with Pop Pop Pop is the only other person older than me!) And of course you now have the merry snowbirds Uncle Jerry and Aunt Sherry.

At this time of the year, I miss you very much. I am happy that you get to be with a wonderful extended family. I want that for you, but...I still miss you.

So my dear Jake, let me say Happy New Year to you and to all those who love you. I bask in the knowledge that when you step off the plane in Newark on Wednesday January 3, 2007, it will be Nana standing at Baggage claim with a big sign that says JAKE"S NANA. And tucked in the car that will drive you and your family home, will be an overnight bag with a nightgown. BECAUSE once I have you all hugged in my arms, I am not giving you up so fast. That is my Holiday secret.

Love,
Nana

5 days in Heaven

2006-12-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

Well Jake, You and your Nana have just spent 5 days together while your Mom and Dad went to the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

And we had the best time in the world!!!

I think that our favorite part was the sleeping in your new gigantic bunk beds together. It was so cozy, and we listened to Audio tapes of Billy Brown every night before we went to sleep.

On Friday, right after I picked you up from school, we went to see Happy Feet. As much as you liked the movie, I think that you enjoyed playing the new game that they had in the movie theater. There were lots of kids that played the game with you, and as I watched you interact with these other children, I couldn't get over how big you have gotten. You know how to be friendly with other children, and although sometimes you are a little shy...most of the time you are not. That is a great quality to have and one that has helped me in my lifetime. When I go into a group of new people, I smile, stick out my hand to shake someones hand and look at the challenge of meeting new people as a good one. Hopefully that will continue to rub off on you.
Saturday afternoon Poppy was coming to Hoboken to sleep over and be with us... but when we got up we went into New York City to meet cousin Debbie at the Childrens Museum. And boy did you love it there!!!
There was a clown from The Big Apple Circus who juggled and played with the kids. There was a whole floor of Bob The Builder activities, and we got a Bob The Builder lunchbox, pajamas and books to read. You loved lunch at Arties Deli where lots of the kids from the Museum were having early dinners. It was great having Debbie with us because she was having as much fun as you were.
When we got home, Poppy was waiting for us and that was great. I think that the 2 of you had good talks together, and Poppy did things with you that you liked to do.
Sunday morning we relaxed together because lunchtime we had places to go. We checked out a new coloring book store that opened. We used some of your own money to buy a toy for a poor child that did not have money to get a holiday present. I hope that you understood our conversation about helping others. As time goes by, I think that you knowing and appreciating the fact that not every child has it as good as you do, is very important. I tried to teach that to your Mommy and Uncle Scott and hopefully that understanding helped make them into the wonderful people that they are now.

As much as we gave to your Mommy and Uncle Scott...they are not spoiled because they appreciated how hard we worked for what they were given, and they saw that other children did not have it so easy.

We stopped by the YMCA to check out joining, because Thursdays in the winter we are going to go swimming in their pool together. It's funny because I would not put on a bathing suit in front of lots of people, for anyone but my Jake. I love you so much and are so thrilled with the dynamic little boy you are. I would rather be with you that mostly anything else. You liked the pool and hopefully it will be a fun, active thing to do this season!

We went to a concert at The Museum right near your house and that rounded off an active and fun Sunday.

After I picked you up from school on Monday, we went straight to Starbucks which we enjoy so much. Miss Zuli the director of Beyond Basics, your school was there. SHE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I could tell by the way she hugged you and kissed you. But I cannot imagine anyone not loving you, you are so special.

When we woke up on Tuesday morning, your Mom was home. She took the red eye and was in the house at 6AM. It was so terrific to be with someone we both love soo much. And when it came time for me to say goodbye to you, it felt like the days that I left your Mom in sleep-away camp. I went over to the side and cried my eyes out!

Jake, taking care of you was pure joy for me. You are a good boy who can be reasoned with. When I want you to understand something, i sit down on the floor and look straight into your eyes and speak with you.

I love you and look forward to a lifetime of being with Jake!
Thanks for my 5 days in heaven!!!

3 weeks without my boy

2006-10-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

Sweetheart,
Nana is all finished packing and getting ready for her 3 week vacation to China and Japan, with Poppy. We are so looking forward to this fabulous trip for Nana's 60th Birthday.
And yet, the thought of not seeing you for so long is not a happy thought.
Fortunately, I can write to you while we are away and get you some mementoes that will make me feel closer to you.
We have had such a great time being together with Aunt Sherry, these last few weeks. You seem to understand everything and what you don't know...you ask about.
I enjoy your company more than practically anyone else.

Congratulations...You're a Bernstein Cousin!

2006-09-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

Congratulations...
You're a Bernstein Cousin

This weekend when we went to visit "Cousin Shelly"
because her Mother Sarah died, we walked into a piece of history.

In the living room of "Cousin Stuie's" house was...
Cousin Jeffery and Cousin Neil and Cousin Toby and Cousin Andy and Cousin Tara and Cousin Danielle and Cousin Ryan and Cousin Ronnie and Cousin Steven and Cousin Jake and Cousin Karen and Cousin Jonathan and Cousin Jackie and Cousin Rachel and Cousin Lindsay.

And of course "The Matriarch" Bernstein Cousin, Aunt Sherry and Uncle Jerry...you're buddy!

What a lucky young man you are to have so many cousins on one side of the family. The "ORIGINAL NANA AND POPPY", would be so proud.

All the cousins in red are your generation, and I hope that you are as close to them as I am to my cousins!

2006-09-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

MEMORIES...OF THE WAY WE WERE

Dearest Rebecca,

I just finished putting everything away from Jakes weekend visit with us, and I went on- line to visit Jake in the morning...as I so often do.

I just finished looking at the Hoboken Baby Parade from start to finish.

Such wonderful memories exploded in my mind.

It was such a wonderful day, the time that you would like to put in a capsule!!!

I think of how it was the end of the parade and we were hot and tired and making arrangements to eat lunch at Wolfgang Pucks. We were going to split up so that one of us could reserve a table. And then out of the blue they announce Jake's number as the winner of the Hoboken Baby Parade. We were so surprised and excited!!!

It was such a fluke that we put together "The Bachelor" theme, being that the "Bachelor" came from Hoboken. And the next Thursday, Jake and I met the real "Bachelor" at the coffee shop!!! Such
a coincidence.

I think that the winning touch is when Jake gave a rose to The Mayor.

The die was cast!!!

Memories, like the corner of our minds. Misty water colored memories...of The Way We Were.

Love,
Mom aka The Nana

"A HUG AND A KISS!"

2006-08-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Jakey,
You have been so grown up this past week. I never realized how well spoken a 3 year old could be. You stayed over at our house this past weekend and it was a pure pleasure having you!
We took you for dinner at a Japanese restaurant and you were so well behaved. The look on your face when you woke up and realized you were with your Nana and Poppy was enchanting. A grin from ear to ear.

The best part of the day was when we went crabbing in our back yard with a neighbors grandchildren...Gabby, Luke and Zach. We caught 3 crabs!

When Aunt Sherry and I picked you up from Beyond Basic on Thursday, you asked us "how was your day at work", and when we went to Barnes and Nobel to read and buy books, you were delicious and mesmerized by each story that we read to you.

I'm only mentioning these things so that we don't forget the age that you really, truly became a "little man".

It's Saturday afternoon and it is times like this that I wish we lived closer to one another. Boy could I use "a hug and a kiss!"

LOVE NANA

BOYS BE WILD!!!

2006-08-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Darling Sherrie and Ron,

As always, it was wonderful seeing you last week. I know that you were excited to have your family all together at the wedding. And after looking at all the pictures, beautiful pictures, I can understand why.

I want to share this story with you both.

Most Thursdays when I pick up Jake, before we do anything else we go to Starbucks. I get him right when it would be his snacktime at school. Most times when it is not "Nov-May" Florida season, my sister Sherry is with me,

We call it "CONVERSATIONS AT STARBUCKS" because we sit around a table with our coffee and Jake's drink and discuss various subjects of the week.

This week we talked about the wedding and how wonderful it was to have his Grandma and Pop Pop with him. He loves you guys so much!
After he mentioned having a good time and snuggling with the 2 of you he said

"There's just 1 bad thing Nana".

I said "Jake, what could be bad with a nice boy like you?'.

He said "I wasn't always a good boy"!

"What do you mean?", I said.

"I was wild," Jake answered.

Why were you wild Jake, that's not like you Aunt Sherry responded.

Jake shrugged his shoulders and said...BOYS BE WILD!!!

lOVE,
NANA

I couldn't believe what I heard!

2006-08-06T04:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was talking with someone about our grandchildren, which now-a-days seems to be a very common topic. She was bragging about her terrific grandson and told me she felt badly because she had to "hit" him the last time that she watched him because...HE JUST WOULDN'T LISTEN, and the little boy hit her.

So I knew it was time to get to my blog and share some thoughts with you.

Whenever we are together, without your parents, when I am totally in charge of you, I very rarely have any problems with you. You are a reasonable 3 year old and we really respect each other,(considering you are only 3 years old)

The other day when we were together and it was 100 degrees outside, it was too hot to go out. So I stopped by a store before I picked you up and got some colorful flash cards with letters and words and pictures on them.

I knew that the best thing to do were indoor activities together. So getting back to my story - when we came into your house you ran to the computer to play computer games. While you did this, I made us cold drinks and ran a bath so that you could cool off and be refreshed for the next few hours.

When I came over to the computer YOU REFUSED TO STOP PLAYING GAMES!!! I asked you nicely but you whined and refused to stop playing.
I then got down on my knees, looking straight into your eyes and said to you"Jake I did not come all the way from Keyport to sit and watch you play games without me"! I then shut down the computer and told you that if you didn't listen to reason you would have to go into the naughty corner.(The way that the Super Nanny taught me to do)

I told you that we had lots of nice and fun things to do together and that later on, you could go play some of your computer games.

Amazingly you not only listened, but when you were in the cool bathtub and we were singing and telling each other stories, you said "Nana, I like playing and talking with you".

The moral of the story is that hitting begets hitting and with a touch of firmness and reason, you can certainly get your point across!

And now you're complete!

2006-08-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

Good morning,
Today your grandparents Grandma, and Pop-Pop are coming to visit from Florida. It is always so wonderful and fun when they come visit. You are such a lucky little boy to be loved by so many. You are going to be a ring bearer at a wedding on Saturday.

Maybe on Thursday, we can practice walking down the aisle.

Mommy mentioned that you went to Shakespeare in the Park last night.
Boy are you getting cultured! At 3 I was playing in the sand at Rockaway Beach. Times have changed.

Love,
Nana

YOU BROKE A RECORD!

2006-07-31T16:56:00.000-07:00

Jake dearest...you broke a record. You called up Nana and Poppy and spoke for 10 minutes. And what did you talk about? Everything Under The Sun.

When Nana asked you if you wanted to take a ferry ride on Thursday you said...''Nah, I just got a new movie, do you want to see it with me"?. You told me how you had a "Conversation", with one of your friends at school. He told you that if you didn't want to do something, you didn't have to. Quite the philosopher for a 3 year old!!!

You seemed very excited about all the new books you had, and wanted me to read one of them to you. Of course I will. Perhaps if it is really too hot to play outside, we can go to the library.

Congratulations on winning yourMom at Candyland. MAY THE GOOD TIMES NEVER STOP FOR YOU, MY DARLING!!!

lOVE,
THE NANA

Every Wednesday Night

2006-07-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

Jake, every Thursday, except for a just a few, since the day you were born 3 years ago...I have watched you.
And there is something you should know. Every Wednesday night I get so excited over the fact that I am going to see you the next day...that it takes my breath away and I can't wait for the time to pass.
Our Thursdays together have formed a connection that binds us together.

Whether it is going to a movie and eating popcorn with you, or taking a gymnastics class, music class, ferry ride, train ride, day at a museum, piano lesson, book reading or playing in the playroom or outside, every Thursday is pure magic.

And in the Summer and Fall your Aunt Sherry comes with me. You call us Nana and Aunt Sherry or our nickname "you and you"! If we ask you who do you love you say "you and you"!

Our "Conversations at Starbucks" are legendary. We sit together and talk about anything and everything. You dance and sway to the music and you ask questions. How can a little boy who I have known for such a short time BE MY BEST FRIEND?
Love,
Nana

Letters to Jake

2006-07-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary Nana and Poppy,

Well Jake 38 years ago, your Nana and Poppy got married. We were at war and Your Poppy was drafted. Since we wanted to be together and go on a honeymoon, we decided to get married without a big wedding.

It's funny but it seems like it was yesterday. And what is amazing is that your Pops and I are still in love. We were talking this morning about how 38 years later, we have such wonderful children and such a great grandson...you!

As John Lennon always said,"Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans.
Love,
Nana"

Sleep tight our beautiful, beautiful boy!!!

Thomas the Tank Score!!!

2006-07-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

Jake darling,
I missed you today as I always do. I got a major "Thomas The Tank" score!
My friend Angela, who has a grandson who is 13 years old, thinks that he is ready to give up his entire Thomas The Tank collection. I will keep you posted. Have a great day at school tomorrow. I can't wait to see your new haircut...you gorgeous boy!
Love,
Nana

Hello... Jake Simon Rubenstein

2006-07-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

Darling Jake,

Finally a way to talk to you directly. I have wanted to do that since you were born. Thanks to your Mom, she made it possible!

I wanted to get you a cell phone with a button that went directly to me-they said you were too young. You may just be 3 years old, but you appear to be much older. Your insights and comprehension are amazing. You make analogies of things that blow me away!

I love our Thursdays together. And I love any other time together.

Speak with you soon.

Nana