Penchuk.com

Trying to keep up with my resolution to update the Penchuk website at least once a month is a quarter of the way there. Of course, the year is flying by. The years do seem to go faster the older I get. Well, without further ado, here’s the March update.

• Jack – This little kid isn’t so little anymore. He’s growing by leaps and bounds. Just shy of his first birthday, Jack is tentatively taking his first steps. For months he’s been pulling himself up (they call it “cruising”) and walking with the aid of a table or couch or whatever. But, he’s periodically standing for a few seconds on his own or taking one or two steps. The kid can eat, too. Just last night he had FIVE chicken nuggets. He’s also developed a very happy personality. He loves to laugh and smile. We’ve been blessed with another happy baby. Mid-March, however, Jack caught some kind of virus and was down for the count for a few days. He’s recovered nicely and all is well now.
• Ben – Our first born is sprouting up and doing well. He seems to get more mature every day. Whether it’s table manners or just observations he makes, Ben is just flourishing. The progress reports we get from daycare tell us that he’s ready to move up to the next class level and that he’s always looking for new challenges. We see that at home, too. We’ve been saying for years that he’s brilliant. He loves playing hockey or basketball in the driveway with Daddy and loves spending time with “Mama”. Not sure where he picked up that “Mama” business, but we are in the South.
• Laura – All is well with Lauralu this month. She’s the best mom. Her kids adore her and with good reason. Jack, in fact, starts crying the moment she walks away. We’ll have to work on that.  In general, Laura is doing well.  Laura’s mom came to visit at the beginning of the month.  We had a great time with her, even the night that we lost power and the gas grill ran out of propane.  Had to go to Wendy’s last second.  We wish she could come visit more often.
• Andrew – I’ve had a strange month.  I was sick more than once and actually missed some work, which is very unusual.  I’ve done some travelling for work (Atlanta) as well as personal.  That trip was a visit to NJ to attend my great Aunt Esther’s funeral.  She passed away after a long bout with various illnesses.  She will be missed dearly.

So, March is done.  Things are warming up here (or at least they had been until the past few days).  We’re looking forward to visits this month from my mother as well as Matty P and Aunt Carrie.  If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop on by!  Until next month…

ESTHER EPSTEIN, 90 of TOMS RIVER

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 04/2/07

ESTHER EPSTEIN, 90 of TOMS RIVER, died Saturday, March 31 at Community Medical Center, Toms River. She was born in Newark and lived most of her life in Asbury Park before moving to Toms River six years ago. Mrs. Epstein was an active member at Temple Beth El, Oakhurst. She was a member of the Council of Jewish Women, a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide at Monmouth Medical Center and Jersey Shore Medical Center. She was an avid dancer and taught dancing when she was younger. She was the Queen of Mah Jong.

Her husband, Irving, died in 1992. She is survived by two sons, Harris Cooper of Costa Rica and Charles of Woodbine; one daughter, Donna Isaacson of Toms River; one brother, William Marsa of Florida; one sister, Raye Erlich of Bergen County; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. today at Temple Beth El Cemetery, Route 33, Neptune. Shiva will be this afternoon only at the home of Donna Isaacson. Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean Township, is in charge of arrangements.