Going with you

Walking with Aaron to a friend’s house, looking at our shadows.

Aaron: Mommy do you like to have something that goes with you, like a stuffy, or a shadow?
Rachel: Sure, I like that. Or a friend.
Aaron: But a friend can sometimes go against you because they have their own opinion. That’s why I say something like a stuffy. Because even if I know I am wrong, I can always have them tell me that I’m right. That’s what I mean when I say they go with me.
Rachel: Oh, I get it.
Aaron: Like sometimes if I am doing my homework, and I thought I had a math problem right but Daddy says I got it wrong, I get really mad and I go in my room. And then Cater or Tov can say to me, “You know what Aaron? You are right.” And then I know that someone is on my side. That helps me feel a lot better.
Rachel: That’s great. Then you know you are not alone.
Aaron: That’s just what I mean.
Rachel: Maybe they also say to you, “Aaron you are an awesome kid. Math problem or no math problem.”
Aaron: And you are an awesome Mommy.
Rachel: Thank you for saying that.
Aaron: We are so lucky to be in a family where everyone is so kind to each other.

Stuffy friends

Aaron has many stuffies who are his precious companions. They keep him company, they talk to him, he helps them talk to the rest of us, they snuggle with him in bed. Aaron always wants to get new ones, so they are quite a large family by now.

Some of his friends have both English and Hebrew names. For example, Tov, the raccoon on the far left, has the English name Silvercoat. But we usually call him Tov, which means "good." This is funny at bedtime because we say "Laila tov, Tov!" (Night-good, Good!)

In front of Tov is Leopardy, and behind him is Sealy. Tigey and Stripey, the twin tigers, are on opposite sides of their friend Cater, who we think is a bobcat. In front is Tertwine, the sea turtle, and Umo the seal, both of whom joined us on our Hawaiian vacation. The big bear in the very back is Fuzzball, who is one of the oldest. Tucked in next to Tigey is Wolfy, who came to Zion and Bryce National Parks with us and got all red and dusty. Next to Wolfy is the seal named Yam, which means "sea" in Hebrew; he comes from the aquarium. Ari is right behind Yam; his full name is Ari-Yam, which means Lion-Sea (he is a sea lion). Then there is Dog, and Papa Sealy next to Dog. (Papa Sealy is the papa of Sealy; they are cousins with Yam and Umo, who are brothers.) Working our way towards the front we have the very special Shtaim ("Two"), so named because he is #2 after Tov. Shtaim joined us when we visited the Grand Canyon, and he gives the best hugs. The fox in the front row is Rak, meaning "only." The fish next to Rak is just a friend. On the farthest right we have Beary, Sharky, and Orcy. Behind all of them is Bubba, the venerable Bubba, whom Dale used to cherish when he was a little guy.

They all really enjoyed getting together for this photograph! And Aaron loves them all very much.