BELLAND
Photography & Video

CELEBRATE!

THE ZORN ZOO from page 23

(248) 541-2345

work from home once a week.
"We're our own mother's support
group," says Lainie. "We all have dif-
ferent techniques and we share them
with each other.
Says Susie, "Our pregnancies were
shared. It was incredible. We shared
maternity clothes and the strains of
pregnancy.
Now that the babies are here the
moms share tips- on dealing with colic,
diaper rash and that holy grail of par-
enthood: sleeping through the night.
"Tonight would be good," jokes a
sleep-deprived Debi. "It's amazing.
Our kids are growing up with their
cousins just the way my siblings and I
grew up with ours. We are four out of
18 grandchildren and were always
playing with our cousins."
For Grandpa Steve, being part of
such a big family was a bit of shock. "I
came from a very separated family," he
recalls, and this is a welcome surprise.
Everyone is so close, not only geo-
graphically but in our relationships to
each other. [Lila and I] baby sit; we
see someone every day. It's all very dif-
ferent from how I grew up. I love it."
Loving it extends to ensuring that
their brood can easily visit. This means
making room for three high chairs,
two cribs and a porta-crib, two boun-
cie seats, a playpen and toys galore.
At a time in life when many empty
nesters commandeer basement space
for personal use, plans are underway at
Steve and Lila's to turn the basement
into a playroom.
"Very few moms would do what my
mom does. And she works, too," says
Lainie referring to Lila's job teaching
English at Schoolcraft College in
Livonia. For 25 years, she has also
taught kindergarten at Adat Shalom's
religious school.
Watching the scene before her, Lila
muses, "It's like a kibbutz. 'My house
is your house' is the rule here. And
this closeness extends to all of my sib-
lings and their grandchildren. The
minute I walk into my [3] nephews'
houses, my [6] great-nephews call out
to me, Auntie Grandma.'"
Chaos aside, a visitor comes away
from an evening with the Zorns in
wonder. At a time when so many fami-
lies are scattered to the winds, the loving
breezes blowing through the Zorn
household are a delight to experience. P

,,

))

Jae like Marmel aced to inetke

New Expanded Zoeatlon

(next door to the original)

SZ, DIE

va

WITH AD

768 N. Old Woodward
Birmingham, MI

Phone: 248-642-0768
Fax: 248-642-7270

Hours:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

28851 Orchard Lake
Bet. 12 8, 13 Mi.
2 4 8 ) 3 2 4 1 1 1 1
H E5 P 1 .0

DINE-IN ' CARRY-OUT • CORPORATE CATERING

+ SERVING SPECIALTY SANDWICHES
+ SALADS + SOUPS + BAKED GOODS
+ CAPPUCCINO + ESPRESSO + LATTES
-+ FRUIT SMOOTHIES TO ORDER

Free delivery with minimum $10 order to a limited area

Leslie Jacobs

3/28
2003

C24

associates,

inc.

Party Planner
Wedding Consultant
Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
Special Events

DISTINCTIVE

TABLETOP RENTALS

AVAILABLE THROUGH:

PHONE 248.646.4517 • FAX 248.646.1627

t 00

0

Your
Complete
Guide to
Jewish
Living in
Metro
Detroit!

TO ADVERTISE CALL

(248) 354-6060

A Jewish Renaissance Media Publication

-