LittleBirdies

Escape

2012-02-14T09:51:00.004-05:00

CS (2) learned how to climb out of his crib a couple weeks ago. He used the plastic drawers next to the crib to help him climb in and out. (The drawers have since been moved.) Although he knew how to climb in and out, for the most part he stayed in. That was until this past weekend.

Both Shabbos and Sunday morning, at around 6:30, a little boy entered our bedroom and announced it was time for Abba and Ema to get up.

Motzei shabbos after being put to bed, CS padded out of the room. I told him he had to stay in his crib. He turned to ZB and said "ZB, I have a secret. I not come out of crib.". Then he turned to SD and said "SD, I have a secret. I not come out of crib."

Though a little later, after the big boys went to bed, I heard giggling from the room. It seems CS climbed out of the crib into SD's bed.

Getting Big

2012-01-30T14:57:00.001-05:00

We had professional pictures taken of the boys last week. Thank goodness they were good and we got great pictures.
Yes, they are getting big and I don't know where time flies.

Not Appropriate for Adults

2012-01-30T14:55:00.003-05:00

It must be the age, but my big boys think it's hilarious to use bathroom talk while playing or just for the fun. I have a rule that they can talk bathroom talk all they want, but only in the bathroom.

Well the kids were chatting with my mother on the phone. SD (7) told her a cute joke. Then he told her, I have another joke to tell you "but it's not appropriate for adults!"

Monkeys

2012-01-30T14:51:00.003-05:00

My boys are all little monkeys. ZB (8) at 10 months old climbed onto my babysitter's dining room table. He now easily scales the poles of street signs and climbs up the door posts in seconds. SD (7) is also extremely capable of climbing, but less into it. CS(2) is definitely following in his brothers' footsteps.

We got a bunkbed for the big boys this past summer. CS begs to go on the top bunk which I rarely let. Even supervised he hangs over the sides, sits on the edges and jumps. As a result, we never put up the ladder that came with the beds, and ZB who sleeps on the top bunk, just climbs up the side of the bed frame. Well ZB put him on top of a full hamper and CS figured out how to climb up the side of the bedframe. The other day, CS figured out how to climb on top of the hamper which was full and get up 100% by himself. As we did laundry yesterday, the hamper was empty this morning. CS really wanted up, but the hamper wasn't helping. He found something else to stand on to get him started and within minutes was up on the top bunk!

Shabbos Kodesh

2012-01-30T14:46:00.003-05:00

CS (2) is at the stage where he always asks me for crayons or music on Shabbos. My classic answer is that we can't color or turn on music because it is "Shabbos Kodesh". (I won't stop him from coloring if he finds a crayon on the floor or plays with a toy musical intrument, but I won't give them to him on shabbos.) I then try suggest a fun activity that we can do.

His latest, is repeating that phrase to me when he doesn't want to do something. For example:
ME: It's time to go to sleep
CS: Not time to go to sleep
ME: Why not?
CS: Shabbos Kodesh!

Or

ME: CS, it's time to come out of the bath now.
CS: No, not time to come out bath now
ME: Why not?
CS: It's Shabbos Kodesh!

The funny thing is that no matter what day of the week or if the action is permissible on shabbos, if he doesn't want to do it at the moment he will say so and give the reason that it's Shabbos Kodesh and he can't.

Pictures

2011-08-11T15:44:00.002-04:00

We took some professional pictures a few weeks ago. My husband's grandmother was visiting and she wanted pictures with all the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It's a small family so we were only 13 people. (We were supposed to be 16 but one family of 3 couldn't make it.)

In the studio, the photographer was asking the kids their name. She misunderstood SD (6) and thought he said his name was Doodleoos and called him that the rest of the session. I had a hard time getting him to cooperate, because every time she called his name he would start laughing.

Tisha B'av

2011-08-11T15:25:00.003-04:00

I was reading "The Book of Our Heritage" to the 'big' boys on Tisha B'av (but paraphrasing and summarizing in places as the language is a little too sophisticated for them.) As I was reading bits from the Chorban Bayis Rishon, ZB (8) started crying hysterically. I stopped reading and it took some time to calm him down.

He is such a sweet sensitive child and you could see it from his reaction to the story.

It's Been a While

2010-12-30T15:14:00.002-05:00

I've gotten out of blogging, though I'm not sure why. I've been using my blog as a journal for myself about my family.

So as this is "my journal" I will give some updates.

ZB is currently 7 3/4 and in second grade. He really likes school and is bright and inquisitive. His teacher told us he is on a 4th grade level for math. She gives him extra curricular math sheets when he is done his class work. She also said he will happily help out other kids who are having a hard time. He recently became a major bookworm. He is currently plowing his way through the 4th Harry Potter book (and actually getting it).

SD just turned 6 and is in Pre-1A (or Kindergarten, depending where you live). He's bright and really funny. He cracks us up with is one liners that he comes with on the spot. He's doing well in school and picking up the kriah nicely. He's also starting to read phonetically and enjoying sounding out words. He still has some sensory and processing issues, but is doing much, much better.
Right now we are dealing with asthmatic type problems. He has seasonal allergies and gets asthmatic symptoms during pollen season. However, lately he's been wheezing and short of breath for no reason. They think it could be triggered by the cold. Twice we had emergencies in school. Once we rushed him to the peditrician and the second time was rushed from school to the hospital. He's now on steriods through the nebulizer for the next month and doing much better.

CS recently turned a year. How time flies. He second tooth just broke through. He's really cute and into everything. He's climbing everywhere and thinks he's an equal to his brothers and able to keep up with them, but he can't. It's pretty funny to watch. He's starting to take steps without holding on and can do about 10 now.

I will try to post recent pictures of the boys soon.

Batteries

2010-12-17T09:51:00.002-05:00

SD was a little hyper. I told him to calm down. He responded he'd cut open his head and take out the batteries!!

Interview of an 87 Year Old

2010-05-24T11:03:00.002-04:00

ZB (7) and I were chatting shabbos evening. Some of the below may be out of order, but here is our our conversation went.

ZB: Ema, ask me a question.
Me: What's your name?
ZB: No, Ema. A different question.
Me: OK. How old are you?
ZB: 87 years old.
Me: Oh really! What did you do with yourself?
ZB: I stole for 8 years and sat in jail for 5.
Me: What else, that's only 13 years.
ZB: When I was little I liked to play with LEGO.
Me: And the rest of your 60 some years?
ZB: I worked for education.
Me: Do you mean the Board of Education. What did you do? Where you a teacher? A Principal? Work in the office?
ZB: I was a manager.

He then proceeded to tell me that he was the second of 4 children. (Mind you he's the oldest of 3) The oldest being 96 and the youngest 30. He told me he had 5 children-3 girls and 2 boys. He also had 20 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren (or maybe it was the other way around).

Me: Where do you live?
ZB: that place where old people live where they can't take care of themselves.
Me: A nursing home?
ZB: yes!
Me: Where is this nursing home?
ZB: Brooklyn
Me: and your wife?
ZB: She died. I'm sorry to say (yes, those were his exact words!!!)
Me: and your children, where do they live?
ZB: 2 near me, one in Israel and 2 are moving soon to Japan
Me: Where do the 2 moving to Japan live now?
ZB: the next city over from Japan
Me: Japan is a country not a city.
ZB: so the next country over

Me: What do you do all day in the nursing home?
ZB: learn torah, take pills and sleep
Me: do you read sometimes?
ZB: not really, I'm too tired
Me: do you listen to music?
ZB: if they put it on, but it often annoys me
Me: do you sing?
ZB: sometimes in my head
Me: What's your favorite food
ZB: pills
Me: pills?
ZB: yes they come in orange and sometimes grape flavors
Me: and what's your favorite color?
ZB: I don't have one. Some people just don't have a favorite color.

And our "interview" kind of ended as we had to get ready for bed. It's amazing what a 7 year old can come up with and how he uses his imagination!! It really was fun!

So Sweet

2010-05-12T17:32:00.001-04:00

SD (5) wasn't feeling well. ZB (7) felt for him and brought him a pillow, blanket, a drink, and a book. He then gave SD a kiss and told him he should feel better.

Big Helpers

2010-01-11T14:13:00.002-05:00

A week ago ZB offered to vacuum for shabbos. He did a pretty good job so I offered him to do it again this past week. SD was upset/jealous and wanted to vacuum too. I gave him the job of washing my kitchen floor. They were both so happy to help. I think the term "erev shabbos jobs" is starting to sound really good (and they are so willing and happy to help!)!

The Boys

2009-12-30T13:19:00.002-05:00

....But they are so much cuter in real life!

Happy Birthday SD

2009-12-20T22:58:00.001-05:00

SD is officially five and very excited about it!!

Challah Ends

2009-12-20T22:55:00.002-05:00

Abba gives me the end of the challah every shabbos. It's supposedly a segulah for boys and seems to be working as we just had our 3rd boy. The other 2 boys were itching for a girl. They love their new brother, but...

When they heard about the segulah of the challah ends, they told me that I should stop eating the ends so the next kid can be a girl!

New addition

2009-12-20T22:53:00.004-05:00

I'd like to welcome the newest addition to our family. We had a baby boy, CS, 2 weeks ago.

The big boys love him, but we're all adjusting to having a new baby in the house. SD just turned 5 this week, so it's been some time since we've had a little one around.

Yeitzer Hara

2009-11-04T08:32:00.002-05:00

SD (4) told me that he didn't listen because his yeitzer harah wouldn't let him listen to his yeitzer h'tov!

You Gotta Love Them

2009-10-23T09:36:00.001-04:00

My kids use the funniest wording and expressions. I really don't know where they get it from. ZB talks like an adult sometimes and SD is just too funny.

ZB used the word dynamics and quasi the other day and correctly. But when asked what they meant he didn't know

SD told me he didn't like the volume of a passing car's music.

SD told his speech therapist that he was going to do a specific sound his way (incorrectly) and she could do it hers.

When did they get so big?

2009-10-05T11:55:00.002-04:00

ZB (6) and SD (4) were walking hand in hand down the street yesterday. I comment to my mother-in-law that SD must of had a huge growth spurt as he was only a few inches shorter than ZB.

Motzei yom tov ZB was helping my mother-in-law load the dishwasher and wipe the water drips from the floor

Get Married Already

2009-10-05T11:52:00.003-04:00

My husband is the oldest in his family and the only one currently married. ZB (6) was complaining over yom tov that there weren't kids (like cousins) to play with. He then told my mother-in-law that one son had 1-2 years to get married and the other 5 years. Little does he realize that even if they would meet the right girl tomorrow it'll be a little while before there are any kids and he'd be so much older than them, he probably wouldn't want to even play with them.

Don't know his last name

2009-10-05T11:50:00.001-04:00

ZB (6) is in first grade this year. Until this year his teachers were all Morah and then their first name (like Morah Shuli, Morah Leah, etc).
He was talking to my brother-in-law yesterday and told him that his Rebbe's name is R' XYZ but he didn't know his last name! I had to explain that that was his last name and starting first grade their teachers aren't called my their first names anymore.

Too Painful to Remember, Yet Too Hard to Forget

2009-09-11T10:14:00.006-04:00

Yet another 9/11 has come. Being that I was in Downtown Manhattan at the time, I can attest to the fear and chaos felt in the area. Though B"H I was safe and not in the Twin Towers at the time, I was close enough to be covered in debris when the towers fell. (http://littlebirdies.blogspot.com/2007/09/9112001.html)

I remember being a newly wed of only 3 1/2 months. My husband was worried sick about my safety even after I called him and told him I was OK.

I can't even imagine what these people went through. I'm sure that they are still mourning their husband, father, son, and brother. Now, even 8 years later, I wish them a nechama for all their pain.
http://theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/39273/In+Memory+of+Shimmy+Biegeleisen+H

First Grade

2009-09-11T09:57:00.002-04:00

ZB (6) has started first grade this year! I can't believe my little boy is getting big!!!

Wednesday was the first day and they only had a half day. He got off the bus glowing, and told me it was the best day of his life, but that the day was just too short.
On Thursday, when he got off the bus, again he was glowing. Again he said it was the best day.

Then later in the car, he told me "Ema, I can't believe I'm in first grade!!"

I asked him if it was hard to sit all day. He told me "Ema, we're doing interesting things the whole time. Why would I want to get up and miss what we're doing?"

I hope the rest of the year continues this way.

Kids of this Generation

2009-09-11T09:47:00.002-04:00

We went to visit my parents last weekend.
ZB (6) was putting on a performance outside for all of us. SD (4) wanted to go inside to wash his hand. He asked ZB to "pause" the show until he came back. Then ZB asked for a volunteer, and right after said "OK, Saba you'll be the volunteer." (What happened to the volunteer volunteering). Mid way through the show ZB announced that was the end of chapter 1!

Shabbos

2009-09-11T09:30:00.001-04:00

We went to visit my parents out of state for shabbos. It was a really nice but rare treat. Now that both Aba and I work full time and the kids are in school, it's harder to just go away. We took the opportunity as we were all off this past weekend and it will be the last one in a while being that ZB has school on Sundays now.

We arrived a few hours before shabbos and tried to keep the kids out of my parents' hair so they could finish up preparing for shabbos. It was easier said than done as my boys were really excited to see their grandparents and wanted their attention.

Shabbos day we all ate at my friend's parents house (with my friend of course). My kids are really comfortable with my friend (Aunt D) and have been in the house multiple times. They were really good and we all really enjoyed.

My brother, who lives near my parents, walked over in the afternoon with his kids. Our kids are similar ages and play really nicely together. It was so nice to see the cousins interact and play so nicely.

Sunday, the men built my father's and brother's sukkah, while my mother and I took my kids and my brother's kids (the 2 older ones) to a quarry that was made into a mini beach. There were a few families there and my mother and I were in cover-ups. The kids had a blast as the water was calm and there was so much sand (which they love).

All in all it was a great trip.

Tisha B'av

2009-07-31T10:41:00.003-04:00

The boys and I were reading about Tisha B'av together. The following conversation took place as we were discussing what we read and about the rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdash.

SD (4 1/2):I don't want the Beis Hamikdash to be rebuilt.
Me: Why?
SD: Because I don't want to get those chicken pox [tzaraas] if I do an aveira.
Me: But you are a mitzvah boy and I'm not worried.
SD: I try to be good but sometimes do aveiros.
Me: As long as you're trying your best, that's the important thing. I also sometimes make mistakes and do aveiros.
SD: So you'd get the chicken pox too?

N.A.E.T

2009-07-29T11:02:00.002-04:00

ZB (6) has severe food allergies. As he gets older in some ways it's easier to manage because he really understands what he can and cannot have and is really mature about it. However, in other ways it's harder. He's now at the age of school, camp, and going to friends and it's harder to protect him. Not only can't he eat the foods he is allergic to, but he breaks out if he just touches them. So far, people have been good and have kids wash their hands after eating such foods around him, but they're not always as diligent or careful as I'd like them to be.

I recently found out about an alternative medicine program called NAET. It can help eliminate allergies. I'm not into the homeopathic or alternative medicine, but it's gotten to the point where I want to know that ZB is safe and am willing to give it a try.

We started this program last week and we'll see where it goes. Due to the severity of his allergies, they are not guaranteeing that he'll be able to eat all the foods he's currently allergic to (though that is the ultimate goal), but hope to desensitize him so that he can at least touch them. If I can get ZB to the point where he can touch the food, even if he will not be able to eat them, it will be worth every penny we're currently putting in.

Great Brothers

2009-07-29T10:59:00.002-04:00

I don't know what got into my boys lately, but I'm not complaining. They've been really good at working things out and compromising.

For example both boys wanted to look at the same book in bed. SD (4 1/2) said "OK, ZB can have it tonight in his bed and I'll have it tomorrow night in my bed"

The responses are also wonderful. Yesterday something similar happened and ZB (6) turned to SD and said "Thank you" and turned and gave him a big hug.

It really makes me proud when they express themselves verbally and work things out and avoid using their body to get their points across.

Lego

2009-07-01T10:24:00.001-04:00

ZB (6) started camp yesterday. Being that it's a boys camp they play a lot of sports. I asked ZB if the sports was fun. His response "not as fun as Lego, but yeah it was fun!"

Walk You Out

2009-06-12T10:52:00.002-04:00

I was leaving the apartment to go to work. SD (4) asked if he could walk me down the stairs (we live on the second floor with no elevator and only one internal staircase). I agreed, and as he was walking me down he told me he didn't want me to have to walk downstairs alone.
So sweet!

So Proud

2009-06-12T09:51:00.003-04:00

While SD is in therapy and the weather is nice, I take ZB to a local park to pass the time. This week there were 2 little boys about ZB's age there. ZB was climbing like a monkey (as usual) and the boys were fascinated with what ZB could do and asked him to show them how he did it. He happily agreed. After a bit one of the boys asked ZB if he could try on his hat, pointing to his yarmulka. ZB paused, fingered the yarmulka on his head, and gently shook his head no. I was really proud of him that he is starting to understand the importance of the mitzvah and wasn't going to give it up so easily.

ZB (6) also had his school graduation this week. They gave each kid a sefer tehillim. For some odd reason they dismissed the class after graduation, so I sent ZB to our old babysitter for the rest of the day. He took the tehillim and proudly showed it to Babulah (our old babysitter is a grandmother and that is what my kids call her--it's Bucharian for Grandma) and sat for a while reading from the tehillim.

Fertificate

2009-06-12T09:49:00.001-04:00

SD(4) gets certificates from his teachers when he does something special in school. As the requisite for these types of things, they are proudly hanging on our wall. The other day, SD asked me if we will take his fertificates when we move. (Mind you we are not moving and aren't even talking about moving at this point.)

Mohawk

2009-06-01T12:14:00.002-04:00

After coming home from taking professional pictures, SD (4) commented on the photographer's mohawk saying it made him look like a dragon!

Short Sleeves

2009-05-21T08:49:00.002-04:00

ZB (6) commented that it was warm outside and wanted to know if he could wear short sleeve pants!

Turned Off

2009-05-18T11:19:00.001-04:00

I was mentioning to Abba that something I had seen had turned me off. SD (4) overheard and said "You're not a sink. You can't get turned off!"

Yiddish Name

2009-05-12T14:11:00.001-04:00

We were listen to Finding Nemo on a book on CD. SD (4) commented that Nemo's yiddish name was Shark Bait!

Hey

2009-05-11T14:22:00.001-04:00

I was playing a verbal Aleph Beis game with SD (4) and his friend. I asked them to come up with a word that starts with the letter Hey. SD quickly came up with a word 'happle'!

SD Allergies Funny

2009-05-01T10:56:00.001-04:00

When picking up SD(4) from school, I asked him how he was feeling in regard to his allergies.

SD: Not so good
ME: What's bothering you?
SD: My head hurts
ME: Oy? Why?
SD: My head hurts from thinking

Then later I noticed his eyes were oozing again. When I commented on it he told me the ooze was from the ooze factory.

Allergy Season Once Again

2009-04-28T08:37:00.004-04:00

I am starting to hate the spring and fall. It is horrible to watch my kids being miserable and there not being much I can do to help them.

ZB (6) started with the seasonal allergies this year for the first time. It started with on and off wheezing for about 6 weeks. Recently he's been complaining his eyes are bothering him. Hopefully it won't get much worse.

SD (4) has really bad seasonal allergies that get worse each year. He's currently has his own drug store of medications (prescription and over the counter) to control his allergies. With all this, the poor kid's eyes are so red and swollen. This morning, even after being switched from OTC eye drops to prescription eye drops, he could barely open his eyes. It looks like he has conjunctivitis and a horrible cold, but it's neither. It's just really bad allergies.

I wish there was more I could do for them to make them more comfortable.

I Can Read Her Mind

2009-04-28T08:35:00.001-04:00

I was with ZB (6) in the park when a family with 3 kids came into the park. ZB told me he thought the daughter was 5. I asked how he knew. He gave me a mischievous smile, and said, "Because I can read minds and her mind is telling me she's 5!"

I'm in Trouble

2009-04-24T08:52:00.002-04:00

ZB (6) told my morning babysitter that he wasn't feeling well yesterday morning. She didn't know what to do and mentioned it to Aba when he came home from shacharis. After some simple investigation it came out that ZB just didn't want to go to school. His reasoning? He's embarrassed to use his inhaler at school (which he only needs this week), the kids make fun of his last name, and he got hurt a few times when playing ball in school (but not recently).

SDisms

2009-04-24T08:50:00.002-04:00

SD (4)told me he can't eat supper because he's allergic to supper. He said he's also allergic to breakfast, and can only eat lunch.

SD called me while in the bathroom to tell me his leg was blue. I walked in to find a blue toothpaste X on his leg!

Shmata

2009-03-26T10:23:00.002-04:00

SD was looking at a book with Veronica (his speech/eating therapist). In the picture was monkeys washing a car with rags.
SD commented that the monkeys were using shmatas. Veronica had no clue what he was saying, especially since he has a hard time pronouncing his "s" and "sh" sounds. After a few unsuccessful tries, I had to help out with the pronouciation and translation.

Savta

2009-03-26T10:18:00.003-04:00

SD was sitting with his non-Jewish speech/feeding therapist (Veronica). He mentioned his Savta at a different session.

Veronica: Who is Savta? Is she your Grandma?
(my mother is Savta and my mother-in-law is Grandma)
SD: NO! Grandma is Grandma!
Veronica: Is Savta a girl or boy?
SD: girl
Veronica: Is it a cousin? aunt?
SD: NO! Savta is Savta
Veronica: Does Savta live with anyone?
SD: Yes, Saba.

after a while:

SD: Grandma is Aba's Ema
Veronica: Oh so is Savta Ema's Ema.
SD: [pauses a second] YES!!

Feel like an Aleph

2009-03-23T09:40:00.001-04:00

SD (4) told me he felt like an Aleph. I asked him why. He told me because he feels quiet and like sitting quietly!

Tooth

2009-03-23T09:37:00.003-04:00

ZB (6) was eating an apple. He asked me if he could spit out the bite he just took. I asked him why, and he told me there was a rock. I told him apples don't have rocks and had him open his mouth. Right away I saw the gap where his loose tooth (it had been loose for a while, but not that loose that I thought it would come out so soon) should be. I told him that is wasn't a rock but rather his tooth that fell out.

His face glowed and he asked me to call everyone (my husband, parents and in-laws) so he could tell them the good news--that his first tooth fell out.

In Tune

2009-03-19T12:49:00.004-04:00

B"H both my kids are really in tune to people's feelings and emotions and most times act accordingly.

I cut my hand really badly yesterday morning (which required stitches). The kids then asked me for breakfast. As I was bleeding a lot and trying to stop the bleeding, I told the kids they'd have to take themselves. They tend to eat dry cereal out of a bag for breakfast during the week. ZB got out 2 bags and the cereal. He had SD hold the bags opened while he poured. They even cleaned up the pieces that spilled on the floor.

When I picked up the kids from school, both kids asked how my hand was feeling. When crossing streets, SD hooked his arm around mine (instead of holding my hand) so as not to touch the bandage the doctor put on. They both were concerned about my pain level and well being.

Purim 2009-Crayons

2009-03-12T08:44:00.002-04:00

OK to Work

2009-03-12T08:37:00.003-04:00

Abba is working from home now for a little bit as his company is in the process of moving.

I came home for a few minutes with the kids between 2 therapy session. Since the therapy is for SD, ZB asked if he could stay home with Abba. Abba was still working, and really couldn't be disturbed. ZB had just got a new airplane lego set for his birthday and was itching to start it. I told Abba, that if ZB did his lego, he wouldn't hear from him (as he's lego crazy now) for a while. We told ZB he could stay home, but had to be quiet and not disturb Abba.

At some point Abba started talking to ZB. ZB answered "It's OK Abba, you can work", as if to say I'm not disturbing you, do what you need to do.

Clones

2009-03-12T08:34:00.002-04:00

SD had school yesterday and ZB didn't. I was walking with SD to pick up ZB from the babysitter. On the way, SD mentioned he wanted to do 2 different things that were in 2 different locations at the same time. I told him he could only do one, as we can't be in 2 places at the same time. He responded that he could. He said he would make more of himself so he could do both.--If Only!

Happy Birthday ZB

2009-03-12T08:10:00.000-04:00

ZB's hebrew birthday just passed. He is now a very proud 6 year old. He told us that 6 is more fun than 5, and that he's bigger than when he was 5. This was minutes after sundown, so he was only 6 for a tiny bit. I asked him if he really felt so different, and so much bigger from just a few minutes before? He looked at me like I was crazy and said no, but that he felt different from the beginning of age 5.

Siddur

2009-03-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

ZB's siddur party was last week. He was really proud to get his own siddur. Someone made cloth covers, and they painted torahs with the kids names on the siddur.

Yum

2009-03-02T21:49:00.001-05:00

ZB (almost 6) offered to give me his money from his bank account, to use toward a house, so we can buy one faster.

Carrot Kugel

2009-03-02T20:31:00.002-05:00

I was making carrot kugel this shabbos. What do you do when your mid way through the kugel, the stores are closed and you're out of ingredients that you thought you had? You improvise. I became an expert on improvising.

To start the recipe called for 1 3/4 cups sugar. I only had about 1 cup sugar. I tried to think of what else I could use--confectionery sugar. Only problem is I only had about 1/4 of a cup. OK I figured, the recipe called for OJ, and I was planning on using the frozen kind. I thought I use some extra to make up for the lack of sugar.

Next the flour. The recipe called for 2 cups and I only had one. What to use? Corn starch!! The box said to use 1 TBSP for every 2 of flour, so I only put 1/2 a cup.

Next the oil. It called for 1 cup and I only had 1/2 a cup. OK, we'll make this the low fat version.

Next the baking soda. I forgot that I finished it last week. What to use? Baking powder.

Next the eggs. It called for 3 and I only had 2. I have experience with egg free baking due to ZB's egg allergies. So I made a "fake egg" and dumped it in.

Expecting the worst, it actually didn't come out that bad.

Washable

2009-03-02T20:29:00.001-05:00

I found SD (4) coming out of the bathroom with a dripping piece of paper.

Me: Did you just wash that paper?
SD: Yes
ME: Why?
SD: Because I made a mistake and wanted to wash it off.
ME: Sorry SD, but it doesn't work that way. Once it's on the paper, it's there for good.
SD: But I used washable markers!

Planets

2009-03-02T20:26:00.002-05:00

SD (4) has the same morahs that ZB had last year.
His morah started a unit on the planets. She started singing a planet song that she was planning on teaching the class. Mid way through the song she hears a voice joining in. It was SD, as he learned the song from ZB last year. The morah offered him to sing it alone for the class, which he readily accepted. He sang it loud and clear. She thought it was so cute, she had the principal and vice principal come in to hear. His class thought it was neat that he knew the song before the morah taught it.

Puddles

2009-02-23T09:53:00.003-05:00

SD (4) was having a lit bit of a rough day. I wasn't sure what to do with him while ZB was at a friend's birthday party. It was rainy so we couldn't really go to the park, it wasn't really enough time to do something big, and he wasn't in the best of moods (not in a bad mood, more that he was having a lot of melt downs).

Aba needed help shlepping the laundry to the laundry room. SD refused to come along, so I wasn't sure how I'd help. I brainstormed, and told SD to put on his boots. I told him we were going to go jumping in puddles.

SD was so excited. We walked down the block to the laundry room, looking for and jumping in all the puddles. In the beginning I just watched. However, SD noticed I wasn't jumping and commented. So jumping in puddles I did.

After, Abba went home and we went puddle hunting. We had a great time and were totally drenched when we were done.

Who would have thought that 15 minutes of puddle jumping would be so much fun? Afterward, SD had a much better rest of the day.

Party

2009-02-23T09:46:00.003-05:00

ZB (almost 6) was invited to a friend's house for a birthday party. It's not a close friend, but rather a classmate of his, where they have mutual friends.

I called the mother to ask about the party and what was being served. I explained that ZB has severe food allergies, and that I would not send him unless I felt he'd be safe. I explained that not only can't he eat the foods, but he can't touch them either. The mother explained that she used to teach in one of the local frum elementary schools and was familiar with food allergies and how to deal with them.

They were planning on having a pizza party with snacks and birthday cake. I told her that ZB couldn't have the pizza as he's allergic to dairy, and that I'd send my own cake as he's allergic to eggs. She was amazing and said that she'd put the snacks seperate from the pizza and that her teenage children would supervise the hand washing and that nobody could take the snacks until washed up. She said she felt that he shouldn't be left out, and they would work with me, so that he could join the fun with his friends in a safe environment.

A few hours before the party, the mother called me to tell me they changed their party plans. She switched the menu to hotdogs and fries and baked an eggfree cake for the party.

Here was a woman that I didn't really know, whose son was friendly with my son, but not close, who changed her entire party menu to accomodate my son. All I can say was WOW!

Confluence

2009-02-17T09:30:00.001-05:00

SD (4) was sitting on Zaidy's lap chatting and reading together. Zaidy is a retired school teacher, but the teacher in him is ever active. He taught SD the word confluence, it's pronunciation, definition and usage. It was really funny when SD opened a book and told me that if the corners of the book were the start of the river running into a 3rd river in the center fold of the book, that was confluence where they would meet.

Gotta Love 'Em

2009-02-10T23:52:00.002-05:00

After supper:

ZB (almost 6): Ema I owe you something
ME: What?
ZB: [comes over and gives me a big hug around my waist]
ZB: A big hug. Thanks for making me supper.

What's on Your Chair?

2009-02-10T23:45:00.002-05:00

SD (4) is a collector and always has been. He currently stashes treats he got or toys he wants to play with on his chair. The problem is, when he tries to sit, there are too many things on his chair and they start to fall off. He gets upset and will interrupt eating to get up and pick the fallen item up.

I tried to explain that the chair is probably not the best place for his stash. Trying to set an example, I asked him to look at my chair and see what was on the seat with me. When I asked him if he saw anything on my chair, he said "Yes". When I asked him what was on my chair, he told me "your tushie". After laughing, I asked if he saw anything else. Again, the goofball that he is, he said yes again. Wondering what he'd come up with this time, I asked him what. His response? "Your pajamas"! (as it was a lazy Sunday morning and none of us were dressed yet)

Great Big Brother

2009-02-06T09:26:00.001-05:00

My boys really love each other (not that they don't fight also). The first thing they often do when they wake up in the morning, is hug each other.

ZB (5) is a great big brother. He offers SD a ton of encouragement. He'll tell SD he's doing a great job or that he's really proud of him. It is cute to hear from a 5 year olds mouth.

Little Goof

2009-02-06T09:17:00.002-05:00

SD (4) is just one big goof ball(or should I say little goof as he's tiny). He just has a very funny and goofy personality. It makes it very hard to be mad at him or discipline him, as he views life as one big joke.

For example, he hit my babysitter. She turned to him in mock shock and asked why he hit her. His response: "I didn't hit you. I was just high 5ing your arm!"

Or when someone asked him his name. Instead of telling his name, he told her that his name is Yoshai Novi and his last name is Shmegeggi (his newest goofiness).

The problem is when he can't differentiate when it's OK to be goofy and when it's not. When speaking to his Morahs, they tell me he's goofy during circle time. He's not trying to misbehave, and when they tell him to stop he does. It's a good thing he's still in preschool, because in real school he'd be in the principals office with his current behavior. As I jokingly say, he'll be the kid throwing the spitballs and paper airplanes behind the Rebbi's back, and then he'll sit in total innocents as if he didn't know anything happened.

Kristen

2009-02-06T08:56:00.005-05:00

I really love SD's OT. We started in a sensory gym last March and have been with our current therapist, Kristen, since September. I have seen tremendous progress and have become much more aware of what a sensory disorder is and how to manage it.

The other day, I was peeking through the window in the gym and observing the session. SD was in a hyper mood and they couldn't get anything constructive done. Kristen had SD pull over a bean bag chair, pulled off his sock, rolled up his pants and sleaves, and started massaging him with lotion. The transformation was amazing. Within seconds SD had calmed down. When Kristen took out the next activity, SD sat quietly and consentrated on the task at hand.

I had brought my babysitter along for the session. She is thinking of going into OT, and I had brought her to observe Kristen (with Kristen's permission of course) in action. She was wowed by Kristen's expertise and care.

But they are 5

2009-01-20T12:48:00.003-05:00

SD (4) just made the school deadline and has just turned 4. As the deadline is December 31st, some kids in his class are starting to turn 5 this month. He is a little confused why the kids who turned 5 are still in his class and not moved up a grade.

Shadchan

2009-01-20T12:39:00.002-05:00

We were visiting my in-laws this past Sunday. As we were getting ready to go, ZB (5 1/2) sat on the stairs with my brother-in-law (in his low 20's). He asked Uncle E if he was getting married. As Uncle E has recently started dating, he responded that he has to first meet the right girl. ZB then turned to Uncle E and said "you're 18, right?" Then he turned to me and asked me if we have any girl cousins who are a little younger than Uncle E, so that they could get married. I mentioned we have one who is much older than Uncle E, who is 35 (after saying it I realized she is turning 34 this month). ZB's expression was that of shock and commented "and she's still not married!!" A good part of the drive home, he was nudging me to try to think of one relative that is younger than Uncle E and dating age and not currently busy with a different guy, so that he could introduce them!

Nocturnal

2009-01-20T12:37:00.003-05:00

SD (4) recently learned the word nocturnal in school. (His teacher is amazing. They learn so much in a fun and loving way.)

Anyway, he was at his OT session. His OT wanted him to pull an accordian tube open using both his hands. He told her he couldn't use both hands because one if his hands was nocturnal and was currently sleeping!

My Little Helpers

2009-01-15T14:36:00.003-05:00

SD had a playdate on Sunday and Abba was out doing errands. It was just ZB (5) and me. I really wanted to polish my silver and ZB loves to help...so we had a polishing silver party. He did a really good job for the first time ever trying. We enjoyed each others company and felt really good after. Thanks for your help ZB.

Recently, SD (4) has been joining me a lot in the kitchen while I'm cooking or baking. He asks to help and pulls up a step stool to assist. As long as I'm not in a rush, I don't mind him helping. In fact it's great bonding time. However, he has some sensory issues. If the food looks sticky while we are making it, he won't even consider trying it once it is done (even if the finished product isn't too sticky). The other day he helped me make rice krispy treats, but it took a few days, and lots of convincing that it wasn't too sticky, for him to try it (and of course he loved it)

ZBisms

2009-01-05T15:03:00.002-05:00

ZB (5) has a pretty good vocabulary for a kid his age. Sometimes however he mixes up words and it comes out pretty funny.

He got sick on shabbos and told me he was hibernating. I asked him if he knew what hibernating meant and he told me he did. He told me it meant he was really thirsty.

His fever was gone for most of yesterday and then came back last night. When I commented on it he told me his sickness is nocturnal and only comes out at night.

...only ZB.

SDisms

2009-01-05T14:59:00.002-05:00

SD (4) had learned about dinosaurs a couple months ago in school. They had learned the word extinct and how dinosaurs are all extinct. I didn't think he remembered the word, but figured I'd try. I asked him if he knew what the word meant. He was quiet for a moment and then said "very stinky". For guessing, I think he did a pretty good job defining x-stink!

I don't remember what SD was eating, but he came to tell me it tasted like Adon Olam?!?!

Later he told me his name is Noshai Yovi.

Where does he come up with these things???

Happy Birthday SD

2008-12-31T09:17:00.002-05:00

SD is 4 today. We had a birthday party for him (in school)on the 25th, as both Aba and I were off. He was so confused why we were having a party when it wasn't his birthday.

Happy birthday SD. We love you.

Channuka-2008

2008-12-29T16:25:00.002-05:00

Just some cute things that happened over Channukah.

ZB got a 953 piece Lego set from my in-laws for Channukah. In the beginning he was just opening packages and it was quite overwhelming. I showed him how the instructions were broken down and how to do it bit by bit. Well in less than a week the child has completed the set (as of this morning). It was funny but he told me that he would need 47 more pieces to make 1,000. I asked him his logic and he told me that he knows 50 and 50 make 100. Since the set had 53 (over 900) then he'd need to remove 3 from the other 50 to get 47!

We went to visit my parents this shabbos. We went with my 6 year old niece and 3 1/2 year old nephew and my parents to the B & O railroad station. All the kids were at awe at the motorized train display, especially the Thomas exhibit. ZB turns to my mother and said "Savta, I wonder what makes the trains go by themselves".

My sister-in-law recently had a baby, so my parents had their 2 other kids (6 year old girl and 3 1/2 year old boy) for shabbos. My niece was bothering her younger brother. SD ran to his crying cousin and said "Don't worry Dovi, I'll be your friend" and gave him a big hug. It was so cute.

ZB was telling me how he doesn't like how the kids make fun of his last name (...but it's a fun last name, so much better than my maiden name). I was trying to explain that a lot of last names mean different things and was translating some last names like Schwartz (black), Weiss (white), Klein (small), and Gross (large or disgusting). I also mentioned that my maiden name was Gross and I asked him if I was large. He said yes. Now I'm really short, so I re-phrased and asked if I was big compared to other Ema's. His response was, "No, you're Klein!"

...And One of Those Nights

2008-12-19T09:23:00.003-05:00

So, I was crazy and started cooking for shabbos around Midnight. I climbed into bed close to 2 in the morning. At about 3 AM Aba woke me up, and told me the alarm is going. Thinking it was morning, I listened for my alarm clock, but it wasn't ringing. Then I realize that it was the carbon monoxide alarm that was going off. We both jumped out of bed. I ran to the kitchen and opened the window (the kids' bedroom is off the kitchen) and Aba called 911.

A few minutes later the fire department showed up. They were really loud for 3 AM in an apartment building, but I guess it's hard to be quiet with all their equipment. They came with their carbon monoxide measuring device and got a reading coming out of the kitchen. It wasn't high enough to evacuate, but high enough for concern. They went downstairs and woke up the neighbors below us to see if it was seeping from below. They concluded it was coming from my oven and asked if it was on. I told them I had shut it about an hour before, as I had been cooking from midnight until around 2 (the looks I got for cooking at the hour were priceless).

They stayed about 10 minutes until they got a clear reading and left.

They said if I ever have the oven on that long I should leave the window open a crack and if it happends again I should call them again and contact maintenance to tell them there was something wrong with my oven. I've been in this apartment for 7 1/2 years and never had any carbon monoxide problems, but I guess their is a first for everything.

Both Aba and I commented how the kids will be upset to find out there were firemen in our apartment and they didn't get to see them, but we weren't going to wake them up at 3 AM just for that.

The crazy thing is that neither kid woke up from the alarm (though we shut it once we got up) and I didn't hear it at all (and it's right outside my closed bedroom door). I shiver to think what would or could have happened if Aba didn't hear it and wake me up.

Just One of Those Days

2008-12-19T09:22:00.001-05:00

Monday was just one of those days. I realized as I got to work that I wouldn't be able to give SD's speech therapist the chocolates that Aba bought for her. She is highly allergic to nuts and there were nuts in the ingredients. Then I get a call from SD's babysitter that she left his bookbag at home by accident and didn't have our keys, so he didn't have a lunch. I sent her to buy him something in the grocery store. Then I went to buy SD's therapist something else, and I bought her a glass dish. On the way home, when getting off the bus, the handles of the bag broke, the bag fell, and the glass plate broke. --what a day.

Genuine

2008-12-19T09:21:00.000-05:00

ZB was listening to a chanuka tape. One of the stories was about how a man who had the proper Kavanos on brachos was matzliach. Since then ZB will start to make a bracha, stop himself, and say the bracha slow and clear. BI"H he really genuinely wants to do what's right.

Trains, Trains, and more Trains

2008-12-19T09:19:00.000-05:00

Sunday we went with some friends to the city. There was a model train set up in the Citigroup building.We offered the kids to take any subway or to wait for a vintage train. They all wanted to wait, so wait we did (close to 45 minutes). The model set up was amazing. It had different areas in NJ and NY going all the way to the Adarondacs. Everything was motorized -- down to the model kids swinging on swings. It was absolutely amazing and the kids really enjoyed

Jumping Boots

2008-12-11T13:48:00.005-05:00

I was trying to get SD out of the house, to go for his session with his OT. I called him to put on his coat. He responding by running to his room claiming he needed his jumping boots. I had no clue what he was doing and followed him to the room where I found him pulling off his shoes. I was getting frustrated as we really had to go or we would be late. Then I saw him grab an old pair of rain boots (a size too small) and put them on. It took me a moment to realize he wanted boots to jump into the puddles that were outside because it was raining--jumping boots.

When we got to the sensory gym where he gets OT and his OT (Kristen) came out to get him, he proudly said "Kristen, I'm wearing jumping boots." Her immediate response was something to the affect that he was wearing the boots to jump in the puddles outside. Wow--How did she get it so fast?

We Went

2008-12-08T21:47:00.003-05:00

I ended up taking the boys to ZB's Morah's wedding. He had a great time and danced with his friends. His other Morah (assistant) was there and spent time with the boys that came. They all felt really good about it. Now we are anxiously waiting for the Morah that just got married to come back to school.

Getting ready to go!

Cow Eyes

2008-12-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

SD asked me today if we can eat cow eyes. I told him cows are kosher, but that I wasn't sure the eyes were eatable. ZB pipes in telling me that not the whole cow is kosher. He learned in parsha that the thigh isn't kosher (because the malach kicked Yaakov in the thigh), so not all of the cow is kosher.
Of course SD had to ask if the mouth was kosher too. I didn't want to gross him out and say that people eat tongue.

To go or not to go, that is the question

2008-12-03T09:38:00.003-05:00

ZB came home yesterday with a copy of an invitation yesterday for his Morah's (assistant) wedding. The invitation had a written note from the Morah, telling the parents that she'd love the boys to come join in her simcha. The problem is the wedding is late and in Brooklyn (ugh!). ZB very much wants to go. He loves this Morah. I just really don't want to schlep to Brooklyn for the chuppah, which starts late, and I don't really even know either side. I told him that I have nobody to watch SD, in which he replied that we should just take SD along.
I am debating what to do. I do understand he wants to go, but so don't want to take him. Maybe I will be able to find someone else in his class going and send him along.

Only My Kids

2008-12-01T10:44:00.003-05:00

ZB was diagnosed with strep on Friday morning. He told the doctor that his saliva hurt him!

We have these handles that attach to a baby bottle for a baby to hold. SD found the handles and put it across the face of a stuffed bear. He told us it was the bear's nubulizer as the bear was wheezing.

Clean Up

2008-12-01T10:36:00.003-05:00

I had work the Friday after Thanksgiving. ZB had school in the morning, but was home as he had strep (and was just diagnosed that morning). SD and Abba were both off. My parents had come in for the weekend and agreed to watch the kids. With ZB not feeling himself, my mother didn't want to go out, but she did want to do something fun. Well, I guess everyone has a different opinion of what is fun.

She gave them each a shpritz bottle and a shmattah, and they scrubbed down my kitchen. She had them scrubbing the outside of the stove, the outside of the fridge, the outside of the cabinets, and the outside of the pantry. She then washed the floor for me. As they all worked together, she told the kids the story of the shoemaker and the elves. The kids seemed to have had a great time, and I came home to a clean looking and clean smelling kitchen!

I guess we now have a new indoor activity!!!

Peppers

2008-12-01T10:27:00.003-05:00

Being that we live in NY and there isn't much growing around us, I wanted the kids to see where their food comes from. I planted peppers and cucumbers with them a few months back. The heat in our apartment tends to kill any vegetable before it gets big enough to eat. The pepper plant somehow survived and we grew one small pepper. I was expecting it to grow bigger, but it remained quite small, and slowly turned red. I figured if we didn't eat it soon, it would begin to rot on the plant itself.

I picked the tiny pepper and cut it in 4 so we each could taste what we grew. I gave Abba and ZB a piece and was about to give one to SD when Abba stated that it was a hot pepper, a very hot one. ZB had put it in his mouth and started crying. Nothing we did relieved the burning in his mouth. (Over time the pain did subside) I wanted to see how "hot" it really was so I just put a piece to my tongue, and boy was it hot.

A few minutes later ZB started crying that "the taste of the pepper got in his eye". He must of had some of the juice on his hand and touched his eye. We all washed our hands really well. (Abba said hours later he touched his eye, after washing his hands many times, and his eye started burning)

I checked the package of seeds and nowhere did it say that it was a hot pepper. Though it did say that they only grow to be about 1 1/4 inches long (which was the approximate size of our pepper).

Anyway, I noticed another one growing. We will continue to watch it grow, but will not be tasting that one.

Russia

2008-11-24T21:42:00.002-05:00

ZB (5 1/2) was telling me about Rivkah Imainu's pregnancy. That she was carrying twins, one a rasha and one a tzaddik. SD (almost 4) asked what a rasha was. I explained that it a person who does a lot of aveiros. ZB then commented, "But Babula (their former Bucharian babysitter) was from Russia!"

Sweet

2008-11-24T21:40:00.003-05:00

Abba wasn't feeling well today and stayed home from work. ZB (5 1/2) went in to give Abba a kiss this morning and then gave him a stuffed animal to keep him company in bed. When we got home this evening, ZB went into the bedroom to sing to Abba to cheer him up.
Both boys then wished Abba a refuah sheleima. It was just so sweet.

Camouflage Sauce

2008-11-17T13:17:00.001-05:00

ZB asked if he could make supper last night (not that he knows how). I asked him what he wanted to make. He told me he wanted to make camouflage sauce.

Feet Painting

2008-11-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

SD's class feet painted last week. SD has some sensory issues and hates being dirty, and I knew painting with his feet would be a major issue for him. His Morah sent home a note the Friday before letting the parents know the day they would be doing this. I started then preparing SD mentally for the task. The day of, he was still nervous. I told him it would be fun and right after Morah would wash his feet.

Well, his wonderful Morah really worked with him. She gave him the choice to go in the beginning or the end. He chose the end. He watched all the kids do it. For most of the kids the Morah painted their feet and then they stepped on the paper. The thought of the brush on his foot must have overwhelmed him, so SD asked if he could dip his foot in the paint itself. It also gave him more control on how much he could handle. AND HE DID IT. The Morah told me after how proud she was that he was willing to even try and then that he actually did it.

He ran to the afternoon Morah when she came in later, and told her "I DID IT!" And the first thing he told me when I picked him up from school was that he painted with his feet.

He knew it was a stressful event for himself and was so proud of himself for overcoming it.

Beach

2008-11-12T11:08:00.006-05:00

I was off yesterday. The kids were both off for some sort of Teachers' in Service Day. I was discussing with the kids the different options of things we could do. ZB requested the beach. I figured it would be a great idea. We didn't have to go in the water and my kids love sand.

The original plan was to go to Jones Beach. The road I needed to get to the beach was closed for construction, and I couldn't figure out any other way to get in, so we went to Long Beach instead.

The kids had a great time playing in the sand and climbing on and around the rocks that divide the beach.

Elections from a kid's perspective

2008-11-04T21:59:00.003-05:00

ZB asked why we need to vote again if we voted last year. I tried to explain primaries and regular elections on his level.

SD told me he knows the 2 people running for president. They are Barack Obama and John McCaina.

I asked SD what the president's job is. His response (based on this week's Weekly Reader) was that the president's job is to talk to the people, work in the Oval Office and live in the White House.

SD had 2 mock elections in school. I looked at his ballot and saw that once he chose Barack Obama and the other time John McCain. I asked him why. He told me one time he wanted to pick one and the next time the other. I guess it's a good thing his vote doesn't really count. Especially when he told me he first voted for Barack Obama because he liked his name better than John McCain's.

I promised the kids they could come with me to vote. They were very excited. I let them help me pull the lever and switches. After ZB begged me to tell him who I voted for. He is starting young in his interest in politics!

Pigs

2008-11-04T21:56:00.001-05:00

While walking into the house from the car:

SD: Abba's a pig
ME: [about to reprimand him that we don't call people pigs, especially Abba]
SD: You're a pig, and ZB is a pig. I'm the big bad wolf. If you don't build your house strong enough, I'll blow it down.
ME: [glad I hadn't said anything]

Never a Dull Moment

2008-11-03T09:23:00.004-05:00

After clearing up from the seuda Friday night, I curled up in the living room with a book. I heard SD coughing and went in the kids' room to check on him. I put his head back on the pillow, thinking the elevation would help with the coughing. This happend again another once or twice as he moves a lot in his sleep and doesn't stay on the pillow. The last time I came in, he was having a really hard time catching his breath and was coughing very hard. I woke him up. His whole chest was collapsing with each intake of air.

We called Hatzalah and they told us it was croup, but that since it was so bad we had to take him to the hospital. Just what I need on a Friday night, and a Halloween Friday night too. Hatzalah is absolutely amazing and didn't leave us until we were admitted into the ER and had a bed.

They gave SD moist oxygen (O2 with nebulizer medication) and steroids. SD was still short of breath, but B"H much better. They discharged him shortly after. We were in the ER for only a drop more than an hour. Then the waiting began.

Hatzalah told me to take a cab home and to tell the driver to come into my apartment and take the money themselves. The hospital tried calling a cab for me, but being that it was Halloween, they had a really hard time finding me one. A sympathetic bystander waiting in the ER waiting room for a family member in the ER called a cab for me and told me that he'd be leaving soon, so if he couldn't get a cab he'd take me home (not that I felt comfortable with that). Anyway this fellow gave me his cell to the cab company my address. I told him I couldn't take the phone as I was an Orthodox Jew. He was really nice about it and took over from there. He even told the cab driver that I couldn't pay directly and they'd have to take the money themselves. The dispatcher wasn't thrilled with the idea, but the driver insisted that it was OK. The driver came in, took the money, and even gave put change back in my wallet.

I told SD we were going home in a taxi, but it was a car service and he was confused why the car wasn't yellow. The driver was a female and dressed as a clown for Halloween. It was a funny sight. She called SD a baby (to the dispatcher) and SD announced that he wasn't a baby.

It was strange being mechalel shabbos even if it was allowed. I also don't know what I did within the law and what I should have done differently. But in times of distress and emergency, it's hard to think clearly.

B"H SD is feeling better. He now has a cough, but a cold type cough and not a croupy one.

Birthday Suit

2008-11-03T09:19:00.004-05:00

I bathed the boys shortly before shabbos. We are working on getting SD to dress himself. He knows how most of the time, but doesn't like to. I gave him his underwear and pajamas and left the room. I told him if he wants me to help he he needs to wait until I light the shabbos candles (maybe a 15 minute wait). I figured he'd get bored of waiting and just get dressed. Well a couple minutes before lighting I found him asleep on ZB's bed still fully undressed. I "promised" myself I'd never be one of those people who photograph their kids undressed, but I couldn't resist. My husband said I couldn't show it to anyone. I guess this will be one of those digital pictures we never get physical prints of.

Sleep Drinking

2008-10-29T09:43:00.004-04:00

I hired a morning babysitter to come really early in the morning (6:15 some days and 6:25 others) to get the kids up and out of the house for school. I then go to work early and come home early.

This morning I was running really late and overlapped with the babysitter a bit. She woke up SD to take him along with her to ZB's bus stop. She usually takes SD in pajamas and then dresses him for school when they get back. Anyway, she sat SD on a step stool in the kitchen and gave him a sippy cup of chocolate milk. He sat there with his eyes closed (I think he was still asleep) drinking his milk.

I grabbed the camera and took a picture, but at that point he was just sitting there still asleep, but no longer drinking.

I will try to upload the picture as it is too funny.

Here's the picture!

Medical Mix Up

2008-10-29T09:35:00.003-04:00

I took SD to the gastroenterologist yesterday for a routine weigh-in/follow up. The nurse usually weighs him and measures his height and then I meet with the nutritionist and GI. After the measurements were taken, the nutritionist and GI came in all smiles telling me SD has jumped over 7 lbs and 6 1/2 inches in just 2 months. The nutritionist said that in all her years of practice, she had never seen such a growth spurt, especially with a kid having weight gain issues.

I was kind of confused as I didn't feel the changes in him to be so extreme, but figured I missed it as I see him daily. The other thing that didn't add up was they said since August. I had been there in August for an endoscopy, but the last time I was in the office was in July. I figured they took the measurements before the endoscopy. The other strange thing was they said he was 22 lbs in August and 20 they time before. I was sure that he was 29 lbs the last time, but figured I must be mistaken.

The nutritionist then mentioned to SD that he's 3 and I said he was almost 4. She asked him his birthday and he answered after Chanukkah. In which I added in December.

She double checked the last name on the chart and realized they had the wrong chart. It turns out I was right. He was last measured in July and did weigh a drop over 29 lbs. Turns out he gained about a pound and grew about an inch in 3 months.

Math Whiz

2008-10-27T10:04:00.005-04:00

I'm not sure what to do with ZB (5 1/2). He asks questions, analyzes and retains. I don't mind him asking questions, but when he applies what he heard, I realize I've got my hands full. It is the case with many subjects, but especially with math skills. The child is doing math well beyond his age level, and is sure to be bored in school. He is in pre-1A currently (kindergarten in any other city), and doing addition, basic subtraction,basic multiplication and now fractions.

ZB asked me to explain what 1/2 in 5 1/2 (his age) and 3/4 (SD is 3 3/4) meant. I told him the 1/2 is when we take a item, like an apple and cut it into 2 parts that are the same size, and a 1/4 is when we take the same item (apple) and cut it in 4 parts that are the same size. 2/4 of the apple is then the same as 1/2 of the apple. I really didn't think he got it until Friday, when he came to me and said 1 1/2 and 1 1/2 is 3 and that 2 1/2 and 2 1/2 is 5. I usually make him explain things he's relaying back to see if he's just repeating or understands the logic behind it, so I asked him how he came to that answer. He told me that 1/2 and 1/2 should make a whole (since the item was split into 2 parts) so 1 + 1 + the 1 (made by 2 halves) is 3 and 2 + 2 + 1 (made by 2 halves) is 5.

Dod

2008-10-24T10:24:00.002-04:00

While sitting in a Kosher Fast Food joint in Baltimore before Sukkos

ZB (5 1/2): are all grown-ups a dod [uncle]
ME: No. A boy becomes a dod when his brother or sister has a kid. A baby can be a dod if he has an older brother with a kid.
ZB: [giggling]
ZB: So when will I become a dod?
ME: If you marry someone who is already a doda or when SD has a kid.
ZB: But then I may be an Abba before becoming a dod.
ME: Correct. Aba is not a dod from his family because his siblings don't have kids yet. He only became a dod when he married me, because I had married sisters and they had kids.
ZB: [quietly digesting the information]

Jewish

2008-10-23T15:06:00.003-04:00

It was very windy on Simchas Torah. The boys were holding their yarmulkas so they wouldn't blow away in the wind. I don't remember which one said it, but they were concerned that people wouldn't know they were Jewish as they weren't wearing their yarmulkas on their heads.

Scales

2008-10-23T15:06:00.001-04:00

SD was describing to me how the scale in the bathroom worked. He got to the point of telling me you get on the scale and see numbers. He told me "you see numbers and it tells you how much you lay."

Sukkos 2008

2008-10-23T14:59:00.002-04:00

We usually split our yom tov with my parents and in-laws. However, my parents were in Israel attending my nephew's bar mitzvah. My brother invited us to join them for the first days of yom tov. He lives in the same city as my parents, but on the other side of town. It was strange to take a walk and not really know the area all that well even though I had grown up in the city.

Yom tov by my brother was nice. His kids are pretty much the same ages as mine and they all played really nicely together.

We spent shabbos and second days by my in-laws here in NY. The kids really enjoyed spending time with Zaidy and Grandma and Great Grandma and their uncles.

An Arm

2008-10-08T09:20:00.002-04:00

Scene: Driving on the highway toward home.

ZB: Ema don't drive by the arm.
ME: What arm and why not?
ZB: Don't drive by the arm, because you'll have a hard time getting back on the road.
ME: [Thinking he's talking about the raised bariers at the side of the highway] What arm?
ZB: The one at the side of the road.
ME: I have no clue what you are talking about.
ZB: The arm at the side of the road.
ME: Do you mean the shoulder?
ZB: Oh. Yeah!