Today...

Leo has been battling some nasty form of the stomach flu for a few days now. I knew he was feeling better this morning when he started his normal shananagins.

Amelia picked out the most gorgeous (and well coordinated) outfit this morning for school.

Fun isn't always sensible

As I was attempting to clean up Amelia's closet, she spotted a tent way up high on the shelf. This tent had been put up in the past, but since Amelia didn't want it on her bed (where it is supposed to be), and since Leo loves to knock things over, it didn't last long on the floor. I told her that it had to be on the bed and that I was not going to keep putting it up and taking it down (I am so mean that way). We agreed and I managed to put it together. As I was strapping it to the bed, I felt bad for Leo who wouldn't be able to play in it. A *light bulb* suddenly went off in my exhausted brain and I moved the matress to the floor. As we say in our house, it was no fun - no fun at all! (P.S - Kristen...if Danny hasn't already seen this, let's just keep it our little secret until he comes home.)

Why was this day different?

Well, we had Amelia's seder, of course!

Girlfriends

School was cancelled today because they were (literally) flooded out of the building. Amelia was disappointed, until I told her that Sierra was coming over to play. We have done lunch with Sierra and we have known her for a while because her big sister is friends with Noah, but the girls have never had a real play date. I almost died listening to them chat it up like old girlfriends. They are both very independent and very big "helpers", but they each held their own and I pretty much left them alone the whole time. Leo played downstairs with them a bit, just like he was one of the girls.

Danny's nightmare is my dream come true...

When Amelia was younger, frozen fish sticks were a staple in our house. After watching a few of Jamie Oliver's documentaries on the stuff that actually goes into making fish sticks, I did some thinking and started phasing them out of our house. When Leo got into them, that was enough for me and they disappeared for good. The problem was, I was running out of protein rich options for them. When we all ate together, they would just eat whatever we were eating, but on nights when I teach or when I want to give them early dinners, I don't want to have to make a whole production. I had been wanting to make my own "fish sticks" for a while, but I happened to have married a man who has nightmares about fish smelling up the house and ruining all his pots and pans. In the (almost) six years we have been married, I have made fish one time. I don't keep much from Danny, anything really, but did you think I confirred with him before buying a package of fresh tilapia and serving it to the kids? Instead, I made the yummiest Mommy Fish Sticks and watched Amelia and Leo gobble em up. Because he loves his children so much (more than me?), Danny has given the OK for me to prepare tilapia fish sticks for them. He did remind me, however, that if he ever comes home to salmon, I might be needing a lawyer.

A New Woman

Before...


After...

A Little Preview

The weather has been nice over the past week and we have definitely been enjoying it. Nothing, however, can compare to the 73F weather today! I spied on Amelia while she was playing outside at school and had tears in my eyes just watching her. Without the snowsuit, hat and jacket, I could really see her boppin around and having fun. The kids came to Hebrew School with me to play with Zadie there and they had some time outside there as well. When we came home at 6:30pm, I couldn't help but take them outside for a bit. Here is my attempt at taking some shots of them enjoying the weather. I know it's going to be a fabulous summer.

T-E-A-M....Teamwork!

Every week on Hi-5 there is a new theme and we look forward to watching it Monday mornings to see what it is. This week is "Teamwork" and, as usual, I can't get the darn song out of my head. I witnessed our own brand of teamwork today at SAMS club. Amelia has been scared of the toilets at SAMS for a while now because they "flush by themselves". Danny got her over her fear by covering the sensor while she pishes so it wont flush. The whole process is a little more difficult for me since I am holding Leo at the same time. What makes it more difficult is when Amelia gets scared and just sits and nothing comes out or sits on the edge for a quick getaway. So, there I am, holding Leo, the other hand on the sensor and Amelia jumps off the toilet. I cant move my hand for fear that it will flush while she is getting back on and my hand is ready to fall off. I tell her to get back on the potty quickly because my hand is hurting and Leo is trying to escape. Amelia says to me, "how will I get the toilet paper?" looking at the roll so far away from us both. I told her that we will get it after she pishes, making it then safe for the flushing to occur. Leo then rangles out of my arms, as I put him down I pray that he doesnt bolt out of the bathroom. He runs right to the toilet paper and pulls out enough toilet paper for every woman at SAMS. Amelia grabs some and takes care of her business and I am given the go ahead. Leo is turning into such a little helper.

My little self

Everyone has their own idea as to who Amelia looks like. If you ask my parents, they feel as if they are looking at me 27 years ago whenever Amelia walks into the room. I can tell you that there are many moments when I feel as if I am looking into a mirror. I am not sure it is because she looks so much like me, more so because we are so alike. It is very surreal having a conversation with a three year old who knows you better than anyone else, with who can laugh with, cry with, and just be yourself with. We can just look at each other and have an entire conversation - similar to my mom and me. To have an inside joke with a three year old is too much fun. To be able to make someone smile just by looking at them is a gift. To have someone love you unconditionally is something I am fortunate to feel every minute of my life.

Today...

Today was one of the all around best days I have had in a while. Alot of my energy over the past couple of weeks has been taken over by Amelia's naps - or lack thereof. Everyday, I spent "nap time" waiting for her to come out of her room or trying to shush her meltdowns before she woke up Leo, unsuccessfully most of the time. In the end, we decided to cut Amelia's naps because the cost of ulcer-removing surgery just seemed to outweigh any benefits of a possible two hours to myself. Now, while Leo is sleeping, we fold laundry, play quietly and do whatever else needs to be done around the house. Amelia knows that I need time too and has been very respectful of that. I finally feel free to do my own stuff during that time, there is such a weight lifted off of me - and from Amelia too. I feel like I have my sweet little girl back again and I love the extra time we have together.

Chag Purim, Chag Purim

Today was Purim at Amelia's school. After much deliberation, Amelia decided to go as Queen Esther. Leo decided to go as a cast member from Hawaii Five-O.



I had been planning for weeks to bake my hamentaschen last night for mishloach manot baskets for Amelia's friends, teachers, as well as my students and some friends of the family. As I stared at 120 hamentaschen at 11:30pm last night, I wondered if it was really worth it - if Amelia would really appreciate the idea of it all. I knew my exhaustion was worthwhile when Amelia shined as she "stuffed" every single mishloach manot package this morning. All through her Purim party, Amelia reminded me about the bags for her friends. Even when Mrs. Posternack was telling the circle of kids what was left to do at the party, Amelia called out to me, "and, Mom, we still have to do the bags!"



I was so proud of both of them, they really had a great time playing with friends and participating in the activities.



Amelia sat next to her friend, Isaac, and then Ari and Noah joined us after their party was finished.



Leo was cute and went right over to Mrs. Posternack's chair and tried to sit down. At least he is preparing her for what class will be like in two years. Amelia's class participation is really improving and I love to watch her interact with her teachers.