weekend | The Angel Forever

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As the Seat Turns

Posted on May 29, 2008 8:47 pm by TheAngelForever

Monday morning we went to breakfast at my parents house. It is rare that everyone has a holiday off, so we took advantage of it.

While there we decided it would be a great opportunity to head out to my car to turn JSL’s car seat around. Sure he loved being able to look at NHL while turned around, but another milestone has come. The little guy was officially a year old and had long since topped 20 pounds.

JL and I fought with the latch system for a little while to get the seat out. Then we flipped it around, set it upright and struggled to get it latched back in.

Not long after that it was time to head to the car to witness JSL’s reaction to being turned around.

Once he was all buckled in he was a little confused. He was not used to looking to the right for big brother. Still it was the first thing he did – watched to make sure NHL got into his cow seat.

This face tells the story:

Luckily once NHL was on board JSL was content. He soon realized that he could swing his feet around and not have to hit into the seat in front of him.

Soon it was time to test drive both car seats facing forward. Both of the boys seemed content and ready to go.

JSL was very tired at this point since he was lacking a morning nap. Before we even got to the main road to our destination he was sleeping. Clearly he was quite comfy in his newly turned car seat.

JSL was so tired that he managed to sleep through most of our shopping trip. On the way home he let us know he was quite happy with the new view from the car.

Categories:
family holidays jl jsl milestone my boys nhl photos weekend

Family day and rides for all

Posted on May 19, 2008 10:03 pm by TheAngelForever

Did you miss me?

I have not had a chance to blog since Thursday because this weekend was spent with my father’s side of theamily. Thursday was the Yartzeit for my Poppy Sol who passed away a year ago according to the Hebrew calendar. Friday night we had a big family dinner, Saturday a nice lunch together and then temple in the evening. Sunday everyone except us went to the cemetery. We figured that may be too much for the boys. We had a really nice time seeing my Aunt J and Aunt A, along with my cousin J and everyone else. The boys loved all of the attention. No photos to share so I am going to catch up on last weekend.

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Last weekend before the big birthday party for JSL we spent the day with my family. My brother, sister-in-law and niece were in town. We had a wonderful day with them. We all had breakfast together, the kids played and before we knew it we were heading out and about. After a great lunch at Nothing But Noddles we decided to head to a local kiddie amusement park to let NHL romp.

Everyone had a lot of fun. There was laughter and smiles on all of our faces. My parents and grandmother enjoyed watching everyone. NHL got to go on the Merry-Go-Round with Papa for their annual photo shoot. JSL went on his first and second ride – Merry-Go-Round and Train. Even Cousin S joined the fun for a ride on the train with Aunt M and Uncle I.

Of course NHL did the most since he is the big boy of almost 5. He went from the Merry-Go-Round to the Ferris wheel with Papa. Next he grabbed Uncle I and went on the huge Para-Trooper ride. My brother said he was chatty before the ride, but once it started he never said a word. In fact we all laughed back on the ground because NHL had his head plastered on the bar. After the ride he said he had fun and would do it again. Right after that Uncle I went on the little roller coaster with NHL. NHL was thrilled to be first on line and get front row seats.

After this ~~Larry, Moe and Curly~~ Papa, Uncle I and NHL went onto the Tilt-a-Whirl. They had a blast. I have never seen my father smile so much or laugh so hard in a long time. It was hilarious. Thanks to the two adults on both sides, they kept spinning and spinning and spinning the entire time. By this point, the tickets were winding down and it was time to get almost everyone onto the train. JSL went with Daddy, Mimi rode with NHL, and Cousin S went with her Mommy and Daddy for her first ride. My parents stayed back with me to take photos and watch.

When they all came back from two loops around the park, NHL was upset that it was the last ride. We usually warn him and he gets to picks something special for the last ride. Papa graciously went and bought a few more tickets. Uncle I, NHL and I went on the Scrambler. This was not the most intelligent selection for me since my head hurt before the ride. Still it was worth it for laughs. The three of us were butt cheek to butt cheek and thought we would never move an inch when the ride started.

LOL – the laugh was on us thanks to the amazing Centripical Force (ah my days as a physcial science teacher come back to get me) Uncle I was squished by the two of us. Ah, the memories! We had a great time. Since I was on that ride, I have no photos of that (they are with other family cameras) – so you shall not see my crazy hair. Still just picture my hair standing up all over and my eyeballs ready to leap out of my head.

After we were finished, we went to Carvel for ice cream and a quick stop at the mall to go to a store that Uncle I and Aunt M do not have near them. Then we went back home to let the kids play, eat dinner and pack up. We got home rather late that night and had to make that famous giant cupcake for the party the next day.

Here are some photos from last Saturday. Please bear with me as I experiment with something new to use for slide shows. I also wanted to have more pictures for family members to see. HI ALL!

[flv]2008/05/FamilyRideFunMay2008.flv|320|240[/flv]

Categories:
family fun laughs photos weekend

Guests, goodies & giant cupcake = 1st B-day fun

Posted on May 15, 2008 10:24 pm by TheAngelForever

It is still hard to believe that JSL is one already. Last year at this time I was threatening to leave the hospital after a really horrible night. Now I am home with all three of my boys and my baby is getting so big. Last Sunday (yes on Mother’s Day) we had JSL’s first birthday party at my parent’s house.

Saturday night JL and I baked the giant cupcake and twelve other cupcakes with the left over batter. We were up until almost 1:00 in the morning waiting for them to go into the freezer. In the morning we packed up the boys and went to my parents house. I quickly got everything out and started to frost the little cupcakes and decorate the big one. Thanks to my handy dandy decorating tool it came out really great and did not take too long in the scheme of things.

Once the cake was done it was time to work with my mother and Aunt M (my sister-in-law) to get the food baked and ready to go. We served an egg bake with scallions, baked peach french toast, bagels, lox, cream cheese, vegetarian liver (Mimi’s specialty), hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and potato kuggel (Mimi’s again). I could not have had such amazing things if my mother and grandmother (Mimi) had not helped with the menu and Aunt M had not helped with everything on Sunday – thank you all!

While the preparations were being done in the kitchen the kids were busy playing. NHL, JSL and Cousin S were enjoying time with my brother, Papa and JL. Play time!

An attempt was also made to get a photo of the three grandkids together. This did not work out too well. Apparently this was the best that was captured.

Everyone started to arrive at 11:00. While the food finished baking people talked and watched the kids play. JSL had an interesting time with my parent’s massager. All I can say is – he is a total BOY!

All of the kids ate in the kitchen. It was too funny watching them interact with each other.

After brunch the kids went to play and we put the left over food away. Then it was time to set up all of the good stuff on the table for round two of food. It was finally time to put the giant cupcake on the table!

Everyone came to the dining room so we could light the candle, sing Happy Birthday to JSL and have him attempt to blow out the candle. He was quite serious at one point with everyone standing around watching him.

Time to blow out the candle

While I was busy cutting pieces of giant cupcake for everyone JSL was in the kitchen digging in. JL said that he was quite careful at first. After a little while he figured out that he could get more into his hands and stuff that into his mouth faster. Be glad that you did not have to clean up the little guy and/or his booster seat. NHL was amused with his brother’s mess and declared that JSL looked like Grandpa thanks to his white frosting beard.

Once JSL was cleaned up (read – the best that could be done without a tub) it was time to open presents. This was something pretty new for him. Sure he had a few items at Chanukah time, but he was so little in December. NHL was quite eager to help his little brother dig into the gifts. JSL did not understand why he could not play with his first gift and started to have a mini temper tantrum when we tried to hand him a new package. He did not want that and wanted to play with his new toy.

Of course the real fun came soon after this when all five of the kids started to romp in the wrapping paper. Oh wait, some adults also got into the mix. Check it out. . .

Wrapping paper fun

Being the birthday boy was hard work. The little guy had to stop at one point to chug some water from his sippy cup since he was so thirsty.

It was a very nice day. Seeing all of our family members, eating good food was nice but soon it was time for everyone to leave. Uncle I and Aunt M had a big trip ahead of them. Cousin S was all ready to go after hugging everyone goodbye.

All ready to head home

Before we knew it everyone was gone. It was time to clean up, pack up and go home. JSL did not nap all day and quickly had a bath, ate an early dinner and went to sleep dreaming of giant cupcakes.

Now we can sit back for a few weeks until we start to plan NHL’s 5th birthday party for August. He has ideas, but we shall see what we agree to.

Categories:
birthday family food glorious food fun jsl milestone photos weekend yummy

Park adventures with my boys

Posted on April 27, 2008 10:14 pm by TheAngelForever

Last Sunday before the second Passover seder we decided to take the boys to the park for some fresh air. We also thought it would be wise to let NHL to run off some steam. It was an absolutely gorgeous spring day.

Upon arriving at the park NHL bolted from the car (with permission) like this:

JSL was not so sure about the thing in the sky. Thanks to the long, dark, cold winter he forgot what the sun was like. For a while he was content to stay in his stroller under some shade with his sun hat on.

We watched as NHL climbed on anything and everything in his path. My what some amazing therapists can do for a kiddo. Last year at this time he would have asked for some assistance. Now, he could care less if we are there.

Wahoo - sliding fun!

Quickly JSL was getting very antsy and wanted out of the stroller. He saw his big brother having fun and wanted to get closer. JL decided to show him around the park. Please note the big smile behind his binky.

Unfortunately for JL, the little guy did not remain entertained by being out and watching for long. Before I knew it all three of my boys were running all over the playground. The first stop the BIG slide.

Do you think JSL liked his first adventures on the slide? Check these out to see what you think. Be sure to hover over the photos for some captions from Flickr.

Wait for us NHL

Check out who won

JSL's first time down the slide

Even more fun the second time

Third times the charm!

The little kiddie swings here were not too great. They were made for ages two and up and we quickly saw why.

Swings a little too big

When this did not work out JL and JSL ran to catch up with NHL to try something else. The two boys wanted to do a brother train down the smaller slide together. Run ~~Forest~~ JL Run!

The boys go on the slide together

Smiles all around

NHL ran all over the place while Daddy and JSL tried to keep up. Still it was amazing to watch JSL be so happy following his big brother and being in Daddy’s arms.

NHL was very serious as he contemplated the next location to go to in the park.

Serious kiddo

Before I knew it they were all off again . . . to the other side of the park. Before arriving at their final destination, JL and JSL stopped for a quick swing. Not NHL trying to be patient in the background while the other boys were swinging.

Look at NHL waiting patiently in back

Then it was time for everyone to go round and round and get a little dizzy. At first JSL was not too sure about this. Before long he was barking at JL to go more!

Soon it was time to go and get ready for our second Passover seder. Before heading off it was time to catch a quick ride on the T-Rex.

This afternoon we went back to the park for another fun trip before the rain comes in for the week. JSL immediately wanted to go and play. He is so anxious to be able to go and run with his big brother. Soon enough we will be yelling at both of the boys to come back to us.

The nice thing with today, hours after we went Passover is officially over! It is now time to break out the bagels, pizza and other yummy chametz people!

Categories:
brothers fun jl jsl laughs milestone my boys nhl photos weekend

Seder part deux – 2008

Posted on April 22, 2008 10:39 am by TheAngelForever

Since we have two little boys JL is pretty flexible about start times for our seders. We definitely put that into play for the second night. We started the seder at about 4:30 so both of the boys could participate. In addition to this, we were very casual. Since it was so warm out the boys and I were wearing shorts.

The table looked a little different for the second night. Once again Mom helped it to look beautiful.

The only one not at the table for the seder was Whiskers, my parents cockatoo. She was included in food and items to keep her happy though.

Whiskers - not at the seder table

NHL had a lot of fun dipping his greens into salt water. After a while the salt water was just for NHL. Apparently he missed the memo that we do not double dip (or however many times he actually did it).

JSL had a lot of fun bonking heads and playing with papa. This game continued on for quite some time. They had a blast with this and then the "Uh, oh" game where JSL drops everything on the ground and says "Uh, oh" waiting for it to get picked back up.

Soon the little guy was very tired. He would not settle for me.

Luckily Nana’s rocking him did the trick. When we got to dinner I put the sleepy little guy onto a blanket and he missed the meal. When he woke up he had lots to catch up on.

Meanwhile NHL was busy eating a lemon . . . something he requested and actually enjoyed. I love the face he made in the middle photo.

A boy and his lemon

JL helped NHL to read the Four Questions. While doing this he also used the finger puppets. Remind me please. . . . who is the child?

Later on it was time to use the horseradish again. This is the evil stuff that brought tears to many eyes at our table. The stuff was strong and almost like homemade.

While some eyes were teary from the horseradish others did this . . .

With all of the excitement even NHL wanted to try it out. Against my advice JL made him a sandwich on matzoh with mainly charoset and a dot of horseradish. We all knew when he hit the dot. Poor kiddo!

Although it is hard to see this is Papa’s reaction along with Aunt T carefully putting a tiny amount onto her matzoh.

One part of the seder was done differently the second night. We down played the mystery of Elijah. Saturday night NHL woke up several times with nightmares from someone coming to get him and was quite hysterical. With much prodding he finally told us that it was Elijah and he was scared. We carefully explained that he only came to the seder and was nothing to be scared about. It must have worked since the nightmares did not happen after the second night.

Once again we had a wonderful seder. The best part we were packed up and heading home with more leftovers and the boys were in bed at a very reasonable hour. Thanks again to my parents, Aunt T and JL for making this Passover so special.