Thanksgiving 2012

This past weekend we loaded up the car and headed to the City of Brotherly Love for Thanksgiving, Lewis Style.  For the 2nd year in a row we were hosted and lodged at Chez Klein and had a fabulous time.  In addition to Addie and Craig living in Philly, Mimi also lives in Philly.  This provided us all with an additional house to inhabit and welcome ourselves into.  In fact, Hersh took his nap at Aunt Mimi's house on Wednesday afternoon and it was in a big bed!  Very exciting!

The activities of the weekend included lots of delish family meals and some strange meals (Chaat) as well.  Thanksgiving dinner itself was amazingly delicious, as usual, thanks to Addie Lewis Klein.  Mimi and I attended a Forest Yoga class, and the whole family enjoyed a walk through Wissahinkon Park.  We made trips to the playground with the Ambalu Family, and visited the Z-O-O on a frigid Saturday morning.  When asking Hersh what he saw at the zoo, he reminded me that we parked in the Frog Lot--glad the experience was meaningful:)  We also had a great dinner for a second year in a row at Osteria, where everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed.  And, I must admit, that I felt a sense of pride when the waiter offered "plain" pasta for Hersh, and I was able to say, no thanks, just bring some olives and he will eat everything that we've ordered.

Hersh continues to delight.  He really enjoyed our Erev Shabbat hor d'ouvres and dance party, where he informed our friend Jay, that we eat "HUMMUS."  He also enjoyed playing with a little boy named Izzy at Thanksgiving dinner, where red playdough provided the foundation for lots of imaginative play.  Hersh also continues to grow more opinionated and seeks control over more decisions.  We are working to support him in this need to control, while at the same time reminding him that his words must be kind, and that controlling others (specifically me) is not his job.

We are grateful for this life, this family, and for the continued opportunities of familial togetherness.  We really like each other and I feel so grateful for the love, support, and laughter.

The Wissahickon

Pre-Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvre

Scoping out dessert.

Cranberry pudding--a family tradition on its fifth generation (at least!).

 

Out to dinner in Philly Saturday night.

 

I believe the Hebrew term is "Re'im Ahuvim."

Together Again

Last weekend Jacob and I headed to Asheville, NC for our good friend Craig's wedding to his lovely bride, Anne.  Sabba and Savta graciously agreed to come in for the weekend and take care of sweet HBB (we are so lucky!).  Asheville is a beautiful place in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and we were so happy to be able to spend time with our amazing friends from college.  We had A LOT of fun, as did Sabba, Savta, and Hershel.  We came home on Monday, and Jacob left on Tuesday for a conference in Princeton.  This made for a relatively long week for me and Hershel, but we managed.  This weekend the whole mishpacha was reunited.  On Saturday morning we went to the SS Thanksgiving Parade--it was awesome!  I had never really been to a parade of that sort--marching bands, floats, troops of dancers.  Needless to say, we were all  enamored by what we saw.

Lots of baking and cooking was done in preparation for Thanksgiving.  We will head to Philly and be with the entire Lewis Family :)  Hersh knows it is for Thanksgiving, but he also thinks it is for Aunt Addie's birthday (which was in October).  Regardless, a party is a party, and we are really looking forward to being all together.

Downtown Asheville.

The boys (minus Farber).

A little blurry.

On the Blue Ridge Parkway.

At the parade.

Hersh trying to dance like the Tinkus.

Cousins!

Crescent rolls for Thanksgiving.

Fall for sure.

It's fall now, without a doubt.  The air is crisp, the hours of daylight are getting shorter, and the foods we are cooking reflect the season--squashes, soups, chili, and homemade doughs.

The past couple of weeks have been up and down.  We enjoyed Halloween, in our own way.  Hersh did not go trick or treating, but he did enjoy giving out candy to kids that came to the door.  He even scandalized one group of pre-teen trick or treaters, as he gave them candy immediately before getting into his bath (naked!).  We successfully endured Hurricane Sandy, without even losing power.  Although, it is devastating to think of the destruction done to my beloved Jersey Shore.  My mother has also required more of my attention/time, so I am working to find a balance between doing what is necessary and giving away any free time that I have to dealing with her.  This past weekend my father came to visit, and Hersh definitely enjoyed time with his Zayde :)

Every night before "bishon" as Hersh calls bedtime, he and I lay in bed together and sing a few songs--or have "shnoogly boogly" time.  The repertoire of songs has steadily increased.  We now sing Shnoogly Boogly, Habitat, You are my Sunshine, and The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow.  He loves to sing these songs loud and with full, guttural force.  Sometimes, he will sing these songs when we are in public or around other people, and it is truly spectacular.

Early voter

Natural History Museum with Zayde

Pumpkin carving with the Small-Gildeners.

Checking on our pumpkin in the hurricane.

Rocking out with Shlomo Carlbach Zayde