Pesach 2013

Pesach this year was a true hit in the Lewis household.  Hersh loved the seders.  When I say love, I am not exaggerating.  School did a great job of complimenting the knowledge he had from home about Pesach.  He made a kiddush cup and seder plate at school, both of which he was very excited to use at each seder.  We had the first seder at our house and were joined by both friends and family.  As soon as everyone was seated, Hersh said, "Ok, let's do the Mah Nishtanah."  As the seder progressed he assisted Jacob in the leading of the seder by singing many songs (Where is Baby Moses?, Frogs Jumping, No, No, No!, and the Mah Nishtanah).  He also enjoyed the various Pesach foods, especially the Sephardic Haroset.  The next  morning we hopped in the car and headed to Philly where we enjoyed the second seder at Addie and Craig's house (Mimi was also there).  Hersh did not disappoint on night #2 and proceeded to "lead" seder as he did the first night.

The rest of our week has been mellow and enjoyable, with playdates, and Passover Food, which we are ready to be done with.  Addie and Craig came for a visit this weekend, which was wonderful!  We had beautiful weather on Saturday and spent much of the day outside.  Today we tried to go and see the cherry blossoms--a huge bust, since they have yet to bloom.

On a separate note, we were at IKEA looking for beds and Hersh said, "Abba, let's run fast like the setting sun."  He also told us that something we said was, "precise."  It is also amazing what Hersh recalls from things that happened a year ago.  For example, the other evening we were taking a walk around the block and he was riding his tricycle.  He then proceeded to recount for us how we got the tricycle, "Ima, you bought the tricycle from the man on the computer, then Abba and I went to pick it up.  It was tricky to fit in the car."  How he remembers these details is truly remarkable.

 Our Seder:

Saying Kiddush

The table

Some of the Aplebaums

Needing salt water to dip his parsley.

A, A, and Mr. Tesio

Tammy Sun came to the seder!

Pesach Pizza--not too bad.

Engineering in the sunshine.

Love.

Helping with yard work.

Awesome penguin balloon.

Little Rock getaway

This past weekend we flew to Little Rock for a long weekend of family, friends, and sunshine. I sat with Hersh on the plane ride, which happened to coincide with nap time.  We agreed that Hersh would nap after he received his mitz tapuzim.  The nice flight attendant gave Hersh some delicious Biscof cookies.  I wanted one bite of the Biscof, but he was not in the sharing mood.  In a very weepy voice he told me, "Ima, you can have an apple when we get to Little Rock, and chew on some ice if you want something crunchy." Needless to say, this made his message of no sharing very clear.

Upon arrival in Little Rock, we were greeted by Sabba, Savta, and Bamombelle.  We were all so pleased to be together.  We went out for ice cream, got our teeth cleaned by Sabba, visited the new children's library, and enjoyed the sunny spring weather.  Hersh enjoyed reading Ferdinand and well and many Francis books.  He also made us all his patients as he used his new dr.'s kit and served as Dr. H.Y. Lewis.  Hersh also enjoyed a tea party with Bamombelle, and a drawing session with Savta and Bamombelle.

Getting outside

Being that we are well into the month of March, we are ready to be outside!  Two weekends ago it was a bit chilly, but we bundled up and took a hike at a local State Park.  We walked for about an hour, which is an exceptional amount of time considering the temperature and the fact that we had an almost 3 year old in tow!  We are now adjusting to/enjoying the benefits of daylight savings.  This past weekend the weather was beautiful.  We even ventured into DC and had amazing nachos at Commissary, where we sat outside--both of these things make me happy.

We are preparing to head to Little Rock for the weekend, which we are all looking forward to. While we are away we are having some painting done in the house, in preparation for making Hersh "a big boy room."  Our goal is to have this process (painting, furniture, decorating, etc) complete by his birthday.  Pesach and Aplebaum birthday season is just around the corner.  The other day I asked Hersh what he would like to do for his birthday and he listed all of the details from last year's party in earnest--amazing.  One day during breakfast he even looked out the back door and said, "Ima, I want to sit at that table and have my fish cake while everyone sings to me at my birthday party."  What a kid!

New shades

Purim Mask and crown

The cutest

Kitchen helper

 On the hike:

Assuming....

This morning as Hersh and I were finishing up breakfast, he noticed that I was breaking down our box of Trader Joe's brand rice crispies, as we had finished the box.  He expressed concern that the box was finished and I reassured him that we could go to Trader Joe's and get another box.  The next thing he said to me was, "Ima, I assume that we have another box of rice crispies in the basement." Needless to say, I was shocked and amused at the clarity and preciseness with which my 2 3/4 year old used the word 'assume.'  Then, this afternoon we were on a chilly walk, and he said, "I assume it will be spring soon."   Not sure where he heard the word 'assume' used, but it is amazing to hear him use it :)

On a separate note, this past weekend we had the baby naming for the two little ladies--Juniper Lily and Mabel Hope are now officially 2 weeks old!  Aunt Sandy and Eric came down from NY, and we enjoyed a fun weekend with Zayde as well.

Tonight we will celebrate Purim, with HBB dressed as a train conductor.  Tomorrow we will visit the planetarium at the Air and Space Museum.  Very exciting!

Purim parade at school.

Proud of his puzzlin'

Apples at SSFM.

 Hamantaschen making:

Silly glasses:)

It's February!

Somehow we are fully in the midst of the month of February.  Life is moving along smoothly with work and school going well.  Lowell and Nina had their twins this past week--2 girls!  We were lucky enough to have Lewes spend Shabbat with us, which Hersh and Lewes really enjoyed.

Last night Hersh asked me and Jacob to define the word "bulky." A long and detailed conversation then ensued, in which we fully explored the concept of something being bulky, and went around and around, each giving examples of things that are bulky.  Hersh is also very interested in floor puzzles, and has been enjoying a series of books about two bunnies, Max and Ruby.  Soon we will prepare for Purim and bake Hamantaschen.  The days have been cold, although we've had some sun. which we are always grateful for.

Shopping at IKEA

Cousins!

Celebrating the Chinese New Year!

The two little ladies :)

1st picture day at school!