Hanukkah Hooplah

Since Funky has no school next week they had an early Hanukkah celebration in her toddler class this morning. She had lots of fun. She especially liked snack time!

Like the good little Jewish girl that she is Funky's favorites were the Sufganiot (jelly donuts) and the latkes (potato pancakes). 

Containment

Last night  I attended a wonderful holiday party for the Philly Mom Bloggers. Colleen from Classy Mommy hosted the event and Graco sponsored it. There was plenty of yummy food to go around and lots of great conversation. It's always nice to meet other bloggers in person. Graco was generous enough to provide some wonderful giveaways. Everyone took home a box of Rubbermaid containers. They have lids that snap to the bottom. The box also had two of their new produce saving containers. I have been dying to try these out. They are loaded up in the dishwasher now! Graco also had four great prizes for a little game we played. There were two different strollers, a video monitor that my friend Amy won and I won a play yard. It's pretty funny because I was talking with my Mom about Funky being out of control, basically getting into everything. She told me that when we were kids all the moms used play yards. I didn't think they sold them anymore. But here she is...

Granted it only last for about 30 minutes at the most. But I was able to do some laundry. 

Not so Wordless Wednesday

Since I never posted about Halloween here's a great picture that Shannon at NikiCham Origninals took.

 

Okay so for the 3 people that might actually read this little blog I apologize for my absence. It has been a bit crazy over here. Mostly we've been busy with lots of boogie noses that won't go away. I'm all for saving the environment but if the ozone layer were to form a large hole right over PA, say raising the temperature about 20 degrees, I'd be okay with it:) 

I kept thinking that if I could just sit down and get to it that I would be able to post about everything that we have been up to for the past 3 months or so. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. I will do a little catch up. 

Here's a little video from our vacation to Florida. We had such a fun, relaxing time. It already seems like it was forever ago. 

Make a Smilebox postcard

Shortly after we came back I went on a short trip with my great friend Shannon. We went to Vegas, baby! It was tons of fun. I really enjoyed the chance to just be Jennifer for a few days and not Mommy. When we got back I felt recharged and in love with my kids again. To be honest that might have only lasted until the next temper tantrum:)

We got great seats to see the Cirque show Love based on the Beatles music. 

Dinner at Chef Todd English's Olives restaurant. It was on the patio of the Bellagio with the water show right in front of us. 

The Mind of A 4 Year Old

AJ: Daddy, what game are you watching?

Evan: The Steelers vs The Chargers.

AJ: Why are they called the Steelers?Do they steal things?  Oh, I know they must steal the ball a lot. 

Evan then gives an explanation of what steel is, etc.

AJ:  Okay. What about the Chargers? Do they buy things a lot without using money? 

Clearly this Mommy doesn't use cash too often. 

And Away We Go

So this has been a crazy week. Unfortunately, I don't have any time to blog about it. We are leaving in a couple of hours for vacation. We're headed down to Florida (not Disney) for some sunshine and relaxation. I'm really looking forward to it even though I'm dreading bringing my squirmy 15 month old on a plane. Now more than ever I'm upset that they took the infant cough medicine off the shelves... just kidding:)
Anyway, I am bringing my laptop but I don't think I will have Internet access so it will be lights out over here for a while. Have a great week everyone. I'm sure it will be an exciting one with the election! A major perk for this vacation is that I don't have to stand in any long voting lines. We already cast our ballot through absentee voting. Rock the Vote!!

What to Wear???

Oh how I wish I was a celebrity with my own personal stylist. Of course, if I were a celebrity I guess I wouldn't be sitting in the audience of the Martha Stewart show; I'd be getting interviewed. However, since I'm just a "29" year old mommy I am more than happy to be going to NYC tomorrow to see Martha. I haven't been to the city in years so that alone is exciting. Plus, I'll be with a bunch of my fellow mommy friends. Supposedly LL Cool J is going to be the guest, but I'll believe that when I see him in all his glory (and biceps).
I was hoping to look super stylish but I'm not sure that's going to happen. Unfortunately the weather is looking very bleak... cold and rain. I think I'll have to compromise so that I am comfortable but presentable.

What's in a Word?

Well it appears that 'tis the season. For overspending. For standing in lines and fighting each other for whatever the latest fad toy may be. For getting horribly annoying songs stuck in your head. Okay, okay maybe it's not so bad. Go ahead call me Scrooge but I just don't like this time of year. Let me explain, as you gasp, that I'm Jewish so we don't do Christmas. If I haven't scared you off then keep reading. I typically don't discuss politics or religion but this has been on my mind lately. Plus, it's not like I'm about to talk abortion here. Let me state that I don't mind anyone celebrating their holiday. I also hope to encourage my children to experience other cultures and religions as much as possible. However, it feels as though X-mas is often forced upon us. What really has been bothering me though is the hypocritical political correctness that happens now.  The catalyst for this post is the "holiday" party that our playgroup is having. The playgroup has ornament making events scheduled. All the kids are to make an ornament and then they will hang them on the tree at the party.  I'm having conflicted feelings about whether or not I want my kids to participate. I did take AJ to an Easter Egg Hunt in the past. Yet it feels different to me. A fake bunny is one thing. But Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. And it just doesn't sit right with me. On the other hand we have had a Hanukkah play group in the past. The kids made dreidels or menorahs. I appreciated the group's willingness to learn about our holiday. So perhaps I should do the same. I'm just really not sure. If I don't have them do the ornaments I know AJ may feel left out or ask why he didn't get to make one. I recognize that is my issue. We moved to Chester County knowing full well that we would be a minority. It is just a fact of life.  I suppose that the problem I have is with pretending to call it a "holiday" party. Let's just be honest about it and call it what it is... a Christmas party. That my family and I will be happy to attend, ornaments in hand or not.  

I'm adding a footnote here to tell you that I also find Hanukkah these days to be hypocritical. The advertising powers at be have made it out to be a big event and compare it to X-mas. The truth is that while it is a great story (if you want to read about it click here) Hanukkah is not a major holiday. I don't know what happens in other families but I can tell you that you shouldn't be too jealous of the eight nights of gifts. Growing up we got socks for at least one of the nights:)

Wordless Wednesday

Boy am I in for trouble. Funky Chicken was pushing around the step stool. At first I didn't stop her. I would like her to start walking  and it seemed like good practice. Then I turned around to catch her doing this: 

Gotta give her points for coming up with this one. 

The Earthquake

No we don't have any actual seismic activity in PA. I'm actually using it as a metaphor. I've been noticing lately that disease doesn't just infect the patient. It ripples outwards and effects all those surrounding that person. In my case my little boy knows more about Diabetes than I ever thought possible for a 4 year old. Obviously though, the ultimate responsibility for his care falls to his father and I. And lately I have been wishing for a time out from Diabetes. When I think logically about it I know it can be so much worse. There are a lot of children suffering from diseases that are undoubtedly fatal. Children also suffer in poverty throughout the world. Perhaps I'm being selfish. However, those sentiments sound well and good but they don't get me through the day. Lately a few events have occurred that have made me feel this way. If you read my blog today you'll know that we went to NJ this weekend. Evan and I left the kids with my parents. While I really did enjoy myself I had a nagging shadow of doubt with me the entire day. My parents did great taking care of the kids, including his diabetes management. Yet, I wish that I didn't have to leave my child with a 2 page instruction manual. Then we also had the birthday party. Ah the joy of a party. What should be a relaxed time always ends up with us dealing with funky blood sugars. The constant eating, including birthday cake, seems to inevitably mess with his blood sugar. I don't even want to think what the other guests thought of my husband forcefully instructing my son to eat more candy quickly. I also have an event that I would really like to go to. Unfortunately, my in-laws who are usually great about babysitting are unavailable. I know there are many of you who also only use family as sitters. I just wish I had the option of calling a sitter. AJ has also been asking for sleepovers. Now I'm sorry but 4 is just too young for a sleepover. Yet it is just one of many things that will come up in the future.
I've been having a lot of guilt lately for feeling this way. I also feel badly because we are doing the Walk to Cure Diabetes on October 26th and I haven't sent out one letter/email to gain pledges. I did the same thing last year. While I know how important it is to raise funds I just can't bring myself to do it. I think I am having a hard time admitting that my son is someone who needs help... in essence he is the "cause". Does that make sense? Plus, every time I start writing the letter I get way too emotional and I'm not the crying kind of girl.

On the wagon again

I have been on this roller coaster of weight loss for a while now. I'll spare you the details of my long history with the battle of the bulge. Recently I had lost about 15 lbs by doing Weight Watchers at home. I was already a lifetime member but was not at my goal weight. My plan was to make it to my goal weight so that I could attend meetings for free. Then I would continue to lose more weight until I was at my personal goal. I had about 4 lbs left until my WW goal. Unfortunately, I suddenly lost all motivation. I'm not really clear why. Maybe it's the general funk I've been in for a while. And while I tried to get my hubbie on board it didn't quite work. And since then I have actually gained a few pounds back. I REFUSE to go back to the way I was. I need to do better for myself and my family. So now I'm getting Hot for the Holidays thanks to Missy. Go visit her and sign up for yourself. And feel free to leave comments for me with suggestions, motivation, etc. 

Here are my goals:

1. Stick to my WW plan which includes sticking with my points and journaling everything I eat. 

2. Make it back to WW meetings- I think I will see how quickly I can get to goal weight but I may try to convince my hubbie to let me shell out the $ to go to meetings before then. 

3. Cook more and stop eating out/bringing in. 

4. Make fruits and veggies a bigger part of my diet. This is not just for my sake. My kids are not into vegetables at all and how can I expect them to be when I don't model it for them. 

5. Start working out. I either need to officially quit the expensive gym or start using it.

6. I would like to lose an overall of 13 lbs. But I am going to try not to focus too much on the #. I would like to make it down at least one pant size. 

6. Stay positive and believe! 

A Day Late and a $ Short

So it was a pretty busy weekend for us and I spent yesterday playing catch up. That's why you're getting a weekend recap on Tuesday.
Friday night- packed up what felt like all of our belongings and drove to NJ. I think the circus may travel with less than what we do. We spent the night at my parents house because we needed to be up and out bright and early the next day.
Saturday- Evan and I went to the Rutgers football homecoming game. The hubbie has been a season ticket holder for many years and goes to EVERY game. I don't typically go but the homecoming game always draws a big crowd so it's lots of fun. I got to catch up with great friends that I barely ever get to see anymore. We did a breakfast tailgate and although I didn't taste it I heard my french toast casserole was yummy.

Jon and Mel

Saturday evening we drove back home and crashed. 

Sunday- In the morning Evan took AJ to his monthly synagogue program. I ran some errands with Funky. Okay, I have to fess up. I was at Target specifically to find something to wear THAT afternoon. Way to go last minute Joe. In my defense I knew I wanted to wear a red sweater. In my head I had one. But at about 2 am Saturday night I remembered that the sweater I had been thinking of was a maternity sweater. I managed to dig up another one but it was 3/4 sleeve and it was cold here. I luckily found a suitable red shirt. 

Sunday afternoon we headed to our good friends for a fab 1st b-day party. The b-day princess was so adorable! After the party we raced home so that I could go to my SIL's baby shower. She is expecting her second at the end of November. I already have a niece and now I'll have a nephew... I can't wait! 

Sorry for the blur... bad lighting. That's part of my gift she's holding up. 

The shower really made me miss the baby days. Until I thought of my two waiting at home and how I haven't even adjusted to two yet. No way could I handle any more. 

Wordless Wednesday

Hanging with the pumpkins

One of the reasons I love Chester County. It could be a postcard.

Funky says, "Hmm... do I have enough teeth for this apple"? 

This seemed like a fun one

So I have been having some serious writer's block lately. I suppose since we haven't been up to much due to colds. Plus, someone needs to give me some serious camera lessons. I used to complain about my old camera that didn't work. Now I have a new one but every picture I take is blurry. I try to change the settings but nothing works. Maybe my hand is just that jittery?? Okay so all of that being said Beth has saved my blogging day. She posted this fun meme. Go ahead and join in if you want. All you need to do is find the 6th folder in your picture files and then find the 6th picture. Feel free to tag others; I'm tagging anyone who wants in.
This is a sweet picture of my baby boy, AJ. He is 19 days old in this picture. Oh how time flies... he will be 5 in February! I sure do miss those tiny baby days. Not enough to go for round 3 though.

Doggie Daycare

I had a doctor's appointment today so we were picking up my MIL (who doesn't drive) to babysit. On our way back we saw a doggie in the street. He was very close to home but clearly wandering. No one was home so he came back to our place. Let me side track by explaining that I pulled a Jennifer and as I pulled out my paperwork for the allergist I remembered that in order to get my testing done I had to have an Epi pen. Great! So now that I have spent 20 minutes getting the lost doggy home I have about 15 minutes to get to my appointment. I speed away and dial Rite Aid, whose number I have memorized. Hmm... one plus for having a Diabetic son. They tell me that they can fill the order in about 10 minutes. It is at this point that I realize that I ran out without my purse; I had planned on grabbing my stuff out of the diaper bag. Luckily, I had accidentally left my debit card in the car. Ooh I guess there is finally a plus for being a scatter brain as well. I pick up the pen and have 1 minute to get to the Dr. Fortunately, they are only 4 minutes away. So I arrive on the verge of a heart attack (I must get back to the gym) to be poked and prodded for the next 40 minutes. The good news is that when I arrive home I get the call from Bruce the dog's mommy. We both agree that the battery on his electric fence collar must be dead. She was very thankful and happy to see Bruce when I returned him. Surprisingly AJ was not overly excited by the whole thing. Funky Chicken on the other hand was loving it and refused to nap until Bruce left. 

Wordless Wednesday

Daddy and AJ at the Renaissance Faire

My new baby

Okay, so if you were thinking a real baby than let me tell you... that ship has sailed. But for those close to me you can finally quit listening to me bitch and whine about my old computer (if you were even still listening). I have gotten my Mac. I am so excited to have a computer that actually works PLUS the freedom of a laptop is going to be amazing. As I write this I am ignoring assisting my son at the kitchen table. Of course, it is going to take me some time to figure out what in the world I'm doing. I see some late nights ahead of me.

Weight Watchers Giveaway

So as I've blogged about before I have been doing Weight Watchers with varied success. I lost some weight, then plataued and more recently I have unfortunately put a few pounds back. But I am determined to lose it and reach my goal weight. A Box of Chocolates may be able to help with the current giveaway for an online subscription to Weight Watchers. If you're thinking about shedding those extra pounds check it out.

First Day of School Continued

Yesterday Funky Chicken had her first day of school... sort of. We started Toddler class together. The class meets every Thursday morning during the school year. It is at the same preschool that AJ goes to. Of course, that is his one morning off. However, the in-laws have agreed to take him so he will get to spend some alone time with his grandparents. FC seemed to have a great time. It was so funny to see her sitting in a chair at the table, eating snack like a big girl.

Playing Catch Up

So for various reasons I haven't been able to update recently. Instead of attempting to backtrack everything I missed I'll just give you the highlights.

Funky Chicken had her first haircut. Thanks to Sarah and her cool, new local moms website I won a free cut at an adorable salon devoted just to girls. FC did NOT like the hair cutting process one bit so it was a good thing that it took about 4 minutes total. I just wanted her to be able to see again as the top was getting so long it was in her eyes. Here are the pics. Not too many because she wasn't a happy camper.

"Make it stop!"

The finished look... cute even without a barrette.

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First Day of School
AJ had his first day of school last Friday. He has started the 4s class this year. It is amazing to see what a little personality he is becoming. On the way to school he was telling me he did not want go. But he acted like a big boy and the separation was okay. When I picked him up he told me he had a great time and he thinks this year will be the best yet. What a thrill to hear!