Choco LOT

Growing up we ate chocolate chip pancakes on Saturday mornings made courtesy of my awesome mom. They were delicious. She always spruced them up with something hidden and healthy. She is a mom, what do you expect!

We must carry the tradition on!

Asher LOVES Chocolate Chip pancakes.

seee?

more please?

Asher also has started asking for "coookie". He thinks everything is a cookie that is a carb.

We rarely eat cookies nor do we have them in the house but Amanda has been making them over the holidays with Asher. He stirs and "helps". Then he eats :)

Amanda makes killer cookies, I confess!

Check out his pretty stash of homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The Schreibman's are suckers for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!

Happy New Years

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

How cute is my kid????

Fun in the Sun....I mean Snow!

On the evening of Christmas Day Softa called us around 10:45 pm.

"You need to come get that sled!" (she has an old fashioned sled)

We were already in bed and had no idea it was snowing.

Needless to say we didnt get the sled and when we woke up the next morning he had indeed SNOWED!

It was STILL SNOWING and it snowed ALL DAY!

Since we weren't comfortable driving to get the sled we got a little creative...or may I say ghetto. A flattened card board box and a belt.

At some point the belt broke off from the "sled"

As you can see it was really coming down, but of course he didn't want to wear his gloves!

We thought it would be a genius idea to get him to make a snow angel.

Clearly I he didnt get the memo as to why this was such a great idea.

Maybe in a few years!

HE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH US.

We are mean parents!

Snow Day 2 to follow!

Snowball "fight"

Hanukkah Celebration #3

This year I was in charge of coordinating the Temple Tots Hanukkah celebration. We had about 50 kids/adults attend and everyone joined together to light the candles (each family brought their own menorah)

All of the different menorah's from different homes

Sing songs with Rabbi Micah

They also played dreidel and did a craft (which I admit was a disaster and not age appropriate). Oh well... you live and you learn.

Asher had a great time socializing with the other kids, running around and flirting with the girls. Typical!

The creative mind

Asher has quite the creative mind...

It was a cold blistery day...he clearly wanted it to snow!

He turned a shoe box into a sled all on his own!

What a creative little mind!

Giving Back, Project Snowflake

Growing up we volunteered at a Homeless Shelter on Christmas Day serving food as a family. Since Asher is too young to participate in such activities we decided to volunteer out time in a different way. This year there are over 500 men expected at the homeless shelter in the Charlotte area for Christmas. Last year they had approximately 275. This breaks my heart. They need as much help as possible to fed all of these men a hot meal. Project Snowflake reached out to our community asking families to prepare breakfast casseroles. I jumped at the opportunity and was so excited that we could give back together as a family. We had a blast making the Breakfast Casseroles as a family.

We decided to make Cathy's (my mom's best friend), famous Breakfast Casserole. It's delicious and easy which is perfect for a family activity. Asher LOVES to watch us cook and partake so we involved him as much as we could.

My slightly larger version for foil pans vs and 8x8 glass pyrex:

5 slices of bread cubed

1/2 lb of cheddar cheese cubed

Mix together in a bowl: 5 eggs, a dash of salt, a dash of worcestershire, 1 1/2 cups of milk

Pour the mixture over the bread & cheese.

We also topped it off with sausage for some extra fat and protein, but you can crumble cooked bacon over the top of the casserole during the last 15 minutes it cooks for a delicious crunch and flavor

Let it soak overnight.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

He even has his own mini beater! Now all he needs is an apron. Check out that tongue!

He had so much fun that when it was time for us to put up the casseroles he cried!

We are so thankful this holiday season that we are able to give back to those that are less fortunate! What are you doing this holiday season to give back?

Hanukkah Celebration #2

We celebrated one of the 8 Hanukkah nights with the Schwartz's and the McGinnis'. Ella's daddy Jeff was home recovery from major hip suregery so we set up the Latka frying pan right in their kitchen and went to town.

We ate freshly fried up latka's, Beef Tips from The Meat House, Cous Cous Salad and Roasted Veggies from Dean & Deluca.

While daddy was cooking Ella and Asher opened presents and played

Always time for a cute shot with mommy in our Hanukkah sweater

Jeff & Naomi (Ella's parents)

Hanukkah Tea Party!

Lighting the candles all together

Hands full!

Dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba

Eating Cookies and watching Yo Gabba Gabba ( we are good parents, I promise)

Asher: Let's get a little closer...

Ella: Uh, dude...get off me!

Ella: Seriously, what are you thinking? I am a lady!

Asher: Awww Yeah, this is what its all about. Me and my lady!

Ella: He can't be serious!?!? He is sitting on me!

Ella: Enough is Enough....I'm outta here!

Asher: Dissed...Well at least I still have my cookie!

Now its time for Party on the Bed!

Jumpin on the bed!

Ready for the tub?

Soap hawks!

Hanukkah party = party in the tub!

Until the lil guy starts splashing!

Thanks to the McGinnis' and Schwartz for another wonderful night of Hanukkah fun!

Not only did we have fun but I think the kids had a blast!

Hanukkah Celebration #1

On the 2nd night of Hannukah we celebrated with our Charlotte Family. We opened all of the presents that had arrived from near and far and family all over the country. Philip cooked up loads of latkes in the garage and everyone brought a different side dish (all dairy salads) to eat.

(I cant locate any of the food photos...which were awesome, and the reason for my delay in posting, ugh, double ugh)

Here is what was served:

Bried with Red Raspberry Preserved Wrapped in Phyllo and Served Warm with Water Crackers, Sun Dried Tomato, Pesto and Goat Cheese Torta with Whole Wheat Crackers (this recipe came from our Wedding Cookbook my parents gave us almost 5 yrs ago!), Fresh Veggies with Hummus, Deviled Eggs, Hot and Crispy Potato Latkes, Egg Salad, Tuna Salad and Chicken Salad, Fresh Rye Bread, Bagels and a beautiful Star of David Chocolate Chip Pound Cake for dessert.

It was Deeeeeeelicious.

After dinner we all gathered around the menorah's to light the candles.

Asher is OBSESSED with lighting the candles. It sits so still and watches, gazes and grins. Its truly a special moment. He can say "latka" and "hanna" which means Hannukah. We are proud parents. He enjoys putting the unlit candles into their proper place on the menorah.

Amanda joined us for our family celebration (which was such a wonderful treat since we consider her part of our family). She snapped this super family photos for us:

After we lit the menorah's we spread out in the family room to unwrap the massive amounts of presents. Asher had no problem jumping in... literally, to start unwrapping.

he was all business...amazing what only 6 months can do when it comes to unwrapping gifts!

Playing with his puzzle from Amanda

The Hanukkah Beards

Asher hopping on his new Tricycle!

I think I need to grow into this mom!

Asher's new Lion Menorah for 2011. Each year we get a new menorah. This year we happened to get 2. Philip bought me a limited edition Rosenthal Menorah that is 1 of 150 made. Its gorgeous. Softa also bought Asher this beautiful Lion that looks more like a piece of art than a menorah. We now have over 17 menorahs!

Nana and Poppy bought Asher this AWESOME Water Play Table that is being housed in our kitchen and is played with daily. Amanda put it together the next day and Asher loves it. Once it warms up in the Spring this will be an awesome outdoor toy.

Asher's first golf set!

We could not be more thankful for all of the wonderful gifts Asher received this Hanukkah. I truly believe he was able to enjoy the celebration of Hanukkah to its fullest and we were so full of love watching him soak it all up!