All kinds of sickness

There are no photos to describe the sickness we have experienced the past 3 weeks.

I cant hold a camera still enough to catch a photo without coughing my brains out.

THREE FULL WEEKS of sickness without a break.

We are exhausted. Spent. and STILL coughing. Hacking and Gagging.

Our house is one ball of stress.

Missed days of work, missed days of school, and a slew of other things that are coming down the pipe that will be postable in the near future. Oh and I am in a wedding this weekend, ekk.

Needless to say we have nothing to show for it.

You dont want to see our nastiness.

I ran around yesterday with the lysol spraying everything. I mean everything. I was gagging.

I am over it. Philip is over it and Asher is flat out over it.

Ear infections, bacterial infections, viruses, phlem, snot, coughs, cough drops, antibiotics, steriods, vitamin C, water by the gallons, hot tea, loss of appetites, bad behavior...

Catch my drift.

We are all sunshine and rainbows here....

Prayers for a long weekend, lots of sun and a healthier home!

xoxo

oh and bella got a haircut. she looks cute.

at least she is now a clean dog laying on clean laundry.

NYC Cousins Visit!

Our cousins from NYC came in a few weeks back to visit during their summer break between camp and school! We had lots of fun. The first day we went to Monkey Joes and played around....Jordana having a blast...

The only thing Asher wanted to do the entire time was ride the merry go-round or play with the video games. He had ZERO interest in the bounce houses or blow up equipment...must have to do with his balance?

The only time I got him to go on the bounce house was when I showed him Nemo....

then of course he scrambled off and ran here...

and here...

In the morning the kids would crawl into the sleeper sofa and watch a movie...

We never use a stroller but my cousin brought her double and Asher loved crawling into it and being pushed around by his Great Aunt Doris

We went over to my parents one night for a cook our. Asher and his poppy were getting very very silly...this is one of many very ridiculous photos of the two of them that I couldnt resist including...

Jordana LOVED... I mean loved Philip. Either Philip has a way with girls or she just thought he was cute. EIther way they had their own little thing going on the whole visit.

My Cousin Robin with Spencer

The boys cutting up at my parents house in their sun room.... on the recumbent bike

Asher managed to fall off of it 2 times. Clearly its not meant to be a toy. He had other plans.

Example of Jordana & Philip play time...

One afternoon Asher and Jordana decided to get a little cozy on the floor while were sleeping.

What trip isnt complete with a big bath party!!?!

I love this...and can't wait to save it for their wedding slide shows...hee hee

We are so glad that our children to hang out together,

get to know each other and love on one another!

As they were getting ready to leave Asher was calling for ...."Pencer and Jadana"

Asher-isms

"I did it...I did it!" He loves the feeling of accomplishment

"Baby-double, T.D (TV) double, More double" - Everything is DOUBLE?!

"Let go!" We caught him pulling a wooden screw out of a hole in his work bench and yelling at it "Let go" hahah

"Thank you Velcome" These two go hand in hand. He often says them together.

He is now appropriately saying Please, Thank you and Velcome, YAY manners!

"Dumma Haff" (from the book Drummer Hoff - which is one of his favorites)

"Temple and Shabbat" - any day of the week... we pull onto Shalom Park his first comment is

"Temple?" then he quizzocally looks at us and asks, "Shabbat?"

"My turn" - this is one of his favorites, everything is his turn, especially when it comes to food and cooking.

Bless you... whether you cough or sneeze...

Family Date Night

Several months back Philip got a gift certificate to The Palm for playing in a charity golf tournament. It was set to expire so we used it as an opportunity to go to a fine family dinner.

We have lots to celebrate....family, life, love and most importantly that week health. It had been a rough week as far as all of our health goes. We were all sick for at least 2 days and Asher carried a 101-103+ fever for 7 days straight.

We enjoyed lobster for 2...well really 3, but we didn't have to pay for Asher.

From the minute we walked in at 5:40 pm (yes we figured go early not to disrupt the romantic couples enjoying fine dining after 7 pm) he was charming the wait staff. The night before they started a new trend by offering crayons and paper to the kids so Asher was the first kid to enjoy it. Thankfully we also brought the ipad with toy story on it so he say quietly (after a lil fit about getting out of the booster seat) and watched toy story while he ate.

Oh and he really only ate Broccoli the entire dinner. An entire head of broccoli.

And bread. Strangely lobster wasnt his thing...even though he loves fish. It must be that whole, "Mom, I have been sick, I have no appetite")

We were home by 7 pm and our bellies were oh so full. It was quite a lovely evening all of us together enjoying some good ole fine Charlotte dining at a reasonable price!

Messy Art

Asher LOVES to create art.

One of Amanda and Asher's last projects together was to create two canvases to hang in Asher's big boy bedroom.

The final product will be displayed in a later post...

For now enjoy the cuteness... and the mess!

(i love his new art apron from aunt janet and cousin brittan!)

Old Friends New Babes

Before Asher's friends came over to play...he was doing some major chillin.

You can often find him in this position.

Baby in one arm, Blankie made by Softa in the other, no shirt and todays special touch (his puppy dog booties) We cant contain the cuteness.

Jacob arrived first. Ash and Jacob have hung out several times over their short lives.

Jacob is the son of Courtney and Josh two of our dearest friends.

We have known Courtney and Josh dating back to high school...specifically BBYO.

Jacob was born 10 1/2 weeks early. He is now 17 months old, 14 months adjusted and he is flourishing. He also happens to be one of the yummiest boys I know and I could love on him for hours.

Shai is the daughter of Abby and Avram. Philip and I have known Abby dating back to high school through BBYO (our Jewish youth group) She grew up in Roanoke, VA. She and her family currently live in Los Angelos, but were in town visiting.

Shai is 9 months old and is quite the looker! She was feeling under the weather during our visit but she was a trooper and even showed off her walking skills for us!

Daddy's and their boys are so special. I absolutely love love love this photo. So does Courtney.

One big happy, healthy family.

It doesnt get better than these smiling faces sitting on our couch.

We all enjoyed a feast of Salmon, brown rice, salad, guacamole, hummus and chips.

After dinner and playtime the kids ventured upstairs for bath time. Asher and Jacob were so funny in the bath. They were splashing so hard we had to step away from the tub because we were getting soaked.

Asher kept teasing Jacob by putting the "nemo" fish in his mouth and Jacob would try to steal it away. This went on for quite some time.

Asher with his "nemo"

After bath time we got all of the kids in their jammies. Jacob went down in the pack and play so that Court and Josh could stay and hang out a little longer. Asher slept in his crib and Shai got ready for bed so that they could hit the road for Roanoke that night with a sleeping baby in tow.

Quick shot of all the kiddos....always challenging, but worth that one shot!

Then came story time...

The boys loved the story and were engaged the entire time.

Story time is a tradition in our house. We read 1-4 stories each night, sing our bedtime prayers and then participate in a family hug, upside down kiss and tuck him into bed which consists of 3 layers of blankets on top of him and the baby over his face.

Friends forever...we will always be.

Thank you so much for all coming over to our house and spending a wonderful evening with us. It was such a memorable and sacred time for all of us.

until the next time....

First Day at CJP!

Growing up the first day of school was a BIG DEAL.

Starting in Preschool my dad recorded the first day of school from the minute we woke up, to getting ready, to eating breakfast and to walking out the door.

He did this ALL THE WAY UNTIL COLLEGE...for both my sister and I.

There was a routine which consisted of talking about where we lived (we moved a lot) what school we went to that year, who was our teacher, what grade, what we were wearing (mini fashion show), and most importantly sing a song (which was usually sun rise sun set).

We got used to it. It was the routine and looking back on it a memory we truly cherish.

So much that I MUST continue this tradition with my children.....so here goes....(it's long, but worth it to us to have this memory!)

...and a close up video of his big cheese (he was so excited, and his new ll bean back pack)

Full day 2's: Kelly & Alex

Charlotte Jewish Preschool

August 1st, 2011

Navy Polo Shorts, Vineyard Vines polo and New Balance Sneakers

Backpack and lunch bag are from L.L Bean.

His watch was temporarily borrowed from daddy...:)

Summer Fun with Friends...

Our summer routine consisted of riding in the wagon to the pool on Saturday mornings.

Last weekend Ella and her mommy, Jen and her sister (Bari) all came to the pool with us while the daddy's and boyfriends went to play golf! Bari came in to town from NYC where she lives. What a special treat!

Ella and Asher love the wagon ride to the pool. Both Bari and Jen got a great work out pulling the kids each way...

Bari couldnt wait to get in the pool with the kids. She is a kid magnet and they love her!

They enjoyed sunbathing and playing with Bari all morning!

Thanks for the bubbles and play time Bari!

Eighty Eight

That is how old my Great Aunt Estelle turned last week!

She looks amazing to be 88 and she doesnt miss a beat.

We celebrated her birthday with a cook out (her request)

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Brocolli.

For Dessert.... Hamantaschen and Ice Cream....and its not even PURIM!

She loves hamantaschen and when you are 88 you get whatever you want.

My mom made her a ginormous hamataschen for her "cake"

Asher loves his Great Great Aunt Estelle and showers her with kisses...

and lots and lots of hugs...

He sure didnt mind the chance to eat hamantaschen..

Ladies and Gentlemen...Asher FINALLY ATE ICE CREAM!?!?!

We are not sure why the switched turned on all of a sudden, but finally at 27 months we have an ice cream eater...he couldnt get enough of it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Great Aunt Estelle.

We love you and are so thankful to have you here with us and in our lives!

Frat Party

Its been well over ten years since we attended a Frat Party....

but this warm July night was the exception..

Temple Beth El Brotherhood (all men congregants) threw a Frat Party.

Not only was it a fundraiser to help support our brotherhood...who supports several aspects of our day to day temple life, but it was change for people to of all ages to come together to have some summer fun. We served keg beer, hot dogs, chicken barbeque, french fries, coleslaw, potato salad, orzo salad and a huge table of desserts.

As part of the event you could sponsor a table in honor of your school....

Of course we had to represent NC State!

Jen and Jason also sponsored the table and Jen's sister and boyfriend came in from NYC to enjoy the fun with all of us!

Softa and I enjoying the party!

Papu and Philip handsome as always!

(you could dress however you wanted...we chose dressy Fraternity, others wore school colors or school shirts or even togas)

There was no shortage of dancing...

(they even played justin bieber, squeal)

The Rabbi's (both on the left) and their spouses enjoy a nice cold beverage!

There was definitely a conga line throughout the ballroom!

We were exhausted from all of the fun, but it was great to get some time just the two of us!

Thanks Nana & Poppy!

We are excited to announce the Frat Party will become a Beth El Tradition as it was well received by all generations of our congregation!