Red Sox

So it is not often that Adam and I get to go to a game. So, we had tickets for tonight's game and a baby sitter! Off to the game. This by far was the WORST game I had EVER been to. Because the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot, they sent in unknowns, except for Big Papi and Wakefield. I love Wakefield, but he was having an off night - a waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy off night. And Big Papi did nothing. I have never in my life left a Red Sox game early. We left during the seventh inning stretch.

It was soooooo bad that we were hoping to see the Blue Jay's pitcher throw a no hitter!

It was sooooooooooooo bad that one guy on the team had a hit a homerun, a single and a double. We stayed for his at bat to see if he would go for the cycle.

Nope.

We left as did thousands of others.

I hope I never see another game like that in person. I commented to Adam had we been at home, we would have turned off the game. The guy in front of me laughed. It was the truth!

Kids

So, Naomi has awesome curly red hair. Combing it is not the most fun, but she loves her red curly hair. Imagine my surprise last night while I was washing it the dirt, the woodchips and pebbles that fell out of her hair! I asked her about it and she said her friends put sand in her hair. On the playground, she did not mind it. However, once she was in the shower and saw the volumes of dirt that fell out of her hair, she was upset. She said that next time she will tell a teacher when someone puts dirt in her hair.

On a side note, at the same age, I used to get my hair painted yellow by classmates Harlan and Randy. They thought my blonde hair was not yellow enough.

Girls and their hair.

My son, the mench

So, Mark made his first shiva call this week. He really impressed me, by insisted that he had to go to make his friends feel better (after losing their dad at age 7).

He then decided he was going to use some of his allowance for a donation to the foundation. So he gave me his hard earned $3 (some allowance and some bottle money) and I am going to write a check now.

Guess I am doing something right (at least some of the time).

Backwards Nights

Some nights are crazy busy - especially with a babysitter. I have found a solution to my problem. I don't like the baby sitter to shower each child. It is difficult and frankly I don't feel comfortable having strangers help my kids while in the shower. Mrs. Kaufman, a dear family friend, used to have backwards night at her house when I slept over.

What is backwards night? It is when you eat dessert first, and then dinner.

So I have created my own version. If I know a sitter is coming, I will shower both kids, and then give each of them a cookie, or a piece of candy, and then have dinner. By the time the kids are at the table, the sitter arrives.

Most nights we don't do dessert at all, so having a little dessert is fine with me. Plus, they know if they don't eat their dinner, backwards night won't return for a long time.

So, enjoy a backwards night once in a while! Even if you are taking the kids for the night, with no sitter involved.

Mark - Second grade

Last night we attended Mark's open house. He is now in second grade, and I can't believe I have a second grader. This year he will be learning independence - putting his folder in his backpack after his homework, etc. The teachers want him to develop a love of reading. What is interesting is that we were clearing out some books, and he wanted to keep "The Dot." Now this book is cute, and below the grade, but he loves it. The story is very cute - about a girl who thinks she can't draw, and she has a teacher than inspires her. Of course, we put the book back on the shelf. And now he wanted to read it this morning. I love to read, and I hope to inspire the love to read in both my kids.

This year Mark is going to learn about Ghana, China, Mexico, and butterflies, to name a few thigns. Very cool things.

Rosh Hashana - the end

And now it is the new year. We are still praying for health.

So, to sum up my eruv Rosh Hashana meal -

Challahs - store bought. First time in a long time that I did not make the challahs. The challahs from the bakery are not as good as mine. Somehow, I will have to make them for next year.

Chestnut Apple Soup - Five out of six adults gave it a thumbs down. Only Adam liked it. He was the one who suggested it. Will not make again.

Shiitake Pot Pie with Polenta top - delicious. Expensive since it requires a pound of shiitakes, but delicious.

Cranberry Rice Bake - always a hit

Glazed Carrots - glazed with butter, brown sugar and dijon mustard - no leftovers

peas - good.

Apple Crisp - delicious

Boston Globe Mandelbrot - Yummy and Delicious - http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2009/09/16/mandelbrot_is_a_perfect_treat_for_rosh_hashana/

Starting to think about pre-Yom Kippur meal.

Rosh Hashana Menu

So here is Friday night's menu:

2 Challah's (raisin free and round)
Honey

Apple Chestnut soup (new recipe)

Wildmushroom casserole with Poleta crust
Cranberry rice bake
honey glazed carrots
peas

Apple crisp
fruit
biscotti

Everything is made from scratch, except the challahs.

Health

Rosh Hashana is nearly here. Besides the usual cooking and cleaning, something else is on my mind. This summer, a classmate of Mark's father had a very serious health concern and was in a Boston hospital for weeks, in the brain ICU. A scary place. He has finally made it home.

Yesterday, I learned of another of Mark's classmate's father had a brain aneurysm in front of his wife and kids over the weekend. He is in a coma at the same Boston hospital in the same brain ICU. This father has permanent brain damage, and he is under 40.

This is of course, after my mom's scare in the hospital and after my in-law's friend lost her 5 month battle with bile duct cancer.

This year, I am going to pray for a year of HEALTH for family and friends. May we all be written in the book of life.

First Day of School!

Summer is over.

Forms to complete.

Things to buy.

Things to learn.

Good-bye summer.

Lemon Scones

Shocker of all shockers. Both kids were asleep til almost 8 AM!!!!!!

That never happens.

To celebrate, I made lemon scones. When Adam and I were dating in the 90's, there was a place near his apartment that made the BEST lemon scones. The places was called Panini's and we were there often. Before we got married, one morning as I was reading the Boston Globe Food Section, I started screaming! There was THE recipe for lemon scones. I immediately cut it out, and tried it. They were good. Not as good as going there since they make them and clean up after you, but the best at home. I love making them. The kids love eating them. Adam loves those scones also.

Homemade Pizza

Tonight I made homemade pizza. The dough is really easy, and does not need time to rise, which makes pizza night even easier. Now that both kids eat pizza it is a great meal. The dough recipe that I have makes enough dough for two thin pizzas or one thick pizza. Tonight I made two thin pizzas, one vegetarian pepperoni and one cheese. Both were big hits.

If you would like the dough recipe, please email me.

Back from vacation (m)

Mark was fabulous on the trip. Naomi had her moments. We got to Storyland on Tuesday afternoon and it was EMPTY. We had a blast (after Naomi stopped screaming). Then we went to RED FOX for dinner, again it was EMPTY. Dinner was great. The kids were great.

We stayed at a condo this year, and the kids had their own room! Naomi went to bed after dinner, and Adam took Mark to the game room in the clubhouse.

On Wednesday we ate at Glen Junction, like always and then off for a full day of Storyland. Naomi was exhausted but we ate at the Spaghetti Shed, which was fantastic and cheap!

Naomi went to bed after dinner, and I took Mark to the indoor pool.

On Thursday we ate at Glen Junction and then off to Cannon Mountain for a tram ride. Then to the Flume Gorge, where we were tempted to leave Naomi due to another tantrum. However, we felt bad, and put her in the van with the rest of us.

Reality has hit, and we have done the weekly grocery shopping and other errands.

Vacation Week!

Yesterday was the Stone Zoo. If MA wants to save money, they really should combine the zoos. I feel like I would get more for my money. There are not enough animals at either zoo to feel that the price is right for the value received. Also, they could sell some of the land, and then use that money to design a better zoo. I should be hired by the government.

They should also keep some of the land for a park or something.

Just my two cents.

Off to New Hampshire.