Well there are a ton of balls in the air!
Don't forget about the second grade concert! - In the calendar.
Don't forget about the second grade portfolio Share! In the calendar.
Find out yesterday that son needs white T Shirt for tye die on Thursday - figure out we don't have one, and I have no time to get one - "borrow" husband's white T shirt and hope no one knows. Shhhh, my secret is safe with you.
Don't forget about the Brownie permission slip for the hike! Done!
Don't forget to tell afterschool that girl won't be there on Monday due to hike - Done.
Don't forget to tell teacher that girl will be dismissed with Brownie leader. . . . WHOOOOPS! Get email from teacher. . . .
Don't forget to attend Religious School Meeting on Sunday evening to find out about new program - Done!
Leave meeting feeling frustrated that there is not enough information, thus leading to schedule meeting with Rabbi and Educational Director - in process. Speak to friends to confirm that being frustrated is okay and what to do about it. . . .
Start packing older child for overnight camp - stuff is gathering in box, have not gotten duffles out of basement, and still have labels to put on clothes - in process.
Call hotels for guests for Bar Mitzvah next year - find out preferred hotel is booked, working on second choice - need to get a tour - phone tag with hotel contact person.
Attend really close friend's wedding - DONE and had FUN!
Schedule Girls Night Out - when I have time I will find time to see my friends.
Move Bar Mitzvah lesson so boy can attend elementary school class re-union - DONE
Call overnight camp to confirm Bar Mitzvah lessons at camp. - ON LIST TO DO
Schedule tour of Museum to meet new contact person at museum for Bar Mitzvah - on the to do list.
Schedule call with caterer - on the to do list
Continue to ask husband what he wants for Father's Day and panic that shopping time is fading away, and wonder, where are those Father's Day cards that I purchased and had the kids sign . . . . .
Find hotel for summer vacation - WAAAAY down on the list
Find overnight hotel for our anniversary - whoops!
Reschedule Jury duty for time when NOT on vacation - DONE
Complete notary application for renewal. - In process
Type up one year time line of Bar Mitzvah to do's. . . . get some wine and freak out - so many small details that MUST be done.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Another article about stay at home parent vs two working parents
This article was recently published on the MarketWatch website:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-stay-at-home-parenting-isnt-worth-it-2014-06-04?dist=beforebell
There is always an article or a study about which is better, two working parents or one working parent and one stay at home parent. The first thing about this article that hooked me into reading further is that the author is a woman, and if they chose a stay at home parent, it would be the dad. As much as I want to say there is a 50/50 split on the sexes of who stays home, in reality, I know ONE stay at home dad, and he is a fabulous stay at home dad. The rest of the parents that I know, who have one parent at home, are women. I am really trying to figure out a second family, but I can't. I know of families that the dad has lost a job, stayed home and then returned to the work force, but as far as making the choice to be the stay at home parent, in my world, it has been the mom.
Why have two parents working? Of course there is more income when two parents work, however part of that income is consumed with increased childcare costs. Childcare costs money. Quality childcare usually costs more money. We sacrificed our family vacations, so that we could afford the best quality daycare in a daycare setting. There is not a moment that I regret sending our kids to BITC, the best daycare in Newton! And as our kids have gotten older, there are more options for activities, such as All City Chorus, All City Band, travel soccer, religious school to name a few.
Back in the Leave it To Beaver era, "father" worked for the same company for the majority of his career, and in today's world, that is less and less common. In today's world people change jobs often, and often there are lay offs. A lay off is bad for any family, however when one parent stays home full time, that lay off not only effects cash flow, but the ability to purchase "affordable" health care. A few years ago, when our family went through the lay off of a spouse, we were able to purchase health care through the other spouse's company.
One of the benefits of both of us working is that our kids see us balance and negotiate family responsibilities. It is not all my responsibility to cook, to clean, to get the kids off to school, to pick up the kids, to shuttle the kids to activity to activity, grocery shop, pay the bills, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, run the errands, drive the kids to medical appointments, and so on. . . . Our kids see us negotiate, who can leave work early on Tuesdays to drive All City Band (my husband) and who can leave work early on Thursdays to drive religious school carpool (I do). I do the cooking and my husband does the post meal cleaning. We split the errands on Saturdays - I do the grocery shopping and my husband does the coffee bean pick up, the dry cleaning pick up and drop off, etc. The kids see that not one spouse is responsible for everything. We split the homework help.
Both my husband and I talk about our day at work, and when he delivers code on time, and when our business has signed on a new client. We talk about my quarterly reports, and we talk about how those reports need to be delivered on time, and this is especially important when talking to a middle school boy - and turning in his homework and reports on time. . . . my boss expects reports to be done on time, and correct. Real world lessons for the sixth grade boy living in my house!
This article refers to a Danish study about kids whose parents both work and one who stays home. "After evaluating the grade point averages of 135,000 Danish 15-year-olds whose mothers worked and whose mothers stayed at home, a research team led by Cornell University concluded that “maternal employment has a positive effect on children’s academic performance.” " This was one of my favorite quotes, because in the back of my mind, I keep hearing that kids with stay at home parents do better in the long run and those in daycare don't. This one line alone confirms that just because my house has two working parents, my kids don't lose out. My kids know that I am not running a leftover lunch back to school, or a forgotten book to school. My sixth grader knows he has to make the bus home, or wait an hour for the next one. It has taught him that we all have to do our jobs to make our family work. I believe my kids are better off because both of us work. . . . and it was nice to read this article and its different points.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-stay-at-home-parenting-isnt-worth-it-2014-06-04?dist=beforebell
There is always an article or a study about which is better, two working parents or one working parent and one stay at home parent. The first thing about this article that hooked me into reading further is that the author is a woman, and if they chose a stay at home parent, it would be the dad. As much as I want to say there is a 50/50 split on the sexes of who stays home, in reality, I know ONE stay at home dad, and he is a fabulous stay at home dad. The rest of the parents that I know, who have one parent at home, are women. I am really trying to figure out a second family, but I can't. I know of families that the dad has lost a job, stayed home and then returned to the work force, but as far as making the choice to be the stay at home parent, in my world, it has been the mom.
Why have two parents working? Of course there is more income when two parents work, however part of that income is consumed with increased childcare costs. Childcare costs money. Quality childcare usually costs more money. We sacrificed our family vacations, so that we could afford the best quality daycare in a daycare setting. There is not a moment that I regret sending our kids to BITC, the best daycare in Newton! And as our kids have gotten older, there are more options for activities, such as All City Chorus, All City Band, travel soccer, religious school to name a few.
Back in the Leave it To Beaver era, "father" worked for the same company for the majority of his career, and in today's world, that is less and less common. In today's world people change jobs often, and often there are lay offs. A lay off is bad for any family, however when one parent stays home full time, that lay off not only effects cash flow, but the ability to purchase "affordable" health care. A few years ago, when our family went through the lay off of a spouse, we were able to purchase health care through the other spouse's company.
One of the benefits of both of us working is that our kids see us balance and negotiate family responsibilities. It is not all my responsibility to cook, to clean, to get the kids off to school, to pick up the kids, to shuttle the kids to activity to activity, grocery shop, pay the bills, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, run the errands, drive the kids to medical appointments, and so on. . . . Our kids see us negotiate, who can leave work early on Tuesdays to drive All City Band (my husband) and who can leave work early on Thursdays to drive religious school carpool (I do). I do the cooking and my husband does the post meal cleaning. We split the errands on Saturdays - I do the grocery shopping and my husband does the coffee bean pick up, the dry cleaning pick up and drop off, etc. The kids see that not one spouse is responsible for everything. We split the homework help.
Both my husband and I talk about our day at work, and when he delivers code on time, and when our business has signed on a new client. We talk about my quarterly reports, and we talk about how those reports need to be delivered on time, and this is especially important when talking to a middle school boy - and turning in his homework and reports on time. . . . my boss expects reports to be done on time, and correct. Real world lessons for the sixth grade boy living in my house!
This article refers to a Danish study about kids whose parents both work and one who stays home. "After evaluating the grade point averages of 135,000 Danish 15-year-olds whose mothers worked and whose mothers stayed at home, a research team led by Cornell University concluded that “maternal employment has a positive effect on children’s academic performance.” " This was one of my favorite quotes, because in the back of my mind, I keep hearing that kids with stay at home parents do better in the long run and those in daycare don't. This one line alone confirms that just because my house has two working parents, my kids don't lose out. My kids know that I am not running a leftover lunch back to school, or a forgotten book to school. My sixth grader knows he has to make the bus home, or wait an hour for the next one. It has taught him that we all have to do our jobs to make our family work. I believe my kids are better off because both of us work. . . . and it was nice to read this article and its different points.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Blintz Fest
Typically on the Jewish Holiday of Shavuot, you are supposed to eat products made from milk and honey. Because the holiday is mid week, and homemade blintzes take two hours to make, I made this past weekend.
My family can eat blintzes. . . . especially homemade ones. It is like they are going into hibernation!
I use the Temple Beth El Cookbook for Swampscott, MA for this holiday.
The recipe is from Sarene Cohen, who I have never met.
BATTER:
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
2 cup water (Cold)
In a blender, blend the three eggs and salt. Then add the flour and water. Pour into a large bowl. I made TWO recipes of the batter. (Separately, since my blender can't hold that much).
FILLING
1 pound cream cheese
1/2 pound farmers cheese
1/2 pound cottage cheese
1 egg
1/2 t salt
1-2 T of sugar (depending on taste).
Combine all the ingredients for filling in food processor and mix. Set aside.
Melt 2 T of butter in small bowl.
For the crepes, heat a small non stick frying pan (8 inches) and brush with some melted butter. Pour enough batter to cover bottom of pan, but it must be a thin layer. Fry on one side until top is dry. Flip upside down onto towel to cool. Brush pan with melted butter, and pour more batter into pan. If you make two batches of the batter, you should have 40 crepes. As the crepes cool you can stack them (not directly, but set off from each other).
Once crepes are made, fill the crepe with 1 T or 2 T or filling. Folder over like a burrito.
Put in greased Pyrex pan.
Continue til all 40+ are made.
Preheat oven to 350.
Bake blintzes for 20-25 minutes.
You can fry each blintz, but my family prefers the baking method.
My family can eat blintzes. . . . especially homemade ones. It is like they are going into hibernation!
I use the Temple Beth El Cookbook for Swampscott, MA for this holiday.
The recipe is from Sarene Cohen, who I have never met.
BATTER:
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
2 cup water (Cold)
In a blender, blend the three eggs and salt. Then add the flour and water. Pour into a large bowl. I made TWO recipes of the batter. (Separately, since my blender can't hold that much).
FILLING
1 pound cream cheese
1/2 pound farmers cheese
1/2 pound cottage cheese
1 egg
1/2 t salt
1-2 T of sugar (depending on taste).
Combine all the ingredients for filling in food processor and mix. Set aside.
Melt 2 T of butter in small bowl.
For the crepes, heat a small non stick frying pan (8 inches) and brush with some melted butter. Pour enough batter to cover bottom of pan, but it must be a thin layer. Fry on one side until top is dry. Flip upside down onto towel to cool. Brush pan with melted butter, and pour more batter into pan. If you make two batches of the batter, you should have 40 crepes. As the crepes cool you can stack them (not directly, but set off from each other).
Once crepes are made, fill the crepe with 1 T or 2 T or filling. Folder over like a burrito.
Put in greased Pyrex pan.
Continue til all 40+ are made.
Preheat oven to 350.
Bake blintzes for 20-25 minutes.
You can fry each blintz, but my family prefers the baking method.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Today is the day . . . . will I or won't I?
So, today is my scheduled annual eye exam. Today is the day I wonder. . . . is this the year that I need glasses???? Is this the year??? For the past few years, the doctor tells me I am fine this year, but not to be surprised that I will need glasses next year. . . . . .
Let me back up. . . . back in third grade I flunked the eye exam at school. Yup, FLUNKED it. Turns out that I had a lazy eye, which meant one eye was FINE and the other eye was not working at all. Not only did I need glasses, but I had to patch during the day for 30 minutes. How I hated that patch. I still have nightmares about the patch.
I needed glasses throughout college, more so for reading and concentrating, and then one day I didn't need glasses - at all!!! The eye doctor at the time told me that I would need them again at some point, but to enjoy myself! So I did! I have been glasses free since grad school!!!!!
I have noticed that my very clear ability to see exit signs FAR away has decreased. I did mention that to the doctor last year, who said that it was normal, and my eyes were 20-20 for distance. Just to get used to the fact that very far away signs would not be what they once were. . . . .
I have noticed that when I read for a long time (at night) I should make the Kindle font larger and I have purchased the CVS reading glasses.
And now I wait to find out if this is the year.
Let me back up. . . . back in third grade I flunked the eye exam at school. Yup, FLUNKED it. Turns out that I had a lazy eye, which meant one eye was FINE and the other eye was not working at all. Not only did I need glasses, but I had to patch during the day for 30 minutes. How I hated that patch. I still have nightmares about the patch.
I needed glasses throughout college, more so for reading and concentrating, and then one day I didn't need glasses - at all!!! The eye doctor at the time told me that I would need them again at some point, but to enjoy myself! So I did! I have been glasses free since grad school!!!!!
I have noticed that my very clear ability to see exit signs FAR away has decreased. I did mention that to the doctor last year, who said that it was normal, and my eyes were 20-20 for distance. Just to get used to the fact that very far away signs would not be what they once were. . . . .
I have noticed that when I read for a long time (at night) I should make the Kindle font larger and I have purchased the CVS reading glasses.
And now I wait to find out if this is the year.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Cooking Class
Last night I had the opportunity to attending a cooking class sponsored by Temple Emanuel Sisterhood. The class was taught by Renita Mendoca, who has appeared on the Food Network's Chopped series. Lucky for me I had seen her episode! She also worked in the French Laundry, in California, which is the food world, is an important place. She also is the owner of Seasoned and Spiced. Through her company she offers catering, and she also provides preservative free prepared foods at local stores. Many of her dishes are vegetarian or vegan, and she has some gluten free dishes. The class was in a member's kitchen (it was a beautiful, large kitchen that is really user friendly and class friendly). There were 22 students, ranging from young to old. Renita started the class by having all of sniff the lovely spices of the Indian culture, such as coriander, cumin, nigella seeds, etc. It was a great way to get familiar with the spices.
She demonstrated how to make five dishes, which were Millet with Lotus Root and Gingered Beets; Barley with Corn, Beans and Goji Berries; Baked Haddock with Cermoula Sauce; Masala Tinda and Walnut Cookies with Brandy. She was able to tell us where to get the Indian spices she used on Route 9 in Framingham, and also said that Tinda is sometimes available at Russo's.
After the demonstration, she had brought enough food for all 22 of us to have dinner, which was fabulous.
My favorite was the baked haddock. Haddock and flounder are two of my favorite fishes to eat, but I don't cook fish regularly. I am very picky about where I purchase my fish, and in Newton, I go to Whole Foods to be the best fish. The fish was moist and full of flavor. I am hoping to cook this dish at the house.
Renita also is a chef for the Newton Community Education programs, and I would sign up for another class with her as the teacher.
She demonstrated how to make five dishes, which were Millet with Lotus Root and Gingered Beets; Barley with Corn, Beans and Goji Berries; Baked Haddock with Cermoula Sauce; Masala Tinda and Walnut Cookies with Brandy. She was able to tell us where to get the Indian spices she used on Route 9 in Framingham, and also said that Tinda is sometimes available at Russo's.
After the demonstration, she had brought enough food for all 22 of us to have dinner, which was fabulous.
My favorite was the baked haddock. Haddock and flounder are two of my favorite fishes to eat, but I don't cook fish regularly. I am very picky about where I purchase my fish, and in Newton, I go to Whole Foods to be the best fish. The fish was moist and full of flavor. I am hoping to cook this dish at the house.
Renita also is a chef for the Newton Community Education programs, and I would sign up for another class with her as the teacher.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Balls in the Air
So, I never finished my blogging about our great vacation in Washington DC. I never posted photos, and I haven't finished my photo book from DC. I really want to do the photo book, but as soon as we got back from vacation, we unpacked, did laundry, and the repacked to go to our synagogue's retreat for two days. Where we unplugged and had a great time. The kids really enjoy going, and connecting with other kids from the synagogue. As the kids get older, the time I get to spend talking with other adults at the retreat, increase, since the kids can play and have fun without me being within 10 feet of them!
Part of the retreat, the parents of the 12 year old kids broke off from the main group, and talked about the pre-Bar Mitzvah year. Not just about how busy we are, but we talked about the dress of the day, and being respectful of the ceremony. We also talked about how the Bar Mitzvah is a BIG family event. We watched a movie "Keeping Up With The Steins." While not a wonderful movie, it provided a dialog between kids and adults, especially once we got home. We also spoke about continuing the Jewish education.
And then, as we returned and got back into the school mode, we we had Mother's Day, followed by Naomi's FROZEN party this past weekend.
And now we are entering the zone of transition. We are starting the end of year concerts, portfolio shares, and of course signing up for after schools and other things. And of course the yearly doctor's appointments for both kids and now we have entered the "braces" years for Mark.
I have done some great cooking in between these obligations, which I will write about another time!
Part of the retreat, the parents of the 12 year old kids broke off from the main group, and talked about the pre-Bar Mitzvah year. Not just about how busy we are, but we talked about the dress of the day, and being respectful of the ceremony. We also talked about how the Bar Mitzvah is a BIG family event. We watched a movie "Keeping Up With The Steins." While not a wonderful movie, it provided a dialog between kids and adults, especially once we got home. We also spoke about continuing the Jewish education.
And then, as we returned and got back into the school mode, we we had Mother's Day, followed by Naomi's FROZEN party this past weekend.
And now we are entering the zone of transition. We are starting the end of year concerts, portfolio shares, and of course signing up for after schools and other things. And of course the yearly doctor's appointments for both kids and now we have entered the "braces" years for Mark.
I have done some great cooking in between these obligations, which I will write about another time!
Monday, May 5, 2014
April Vacation
Life has just gotten away from me! The highlight for the kids from April was our trip to Washington DC! Yes, we met my in laws in Washington DC for our vacation.
We flew on April 18 from Boston to DC, and it was a late flight. It was a good flight, got our luggage and took a taxi to our hotel - Avenue Suites, near Georgetown. The staff was super nice.
On April 19 we had a nice breakfast and then headed to the "Mall" and purchased BIG BUS tickets. We purchased a two day hop on/hop off ticket. While I can't say that the bus tour was fabulous, we did get a good appreciation of the geography and some history. We drove to Arlington National Cemetery but did not get out and walk around. We drove to the Pentagon, but it was a drive by. We drove by the State Department, the different monuments, Smithsonians, etc. The kids loved sitting on the top of the Big Bus.
On April 20, Easter Sunday, we got up nice and early, and headed to the Lincoln Monument, and then walked to the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, World War Two Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial and we ended at the FDR Memorial. All things that the kids enjoyed. We took the bus to the American History Museum, and spent the afternoon there, exploring our past, and running into another Newton family!
More to come later!
We flew on April 18 from Boston to DC, and it was a late flight. It was a good flight, got our luggage and took a taxi to our hotel - Avenue Suites, near Georgetown. The staff was super nice.
On April 19 we had a nice breakfast and then headed to the "Mall" and purchased BIG BUS tickets. We purchased a two day hop on/hop off ticket. While I can't say that the bus tour was fabulous, we did get a good appreciation of the geography and some history. We drove to Arlington National Cemetery but did not get out and walk around. We drove to the Pentagon, but it was a drive by. We drove by the State Department, the different monuments, Smithsonians, etc. The kids loved sitting on the top of the Big Bus.
On April 20, Easter Sunday, we got up nice and early, and headed to the Lincoln Monument, and then walked to the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, World War Two Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial and we ended at the FDR Memorial. All things that the kids enjoyed. We took the bus to the American History Museum, and spent the afternoon there, exploring our past, and running into another Newton family!
More to come later!
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