I am moving back to blogpot.  I will miss being able to upload pics with ease but since I cannot manage my hosting site (due to lack of knowledge and time to gain said knowledge), I feel it easier to do this.

Until I can figure out how to point blogspot to my domain, you can find us at:

www.hugaliciouskids.blogspot.com

See ya there!

Exciting news!  Adeena is potty trained.  Well, mostly anyway.  We still have to reminder her some of the times and she does have the occasional accident, but the exciting part is that she did it herself!  WOOHOO!

No weeks of trying to time me asking her if she has to pee – her saying “no” – then peeing on the couch, no weeks of frustration as she has the umteenth poopy accident.  Just her, deciding that she wanted to wear princess panties!  We told her that if she wore princess panties that she had to put her poopy and peepee in the potty.  She thought about it for a few days and then said she was READY!  Go Adeena!

Now, she had been “practicing” for awhile, but that also was self guided and she was 90% poopy trained (self-trained, though).  So, it isn’t as if she went from diapers to underware in one day.  But, it definately was minimal work for us AND all before the baby is born!  YES!  (just incase you were wondering, I am doing to diaper-free zone dance right now!)

So, last week, we celebrated Adeena’s major accomplishment by having a Potty party!  Adeena, Eli & I all baked pink cupcakes with pink icing and pink sprinkles and gave many hi-fives and cheers to her.  It was really exciting and she dressed up like a pinkalicious princess!

I know this picture is blurry, but it’s so cute.  Eli has been sick with a runny nose and a cough the past few days so Neil bought some breath-rite strips for kids.  He hasn’t taken his off in two days (so glad it’s working) – but it’s green so why would he?!?

Lately, my daughter has been obsessed with wearing a “married scarf.”  I couldn’t figure out where she got that because we usually only wear a special scarf on Shabbat and I only wear hats and scarfs during the week, occasionally.  However, it dawned on me the other day… KIMBER!  Yes, ever since before my daughter started coming up to work, Kimber has been wearing hats and scarfs on a daily basis.  Since my daughter sees her three days a week and the scarf in the picture below was given to me by Kimber (and is similar to one she wears), that must be where this married scarf thing initiated.  I think it’s pretty cute… at least a lot cuter than when she adopted the super sensitive gag reflex from her!

Thanks, Kimber

Jewaii [jew-i-ee]  prounced like Hawaii

Def:  A country that is inhabited only by Jews. 

Origin Story:

While flying paper airplanes, Eli’s plane lands in at the airport just as expected.  However, unbeknownst to Neil, his plane shoots past the airport.  When asked where it landed, Eli states, with the confidence of a 3.5 year old “Jewaii.”

Well, of course it did! 

When asked what Jewaii was, Eli states that it is a country where all the Jews live. 

Well, of course it is. 

How could we think any different.

Jewaii

View of Jewaii upon arrival via paper airplane

Kidding, this is really a picture of Tel-Aviv, but why re-invent the wheel

The other day, Adeena was with the office nanny and was asked if she would like a luna bar for a snack. 

Her answer:  “Ummmm, no.  I don’t want a luna bar, I’d rather have a multi-grain cracker, instead.”

Ummm, she is still just 25 months old, right?

**This post was actually written in 11/09 but I forgot to publish it… pregnant brain moment, of course.**

I knew that my hormones were on the fritz lately, but I had no idea how much so until I went to Eli’s school for the Mom’s Fall Fling (yes, this was from November but I am just getting around to publishing it).  This was a party that all the kids planned for the mom’s (or other designee) in Eli’s class level.  The kids decorated place-mats, made cookies and practiced songs.

I don’t consider myself an emotional person or one who cries at the drop of a hat, but lately, with the pregnancy hormones going haywire, you never can tell when the tears are gonna come.  So, in true pregnant lady fashion, I totally cried when I saw my Eli participating in the music portion of the Fall Fling.  I really thought that he would have so much trouble with socialization at school and loud sounds/music (which he has but has gotten better at) but he has done so much better than I could ever hope.  He has always had some sensitivity to sound and especially when there are many noisy kids in the room.  He is always the kid who is on the opposite side of the room from where the other kids are playing and it made me feel so sad for him because I knew he wanted to be a part of things but it was way overstimulating for him.  However, he has really made an effort to get involved and learn to cope with the noise that bothers him.  So, when I saw him up, dancing and having fun with his friends, I couldn’t help but shed a few joyful tears for my baby who is becoming such a wonderful, special, smart, handsome (need I go on…) BIG boy!

Title: Eli screams “ADEENA!!!”

not a Fall Fling pic, but cute nonetheless -

I feel that since this is my first post of the New Year, I need to make some sort of reflections statement.  You know, to keep in line with all the other bloggers who are also reflecting in their posts.  No need to reinvent the wheel here.  Ill be brief.  I am not one to make resolutions because I can’t seem to keep ‘em.  I will say this, I had an amazing year with my family.  I continue to be amazed at how my children grow physically and mentally and even spiritually.  I try to curb my temper and expand my patience with them and those around me.  Over the past year, I have strived to be less judgy and more open and accepting.  I think that although I still judge, I can see past my own opinion and be open to others.  I look forward to our upcomming year and the new addition to our family.  I am sure that I will be learning a whole new level of patience and understanding!

The Lizard of Oz

I swear, this New Year’s weekend has turned into a food/movie fest for the Hugalicious clan.  It is all eat-sleep-eat-sleep-watch movie-eat some more… you get the picture.  I feel it, too because I have not exercised in like almost three weeks. 

We did spend our New Year’s as we have every year since we started procreating.  We made a yummy dinner of all our favorites (a steamed artichoke, homemade avacado dip, homemade hummus – Israeli style, sparkling cider for the pregnant one and beer for the one who looks pregnant , wacky mac, and homemade chocolate chip cookies).  The hummus was the BEST I have ever tasted, Neil made this sauce to go with it and put onions, chickpeas and tahini in the center of it with the sauce… OMG, heavenly!  I mean it – THE-BEST-EVER!  We put out our blowup mattress with the kids blankets and pillows and Neil and sat on the couch behind them and we watched “The Lizard of Oz” as Adeena calls it.  I thought the kids would be scared, but they did just finish reading the book with me, so they turned out to be really fascinated and had so much fun – I think.  I fell alseep about 45 minutes before the end of the movie, which means that my 2 and 4 year old lasted longer than I did on New Year’s.  Oh well, I guess better luck next year.

v.

The Jabbah Hallah

This Shabbat, we made Challah again.  This time Eli helped while Adeena napped.  In the pictures below, you will see the difference between Eli helping and Adeena.  I’ll just say this, they definately play along gender lines.  Anyway, I used the same Challah receipe, but instead of splitting the dough into two, I made one large Challah.  I suppose I could have kneeded the dough a little longer but it was definately the best tasting Challah I have made yet.  Even better this morning as French Toast.  However, it turned out looking a little Jabba the Hut-ish.  Third times a charm!