Classic Back to School Pic

Moises took this of Asher this morning before dropping him off at school. He looks like such a "school boy" and not my baby anymore! By the way... he is loving school now. It took him a few days to adjust but now looks forward to going.

Cousin Borja

Aunt Becky, along with her Chihuahua Borja are visiting Babi and Zeide in Israel at the moment. She has informed us they like Borja more than all of us. He is "the favorite".

She says Zeide is always with Borja... showing him pictures on the computer, showing him things out the window, introducing Borja to all the other dogs in the building, he even took him to the zoo!

Babi, who would never let her children get a dog growing up, now sits on the balcony with him as she reads; she takes him to the park; she lets him sleep on the sofa; she feeds him scraps of food when Becky isn't looking! We couldn't believe it until we saw these pictures.

Firefighter Asher!

Asher was ecstatic when he received his firefighter costume from Babi and Bampa. He would run back and forth from the living room to the mirror making faces and admiring his costume.

Peanut Butter Bread

I have been looking forward to the time when I can have a little helper in the kitchen. Some of my best memories growing up are of me in the kitchen with my mom and grandma.

I've had Asher "help" me shape challah loaves and hamantaschen cookies-- but most of what he was working on either ended up in his mouth or on the floor. Last night I was making peanut butter bread and thought I'd give it another go with him. Not only did he do great, he LOVED it! He held the measuring cups for me while I did the pouring; then he poured those into the mixing bowl. And then we both stirred the batter together.

I've been making this peanut butter bread since Asher was about a year old; it's a great one for kids because not only do they love it but it is very healthy. I slice it up and freeze it so it's there when I need it. It makes a great peanut butter and honey sandwich with sliced bananas!

1/2 c. chunky peanut butter (you can use any kind of nut butter you prefer)
1/2 c. orange or plain honey (I only use a 1/4 cup)
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 c. grated carrots
2 bananas, mashed
1/4 c. low-fat milk
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour (I prefer whole wheat pastry flour)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. In a bowl, blend together the peanut butter, honey, oil, eggs, carrots and bananas. Add milk, spices, vanilla, salt, baking powder, soda and flour. Blend together well. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool bread on a wire rack.

Seared Baby Bok Choy and Shitake

Here is a recipe I got from Fine Cooking magazine, one of my favorites. This is a very simple, and easy dish. I omitted the tofu and served it with broiled salmon along with a side of brown rice and mung beans. My super-market didn't have baby bok choy so I just used the regular size instead, but cut it into more sections. Delicious!
1/2 lb. extra-firm tofu
1/3 cup low-salt chicken broth
1-1/2 Tbs. minced jarred jalapeño slices
2 tsp. Asian sesame oil
1 tsp. granulated sugar
3 Tbs. canola oil
1/2 lb. baby bok choy (about 2), split in half lengthwise
1 tsp. kosher salt
1-1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (about 2 Tbs.)
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about 1 Tbs.)
3-1/2 oz. fresh shiitakes, stemmed

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Drain and cut the tofu into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Cut each slice crosswise into 1/2-inchwide sticks (you should have fat, rectangular sticks). Put the tofu on paper towels and set aside. In a small bowl, mix the broth, jalapeño, sesame oil, and sugar.

Set a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot, about 1 minute. Add 1-1/2 Tbs. of the canola oil and once it's shimmering hot, add the bok choy, cut side down. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. of the salt and cook, without touching, until browned, about 2 minutes. Continue to cook, tossing, until the bok choy stems start to soften and wilt, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.

Add the remaining 1-1/2 Tbs. canola oil and the ginger to the skillet and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Add the garlic and let it sizzle for 10 seconds. Add the tofu and shiitakes, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms brown and soften, about 3 minutes.

Return the bok choy to the pan, add the broth mixture, and cook, tossing, until the sauce evenly coats the vegetables and the bok choy is tender, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Lil' Jumping Bean

BFFs already!

Another contraption...

...makes it's way up out of the basement and into our living room!

I think Asher loves it the most; he spent all afternoon in it!

Asher's First Day of School

Today was Asher's first day of school. I am starting him off by taking him two mornings a week and then gradually increasing the days as he adjusts. He had no problem when Moises and I dropped him off. He was distracted by all the new friends he was going to make. But when I picked him up just before lunch he started crying as soon as he saw me and saying, "Wanna go home Mommy!" His teacher, Phylis said there were a couple of moments when he cried but for the most part he did really well and participated. On the car ride home and all throughout his lunch he wouldn't stop talking about all of the things he learned, such as the story about the cow that fell.

"Hooray for underpants!"

(A quote I stole from Elmo)

We are so proud of Asher... we can officially say he is potty trained! I still keep rubber pants over his undies just in case (some days he does have an accident).

To celebrate, my mom got him a pack of these really cool Thomas the Train big boy undies! Thank you Babi and Bampa!

Elie's Four-Month Stats

I took Elie in for his four-month well check.
His measurements are:
Height 25 1/2 inches (58th percentile)
Weight 15 pounds 10 ounces (51st percentile)
Head Circumference 41 1/4 cm (15th percentile)

Happy Four-Month Birthday Elie!

Today my little guy turned four months! He is a dream; I don't think babies easier than him exist. I have to pinch myself to believe this is real.

I gave him his first rice cereal today; he chugged it right down. He is almost rolling over. He'll roll to his left side until his arm gets in the way and stays there for while.

They're back...

...the contraptions are slowly making their way out of the basement and taking over our house! When I was pregnant with Asher I swore I would never own half of these. It's amazing how much your "parenting" changes once you actually become one!

Levy's Upsherenish

Sunday was Levy's Upsherenish. This is a Jewish custom marking a boy's third birthday by cutting his hair for the very first time. Family and friends all participate by each snipping off a small piece of hair. Levy was such a brave boy while the crowd lined up to snip away! Asher got to see what he is in for. We've got eight more months to go! I can't wait... I am itching to cut his hair!
Meanwhile, Asher played with all the kids. It turns out he has a thing for Israeli women! Can you blame him?! Look how adorable she is!

Raspberry Monster