What We Were Up To This Summer

Is anyone else surprised that it is October? I mean, seriously. How did that happen?

This summer felt like it rushed past. I know everyone says that, but truly it's hard to remember what happened between June and September. I know we spent a lot of time at the pool, and we hosted a ton of people, and we ate lots of ice cream. I probably worked, cooked, and changed a million diapers. There were probably tantrums, and giggle-fests, and staying-up late, and s'mores. Yes, there were definitely s'mores. Though I struggle to remember the details, I'm left with a good feeling from our first summer in our new house. It was a very good summer.

Here are some highlights:

Visitors
We hosted sixteen people over the course of five weekends. It was busy, but so much fun to see all of our friends. I'd do it again in a heartbeat (and plan to next year!).

My Dad

Cousin Madison

 

My high school friend Lee and his family

A Harrogate Reunion (12 adults, 6 kids under 5)

Mom and dad

Pool
Basically, this is how we spent our summer. People told us when we were looking at this community that the pool was amazing. I get why now. It's a beach access so the kids can wander in by themselves. Most of the pool is shallow, and it's huge. I wish there were more shade, but overall, I see us spending a lot of summers here.

Birthdays
In our house, summers mean birthdays. All four of us have a birthday within five weeks of each other. Dan, Zahara, me, then Asher. And that's not even counting both of my parents who are also summer birthdays. It's always fun (for me, at least) to count down the next celebration.

Florida We escaped the DC heat and traded it for the Florida heat. We had a really nice time visiting my in-laws, and even got to do something new--visit the Everglades! It was SO HUMID, and eventually started pouring, but we had fun seeing (and holding!) the crocodiles

School
At the end of summer, we celebrated two big milestones. Zahara started kindergarten and Asher started preschool! They've only been in school a couple of weeks, but so far so good! Zahara loves being a big kid with a locker and everything. And, for the first time, the kids are in the same building. Z checks on Asher occasionally which just makes my heart happy.

I have tons more pictures, but I think I'll leave it here. What a great summer it was!

New Year's Eve 2017

I already told you about our Holiday Season, but there was one more celebration to round out the year: New Year's! My best friend Dina and I have been spending as many New Years' together as we can since college. We have been in DC, New York, New Jersey, and even England one year (though technically it was January already). Many of our New Year's celebrations have been wild, but lately, we're finding our favorite nights involve good food, good friends, comfy clothes, and a reasonable bedtime. Who's with me?

This year was the perfect celebration. Dina and Ed came with their two kids for a sleep-over. Together, we had four kids 4 and under, and it was a blast. The kids immediately took to one another, with Zahara acting as the group mom.

We planned a make-your-own sushi night and got the kids involved in the prep. The two older kids (age 4 and 3) did a great job helping cut the veggies and fruit and make the miso soup. I was legitimately impressed with their patience and skill.

Making the sushi was fun. The kids thought it was silly to play with their food (patting the rice on the nori, piling in the fish and veggies). Zahara and Asher devoured theirs. Charlie and Ryan were a little less sure.

Zahara and Charlie (age 3) even had a sleep-over in her room. They didn't know we had the video monitor on. Watching their unfiltered shenanigans was hilarious. Oh, the stuff they thought they were getting away with! Jumping on beds, turning on and off lights, telling each other stories...it was brilliant.

Once the kids went to bed, we made and ate our sushi and had some drinks. We played Cards Against Humanity and Trivial Pursuit until the ball dropped...can you believe we made it until midnight? A glorious authentic cherry pie straight from New Jersey capped off our evening.

The next morning we had a yummy breakfast before saying goodbye. Thankfully, we already have the next visit in the books, so we won't have to wait too long before seeing them again.

May all of our New Years' be as wonderful as this one!

Past New Years' With Dina:
2016: Quick Trip to Philly
2015: New Jersey
2013: England 
Plus many, many more not on the blog (all the way back to 2004!)

Our Village

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and we are so lucky to have an amazing village of our own.

In-Laws:
I can't even describe how helpful my in-laws were. They completely put their lives on hold to drive up to DC for an indefinite period of time. Not knowing when Asher would make his appearance was stressing me out, especially as I thought about what to do with Zahara while I was in labor. Rose and Yakov solved that problem by coming up a few days before my due date and staying through the birth, and then eight days after for the bris. Since I went a full week past my due date, they were here for a total of 19 days, and didn't complain once!

They cooked me fantastic meals and took great care of Zahara. I know they must have been completely wrecked by the time they left. Caring for a 3-year-old is not an easy task.

Special thanks to my sister-in-law Amy who flew in just for the day to be at Asher's bris! That's commitment.

My Parents
My parents arrived the day before the bris and stayed for those first critical newborn days. It was so nice to have them here while I was recovering from my c-section. My dad worked his magic in the kitchen and made a phenomenal prime rib that I still dream about. Mom even got working in the kitchen! If you know her, you know that's a huge deal.

They took Z for her first movie, Finding Dory, and did a great job providing lots of snuggles for our little guy. Mom and I even pampered ourselves with some shopping and mani/pedis.

My Sister
Bradi came after the initial craziness of the birth and bris died down. She's actually here now and is already proving to be a super star. She stayed up with Ash until 1:30 am the first night and was up with Z at 5:00 am the next day. She has held Asher all day and is constantly asking how she can help. She even made me breakfast. I'm really glad she's here.

Our Friends
We've been so lucky to have friends visit and bring us food. It has been really nice not to have to worry about going grocery shopping, cooking, and making sure Z has a good dinner. So appreciated!

Zahara and Dan
Of course I couldn't do any of this without Z and Dan. My heart has grown immeasurably. Watching Zahara give her brother hugs and kisses, hearing her ask about him first thing in the morning and last thing before bed has been a real highlight of my life. Catching Dan give Asher "man-to-man" advice is hilarious and adorable. I am thankful every day for these two.

Passover 2016

Another Passover is in the books. We are officially back to eating "regular food" and I'm already mourning the absence of matzoh. Maybe I'll just have a few more days of matzoh and cream cheese for breakfast. Here's a quick recap of this year's holiday. 

Family:
To me, Passover means family. I am so lucky that my family was able to join us this year in DC. It was a short visit, but it was so fun having my mom, dad, and sister spend time with us. What's crazy is that this is the last visit where it's just us before the baby comes!

Pre-Passover Prep:

There is always a ton of work to do before Passover starts, but it was nice fitting in quality family time before the festivities really started. After a traditional last brunch filled with chametz (pancakes, bagels, french toast, oatmeal), mom, Bradi, and I went to a really relaxing nail salon for manicures and pedicures. I splurged (I mean, my mom splurged--thanks mom!) and got a super fancy pedicure with orange slices in the water and tons of beautiful sugar scrubs from which to choose. It was lovely.

Food:
I know I'm in the minority here, but I love Passover food. There's all the traditional stuff, like matzoh ball soup, brisket, noodle kugel, gefilte fish, charoset, home-made horseradish (that my dad totally nails!). But, also, in an effort to make up for not being able to eat leavened products, we go completely overboard and eat junk we would never eat year round: Dr. Brown's Black Cherry soda (which you know I love!), potato chips, and so many desserts. This year I had a great little dessert-making helper.

Eating a pre-Seder mazoh ball

Speaking of desserts, do yourself a favor and make these cookies! Don't wait for Passover, make them now. I made them last year too and can't get enough of them.

Seders:

This year we had a great first seder with friends and a low-key second seder at home. It was so exciting though because it was the first year Zahara could say the four  questions! Well, we only practiced one of them, but it was pretty impressive for a 2-year old! She sang the first question in Hebrew both nights. I am so proud!

Redeeming the Afikomen with Pop

Can't wait until next year when Baby Boy Levin will be joining us!

Read previous Passover posts:
2015: Passover Recap
2014: Passover in Paris
2013: Passover Preparation; Passover Musings
2012: Happy Passover!; Road Trip