Zachary's Parsley plant for Passover

Zachary planted parsley seeds in kindergarten with his teacher Morah Nettie in hopes of harvesting them in time for our Passover Seder. Some of the childrens plants hadn't even grown much when it was time to bring them home early last week. Meanwhile after Zachary's sat in the car for a few hours that day, it made it to the kitchen window where along with Zachary's watering it has grown a lot. We think we will surely have some to eat next week at our Sedarim, as well as some to transplant into our garden. It looks as though Zachary has a green thumb :)
Happy Passover planning and cooking to all!

Spring has sprung

Just before Spring, Zoe helped Mama bake a blueberry crisp. We were trying to clear out our pantry before Passover, and create a yummy treat for shabbat dessert. Zoe likes to wear an apron and work in the kitchen. She is a super helper and she likes to sample everything as we measure and mix.



Hooray for Spring sunshine ... and chocolate mustaches!


The nice weather got the kids outside - enjoying chocolate popsicles and swinging! It was lovely to rediscover our love of cold treats, grass, and games in the backyard. Here are some pictures of the day before the official day spring began, enjoying treats out in the back. Zachary is wearing his new Ezra shirt - he just keeps growing!

PURIM 2010

Purim 2010 was fantastic ... and way better than 2009 (check this blog for that entry when Mama and Daddy were bedridden with the flu). Zachary was Darth Vador and Zoe (of course) was a princess. Zachary even had a light saber which he borrowed from his pal Eitan, who was Luke Skywalker. Zoe wore her "glass slippers" as well as a tiarra and wand. The kids were very excited for Purim, they helped to make mishlach manot bags for the friends, they made hamentaschen at school (Daddy went to Zachary's class to help) and they made their own groggers at home using soda cans. Happy happy Purim for the Schulman family!

Here is Zachary following along during the Megillah reading at Shul, and a picture of Zachary with his mask on (it was hard to see with it on). He loved the costume and despite not having seen the movie we taught him the sound Darth Vador makes when he breathes. Also note that Zoe's dress even has a hoop in the skirt!

After the Megillah reading, Daddy took Zachary and Zoe to the JCC for Zach's karate class and a concert by Shira Klein (aka Shirlala). Zoe ran into her pal from school Eydan, and they also saw Zachary's pal from school Camila, who like Zoe was dressed as a beautiful princess. So Daddy had to snap a picture of the two princesses together.

Meanwhile, Mama went to Brooklyn and back to pick up the food for the Purim Seudah (meal) at the Shul. The kids and Daddy met up with Mama at the Shul where Mama snapped this picture of Daddy in his costume and the kids who are holding their homemade groggers. Zoe is holding the one she made with Mama this year and Zachary is holding the one he made last year at school (I think it is supposed to look like King Ahashverus).

There was face painting during the Shul party, so Zoe got Elmo on her cheek. Meanwhile Zachary had a light saber "fight" with his pals Sapir who was a hockey player and Eitan aka Luke Skywalker. What fun everyone had. The kids got prizes for their costumes and we all ate well and Mama and Daddy enjoyed some L'Chaims (toasting of drinks) with their friends to celebrate this fun holiday.


On Monday, Zachary wore his veterinarian costume to school (see Halloween entry) and Zoe again dressed as a princess as she was supposed to be Queen Vashti in her school's Purim play. Mama and Daddy both went to watch Zoe's Purim play, and we must say she did a FABULOUS job. Check out the video below of her big moment.


Here are Zoe and some of her classmates. They were absolutely adorable.

Enjoy the video of Zoe aka Queen Vashti during Gan Hayeled's Purim Play.

Snow Day!

We had another snow day -- probably the last of the season and both Mama and Daddy were home, so we really tried to enjoy the day together! In the morning, Zachary and Zoe helped Mama make french toast - even flipping the toast in the frying pan. Mama hadn't showered yet, so please forgive her bed head. The kids did great cooking, and really enjoyed helping as well as eating. FYI wheat challah (homemade) makes extra yummy french toast.

Later in the day after braving the snow to run a few errands Zachary and Daddy set up to build a castle from a set that Grammy and Grandpa got for the kids. They both worked hard at it, and here you can see them working together. Zoe and Zachary also helped Mama make "kitchen sink cookies." It was a yummy fun snow day and it was nice to be all together (for a change).

Stay tuned for Purim 2010!