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Views from Passover 2009

Posted on April 14, 2009 1:06 pm by TheAngelForever

Each year Passover preparations begin long before the holiday is actually here. We are religious enough that we change out our pots/pans and from pure laziness use disposable silverware/plates. We put all of our chametz into one area and use certain cabinets that have been readied for Passover. This year we thought about what to make for Seders in case we had them at home. It was a good thing since we found out the Sunday before that we would be doing them at our house. Our boys have no clue what is done behind the scenes for Passover. I have to admit that I did not realize much of this until I met JL. Sure, my relatives did all of these preparations, but I only recall going to their homes for the Seders with the rest of the extended family.

When all was said and done we were ready to go for both of the Seders last Wednesday and Thursday. We made chicken, sweet and sour turkey meatballs, oven roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower and the traditional items for the seder itself (hard boiled eggs, gefilte fish, and charoset). We ran out of time to make matzah ball soup, but added an amazing quinoa dish for the second night.

Now I welcome you to our table to see how my family celebrated at our Passover Seders last week.

Here are two views of our table.

A closer look at our Seder plate all set with the tradiational items:

The boys are lucky. Aunt S and Uncle M bought them some amazing fun items to have during the Seder. Check out NHL’s place at the table and a closer view of the kid’s Seder plates.

Check out all of the extra items that they also received. There are the Passover Ten Plagues Finger Puppets (great to go along with the 4 Question Finger Puppets that we already had), Passover counting book (adorable for JSL), Passover Memory Game, Bag of Plagues, Flip Frogs, and 10 Plagues masks. More about the 10 Plagues Finger Puppets coming tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday.

The boys enjoyed trying most things. Here they are eating the celery dipped in salt water.

While NHL was busy getting the 10 plague finger puppets in order for their part in the Seder, JSL had fun playing with the 4 Questions. NHL even started singing in Hebrew showing us that he has learned a lot at Hebrew School already.

Our only little glitch in the Seder was when JL got quite ill. He had a little too much horseradish along with his wine and turned quite white with massive hot flashes. We finally turned on the fan and he felt better. Of course this photo taken earlier is a little funny looking back at it.

Overall, we had two nice Seders at our house. It was great ,having our boys, Nana, Papa and Aunt T here with us. Still, it will be nice in the future to be able to celebrate with more of our extended family.

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family holidays interesting jl jsl nhl photos

Polliwalks on parade

Posted on April 8, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5 Minutes for Mom and the official Wordless Wednesday

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looking back nhl web fun Wordless Wednesday

Catch the missing link

Posted on April 1, 2009 12:03 am by TheAngelForever

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interesting nhl Wordless Wednesday

Four years of physical therapy

Posted on March 30, 2009 8:10 am by TheAngelForever

About four years ago I made a very difficult phone call. JL and I decided it was time to have NHL evaluated with Early Intervention. Our little guy had been talking sentences for quite some time, but he could not walk on his own. He had no real ability to balance if a finger was not held by an adult. After a while, daycare convinced me that it could not hurt to see what happened.

For weeks we worried. Was there something more wrong with NHL’s legs. We went to pediatric neurologists to rule out many different items. They all agreed that it did not present itself like CP or MD. Instead, they believed that he was hyperflexible and had low muscle tone. Their thought was that with some major physical therapy he would not only be able to walk, but eventually catch up to his peers.

NHL has been receiving physical therapy for almost four years. He walked on his own just a few weeks after starting (fluke) right before his second birthday. Soon he was running, jumping came quite a while later and just this weekend we added bike riding to the list.

If you saw NHL with a group of his peers, you would never know he had low muscle tone. These days the only thing that lets us know is gets tired more quickly than other children. This is because his body works extra hard just to stay upright and balance – without adding walking/running/jumping into the mix. We often forget about this and do not understand why he gets tired and a little grumpy after a long day at school or when we go running around on errands.

Here is NHL getting ready to test out his new bike at home for the first time. Helmets are a must before getting on.

Even JSL was happy to be outside in the gorgous weather to watch his big brother. He loved following everyone in his "car car" after being cooped up in the house for the week.

Next thing I knew, NHL was off . . . riding his bike down the block.

The smile on his face made us feel so great. We think that secretly he had always wanted to ride a bike, but was too frustrated to ask. Finally his dreams were coming true thanks to all of his hard work in physcial therapy. NHL was so proud and wanted to show everyone his new bike.

At first he asked for a few pushes to give him some momentum. Then he teased JL, asking for help and then riding off just as he arrived at the bike. Yes, he really was riding a bike and kept it up until the sun was going down.

Now NHL hopes that the rain will stop and it warms up so he can enjoy the so-called spring with his new bike and little brother following along in his car.

Thank you to all of the therapists that have helped NHL to come so far!

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daycare decisions jl jsl looking back my boys nhl photos weekend

Big brother’s new bike

Posted on March 28, 2009 5:38 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL ,

Just a week ago we went on an outing to buy you a new bike. We finally found one that you were a pro with and bought it for an early birthday present. Then things went a little crazy. We were trying on your helmet at home when your little brother gave us all the scare of our lives. I can not even imagine what was going through your mind as you witnessed everything that evening. You were brave and helped Daddy to look outside for the first responders. My heart broke as I carried JSL to the ambulance and I heard you crying.

For the last week you have been pretty understanding about all of the attention being on your little brother. You have helped us to give him his medicine, tried to make him laugh, and changed the television to Sesame Street to make him happy.

Last night you finally got a chance to test our your new bike at home. Like a champ, you went and showed us your stuff. Just a few years ago we wondered if you would have the strength to ride a regular bike, and now you have. We are so proud of you! Your hard work in physical therapy has made your muscles so strong!

Today it made me smile to watch you go up and down Nana and Papa’s street and then around our block. You were so proud of your new bike, but the truth is you should be thrilled with your fabulous acomplishment.