FOGEL CENTRAL

Our Graduates

2011-06-16T17:13:00.000-04:00

Miri graduated from Kindergarten

and Chaim graduated from playgroup

6 months old already

2011-06-12T17:10:00.000-04:00

Our little Nossi is growing up so fast!!!

at 6 months he weighs 14.5 pounds!

He sits up by himself, smiles and giggles, and is just a complete cutie-pie!

Happy 6th!!!!

2011-05-05T17:07:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday, We love you, Miri!!!

Miri had a candyland themed birthday party

Having a Blast on Purim

2011-03-20T06:57:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Uncle Alex for his amazing Photoshop skills!

Our new addition

2010-12-12T20:22:00.004-05:00

Mazel Tov........... it's a BOY!!!!

born on 12/12 at 6:13pm

7 lbs 11 oz

20 inches long

Bris information:
IY"H Monday, Dec 20th
@Liberty Jewish Center
shachris @ 7:15am
BRIS @ 8am

registry

more pictures are on the December album on the right...
and here too

A Freilichin Chanukah!!!!

2010-12-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

We are eating ourselves silly with fried foods, gelt and sufganiot...

And, of course, lighting our beautiful menorah!!

Merry!

2010-10-10T19:25:00.000-04:00

We had a great time at the Maryland Rennaisance Festival today!

LuLu!!!!!

2010-09-14T08:19:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, little Ladybug....

...and Mazel Tov for finally reaching 20 pounds!!!!

5771

2010-09-08T10:31:00.000-04:00

Miri's Birthday

2010-04-19T08:21:00.001-04:00

Happy 5th Birthday Miri! We celebrated yesterday with family and friends. Miri had a great time...and then we took her to get her ears pierced! She is so proud of her big girl earrings.

Pesach is coming....

2010-03-25T18:47:00.000-04:00

We're so Happy!

And Happy Birthday (Yud Nisan) to our FIVE year-old Miri!

A Freilichen Purim

2010-02-28T11:35:00.000-05:00

Baruch Mordechai...Arur Haman!

Eat well, Drink responsibly and stay safe!

The Blizzard of 2010

2010-02-11T14:33:00.000-05:00

We have been snowed in all week (with the exception of Avi who went to work on Monday). All told, we had about 50 inches of snow!!!! With the kids of from school this week, we have come up with some interesting things to do. We played in the snow, baked cookies, zucchini cupcakes and challah, had playdates, watched videos, made a fire and roasted marshmallows, played games and dress-up and much, much more!

Little Miss Chatterbox

2009-12-18T13:58:00.007-05:00

Leah had her 15-month checkup: she is a whopping 50th centile for height!

She weighed in at 17 lbs (not on the weight chart , yet)

She talks up a storm. Leah has said the following words so far:

Mommy
Tatty
Miri
Leah
Unh-Unh (for no)
Hi
Bye
Pee-Boo (Peek-a-boo)
Up/Uppie
Dow (Down)
No (Nose)
Eye
Please
Amen
Poopy
Ah-Qee (All Clean!)
Pizza
Bope (Soap)
Elmo
Paper
Mine
Bup (Cup)
Baby
Bubbie
Key
Wee
Owie
Boo-Boo
Challah
Uh-Oh
Whoa
Wow!
Ball
Dog
Duck
Wawer (Water)
Bubbles
This
That
Ahpu (Open)
Waffle

She signs "eat" and "more" and nods and shakes her head for yes and no.

She will also say, "Hi Mommy" and "Hi Tatty"

How big is Leah? SO BIG!

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

2009-12-13T14:38:00.000-05:00

Chaim is THREE

2009-11-10T17:59:00.000-05:00

Today is Kaf-Gimmel Cheshvan - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our budding astronaut!.

HIVES!

2009-10-22T08:14:00.000-04:00

Thankfully, Leah's hives have completely dissapeared. This picture is from when she was on the mend!

Backyard Adventure

2009-09-22T08:18:00.001-04:00

Our latest home improvement (well, property improvement) project....

BEFORE...

DURING...

and AFTER...

Happy Birthday, little one!

2009-09-15T08:06:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday to our sweet little Leah'le! Boy, does she LOVE icing!

First day of school, part 2

2009-09-03T11:07:00.000-04:00

Miri finally got her chance to start nursery...she did great (she's an old pro at this)

First Day of School, part 1

2009-09-01T13:47:00.001-04:00

Chaim's First day of school was today
He did great! His teacher said he was very mature - whaddya know?

We have liftoff!

2009-06-26T18:59:00.003-04:00

And she's off...

Leah'le, our tiny 14 lb baby has taken her first steps.

She is 9 months and 12 days old today (sorry, kid, your sister Miri beat you by 2 days!)

Mazel Tov, Graduate!

2009-06-22T14:38:00.003-04:00

Miri graduated from Morah Goldie's playgroup today!

The year went by so quickly!

Truck Day

2009-06-15T17:39:00.006-04:00

What can I say except that

kids + trucks + cookout + snowcones = AWESOME!!!!

FOUR!

2009-04-19T13:35:00.001-04:00

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY, MIRI!!!

PESACH time!

2009-04-08T10:08:00.001-04:00

Chag Kasher V'Sameach!!!

HAPPY PURIM

2009-03-10T20:43:00.004-04:00

A Frielichin Purim to Everyone! We sure had a blast!!!

The kids enjoyed giving (and receiving) Shaloach Manos, making tons of noise with their groggers and playing at the Tusks while we ate the Purim Seudah,

The morning after Purim, the following conversation occured in my bed:

Miri: Am I wearing my costume to school?

Mommy:No, just your clothes,

Miri: Oh. Why not?

Mommy: Purim is over.

Miri: So it's Pesach?

Chanukah, etc.

2009-01-01T18:44:00.003-05:00

We had a marvelous time over Chanukah, and were able to celebrate with both sides if the family, both at home and in Chicago. While in chicago, we were able to visit lots of friends as well as our old favorite, the Chicago Children's Museum. Right before we left we checked out the brand new Kohl Children's Museum - awesome and definitely worth the drive to the suburbs!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAIM!!!

2008-11-13T22:51:00.003-05:00

Our big boy is TWO years old!!!

2008

2007

My how much you've grown in the last year!

We love you!!!

Shana Tova

2008-10-01T11:40:00.000-04:00

We wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Sweet New Year!

Officially Outnumbered!!!

2008-09-14T21:16:00.011-04:00

Leah Shayna

born on Sunday September 14, 2008

15 Elul 5768

at 8:07 pm

6lbs and 15oz

19.5 inches

She is registered on Amazon.com

First Day!

2008-09-02T12:03:00.002-04:00

Today was Miri's first day of preschool.

She was very excited.

She took her backpack and her lunchbox and her tzedakah and we were on our way!

Chaim saw a tractor-trailer on our way home and said, "Wanna ride truck." He also says "Read a book" and picks up the phone saying "call Bubbie."

Wedding season

2008-08-29T13:19:00.004-04:00

We were zocheh to be a part of two beautiful chassunahs this past week, and we had a blast! The kids loved dancing at cousin Shmuly's wedding, and getting to hang out with Bubbie Fogel, Tanta Faith and their gaggle of little cousins. We also had a fun time at the Lancaster children's museum on our way to Lakewood.

Cuteness

2008-08-21T08:18:00.001-04:00

Miri: "I want to whisper something in your ear, so give me your head!"

Tatty: "I love hotdogs!"

Miri: "Me too!"

Chaim: "Me three!"

Miri: "No, Chaim, you're one, and I'm three years old."

A Dutch Wonderful Day

2008-08-17T21:22:00.003-04:00

The seocnd annual Fogel family trip to Dutch wonderland was a big hit! Uncle Alex and Aunt Debbie joined us for some fun in the sun!

We all enjoyed bumper cars, bulldozers, a train ride, a boat ride, the merry go round, the ferris wheel, a truck ride, ice cream, a diving show, the water park and more.

Miri insisted on riding a pony, and this time she wasn't at all afraid of it.

Mr. Communicator

2008-08-12T15:06:00.004-04:00

Life has become somewhat easier now that Chaim can (sometimes) tell us what he wants. Of course, this usually translates into him requesting a cookie at 6 o'clock in the morning!

Heard around our house this week from the mouth of the boychik:

I jump....Ready, go!

Hot, hot broccoli

Miri's milk

MY mommy

Want water

Draw chalk

I stuck

Tatty, big boy

Want car band-aid

Eat..EAT!!!!

More, please

My ball

My choo-choo

Bye-Bye Baby

I love you

Family Galore

2008-08-03T20:36:00.004-04:00

We were so lucky to have so many beloved members of our family visit us this past month.

Uncle Alex came and spent the day with the kids. He traipsed with us to Target, Trader Joe's and the library. We also had some homegrown fun...horsie rides and a zuchini rocket.

We aso had an extended visit with Bubbie Fogel, Tanta Faith and cousins Yehoshua and Avigayil. We played at Port Discovery, saw ships in the Harbor, swam in the pool, romped at the playground and even attempted a rather futile photo shoot. All in all, a wonderful adventure!

Our little prodigy

2008-07-16T19:43:00.003-04:00

This evening, as Chaim was playing on my bed, he pointed to his diaper and said "poop." I checked him out and he was clean. I asked him if he wanted to go on the toilet, and he said "yeah." Five minutes later, the dirty deed was done. We clapped and danced and told him what a big boy he was, but I think he was too stunned that something acually came out this time to notice. Eventually we got him to smile, though...

Words

2008-07-10T15:20:00.003-04:00

Chaim is really talking up a storm these days - ever since his last round of antibiotics cleared up his ears (and his hearing) he has gotten the gift of gab. I'm not sure if he is comprehensible to anyone but us, but we sure get a kick out of all the new things he says and copies.

At the grocery store this afternoon, he pointed out all his favorite foods, like plums ("gum") and cookies. He did such a good job at sitting still in the cart that I offered him a high-five and said "sweet!" He promptly replied, "weet!"

Then, in the checkout line, he saw the man in front of us pull some change out of his pocket. Chaim pointed and shouted "gedakah!!!!" (tzedakah). The man was so impressed by his association that he gave Chaim some pennies to put in the pushka for charity. What a mitzvah boy!

Braids

2008-07-08T15:33:00.000-04:00

Is Miri's hair actually starting to grow, after three years? Well, certainly not at the rate of her rapunzel-like peers, but I think were are making progress. I was actually able to do french braids for the first time ever...

On the farm!

2008-06-29T13:57:00.005-04:00

We went to Baughers Farm for cherry picking and had a blast!

We had a marvelous picnic lunch, played on the swing set and even got to pet a goat at the Petting Zoo

Father's Day

2008-06-16T07:48:00.004-04:00

We attended our annual Father's Day Orioles game with Saba, and had a blast (even though the O's lost).

Then, back home, for some BBQ and fun in the sun!

Happy Anniversary!

2008-06-06T09:34:00.001-04:00

Today Avi and CE celebrate their FOURTH anniversary

MAZEL TOV!!!!

Miri's (belated) birthday party

2008-05-25T08:00:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful BBQ party with family and friends. Everyone enjoyed hotdogs and hamburgers and socializing on our brand-new deck which was completed in the nick-of-time right before the party. The highlight of the party for our birthday girl were the cake-lollipops, the recipe for which I found here. She didn't mind the presents, either!

Miri turns 3!

2008-05-15T19:51:00.004-04:00

Our Miri turned three this past April. We all went to the Picture People for some belated photos. While Miri was busy looking beautiful for the camera, Chaim began a new obsession with airplanes...Everyone had a blast at the photo shoot
and the kids even took a few poses together...

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T19:02:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful little family brunch for Mother's Day. All the ladies wore queen tiaras, crowns and feather boas while we dined on princess plates, cups and napkins. Everyone enjoyed the good food and the good company.

Then on to Truck Day! The kids got to climb in a firetruck, school bus, bobcat, horse trailer, tractor trailer, cherry-picker and an RV. Then it started pouring!

Chol HaMoed

2008-04-28T11:15:00.006-04:00

Chaim can now say:

Mommy
Tatty (Dah-Dee)
Doggie (Dah-Dee)
More
No (Nah!)
Hot (HaHa)
Ball (Ba-ow)
Car (Ga-ow)
Mine (My!)
Eye
Bye-Bye
Baby
Bubbie
Ow!

and he knows the signs for eat, more, hot, bike and also nods his head up and down emphatically for "yes"

Miri told us over Shabbos, "I'm in a spunky mood"

We took some wonderful trips over Chol HaMoed - to Port Discovery, the Zoo, Hannah More Park and Storyville. At the Zoo we saw hippos ("Dah-Dee"), a zebra ("Dah-Dee"), giraffes ("Dah-Dee"), chimpanzees ("Dah-Dee"), a polar bear ("Dah-Dee") and elephants ("Dah-Dee").
Chaim had never seen so many different types of doggies before and he was very excited. Miri was most excited to eat her lunch!

Chag Kasher V'Sameach

2008-04-18T17:06:00.001-04:00

We wish a
Happy and Healthy Pesach
to all of our
Friends and Family

Yud Nisan

2008-04-15T12:45:00.009-04:00

Our dearest Zlata Miriam -

Happy 3rd Birthday, monkey-moo!!! It was three years ago today that you made us the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl, full of spunk and hope and promise. We had never known pure love before that moment - and since then, we have grown to love you more and more with each passing day. You make us so proud - you are generous and kind and thoughtful, you perform mitzvos and chessed with such zerizus (zest); you are a wonderful big sister to Chaim. When we hear you at night trying to soothe his crying with "Shh, baby, it's ok, Miri's here for you" our hearts swell with pride. You are learning how to do so many new things - it's hard to remember there was ever a time in your life when you didn't run around and sing songs and draw circles on your magnadoodle.

May Hashem grant you a long and wonderful life full of simcha (happiness) and hatzlacha (luck) in everything you do!!!

We love you, big girl -

Love,

Mommy and Tatty

Your BIRTHday

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

Spring has arrived!

2008-04-11T16:35:00.002-04:00

The flowers are in full bloom and it is a beautiful day outside.

Miri is so proud of the flowers she helped plant last fall. Every morning she runs outside to inspect which tulips or daffodils have "byoomed" (bloomed) and she loves to predict which color will come up next.

Purim Reflections

2008-03-23T09:28:00.010-04:00

We had a truly wonderful Purim this year. The kids actually enjoyed wearing their costumes, and of course, with every shalach manos that came to our door, Miri thought the candy was specifically for her and meant to be consumed immediately.

I have strengthened my resolve to keep the children away from extraneous sugar now that I see how enhanced their natural hyper-ness becomes with chocolate and hamentashen running through their veins. Bedtime on Friday night was an hour long scream and sob-fest that finally ended at candlelighting time - B"H I was able to light ALONE, in peace, for the first time this year. (though I did kind of miss having the kids with me at this special and holy time just a little bit)

Miri and I made our own hamantashen for the first time this year, and with the exception of the botched first batch, which did not hold their triangle shape, they came out pretty good! Chaim even managed to bring the stool across the room and help himself to some on the cooling rack while we weren't looking!

The seudah (festive Purim meal) on Friday afternoon was beautiful and leibedik and the kids ate well (finally some real food) and had fun playing with all the other kids their age. Of course, Chaim always feels at home whenever he finds someone's broom, mop or vacuum. I think next year for Purim we will dress him up as a janitor.

Then...and now -

Purim 2006

Purim 2007

Purim 2008

HAPPY PURIM!!!

2008-03-20T19:05:00.004-04:00

Everyone here at Fogel Central wishes you a Freilichin Purim!!!

Try not to get to shikkur tomorrow - remember - it IS erev Shabbos!!!!

(Miri's preschool class)

Our fabulous weekend

2008-03-14T19:30:00.004-04:00

We went to Passaic for Shabbos. We forgot to bring the narcotics, so Miri screamed and complained the whole drive up there about how much she needed to get out of her car seat. Once we got there, however, it was really nice. We stayed with a wonderful family and were able to see our friends for lunch the following day (even though it was raining in buckets and we were sopping wet when we arrived!)

Ruthie's Shabbos kallah was absolutely amazing!!!!!!! It was so beautiful and inspiring and lovely and the food and the friends were great too.

Avi and I were able to go to our all-time favorite restaurant in Teaneck, Sushi Mitzuyan, on Motzei Shabbos, because the aforementioned wonderful family we stayed with let us leave our sleeping children with them so we could go out alone.

Ruthie's wedding was simply amazing. Everywhere I turned I ran into someone else I knew...from Silver Spring, Passaic, Monsey, Yerushalayim. It was so beautiful and the dancing was spectacular. The kids had a blast running all over the giant hall and dancing with pom-poms for the kallah. We stayed up until the very end and then changed the kids into jammies for the drive home. We had to stop at a grocery store somewhere in Jersey for sippy cups and milk, having left some items behind accidentally.

Sheva Brachos on Tuesday was very special as well, where we got a few quality minutes with the chassan and kallah. Can you tell I am so very happy for them???????

The golden calf

2008-03-03T07:24:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago on Shabbos, we were learning the parsha (Torah portion of the week) with Miri. We read from the book My first Parsha Reader, designed for children 3-8. We learned about the golden calf, but since Miri didn't really know the word calf, I explained that the Jews were worried when Moshe didn't return, so they started davening (praying) to a cow instead. Miri seemed to understand, and the next day, when I "quizzed" her on the parsha, she remembered everything from the story beautifully.

Fast forward to this morning, several weeks later....

Miri: Thank you for the oatmeal, it's delicious.
Mommy: You're welcome
Miri: Baby is eating nicely. I yuv (love) baby, he's bootiful (beautiful)...and I also yuv Mommy and Tatty and Miri. Mommy, are you gonna have bekfast (breakfast) too?
Mommy: I will, as soon as I'm done making my brachos to Hashem (morning blessings).
Miri: Ok, Mommy, but don't daven to a cow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBIE!!!

2008-02-25T20:19:00.001-05:00

We wish you a very special 60th - and 60 more to come!!!!

For your entertainment

2008-02-17T18:36:00.004-05:00

Miri: No Chaim, give that to me, that's a choking hazard!

When Chaim is put in his crib for bed, he now waves good-bye and says "bah bah"

Miri: Ok, now I am going to sing a silly song, and you can yaf (laugh)!

Twinkle Twinkle little cereal
how I wonder what you cannoli
Now, LAUGH!!!!

Fogel-English Dictionary

2008-02-13T15:36:00.003-05:00

Chaim's Vocabulary to date:

Mahmeee: Mommy, Tatty, give me that

Nani: Miri

Buh: ball

Neh: No!

Nana: Banana

Miri's adorably mispronounced words:

Pee-yooter: computer

Kaputch: ketchup

A few more for good measure

2008-01-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

Miri: Baby has a cute belly. When I was Chaim's age, I also had a cute belly!

Miri: Mommy, why are you getting dressed in pajamas?
Mommy: They're not pajamas, it's my exercise clothes.
Miri: Oh, why do you exercise?
Mommy: Because it's healthy to exercise.
Miri: When I was a Mommy, I used to exercise.
Mommy: You were never a Mommy. You started out as a baby, and now you are a little girl.
Miri: Oh, well then, when I was a grown-up I used to exercise.

Overheard in our house this week

2008-01-27T16:41:00.000-05:00

Thursday night...
Miri: It's dark outside, so when Tatty comes home from work, he can make Havdalah.

Mommy: It's time to get into pajamas!
Miri: Usually, I like to get the fuzz out of my toes when I take my socks off before I put on my jammies.

Miri: Antiochus was a wicked king because he forced the Jews to give up their weeyigion (religion).

waking up with a cold on Shabbos morning...
Miri: I'm not feeling very well.
Mommy: What's wrong, baby? What hurts?
Miri: My snot is not feeling very well.

(Not so) Lazy Sunday

2008-01-20T21:12:00.000-05:00

We finally took down the old dusty curtains in the living room, hooray! The kids were there to help with their pint sized power drill (Black & Decker - just like Tatty's), safety goggles and tape measurer. Avi only fell off the ladder once - and in his defense, he only fell trying to avoid injuring Chaim who was climbing up behind him. The living room looks much bigger without those bulky curtains..plus, we have more wall space for hanging family portraits.

Mommy went out by herself to her good friends Ruthie's wedding shower. The food was great and it was a blast seeing Ruthie in her homemade gift wrap bonnet!

Later that afternoon we went to Avraham Chaim's 3rd birthday party. Mommy decorated a yarmulke for him as a birthday gift. Miri consumed copious amounts of candy and everyone had a great time. We headed home for a quick dinner and an early bedtime for the overstimulated children.

It's snowing outside!

2008-01-17T20:19:00.000-05:00

Lots and lots of snow outside!

But it's very cold, so let's stay inside and play dress-up.

Miri: "Mommy, actually, these princess gloves are really gardening gloves."

A first look at our brand new mosaic back splash (much thanks to Aunt Beth and Uncle Max)

The music of a new generation

2008-01-15T06:37:00.000-05:00

Our two-year-old has her own MP3 player now. We had purchased her a cheap tape player for our road trip to Chicago, but that had broken within the week, and by then she was already addicted to her headphone-wearing lifestyle. We decided to replace it with a Fisher-Price FP3 player, since she had a Toys-R-Us gift card anyway, and we don't own more than four cassette tapes. I have never really written a review, but I feel the need to comment on this device.

I'll start with the CONS:
-Expensive
-Needs an SD card for any real memory
-Always starts back at the first song when you start it up
-Only takes proprietary FP3 format
-Only creates FP3 files directly from CDs, not existing MP3s
-Software is sluggish
-Can't reorder the songs once they are on the player
-Flimsy headphone foam (a replacement is already on its way)

PROS:
-It's really the only player on the market able to withstand Miri dragging it though the house all day
-The only headphones designed to fit Miri's little noggin

So, even through the cons surely outway the pros, until someone else designs a similarly rugged player for the small set, we shall endure with this one!

Chaim is getting big enough to sit at the picnic table in the kitchen with Miri. It's so cute to watch them eat together and share their food. He loves being big just like his sister!

More sick days...

2008-01-07T20:39:00.000-05:00

After 4 days of fever, it was determined that Chaim has his first (and hopefully his last) ear infection. He did not like having his ears checked! He is in a pretty bad mood all of the time, screaming and throwing himself to the ground shouting "Na!" (no).

My offer still stands - anyone want to take him home for a night is more than welcome...

In other news, I am finally starting to upload older family pictures, going back to our wedding. You can find them on the right-hand link under 2004.

Nothing in particular

2008-01-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

The kids still haven't really recovered from our trip yet. They are still waking up (and crying) multiple times a night, and someone winds up sleeping in our room to avoid the screams of the other. It has been really fun! (Does anyone want to take one of them home for the night? Please? Pretty please?)

Here are a few Miri-isms for the road...

(When we were in Charleston, SC)
Miri: I hear Mr. Meisler [our neighbor] mowing the lawn
Mommy: That's not Mr. Meisler, honey, we're not at home now, we're in Charleston.
Miri: Oh. Who is mowing the lawn?
Mommy: A different man, someone who lives here.
Miri: What's that boy's name?
Mommy: I don't know his name, but you can give him a name for pretend if you want to.
Miri: Ok, I think I'll call him 'Mr. Meisler.'

(Yesterday, in the van)
"Mommy, can I tell you something? Uncle Moishy sings 'Modeh-Ani' in the mornings just like I sing 'Modeh-Ani' in the morning. Did you know that?"

to Chicago and back again!

2007-12-26T19:54:00.000-05:00

What a crazy week! On Thursday night we packed the kids in the minivan and headed northwest for Chicago, driving through the night. We arrived exhausted and starving. Luckily Bubbie Fogel was waiting for us and we had a 5am breakfast. Later we lunched on bay-ken burgers at Great Chicago Food & Beverage Company.

We spent a lovely Shabbos with the family in West Rogers Park. Miri and Chaim enjoyed playing with their cousins, Yehoshua and Avigayil. On motzei shabbos, we left the children sleeping and snuck out to Slice of Life for some delicious mexican food.

On Sunday, we hit the Chicago Children's Museum and had an amazing day filled with food-shopping, bus-driving, ice skating, water play, curious George, and even Ben & Jerrys! We had a nice family dinner and the children even received more Chanukah gifts, to their utter delight!

Monday included a visit to Uncle Hackie and his family, followed by a little informal gathering open house, so that we could see all of our other Chicagoland friends.

We had a family brunch on Tuesday with Bubbie Dorothy, Aunt Judy, Uncle Mark, and cousin Aaron. It was so nice to see everyone. After nightfall, we had a quick dinner at Malibu Pizza, packed the kids back in the car and headed home straight through the night, arriving just before 7am. Plenty of time to bathe and dress the kids and send Miri off to nursery school. We have a lot of sleep to catch up on now...goodnight!

(We mention the food a lot because the restaurants really are better in Chicago - go check them out!)

MORE PICTURES OF OUR TRIP

no more Chanukah :(

2007-12-16T21:32:00.000-05:00

Poor Miri can't really accept that Chaunkah has come to an end. She still goes downstairs every morning to find her book and sing Maoz Tzur (she knows all the words to the first verse)

"Maoz Tzur is the favorite song of mine. Let's go downstairs and get my book and sing the song togeva (together)"

"The weather says it's going to be cold outside today because it's wintertime."

We went to the Jewish Expo this morning and Miri and Chaim both rode a PONY (sorry, we forgot the camera). Miri really loved it, she was much more relaxed than when she rode her first one this summer at dutch Wonderland. We sampled some foods and saw a science show and a BMX bike show. Miri petted a beautiful show bird (we didn't stay for the bird show, though).

We topped off our great day with a visit to Aunt Beth and Uncle Max's house. The kids had a nice, although brief visit and we were able to pick out our tile for our new kitchen back splash. We will certainly post pictures of that when it is all finished!!!

morning Miri-isms

2007-12-11T06:46:00.000-05:00

"I always be a monkey sometimes"

(The best part of life for Miri is receiving new pajamas. She got a new pair from Bubbie on Sunday, and is anxiously awaiting their return from the laundry so she can wear them for the first time). At 6am this morning:
Miri: "Did somebody wash my new jammies so I can wear them now?"
Mommy: "Yes, they will be ready for you tonight"
Miri: "When somebody gives you new jammies you say 'thank-you.' That's right!

"Mommy, you go to your room now and get dressed and then fold some more laundry."

the weekend

2007-12-09T21:59:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a jam-packed weekend of fun!

Miri had chanukah vacation on Friday (and Monday as well) so Friday morning we headed over to Pump it Up to let loose. Miri tried all 4 items and had a great time climbing, bouncing and sliding.

Motzei Shabbos we attended the annual Abramson family chanukah party, which of course felt different this year without Babba (in NJ) and Zayde (a"h). We were smart enough to send the kids home to bed early with a babysitter so that we could actually enjoy the party a little bit.

Sunday we had two family parties. The kids received way too much new stuff (and so did the grownups) and ate so many sufganiyot we eventually lost count. We dined on macaroni & cheese, blintz soufflé, salad, potato latkes and creme-filled sufganiyot (everything homemade of course). Best of all, we got to spend time with family!

SNOW!

2007-12-05T21:33:00.000-05:00

We had beautiful snow today and the kids were so excited to see it coming down.

Poor Chaim was sick all afternoon and evening (he just has to have whatever Miri has, such a typical younger child), but our neighbors very graciously took Miri outside to play in the snow before it got too dark while Chaim and I watched her out the window.

We lit the menorahs when Avi came home from work. For dinner we tried a new recipe for cheese latkes. Each one had a tiny center of strawberry jelly - delicious! Afterward, we all received surprises: Mommy and Miri got new matching pajamas, Chaim got some new board books and Tatty got a new sefer.

A Freilichin Chanukah!

2007-12-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the first light of Chanukah.

On Sunday, we went to Columbia to participate in the menorah factory. Miri helped to make fresh olive oil using a press, and she made her very own menorah.

Tonight we lit our family menorah plus the one Miri decorated in nursery school. We had Bubbie Perry over for dinner and sang songs and Miri and Chaim played with their new toy - a Little People Chanukah set!

Kids say the Darndest things

2007-12-01T19:08:00.000-05:00

It's not just her parents that think Miri says especially funny things. Now her teachers are regaling me with stories of the entertaining things she says while she's at school. I wish I had a recorder on all the time, though, because most of what she says I manage to forget withing two minutes. However, I will do my best to write them down here whenever I can so you can all enjoy the "Miri-isms" as we do.

Here's one from Shabbos:

On Shabbos morning I usually let Miri have a little bit of "Shabbos lipstick" which is clear liquid lip gloss approved for Shabbos use. This week she faithfully requested some on her lips before we went downstairs for breakfast (which on Shabbos morning is a Quaker breakfast cookie). She was about to put the cookie to her mouth when she paused and pulled the cookie away from her mouth. "But Mommy, all of my lipstick will come off onto the cookie!"

I was feeding Chaim his breakfast bar, and Miri was intrigued. She asked, "Mommy can I see if it smells to me?" I dutifully put the fig bar under her nose so she could take a whiff and she promptly bit off half the bar in one quick bite.

Friday

2007-11-30T16:04:00.000-05:00

We are signing off for the week, as it is almost Shabbos Kodesh! The kids are freshly bathed and dressed in their finest, the food is warming in the oven and the table is set. Here's a picture of the kids sharing an erev Shabbos snack. Gut Shabbos!

Our week so far

2007-11-29T10:29:00.000-05:00

Miri missed school and was home sick on Monday, poor thing. Thank goodness we have a small collection of videos for emergencies!

Tuesday we went to the library after nap time and had a lot of fun playing with all of the toys there. Chaim met another baby his age and they played in the baby room (when he wasn't escaping to go climb on top of the nearby tables). He loves pushing the cars around the floor and pulling the magnetic letters off of the white board. Miri picked out some books about trucks and street signs to take home with us.

Wednesday we had an uneventful day, B"H. The kids played nicely together in the afternoon and and then we went to visit our neighbors for a little play time. Chaim started saying "Mah-mee" instead of "Mah-Mah" and I think he started calling Miri "Meh-Meh" but I'm not quite sure yet.

Miri is in nursery school at the moment and Chaim is taking his morning nap. I think I'll go eat some breakfast.

Lazy Sunday

2007-11-25T21:48:00.000-05:00

We were fortunate to have our good friends, Bentzion and Meira Gelfand stay over with us on Motzei Shabbos. We had a very nice visit with them before they headed back to Passaic this morning. Saba joined us for dinner and we tried the new Dougie's on the Run. Not bad!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2007-11-22T14:43:00.000-05:00

We hope everyone has an enjoyable day off and some good food to eat! We are here at Fogel Central, just relaxing and enjoying the day together (plus there is nowhere to go that's open). Tomorrow we plan to have a Thanksgiving-style meal for our Friday night Shabbos seuda.

More dentition

2007-11-19T11:29:00.000-05:00

Tooth #6 has arrived, with two more waiting in the wings! Chaim is taking it like a real man - stoic for the most part, with a little bit of crying for good measure.

Miri has a short week of school, she and Avi are both off Thursday and Friday. I wonder if anything is open on Thursday for us to do.

More walking

2007-11-18T14:02:00.000-05:00

Chaim walked 6 steps in a row today. This is a big leap from the 2-3 steps he has been taking for 5 weeks now. Maybe soon he will stop wearing through the knees in his pants! Bubbie and I took the kids to the new location of Goldberg's Bagels for lunch while Avi is at the Raven's game with his coworkers. It's nice, and the menu is expanded, but it was still so crowded and we waited a long time for our delicious lunch.

Our trip to Charleston...

2007-11-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

...was wonderful. We took a carriage ride through historic Charleston, we walked along the Harbor, we had a beautiful Shabbos at the Broad Street Guest House, and of course we went to Debbie and Alex's gorgeous wedding. Mazel Tov guys!

Additional pictures of our trip and the wedding

Check-up

2007-11-14T16:44:00.000-05:00

Chaim had his one-year-old checkup today with the doctor -
Weight: 18 lbs 4 oz

Height: 29.5 inches

Head Circumference: 47 cm

He got 4 shots, 2 finger pricks and a blood draw.

He also got his 5th tooth today.

Baby Tylenol is our new best friend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2007-11-13T13:26:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY CHAIM! We love you!!!

Thank you

2007-11-05T01:40:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who helped make Chaim's birthday party so special. Thank you for all of the beautiful toys; the children are having a great time with them!

New Site

2007-11-01T11:02:00.000-04:00

Team Fogel has decided to switch formats for our website! It is becoming too time consuming to update our html web page all of the time, so from now on we will be posting pics and information about the family on our new blog here. This will also allow everyone to see all previous entries, rather than only the current entry. Enjoy!

...and baby makes Four!

2006-11-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

Chaim

born on Monday November 13, 2006

23 Cheshvan 5767

at 11:36 pm

7 lbs and 2.9 oz

19 1/4 inches long

Chaim's wishlist

A Family is Born...

2005-04-19T17:23:00.000-04:00

Miri

born on April 19, 2005

10 Nissan 5765

at 6:53 pm

7 lbs and 3 3/4 oz

19 and 1/2 inches long

Miri's wishlist