Increasing Simcha in Adar

[RachelEve14]

Chodesh Tov!

[Mimi]

Glad to be here!
:)
off to playgroup now,so only a quick hello.
how is everyone?
<3

[Kmelion]

I had some minor laser surgery on my toe today. Now that it's out of the way I'm ready to have this baby... LOL.

I've delegated Purim to my daughters (they're 17 1/2 and 16 1/2) and until this baby is born, I'm not even thinking about Pesach.

[SaraFR]

Subbing

Baking away...

[Mimi]

i am still sewing 27 bags for purim.

[Abby]

subbing, not in any way ready for Purim, ack,

Abby

[Mimi]

my dear friends.
i just panicked & made those 27 gift bags in less than an hour,thinking purim is next wednesday, only to find out i'm a week early with this.
ugh. it's on the 10th & 11th,isn't it?

[tikva18]

At least you got good results from your panic.

I have NO idea what we're doing for Purim this year. I don't know anything about costumes - haven't even spoken with my kids yet. I haven't made hamentaschen...don't have a clue what to put in shalach manos...

[Mimi]

i'll make the first load of hamentaschen the day before playgroup , which is on wednesday, because i already told everyone we're celebrating, then the second & third or so load on the monday before purim. costumes i am thinking just a red nose for baby george ( he's only tiny :D ) & maybe a dragon or monster, something like that,something quick & easy.
oh well, i will put a bottle of wine & some hamentaschen into our shalach manos.

(we say m'shalach manot. are we wrong? oh my. )

[tikva18]

i'll make the first load of hamentaschen the day before playgroup , which is on wednesday, because i already told everyone we're celebrating, then the second & third or so load on the monday before purim. costumes i am thinking just a red nose for baby george ( he's only tiny :D ) & maybe a dragon or monster, something like that,something quick & easy.
oh well, i will put a bottle of wine & some hamentaschen into our shalach manos.

(we say m'shalach manot. are we wrong? oh my. )
On the contrary - you are most correct. THat is the way to say it properly in Hebrew; I am speakinglike the typical ashkenazi Jew (which I had to work so very hard to be able to do properly) and mangling it. :)

[imnottelling]

Mishloach manos is the proper way to call the packages we send of food on Purim. Shalach manos is wrong, it's slang. But many of us call it that anyway:)

Did you do all those books by hand? Or you had the help of a copier?

(I have no idea what I plan on doing for MM this year. I'm so unorganized :()

[Mimi]

oh luckily i had a photocopier with just about enough ink left in it :D
i will probably put them into a seperate little basket though & leave it up to the parents if they want to share the story with their kids, i'm just hoping that someone will at least take one, just so it wasn't all in vain.
good thing about the m'shalach then, because i wrote that on the back of the books :D:D ( i would not have corrected it,though, i think. :D )
it's been a while since i learned hebrew. the only way i can remember the aleph bet is with that silly song ( oh yes,i can't get it out of my head now!! :D )

[Chavelamomela]

I am going the "easy" route this year and made a donation to my shul, which includes me on the MM list for the shul. We sent to everyone, make life easier. I'll bring one package of MM to wherever we go for seuda to fulfill the mitzvah.

Of course, to make things harder, I am actually the one ORGANIZING the shul MM this year! Stupid me, I wound up volunteering again...and now I just don't have the time or energy for it all! Can you remind me, that I have to start saying "NO" more often??!!! I told the shul that since I'd be done with my master's degree end of Dec, I could do the MM...but now life interferes....

:hammer

Please don't let me do this to myself again :eyesroll

On other fronts, my MIL had surgery this week, my Bro lost his job, and a good friend had a psychotic breakdown.

Remind me not to carry the weight of the world...

[Ruthla]

I'm still not sure about the family costumes. DD1 wanted us all to go as each other, but DD2 and DS didn't want to do that. Then we thought maybe we'd do the characters from Little Red Riding Hood- Grandma, Little Red, Wolf, and Woodcutter, and if my ex actually shows up to join us he can be a second woodcutter (or DD1 could be Little Blue Riding Hood, Red's sister, or DD1 could be the wolf and DS could be a random forest animal, or we could have two wolves, one in grandma's nightie and one just a wolf, or add in other storybook characters as Grandma's neighbors, etc.)

DD2 and DS like this idea, but DD1 is stuck on going as each other. So maybe DD1, DS, and X will be Little Red et al, and DD1 and I will go as each other. But DD2 wants to do a WHOLE family theme, one that includes me. :dizzy:

I don't mind going as DD1 (in her Elmo hoodie with the hood up to cover my hair, a denim skirt, red leggings, and her boots) OR going as Little Red's Grandma. I just want to make a decision so we can start on the costumes.

[crazy_eights]

Link to share: League of Observant Jewish Homeschoolers (http://www.chayas.com/homeschoolindex.htm)

[SaraFR]

That's an interesting link. Do you know who runs it?

[crazy_eights]

No idea.

[SaraFR]

Those links about Yemen (such as the aleph bet) are very fascinating.

[Faliciagayle]

On other fronts, my MIL had surgery this week, my Bro lost his job, and a good friend had a psychotic breakdown.

Remind me not to carry the weight of the world...

:Hug

[tikva18]

So I've been going to a class based around the book The Garden of Emunah by R. Shalom Arush - anyway, tonight was the last class - at least for the time being, so last week we were asked to bring something which represented our neshamas - and play/show/etc. As an example the person teaching (not too sure what to call him ...rabbi, doctor, rabbidoctor?) played an original compostion that he said was an expression of his neshama. So, silly me, I spoke up when someone said how could he do that... and replied that I thought everyone hears music in their heads - Dr. X merely put his down on paper.... (apparently this is not the case?). AT which point I was told that this week I could bring my original composition. So, instead of using one which I'd written a number of years ago, I came home last Wed. night and started writing a new piece (which was really great because I don't give myself the time I need to play the piano in the first place). Ack. So I played it tonight at the class.

And my point was... well, not too sure, but anyway.

[alexsam]

A bit of a divergence...

Could you guys check out my thread in Nutrition and Good eating? I'm looking for some recipes and help for high-altitude challah using a breadmaker :o. I'd like to start making my own more regularly, but I need a good recipe for using a breadmaker for the first part and any tips for doing it at 5,000 ft!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=13263190#post13263190

[RachelEve14]

At least you got good results from your panic.

I have NO idea what we're doing for Purim this year. I don't know anything about costumes - haven't even spoken with my kids yet. I haven't made hamentaschen...don't have a clue what to put in shalach manos...

Pretty much in the same boat except we have costumes for the kids (not the baby though), and I know I'm putting in homemade challah rolls (which I havne't made yet).

[crazy_eights]

What was the name of the cd of shachris? Anyone have a link?

[Mimi]

Pretty much in the same boat except we have costumes for the kids (not the baby though), and I know I'm putting in homemade challah rolls (which I havne't made yet).

do you have an easy recipe that i could makle for, let's say, 30 or so people?
That would be so great!
<3

[MommyChani]

B"H

Here's a recipe I use, one recipe makes 16 small challahs, it's easy and very good and they freeze like a dream.

2 cups warm water
3 tbsps and a quarter tsp dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg (if you like it fluffier you can put in two eggs)
1 tbsp salt
1 Kilo flour or around 7 cups of flour

That's it! Mix the first three, let rise a few minutes, add other ingredients and you're done.

I just baked 25 challahs over the last three days, so that I'm done until Pesach.

Gut Shabbos everyone!

[Faliciagayle]

A bit of a divergence...

Could you guys check out my thread in Nutrition and Good eating? I'm looking for some recipes and help for high-altitude challah using a breadmaker :o. I'd like to start making my own more regularly, but I need a good recipe for using a breadmaker for the first part and any tips for doing it at 5,000 ft!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=13263190#post13263190

I replied!

[Mimi]

thank you mommichani, they sound just like what i need.


shabbat shalom to all of you <3

[crazy_eights]

What was the name of the cd of shachris? Anyone have a link?
OK, went back to the old thread and found it (http://store.kehotonline.com/index.php?stocknumber=CD-NEWD&deptid=5791&parentid=10004&page=2&itemsperpage=10) if anyone else is interested.

[smeisnotapirate]

Yeek, I totally missed Rosh Chodesh. :bag:

Too much going on...........

[BelovedBird]

H everyon. We've had great rain for 2 days straight. Baruch Hashem. I am in th thick of my doing a doula course with Shoshana Goldbaum and I gtg because we ar really in the middle of our purim prep family meeting. :D
Chodesh tov and shavua tov all!

[Nickarolaberry]

We had a terrible tragedy here today.

Our beloved Chabad rabbi and rebbitzen suffered the loss of their 10 year old son :bawl: He simply did not wake up this morning (complained last night of a headache).

I simply do not know what to do with myself; these people are the true epitome of chesed, hachnasas orchim, kiruv, and friendship. The rebbitzen is a personal friend and I don't even know how to reach out to her.

The levaya is tomorrow morning. :gloomy: :(

[kroonkles]

:crying It's been a tough year for Chabad. Baruch Dayan Haemes

[SaraFR]

We had a terrible tragedy here today.

Our beloved Chabad rabbi and rebbitzen suffered the loss of their 10 year old son :bawl: He simply did not wake up this morning (complained last night of a headache).

I simply do not know what to do with myself; these people are the true epitome of chesed, hachnasas orchim, kiruv, and friendship. The rebbitzen is a personal friend and I don't even know how to reach out to her.

The levaya is tomorrow morning. :gloomy: :(
Baruch Dayan Haemes. I hadn't heard about it. That is so terrifying.

[MommyChani]

BH

baruch dayan ha'emes. there are just no words.

Hashem send us Moshiach already! Enough tragedies.

[RachelEve14]

We had a terrible tragedy here today.

Our beloved Chabad rabbi and rebbitzen suffered the loss of their 10 year old son :bawl: He simply did not wake up this morning (complained last night of a headache).

I simply do not know what to do with myself; these people are the true epitome of chesed, hachnasas orchim, kiruv, and friendship. The rebbitzen is a personal friend and I don't even know how to reach out to her.

The levaya is tomorrow morning. :gloomy: :(

:gloomy: BD"E

[Faliciagayle]

We had a terrible tragedy here today.

Our beloved Chabad rabbi and rebbitzen suffered the loss of their 10 year old son :bawl: He simply did not wake up this morning (complained last night of a headache).

I simply do not know what to do with myself; these people are the true epitome of chesed, hachnasas orchim, kiruv, and friendship. The rebbitzen is a personal friend and I don't even know how to reach out to her.

The levaya is tomorrow morning. :gloomy: :(

... :gloomy: I'm sorry. :hug

[Nickarolaberry]

In memory of Levi Yitzchok, a'h (http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=2388)

May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may we merit to bring Moshiach now. :gloomy:

[smeisnotapirate]

b'd'e. Wow. 10? I cannot imagine. What are their names, for davening?

[SaraFR]

In memory of Levi Yitzchok, a'h (http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=2388)

May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may we merit to bring Moshiach now. :gloomy:
Amen. Thank you for posting those pictures of him. It helps to understand just a bit better this tragedy.

[Ruthla]

We had a terrible tragedy here today.

Our beloved Chabad rabbi and rebbitzen suffered the loss of their 10 year old son :bawl: He simply did not wake up this morning (complained last night of a headache).

I simply do not know what to do with myself; these people are the true epitome of chesed, hachnasas orchim, kiruv, and friendship. The rebbitzen is a personal friend and I don't even know how to reach out to her.

The levaya is tomorrow morning. :gloomy: :(
BDE :Hug I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine.

I was going to go on a whole long thing about Purim plans and costumes and such but I just don't feel like talking about *fun* now.

Tuesday night is the 3rd Yartzeit of the Rabbi of our shul. Somehow, Purim still went on 3 years ago, less than a week after his death.

[BelovedBird]

BDE. That is so sad. :(:(

[julie128]

Wow. That's really sad and scary. A similar thing happened to a little girl here. She was 4, I think, had no symptoms, just didn't wake up. She had some kind of infection, they found later. Just terrible.

My Purim costume: Jimmy Buffett's lost shaker of salt.

[Ruthla]

I started a Purim thread (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=13293532#post13293532)over in Spirituality.

[sammysmaman]

Hi all,
I've been lurking on this thread for some time now, but I never got a chance to write in and say, "hi". I was wondering if you could give me ideas for a Purim costume for ds (4). Tomorrow, his class is having their Purim parade, and I totally dropped the ball on the costume. The only dress-up clothes he has are superheroes, and he's not allowed to wear those to his school. Do you have any ideas for things I can use around the house to make a costume?
Thanks ;)

[smeisnotapirate]

He can't be a superhero? That's strange. Did they say why not?

You can do an animal really quickly with a headband with paper ears and a fabric tail and gloves. You can also put him in a suit (if he has one) and give him a cane and hat and he can be an English gentleman or something. He can wear a sports uniform or be a scarecrow with some overalls, a flannel shirt, and "straw" (that Easter basket filling works wonderfully, actually, and isn't too itchy). :lol

[sammysmaman]

Those are great suggestions. Thanks :)

He can't be a superhero b/c, I guess a lot of kids get really aggressive when they're dressed as superheroes. That's never been a problem w/ds, but I guess in the past, the boys would fight a lot when they were dressed as Spiderman, etc.

[npl]

Cat - black (or brown or whatever cat colour) sweatpants and sweatshirt, long black sock pinned to back waistband of pants (can stuff with a couple of socks for shape). Face - either make a cat mask from a paper plate cut to make ears and draw on features. Or, take a cheap hairband and make two ears from felt or stiff fabric (felt will stand up more reliably). Draw on nose and whiskers with make-up.
Wear socks or gloves on hands for paws.

Dress up as "abba" - wear shabbos clothes, but not a good option if school activities will be messy.

Chef - Wear regular clothes. Make a chef hat from a band of construction paper or cardboard and stick a puff of white tissue paper to the top inside edge. Wear an apron with a wooden spoon in the pocket.

[sammysmaman]

Thanks!

[RachelEve14]

do you have an easy recipe that i could makle for, let's say, 30 or so people?
That would be so great!
<3

Oh sorry I just saw this. I use a recipe for water challah from Taste of Shabbos. Bli nadar I will get it for you later. Right now I'm watching babies & one is eating so I don't want to leave her in the high chair to go in the kitchen to get the book.

[sammysmaman]

Thanks, ladies, for the ideas for costumes. The Purim Parade was very cute this morning. We'd borrowed a costume from friends, but, then ds only wanted to wear a bandana instead of the costume. He was happy, and it was very easy to put on :)

[gilamama]

Oh sorry I just saw this. I use a recipe for water challah from Taste of Shabbos. Bli nadar I will get it for you later. Right now I'm watching babies & one is eating so I don't want to leave her in the high chair to go in the kitchen to get the book.


rach, are you doing home daycare?

[RachelEve14]

rach, are you doing home daycare?

Yes, but I only have 3 babies on Wednesday (the 3 includes Avraham Tzvi). Next year IY"H I am doing a tzharon.

[mombh]

a bit late , but BDE:(:(:(

[julie128]

My friend's grandfather died suddenly of a stroke. She's taking the family to the funeral. He was 95. She told me that her uncle was with him at the hospital. Gpa was in a coma or deep sleep or something and was just hanging on by a thread. She told uncle on the phone that sometimes people just need permission to let go so they can leave the world in peace. So, uncle told gpa something to that effect, and two minutes later he died. I got tingles when she told me. He was a great man, and he had a great relationship with my friend's son, who is autistic.

Anyway.

I've been thinking lately about my friend who had the hysterectomy a year and a few months ago. If she'd been able to have the baby, he'd be one next month. I kind of want to say something to the family, but I'm not sure what.

*sigh*

I loooooove Purim.

My mother is gearing up for Pesach already, and I"m still in Purim mode. Does anyone know of a cd that sings the Pesach songs, Dayenu and everything, with all the words so that I can actually learn the words in advance? I always feel like a dunce because I only know the first verse. I need to hear it regularly to learn it.

[3daughters]

I think you can contact her and simply say that you are thinking about her at this time of year. She'll understand and appreciate your thoughtfulness and sensitivity.

[Ruthla]

Yes, definitely "I'm thinking of you and your loss" is appropriate at any time.

Sorry I can't help you with locating Jewish music, as I don't really enjoy listening to it unless we're singing it ourselves.

I'm kinda sorta gearing up for Passover, but my primary focus is Purim right now. I'll get into heavy Pesach mode next week. But I have gone through my pantry and I'm trying to gear meal/snack planning, as well as food shopping, towards using up what we have and buying as little as possible (and only what's likely to be finished within the month.) I did purchase rye matzah today as the store had it, and I didn't want to risk there being none left when I'm ready to do my big Pesach shopping.

I did very poorly with the GF oat matzah last year (I don't tolerate oats at all!) and I know I can't handle wheat, but I went gluten-free without actually testing my reactions to spelt, rye, or barley. This year I'm testing my response to rye.

[crazy_eights]

I bought several cd's of the music for the seder from mostlymusic.com a few years ago.

[Faliciagayle]

Please daven for my daughter, she has RSV and I've never seen her so ill. We had to go to the ER.

Chaya Miriam

[sammysmaman]

Ha! Now I have Dayenu stuck in my head! There are lots of cds out there, and, if you're just looking for the lyrics, I bet you could google the songs and have all the lyrics for free ;)

[smeisnotapirate]

I would just have fun downloading songs from www.oysongs.com. Love that site.

[gilamama]

ruthla, the rye matza does not go down easily AT ALL!!! i do not recomend it.

rs to fg's dd.

[SaraFR]

R"s

[Kmelion]

Purim Table Idea...

The past few years, whenever I get a chance to do this, I do.. it's so much fun and I always get compliments. Purim Seudah and weekday Sheva Brachot tend to be the only opportunities...

Use white paper tablecloths and decorate with crayons. If you use disposable, have everything in different, bright colors.

[mombh]

oat matza for those who are gf are really good although very $$$

spelt matza is good for those who can have gluten just not wheat.

[tikva18]

We did oat last year for ds and tried it for the twins (who did not tolerate it :( ). We bought enough so ds could make hamotzi throughout the year. Unfortunately, :( :( :(, we had a moth invasion and I had to throw it out :(. I just found 3 moths this past week and am going nuts. I don't know what I"ll do if they invade food again.

[Ruthla]

R'S Chaya Miriam

I don't know for a fact that I can't have gluten. I do know for a fact that wheat makes me very sick; and I cut out all gluten as a precaution. I tried the GF oat matzah last year, and it made me almost as sick as the wheat did. If I'm going to eat matzah that sickens me, I might as well eat something less expensive than $30 a box!

For now I need to focus on Purim- that's only a day away, while we have a whole month before Pesach. Today we're going to make hamentashen and finish assembling our costumes, and maybe start reading the Book of Esther. The plan is to study Esther in depth tomorrow.

[crazy_eights]

Ruth, what are the numbers after your kid's names in your siggie?

[Ruthla]

Their ages in months. ;)

[Faliciagayle]

Their ages in months. ;)

:lol

[Faliciagayle]

And thanks for the R"S's
she seems to be feeling a tad better today.

[smeisnotapirate]

Their ages in months. ;)

Cute. :lol

Anything prompt that?

[Ruthla]

Yeah, one day last week DD2 randomlyasked me how old she was in months, and after calculating it, I decided to go ahead and change my siggy.

Anyway, I spent the day crocheting wolf parts. I crocheted two brown tails and four ears, then sewed the two bigger ears to a snood, and the two smaller ears to a kippa. So three of four costumes are done- DD2 was too busy playing downstairs to work on her own costume today. She started out painting the paper cups brown for the wolf noses (a 3oz cup for me, and a 3oz cup cut smaller for DS) and then got distracted by crafts materials.

[julie128]

The Hebrew Mamita. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubdGjzzJiVs
F-word warning (once). Do you "look Jewish"?

[tikva18]

Help:
What do you do when you have a child that is continually sneaking food (sweets) and then denies it when you confront him. For example: I made hamentashen today - I put 30 on a tray and then transferred the same 30 to a ziploc. Ds was hiding sort of in the corner of the dining room - I look in the kitchen and the bag is much emptier than it was before so I took out the hamentashen and counted - was missing 9. It couldn't have been anyone else because: ds#3 is allergic to chocolate and was upstairs at the time, ds#1 is allergic to gluten and chocolate and wouldn't do it (and we would totally be able to tell), and the twins were with me nursing and then in bed. No one else is home.
How do I deal with this? It's a daily issue - packages of cookies are just completely disappearing - he's done the same with candy. It's not like we deny him the food - we're always offering choices and he gets the same limited amount of sweets that everyone else gets.
He's a super picky eater and often won't eat what I'm serving. I try to always offer him another choice and have gone out of my way to get him a protein drink that he likes which is a big daily treat (and expensive to boot, but that's beside the point).
What would you do?

[crazy_eights]

For some kids it is not the fact that they are getting "the same limited amount" as everyone else, but the fact that there are "limited amounts" creates a scarcity/hoarding mentality. Some people have worked on this by buying a "stash" that the kid has available that is replenished every "x" number of days. If they then choose to eat the entire thing at one go, it's their choice. It does help kids learn to have inner control over their intake. I've also heard of people removing all limits so that the child learns to control their own intake.

[tikva18]

Thanks... that's not a bad idea - but the problem arises when he's not taking his own stash... I'll run that one by dh. On Shabbos he ate MY stash - grrr.

[julie128]

Tikva, you can keep all sweets and junk foods out of the house, which is what I have to do, not because the kids will eat it--though actually, they will--but because I will. It was a big problem for me growing up because we weren't allowed to have any sweets ever, so I would buy candy with my entire allowance or steal it or get it free at parties and wherever. I see the same problem with dd1. I have to make sure that she can have sweets SOMETIMES, and that she knows it's okay to have it SOMETIMES, but that sugar is something that tastes good, but is bad for your body. It's a tough situation because sugar is everywhere. Maybe you can have him litarally pay for the hamentaschen he took, plus extra as a punishment for lying about it?


Torah boy costume! Just in time for next Purim. http://www.costumecraze.com/RLGS05.html

[LambQueen]

hi mamas. dare we start talking pesach????

[Ruthla]

No, not until after Shushan Purim. You can wait a day, can't you?

[smeisnotapirate]

Oh dear, Pesach. I'm so not ready.

Shushan Purim first. Right. :D

[Kmelion]

I can't think of Pesach until after I've had this baby.. who seems quite comfy where it is... 39 weeks and not dilated AT ALL... despite contractions and incredible pressure on Purim.

Of course this week would have been the most convenient time to have the baby since my teenagers are home from school all week. Next week, my 16 1/2 year old has her 3 day "Tiyull Shnati" (annual class trip) so of COURSE that's when I'll give birth.

[Chavelamomela]

Speaking of pregnancy and birth...

I am B"H pregnant!:joy:

We're planning a homebirth.

I'm due around Rosh Hashana/YK time...

Now can I ask for advice for the moms of more than one...how do you manage life when you're so sick from pregnancy? I have BAAAAD sickness, it lasts for a LONG time (at least 16 weeks w. ds) and when I was not a mom yet, DH and I could deal with me just going to bed at 6pm for the night. But now life calls... DS is almost 4, and even with everything DH has been doing, there are just times when he needs his mama...

[BelovedBird]

CHAVI!!! What great news!
Bshaa tova!

Don't ask how I cope, I am not so good at it :/

[Kmelion]

I wore sea bands for 30 weeks of this pregnancy...

Does your 4 year old go to school/daycare? I am at home with a toddler and let me tell you, puking your guts out in the wheelchair accessible bathroom while he sits in the carriage screaming in fright is NOT fun...

[3daughters]

:love B'Shaah Tova :love

Not great at coping either - I just wanted to crawl under a rock. DH basically had to take over everything for 3 months. The kids kept asking him why Ima was sleeping all the time, lol!

[Ruthla]

B'shaa tova!

You don't know for a fact that you'll have the same experience with nausea that you had last time. You might have a much easier time, physically, this time around.

3/4yos are a lot more independent than 9-16 mos (which is how old DD1 was when I was pg with DD2). You can safely lie or sit down while he brings you books to read or soft toys to play pretend with on your lap. He can come to you for snuggles instead of you having to chase after him. You don't have to worry about him crawling off into mischief and choking on a penny somebody dropped.

[Chavelamomela]

I work FT, and at work I sit at my desk all day, munching throughout the day. I come home WIPED! Evenings are hard. Weekends are also difficult, because I feel like all the house responsibilities usually happened on the weekend (Sunday). DH does a lot, and is doing more than ever, but we still feel a major diffeence (and the smell of the dog is making the carpets STINK! DH vacuums every day & I've used baking soda w. esential oils, etc...)

okay, just venting.

I hope this nausea ends soon. I had nausea for almost half the pg w. ds... Sea Bands don't work at all for me.

I have tried diet (I eat REALLY well), increased intake of vitamin B complex, aromatherapy, etc.

I am just hoping this gets better SOON!!!

[smeisnotapirate]

B'shaa tova, Chavi! :joy:

[flminivanmama]

b'shah tovah!

[crazy_eights]

Speaking of pregnancy and birth...

I am B"H pregnant!:joy:

:love

[sammysmaman]

Speaking of pregnancy and birth...

I am B"H pregnant!:joy:

We're planning a homebirth.

I'm due around Rosh Hashana/YK time...

Now can I ask for advice for the moms of more than one...how do you manage life when you're so sick from pregnancy? I have BAAAAD sickness, it lasts for a LONG time (at least 16 weeks w. ds) and when I was not a mom yet, DH and I could deal with me just going to bed at 6pm for the night. But now life calls... DS is almost 4, and even with everything DH has been doing, there are just times when he needs his mama...

That is wonderful news!!!!!
As for the sickness, hopefully, it won't be as bad this time around. W/ds (who is 4 today!), I had morning sickness until week 36 or so, but w/dd, I only had it my first trimester. I found that taking my vitamins at night, instead of the morning, really helped. And eating small meals, even crackers, really helped. It was weird forcing myself to eat while nauseous, but it really made the nausea go away. Oh, and Preggie Pops made a sucking candy (instead of their traditional lollipop, which I didn't want b/c ds always wanted one, too) called "Preggie Pop Drops", which were really good and helped curb the sickness.
HTH!

[tikva18]

B'sha'ah tovah!!!! I'm so excited for you. The only thing that worked for me was Zofran - but I had hyperemesis and was on iv.s... I understand that B complex vit are good - as I think calcium/mag. is good. Peppermint, ginger also.

[Chavelamomela]

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Shabbat Shalom Ladies!!!

[Ruthla]

How was everybody's Shabbos?

OK, girls, get to work. It's now the Official Start of the Pesach Prep Season!

[Chavelamomela]

We had a bit of a scare...

DS had a low grade fever earlier last week, then was fine, and on Friday right before shabbat DH noticed that ds had rosy cheeks... (no fever).

And somehow he started to suspect Fifth's Disease (Parovirus) - which is one of those completely benign childhood viruses, it spreads slowly, is airborne, and most people don;t even realize they have it...but can cause harm to fetuses...

So we went into slight panic mode, not knowing if he had it, learning from my MW that I'd never had it (no immunity in my blood), and figuring out that the time when ds would have been most contagous(sp?) was already passed, and there was nothing to do about it. The risk of miscarriage is 1-6%.

So this AM ds looks fine, no lacy-pattern rash.

Phew...

[npl]

What a relief, Chavi! So glad he is OK.

[smeisnotapirate]

OK, girls, get to work. It's now the Official Start of the Pesach Prep Season!

Oh, I am SO not ready. :irked:

I'm having a tough time trying to decide who to do our first-night seder with. Most of our friends have big family seders, which they're always wonderful about inviting us to, but I really want to do one of our own - on a smaller scale. We have friends (non-Jewish and here on MDC, actually :D) who have never been to a seder before, and I'd like to invite them, but I don't want it to be us and a non-Jewish family for first night. I'm just wary of having to feed a ton of people, as things could get really out of control quickly and we'd end up feeding half the synagogue and offending the other half for not being invited. :eyesroll

Anyone have tips for seders for a newbie to hosting? Any favorite haggadot?

[Faliciagayle]

chavi, b'shaa tova! and glad your LO is alright.




Pesach... this is the second year in a row we've lived in a city where matzoh and other important items are unavailable. I'm currently in FL visiting the ILs so I think I'm going to buy some matzoh here and pack it back, and have my mom send me a pesach care package :lol
Seder wise we have been invited to the Rabbi's for 1st night, and we're going to the shul seder on the 2nd night.

[smeisnotapirate]

Yeah, we have our shul seder on 2nd night, too. Wouldn't miss that for the world. :joy:

[Faliciagayle]

Haggadah wise, I don't know what you're looking for Sara, but The Santa Cruz Hagaddah (http://www.santacruzhag.com/) is fun and well written. It's a bit on the crunchy/hippy end of the spectrum :o


And I lived in Santa Cruz for many years so it's endeared to my heart :love

[Mama Shifra]

Pesach... this is the second year in a row we've lived in a city where matzoh and other important items are unavailable. I'm currently in FL visiting the ILs so I think I'm going to buy some matzoh here and pack it back, and have my mom send me a pesach care package :lol
Seder wise we have been invited to the Rabbi's for 1st night, and we're going to the shul seder on the 2nd night.

I've bought a lot of Pesach food from aviglatt.com. They usually give you free shipping if you order over $150 (very easy when making Pesach!). I don't know if they have hand shmura matzo or not, but you may want to give them a try.

[Smithie]

"OK, girls, get to work. It's now the Official Start of the Pesach Prep Season!"

Aaaaaaugh. Last year I had surgery two days before 1st night and my dh was 3,000 miles away, so I pretty much gave myself a pass on anything but reading though the kids' haggadah once.

This year, I want to feed the family (dh's family, so nonJewish and very very enthusiastic about food). I know they will be good sports about the haggadah reading, but I don't know what to feed them that won't make them feed bread-deprived. They don't all love brisket, so I could make a small brisket and then something else? I'm just not sure...

[MommyChani]

BH

ladies anyone know of a very good acupuncturist in the NY area who deals with PCOS? i'll post on the ny tribe but figured some of you here may know of something! Thanks, I'm trying to help someone I know...

[smeisnotapirate]

You can do chicken, potatoes, and a veggie. Good Pesach staples.

[Kmelion]

Turkey, sweet potatoes, matzah stuffing, cranberry relish... no corn bread, but...

[Faliciagayle]

I've bought a lot of Pesach food from aviglatt.com. They usually give you free shipping if you order over $150 (very easy when making Pesach!). I don't know if they have hand shmura matzo or not, but you may want to give them a try.

thanks for the tip - I'll give them a try.

[crazy_eights]

HebrewTshirts.co.il

Very cute stuff.

[smeisnotapirate]

Yesh chalav?

:lol

Cute!

[flminivanmama]

i like the bags that say tikkun olam!

[crazy_eights]

i like the bags that say tikkun olam!
I have a whole wish lish I want to order from there - including the "Baruch sh'asani isha" apron :lol

[tikva18]

"OK, girls, get to work. It's now the Official Start of the Pesach Prep Season!"

Aaaaaaugh. Last year I had surgery two days before 1st night and my dh was 3,000 miles away, so I pretty much gave myself a pass on anything but reading though the kids' haggadah once.

This year, I want to feed the family (dh's family, so nonJewish and very very enthusiastic about food). I know they will be good sports about the haggadah reading, but I don't know what to feed them that won't make them feed bread-deprived. They don't all love brisket, so I could make a small brisket and then something else? I'm just not sure...
Why not turkey? There are lots of yummie veggies to make. For dessert why not flourless chocolate cake?

[Faliciagayle]

HebrewTshirts.co.il

Very cute stuff.

LOVE it

[SaraFR]

It seems that after managing to be sick for 2 weeks, I managed to get pneumonia. B"h, I'm at the getting better end but I was told to expect at least another 1.5 to 2.5 weeks in bed or at least taking it easy (after the 2 I've already spent). B"H, B"H, B"H I am much better than before. I can NOT stress this part enough.

I'm trying to tell myself that this is why Hashem created paper goods (we used real stuff until now and they were sitting there unwashed-B"h we managed to get a little dent made in that department).

Any advice on getting pesach ready in a pinch? I have no idea when I'll be able to start cleaning. I already know dirt isn't chametz and my toilets don't need to be kashered. It's a matter of getting the real crumbs out of the places my kids put them.

Are we having fun yet?

[npl]

Do one storey/level of your house at a time. Focus on moving piles, not sorting/decluttering/tidying. You are just checking that there are no candies/cookies/crackers stuck between papers or books. Visually check clothing drawers for your own peace of mind, by moving things around, not dumping out and refolding. Vacuum the floor, inside the closet, between the mattress and box-spring. That does the bedrooms. Check bathrooms for chametz products. Have kids shake off/undress downstairs after the bedrooms are done.
Next, the basement, if you have one - again, a good vacuuming will deal with most things, including sofas. If the kids take food down there, then check toy boxes visually.
Main floor - if it's fairly open-plan like mine, then I try to do the closed areas, like drawers and cupboards first, then the open shelves, carpets, sofas all at once. Again, you are checking for the errant cracker, not the dust. I do the DR/LR after our last chametz shabbos. Kitchen gets done after I know nothing will get tracked in there from the rest of the house. And, in the kitchen, I close up most cupboards and leave as much as I can out on the countertops, so I don't have to spend time and energy moving things around. If you can get a little paid help or chessed girl, I'd get them to do the heavy cleaning in the kitchen, because that's where you are most likely to find actual chametz, and where it is the most important to get rid of it.
Ask a shaila for the minimums to start with - in these circumstances the rabbonim can be fairly lenient for what you need to accomplish and can come up with interesting ways to cut down on your work. And when a competent Rav says it's OK, then it's easier to relax about it.
Refuah Shleima!

[Mimi]

Hi ladies!
Do we have a Pessach thread?
I want to share my menu with you!

We are having Mushrooms with italian passata topped with mozarella & baked,
then coq au vin , & then maybe some sponge cake.
What do you think?

I am slowly freaking out, we heard back about our dream house, we got it, & we are moving in on the 16th of april, so i am getting really a bit nervous about cleaning all this lot here, then another house & all while moving & looking after my two little ones!
How will I ever do this?


oh,are any of you on facebook?
<3

[Ruthla]

I just started a new Passover Meal Planning Thread (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=13394457#post13394457)

Sara- R'S'. In addition to asking a rabbi about the bare minimums for Pesach prep, see if you can get somebody to help you with the actual physical work. Can you afford to hire somebody? Any friends or relatives who can pitch in? Any local teenagers who need chessed hours/community service credits?

[SaraFR]

I do plan on asking a Rav about the bare minimums (perhaps I don't need to clean a room if the kids don't have too much access to it? I don't know). There may be some heterim (leniencies) in this type of case. I think we will need to hire somebody to help with the major work in the kitchen. We don't have cleaning help year round and I don't think I've ever had it before pesach but I think this year is an exception. I am trying to get some local girls do chesed hours by me but I'm not sure if I can ask them to clean (even just giving me time to rest is helpful now). We may eat out meals by families we're close to or get food from an outside source (we're only comfortable with limited outside sources, ie families we know very well). This is what we've figured out so far. It's a bit stressful having this hanging over me and knowing I can't do ANYTHING about it yet. My body is getting stressed from the smallest amounts.

[Faliciagayle]

OyToys has free shipping for orders over $50 and a free bedikat chametz kit for orders over $25 :D




alicia, who is wish listing the wooden pesach seder set

[Chavelamomela]

Household help before pesach is a necessity IMO when you're not feeling well. I am pg and still feel quite lousy and won't contemplate doing any cleaning without assistance. You can have a cleaning person clean your fridge, your oven (we don't have self-clean) - especially if you show them how you want them, and supervise/inspect their work, then you have no issues. My cleaning lady is super-trustworthy and thorough, so I know she'll do a great job at whatever I ask her to.

For me, the hardest job is not the cleaning, but the transition from chametz to pesach - covering counters, the stove, kashering the sink. Even w. leaving all the pesach dishes & food out on the counters & DR table instead of clearing out my pantry, it's still quite a bit of work.

I haven't started yet. AAACCCKKK!!!

[Mimi]

My ds George-Ezra has been madly in love with "Sleep Noga" by Matan Ariel, (it's on the "israeli lullabies" album) but i can't find the lyrics anywhere. My hebrew is very rusty,i know the essentials , but , if anyone could please helo me? that would be so great.
<3

[smeisnotapirate]

Starting to hyperventilate over here over Pesach. I'm not sure what we're doing for first night seder, but I know I don't want to be the only Jewish person there. I have a non-Jewish couple who would love to attend a seder, but I don't know anyone Jewish who doesn't already have plans. I also really don't want to sign up for the match-up through the synagogue. It's always really random and strange.

*freak-out*

[Ruthla]

It's a shame you're not closer to LI Sara, I'd love to have you!

What I'd probably do if I was in your shoes is to have a small seder at home, with just my immediate family.

I want to go through the entire Haggaddah with the girls before Passover, but so far we've gotten as far as the Seder Plate. I'm also feeling pressure to do a lot of bookwork as we haven't done much the past few weeks, and I have to send in another Quarterly Report before Passover. I'm hoping to do a lot of math and science every day this week. But it's 10:00 AM and the girls are still in bed, and DS is home sick, and I just don't wanna! :lol

We did a little tidying up yesterday. I hate leaving things to the last minute, but my kids tend to do well with deadlines. So I'm going to need to organize things well enough that we get the bookwork done, and clean the house, and finish up the Pesach shopping. I want to get to the thrift store soon to get something *new* for myself for the holiday, plus I need to get back to the mall to get layering tees to match the new jumpers I got for DD2, plus return the jumper I bought for her before I found the really nice ones. Well, all three were sold as "sleeveless dresses" but they need a shirt underneath for modesty.

The new dresses have plenty of extra space in the hips and bust, so there probably won't be such a mad rush next year. Its' very comforting that, for me and DD1, it's a matter of "wanting something new for Yom Tov" rather than "needing new clothes because the ones from last year are too small."

As far as Passover kitchen stuff is concerned, I've been buying small amounts of groceries every time I go shopping, rather than making one huge trip. I printed out my grocery list from last year and keep it in my purse, marking off things when I get them, so I don't forget anything or overbuy stuff we won't use (hopefully. ;) ) All I need to get in terms of "kitchen equipment" is a set of salt and pepper shakers, and contact paper for the countertops.

[smeisnotapirate]

I just got $70+ of Pesach staples for $35!!! :carrot I tell ya, when Weis does sales in the Kosher dept, they do SALES. I'm ready food-wise for Pesach, and now I just need to menu plan for the week. This Pesach will be made all the more interesting by having to cook for my non-Jewish mother from the 5th day on. Mom is still :angry about me converting, so figuring out a meal plan that won't offend her by having traditional Jewish foods but still don't contain chametz will be interesting. I have a feeling we'll be eating lots of quinoa and potatoes. :lol

Ruth, you're probably right about a small, family seder. Also, that way I don't have much stress because I need to find a haggadah for our family this year too. It might be nice to do Pesach with just us (and then nobody else will have to hear DH whine about the fact I don't let him bring beer in the house for 8 whole days :dropjaw) Aren't I evil?? :eyesroll Of course, he doesn't want beer usually, but the moment he can't have it....

[Ruthla]

I have about 2 dozen of those Maxwell House Haggaddahs- the ones they give away free every year if you buy a can of coffee? I've inherited most of them from relatives who used to hold huge extended family seders but no longer do. The translations are really arcane (lots of "Thou"s and "Thine"s) but they're kosher Haggaddahs and they do have English translations. If you want me to send you a couple, PM me your address.

Of course, you may prefer to purchase a nicer Haggaddah with a more readable translation, since you only need 1 or 2.

[tikva18]

Sorry I haven't been around - not sure what happened with that. Today I'm down sick - some kiind of stomach bug :(. Hopefully, I'll be better tomorrow as I have to clean the disaster that is my house from today. I've got to get cracking on Pesach cleaning as well. I've done the boys' bedroom and the twins' room twice now. Planning on cleaning it again tomorrow after cleaning up the general disaster. Akiva is doing his room - phew!.

I have no Pesach food, no oat matza, no nothing - including no idea of what I need. I do have a new pesachdik cookbook. Looking forward to reading that.

[Faliciagayle]

lower level of the house is DONE. ready for pesach!
:joy::joy:

[sammysmaman]

Ugh, I just found out my in-laws are cancelling their Seder :( Fil has unavoidable surgery then, and they're not feeling up to hosting it. We'll miss it - it's always so fun! And, like some of the posters, I, too, converted. So, my parents aren't interested in any of our celebrations :( Sadly, they don't even acknowledge that we celebrate them. But, that's a whole other story. Anyway, I also am really excited about hosting a Seder just for the 4 of us (dh, me, ds who is 4, and dd 18 mos). I never get a chance to host anything! DS's preschool is doing a whole month of lesson plans around Passover, so he's really excited about it already :)

Does anyone have any suggestions either for the menu or for making a special, kid-friendly Seder for such a small group?

[Mimi]

I'm making filled mushroms for the little ones. I ,too, am only cooking for 4 people. I would have the inlaws over, but I don't feel quite up to that this year, we are in the middle of moving house.
if you are in the uk you can always invite yourself over to our house ;)

[Mimi]

i have just done the most stupid thing ever.
usually i get our kosher food online, but i picked up a kosher falafel mix in the supermarket the other day because it was cheaper than the one we use.
so i made it, prepared the mix, let it stand for 10, look at the box & realize
"makes about 60 to 70"
great.
what am i going to do with so many?
& why didn't i notice it was an awful lot?
teething baby = no sleep = my brain does NOT work.

[Chavelamomela]

Freeze them. You can have quick & easy dinner at your fingertips for a few nights, especially in the pre-pesach rush.

[Mimi]

we don't have a freezer. ( we rent this tiny house, we finally move in roughly two weeks. they won't keep,will they? oh man, nothing keeps two weeks. see,that's my brain for you.
any way to make some sort of soup out of them? that would use quite a few i'd imagine?

[Mimi]

i keep doing this, i ordered 20 packs of matzos just to see that they are narked "Not For Passover Use". to be fair, the online shop did not say! but still. i have far too much food & am not hungry, have 90 year old neighbours & noone to share all this with!

[imnottelling]

Falafel Balls freeze well....

We also have a gazillion Maxwell House hagadas....my husband actually prefers to use them over any others since there are fewer pages to turn :)

I like artscroll ones for ease of reading and translation....I still use my children's one by them :)

I won 3 Fuzzi Bunz today :)

[Mimi]

We are still in desperate need of a hagada, ours has gone missing when we moved to england! :(

Never mind, this problem has just been solved!

Thank you Ruthla!!

[LambQueen]

Chodesh tov, mamas! I'm not one for starting new threads since i'm never around, so I won't do it,
but I do want to ask what anyone is doing for the upcoming Birkat Hachama blessing of the sun that occurs only every 28 years?

[Mimi]

we are probably going to synagogue, even though i heard some do it at home.

[Chavelamomela]

It's Nissan mamas!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=13437399#post13437399