Big Lessons

One of the things I hear a lot about when I tell people we are homeschooling is how to teach Jewish themes. I'm a firm believer in the idea that you can teach everything through the Torah and by keeping your eyes open you can find lessons everyday for your children. Yesterday the girls learned about hashgacha pratis. (Hasgacha pratis is commonly translated as divine providence or guidance. It is the idea that G-d is controlling every detail of the world.)

We went strawberry picking yesterday. We hit traffic heading out to Cal Poly Pomona so the drive was almost twice as long as expected. Then Brenda at the Farm Store was explaining that there weren't many berries ready. It seems that kids are so excited to be picking that they grab anything that looks like a strawberry even if it is green. Then the parents dump them onto the ground and move on. At first glance it looks like there are plenty of berries almost ready, but there aren't and they never get ready because the green ones keep getting picked. She said they were planning on closing the field for a week or so to let everything ripen up.

I was explaining to the girls that we would go look, but there probably wouldn't be much to pick and Shira started crying. Brenda felt so bad that she let us into the employee only area so we got four baskets. After we paid we were going to put the berries into the car and get out our lunches when the rain started. So we had an impromptu lunch in the car before heading out.

I explained to the girls about what hashgacha means and how we need to be sure to say our brachot when we eat the berries because if it had started raining at any point before we got to the farm we wouldn't have gone. (I had a back-up plan for the Natural History Museum if berry picking got rained out.)

A note on Cal Poly: If you are going, definitely call first. They have a small store with some beverages, produce, candy, wine, plants, honey, etc. and picnic tables out front as well as a large grassy area so you can plan on having lunch there before or after picking berries. If you are using GPS the address might not work (it didn't for me) but there is a sign for the  Farm Store at the intersection of University Drive and Temple Avenue. The berries were $1.99 a pound and are irrigated with grey water so bring a bottle of water to wash berries you or the kids might sample in the fields.

Big Fun in the Great Outdoors

We went to the LA Arboretum today for running and photos. It was a wonderful trip and we only covered about 25% of the grounds and didn't really stop and enjoy quite a bit. As I go through the photos I took there, I find myself wanting to go back. I probably should have sprung for the membership.

We were greeted by a peacock in the parking lot. We followed him inside and found him by an empty fountain. I explained to the girls how we knew it was a boy and just as we were about to move on he decided to show us his fine display. The girls were very excited to see him so close and he turned around a couple times so we got to see how impressive he looked from all angles.

We walked around some more and wandered through different gardens with the idea to head towards the waterfall. We took a very roundabout way, but ran into quite a few geese, some ducks and more peacocks. The day couldn't have been better. There was a very slight breeze so we didn't get too hot, but the sun was out enough that all of the girls had some color in their cheeks. I'm sure some of the color was from running, too.

Batya really blossoms when she is outdoors. She was taking off around trees, climbing on rocks and stumps and posing for pictures. While her sisters are getting a little tired of the camera in their face all of the time, Batya definitely enjoys it if she can be the art director.

We finally made it to the waterfall and the Shira immediately crawled to a rock and sat to stare. She probably would have sat like that for quite a while, but Chaya decided she had to sit next to her which means their feet touched and battle ensued. When does this magical multiples are BFF happen?

When we headed back to the car we ran into some geese. Shira was very scared of them and Chaya was leery but Batya took the role of defender and got into a heavy stare-down with a particularly bold bird.

Then we ran into our friend from parking lot and two friends. Chaya was decidedly less scared of them.

And did anyone notice that I didn't dress the girls in coordinating outfits? In fact, I didn't dress them at all. They all picked out their clothing with only a couple of shoe vetoes from me.

Big Turn-Off

TV Turn-off week starts tomorrow and I am looking forward to it! We actually don't do TV-free. Aba and I get one show for the week. The girls get a half-hour show each day. That is what I'd like to maintain after the week is over.

Every year we participate in both the spring and fall and things go well. Then we slowly slip back into old habits. Bad habits. Its just so much easier to turn on the TV for the girls and get my stuff done. I've been working on setting up routines so that I can get maximum stuff done in the minimum of time. It also helps that the girls are getting older and asking to help more.

It can only get easier, right?

Are you participating in TV Turnoff week?

A Big Bit of Introspection

When the reality of being pregnant with triplets sank in I started actually reading and researching what to expect. I had my list going in my head of what to ask the OB about and prepared visions of what it would be like. I really wanted to go into labor. I knew that the odds of delivering all three girls naturally wasn't in my favor, but I'm a big believer in babies coming at the right time so I wanted to avoid scheduling a c-section. I also wanted to go as long as possible with the girls so that they would be big and healthy and come home with me. Neither of those wishes came true.

I was pretty sure a c-section was in my future when ultrasound after ultrasound showed A transverse Baby A and one or two breech babies. I was still hoping to go into labor but preeclampsia put an end to that one, too. So I had an emergency c-section late at night on a holiday. The c-section itself I have no problems with and it went well other than the bad reaction to the epidural. (Aba says I tried to sit up during the surgery. I don't remember that.)

The girls ended up spending 15 days in the NICU. Chaya had a night on the ventilator but other than that, they just had to grow and get a strong enough suck. Here is where my issues lay. Who wasn't allowed to see (much less hold) her children until 24 hours after their birth? Raises hand. Who got to listen to family members complain that they couldn't go to the NICU to see her children a second time when she was only allowed a digital photograph? Raises hand.

But that's actually not the point of this post. You see, shortly after the girls came home, there was a woman in our community who gave birth to triplets. Naturally. They were all healthy and hale and went home without a NICU stay. Pretty much my dream. Only her delivery turned into a nightmare and she was left disabled and in a vegetative state. As her children turn four she is living on the East coast while they are in the Los Angeles area and she hasn't seen them since they were 17 months old.

 As sickening as the story is it does have one positive. It has healed me. Or added to the healing. Or reinforced the healing. Whatever you want to call it. While that one day has haunted me at my weakest, it is so inconsequential compared to Abbie's days.


A couple of post-scripts: As I mentioned above, I can't bring myself to read the entire article. Second, I am in no way saying that birthing triplets naturally caused Abbie's condition. Third, I used the term "vegetative" because that is what I've seen most often online and in the paper. I can't seem to find a definitive statement on her condition and that appears to be the crux of the lawsuit between Abbie and Dan. Finally, please take a moment to say a prayer for Chaya Avigail Ilana bat Sarah Raziel.

Big Yummies

I recently signed up with Love Delivery in place of the CSAs we had tried before. The price is almost half what we paid for Tierra Miguel (we do get a bit less, but mostly it is the large assortment of greens that is missing) and similar pricing and quantity as the California CSA. And they deliver. 

Love is having a couple giveaways in conjunction with their new blog. One is for recipes made with Love produce and I have a few in mind. I cannot, though, submit this delicious concoction. It is just too simple. 

Strawberries and Cream

Ingredients

Strawberries

Raw Cream, shaken to thicken up.

Cut the strawberries into pieces the size you prefer. I like to halve or quarter them. 

Pour cream over. (I thicken by placing a small amount into a jar and shaking vigorously.)

Enjoy.

Big Question: Eating Kosher at Disneyland

Last Sunday Aba and I took the girls to Disneyland in the afternoon so that we could see the Electrical Parade before it leaves for Walt Disney World. Other than being a bit busy and cool it was lovely. We didn't get to ride a couple rides because the lines were too long so Aba has said he will go mid-week once more before his pass expires.

I've been asked quite a bit recently what we eat in Disneyland. While Disneyland's official policy is no outside food, the security guards tend to look the other way for reasonable amounts of food. We eat a large and hearty meal before we leave (oatmeal, fish and rice) and bring a light meal with some snacks with us. I bring sandwiches for everyone (pb&j or cream cheese and vegetable).Some combination of grapes, bananas, apples, quartered oranges, cucumbers and grape tomatoes go with us. I also bring water for everyone, a juice box for each of the girls, yogurt tubes and string cheese.

I also try to bring one treat item. I've brought bags of chips, cookies, Mickey-shaped Rice Krispy treats and kettle corn. The kettle corn is the most popular treat, but is also the messiest so I don't bring it often. My logic is to not flaunt the brought-in food.

As for what you can buy in the park, there are a number of choices. Many of the sit-down resturaunts have kosher meal choices that you can order off-menu. These are airline-type meals that are sealed up and microwaved for you. The girls and I had these when we went to Ariel's Grotto for a princess lunch. The girls had pizza which they ate with gusto. (I tried a bit and it tasted like a microwaved pizza.) I had a spinach lasagne which I figured would be okay microwaved, but it was awful. A couple of the fast-food stands also have the kosher options. The only one I know off the top of my head is Tomorrowland Terrace.

Most of the ice creams sold are kosher. The one I know for certain isn't is the frozen banana. The Mickey ice cream sandwich, ice cream bar and Dibs are kosher. A number of the candy sold in the candy store is also kosher. There are a number of places around the park with fresh fruit available. Also, in Adventureland they sell Dole pineapple juice which is kosher.

The Dole Whips sold there are one of those things you need to ask about. This is made with Dole pineapple juice and a mix that is frozen. The company that sells the mix claims it is kosher but I cannot get a reply to inquiries as to who does the certification. Without that information my Rabbi has said no. Churros are also a mixed bag. Some people say that if you ask to see the packaging of the frozen churros and it shows certification, they are fine. Many of the ice cream parlors serve Nestle Ice Cream. COR certifies a lot of flavors and some food service options so that might work for you, too.

The Blue Ribbon Bakery on Main Street has coffee and Monin syrups which are kosher. Many places throughout the park sell Coke, Vitamin Water, single servings of milk and Nestle's chocolate milk as well as Lays chips.

As you can see it isn't necessarily easy, but it is possible to eat well at Disneyland while keeping kosher.

Big Party

,

I almost missed it! 5 Minutes for Mom's 2010 Ultimate Blog Party. It runs through April 16th and is basically a chance to meet some new bloggers and reconnect with old friends. I had a blast last year and hope to enjoy the next few days.

A quick intro to those visiting for the first time, I'm Miriam, mom to three newly minted four year-old girls. Which means the bickering has officially started. Oh joy. I'm also enjoy knitting, sewing, cooking, photography and scrapbooking.

I just finished the mad rush that is Purim and Passover so things have been a bit slow around here, but I'm getting myself back into the groove. I hope you'll come back to visit and see what I've got planned (including a couple of giveaways).

Big Bummer

At the end of last year I began working on the girls' birthday dresses. You'd think that would have been enough time, but with Purim, Pesah and general busy-ness I find that I won't be done.

To be honest, it is my own fault and had I pushed I could have finished, but after making two bodices I just couldn't muster up the desire to make the third. I wanted to work on something else and told myself "no new projects until the dresses are done" which meant that no knitting was done.

My new goal is Shavuot. I want them done and the girls can wear them to my sister's graduation party later that month.

After I finish I'm going work on one of my sweaters and then start the girls' winter jackets. That way I can take a lot of time and enjoy the process. I'm also thinking this will be the year when they don't get the exact same sweater. That should make it more enjoyable for me. I hope.

Big Day

I'm bushed. We went to Disneyland and spent eight hours in the wonderful world of Disney. I'm only posting to get my day in.

I'm off to bed.

Night All!

Big Cool Thing

I just ran across this on Facebook and I am so stoked!

The Impossible Project makes limited quantities of super cool and artistic Polaroid film. I've got some coming to play with in the girls' Polaroid cameras.

Big Rest

Ahhhh...Shabbat is coming and I am thrilled! You would think I'd be burned out with all of the days off in the past 10 days but I'm not. During a chag, even on Shabbat, there is just so much to do. It seems like you are going non-stop for weeks preparing and then there is all of the clean up and trying to keep the girls distracted. Needless to say, I don't get much rest.

Tonight, though, is a nice small meal with Aba and the girls. Then some reading and bedtime by 10:00 when the lights turn off. Tomorrow the girls will play with some friends at the beit knesset and the we'll come home for dafina and naps. A walk in the afternoon and then some more time at the beit knesset before havdalah.

I cannot wait.

Shabbat Shalom!

Big Lull

I've been feeling a bit stagnant in my hobbies lately and have been thinking about taking on something new. Celeste at 70s Home has been sharing hand carved lino stamps on Facebook and I've been listening to CraftSanity podcasts talking about sewing, weaving, designing fabrics, etc. I've also been busy and not doing much of anything creative lately which leads to this feeling of stagnation.

As I considered buying some linoleum or reading up on weaving it occurred to me that I don't really have the space or time to dedicate to experimenting with new hobbies. I also really like the ones I have. What I really need to do is spend some quality time with each of my hobbies and see where its leading. Right now I cook, bake, knit, take pictures, and do digital and paper scrapbooking. I also dabble in sewing, embroidery and dying yarn.

What I'd like to do is take the camera out once a week and then spend the evening editing the photos and making plans for some scrapbooking. Finish up Batya's birthday dress and then pick a fun new project and not feel pressured to work on one of my sweaters waiting for me. Start back on my "mastering a dish" program and work on recreating some delicious dishes.

So that's what I'm going to try. But first I need to finish Batya's birthday dress. Which I haven't even started yet.

Big Job

This year was a landmark Pesah for me on two counts. First, I got rid of all of the chametz in the house and didn't rely on the workaround of having the Rabbi sell our chametz. It was a nice feeling not having to deal making sure bags of flour and pasta were well packed away.

The other thing I did for the first time this year is go the entire chag without doing laundry. Before the girls were born I would have to wash table cloths and napkins. After the girls joined us there were diapers to wash. This year the girls are out of diapers and having very few accidents as well as being able to wear clothing for more than a couple hours.

It was very relaxing the first half, but towards the end I started thinking about how to handle to backlog of laundry. That's something I'll have to work out for next year, not to mention the beginning of Av and Sukot.

Off to toss in another load. I've done two and have 13 more to go.

Overheard: Big Laughs

Batya and I were enjoying a final Pesah snack of matzah with matbucha when she asked me a question.

Batya: Ima, want to hear something silly?
Me: Sure.
Batya: You giggle can't giggle say Shema laughs with YOUR LEFT HAND! laughs hysterically

Big Girls

Today is the girls' fourth birthday. Well, its their Hebrew birthday which means we invite friends over for a meal, Aba is called up to the Torah to read Shirat haYam and the (this year) two week celebration until the girls' English birthday starts. Its a fun tradition that was started with their first birthday. What's got me in a bit of an introspective mood is the realization that this day ends the same period of time I've prayed for.

Aba and I spent four years praying for children before we were blessed with the girls. Actually a bit longer than that but it was four years that we spent actively involved with TTC instead of just "waiting for it to happen." I spent four years praying and pleading and begging and making deals and bribing HaShem for a child. In the end he gave me three. The journey from there hasn't always been easy but its been more than I believed it could be.

I feel like we are entering a new stage now. I'm not sure if it will be more difficult since I haven't "pre-paid" these years, but I don't think so. I have very high hopes for this stage in our life.

Overheard: The Big Butt Edition

I'm not sure how, but Shabbat became butt time with three hilarious girls. Earlier in the day Chaya was sitting on the sofa with me.

Chaya: mumblemumblemumble poop mumblemumblemumble icky.
Me: What, honey?
Chaya: mumblemumblemumble poop mumblemumblemumble icky.
Me: uhhh...
Zeus: WHAT?
Chaya: Zeusy! Stop it!

Later, while they were getting ready for bed.

Batya (with only her shirt on) turns around and bends over: Look at my butt!

After a few rounds of everyone bending over and shouting, "my butt!" I finally had them in their pjs.

Shira: Sit right there. I'm going to sing you my havdalah song.
Me: Okay.
Shira (banging on her drum): I love you! I love havdalah! I don't love poop! Its really nasty and gross!

Big Fun for Homeschoolers

The early registration for the Not Back to School Days event at Disneyland closes on April 15th. They have great deals of tickets and hotel reservations.

Unfortunately the event falls on Rosh haShannah so the girls and I won't be attending, but it looks really fun. Maybe next year it will fit into our schedule better.

Big Things For April

I'm participating in NaBloPoMo this month and the theme is "Big" which is intriguing to me. The next few days will be small posts, though, as we finish up Pesah