Emma The Monkey and Clara The Panda

Another day of winter vacation....

The gals headed to the mall with Mommy and stopped at Build a Bear to make "Emma the Monkey," and "Clara the Panda," using a gift certificate from their birthdays. They loved stuffing them and both had a great time "bathing them." They didn't push too much for clothes - which was good, because the stuffed animal was all they were going to get! Emma had a blast running through the mall and occassionally, Clara would join her.

While they were very tired, because of Emma's tummy, they didn't nap. So, Mommy took them to the grocery store, where they tried every piece of cheese and their cookie that is standard for a shopping trip to DeCiccos.

In other news, Emma complained most of the day that she had to poop. Mommy encouraged her to sit on the potty, but she would only pee. Finally, tonight, she did a lap around the kitchen and screamed, "I have to poop," and ran to the bathroom. Mommy reminded her to push it out (it is like coaching her to give birth to a baby) and she made faces -which she does with enthusiasm and drama- and pooped for the second time this week. It is great progress for Emma!

The Nutcracker

It was a jam packed day for the Gornstein Girls. Today, Clara and Emma enjoyed a smiley face pancake at IHOP with their friend Ashley and her brother Ethan. Clara and Emma LOVE the pancake and eat most of it and the yogurt it comes with! A quick walk next door landed them at Barnes and Noble. Emma walked in, tore off her jacket and said "let's go to the kid area!" They all picked out several books and read to each other- so cute!

There was enough time left to take Clara to get her haircut- it had been several months and it was wild!Mommy has learned that lollipops solve everything. Emma sat nicely and Clara let the woman cut her hair (note: Dear Grandpa Frome, Clara and Emma brushed their teeth extra well).

It was off to the Queens Theatre by Shea Stadium for the Nutcracker with lots of Gornsteins and Goldsteins. Emma sat with Grandma Silvia and couldn't stop asking questions about the show and dancing to it. Clara was very tired and rested on Mommy, but clutched her blankie and opened her eyes and then sat up with a huge smile on her face. Both of them knew the "Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy." It was cute production and a great way to introduce them to a ballet. Everyone headed over to a Brazilian place in Corona for a late lunch/dinner. Clara and Emma couldn't get enough spaghetti and mashed potatoes - a nice balanced meal. Clara was so tired she wanted to sleep on the floor while Emma ran around after her cousins.

It was time to head back and Mommy drove though Queens and saw many of the unplowed streets post the 2010 blizzard. Mommy also drove the RFK (Triborough) Bridge for the first time. The ladies slept on the way home and were excited to have ice cream with sprinkles for dessert. They couldn't wait to tell Daddy about the ballet!

Dental Checkup

Snow Day!

The gang woke up to a winter wonderland. Daddy even got a snow day! To start the day, Emma helped make croissants and is pretty good at the rolling part.

For the morning art project, the kids started coloring their castle that cousins Ariella, Scott and Ma'ayan gave to them for Hanukkah.

Next, it was yoga time. Emma enjoyed it a little more than Clara who was quite cranky from her screaming tantrum about not wanting to take her medicine because it wasn't pink or bubble gum flavored. Too bad there are about 10 more days of this antibiotic!

Then, Mommy took them upstairs for some indoor snow activities. First up was snow ice cream. Yes, really. Fresh snow, vanilla coffee creamer, some milk and sugar and voila! Then came the food coloring. There was turqouise snow for Clara and pink snow for Emma. Then they mixed it together for a deep purple snow. Then it was yellow snow for Emma and green for Clara, which they also mixed together. It was quite a mess, but they had a great time!

Daddy came inside from shoveling and everyone enjoyed some hot chocolate together.

Bathtime with their new scrubbies that change colors and lunch kept them occupied until naps. This afternoon, the gang got all bundled up and headed to the Ardsley Middle School to attempt sledding, even though it was quite cold. The snow was quite deep and Clara and Emma had a hard time walking in it. But, Mommy went with Emma down the the hill in her slide and Daddy went with Clara. Lots of snow blew up into Emma's face- so she was done, and about 5 minutes after starting, it was time to go back home for more hot chocolate.

Cookie baking with yellow cookie dough and some more yoga rounded out the day before dinner.

A long, but fun day!

Here We Go Again...

Clara was tugging her ear again this morning, so Daddy took her to the pediatrician. Unfortunately, the antibiotic she was given on Thursday wasn't working and she got a new presription. On Tuesday, she'll go to the ENT to make sure the medication is working. Poor little Clara. She has been cranky but generally in good spirits.

And, true to the forecast, it started snowing this morning and by early afternoon, a few inches had already fallen. Clara and Emma got on their snowsuits, new coats, hats, gloves, and boots to head outside. Sure, it took longer to get them in their gear than they probably spent outside, but it was worth it. They made snow angels, had a snowball fight and helped Daddy shovel.

They came inside for an art project where they painted door knob hangers - both in blue. And, they helped make pizza.

The gang will be home to enjoy the snow tomorrow- so lots more fun planned!

Merry Christmas 2010

Clara and Emma enjoyed breakfast at IHOP on Central Ave. today. At 8 am, the gang arrived just as it opened and had a very nice time. The ladies enjoyed happy face pancake.

This afternoon, after a nice long nap for both kids, it was off to Long Island for Christmas dinner. The kids had a great time meeting their cousin Jacqueline, age 5 1/2 and playing with the rest of the Gornstein cousins.
They were thrilled to eat mashed potatoes and all the other yummy food.

They couldn't wait to open their presents and had a great time tearing open the wrapping paper and were thrilled with all the things they got. It was lots of fun to see their smiles!