The Last Weekend Before Tax Season

Yep, that time of year. No one in the Gornstein gang looks forward to it when Daddy has to work Saturdays and longer hours. But, like clockwork, it comes every single year. This was Daddy's last Saturday without work until spring.

Of course, Clara spent much of Friday night in Mommy and Daddy's bed complaining of an earache. Mommy squeezed in a spinning class and then headed to the doctor with Clara, where it was confirmed, yes, she had the start of an infection. Back on antibiotics-where she will stay an extra few days- until Feb. 10, the day her new tubes go in.

Since Clara was sick, Daddy stayed with her and Mommy took Emma to our neighbor Luke's 2nd birthday. Emma had a great time singing and dancing and of course, eating cake! Clara napped while Emma was at the party and then everyone headed to the market. Of course, minutes into the ride, Emma fell asleep in the car.

On Sunday, Clara and Emma enjoyed playing with their lite brites- and event found more (oh great!) little color lights in the back of the toy. Then they used their imagination to have a "car ride" and made themselves seatbelts out of strings and seats out of their boosters.

Emma went with Mommy to her nursery school event "Shake Your Tuchas." Mommy co-chaired the raffles and needed to be there a bit early. Emma behaved so nicely with her friends, also there early. She even made Clara a bell bracelet with a blue string (since blue is Clara's favorite color). She loved Kids Co Motion and did a great job staying on her feet and participating. Emma couldn't wait for ice cream, but of course, only had a few bites and made strawberry soup.

Emma has been walking around for weeks talking about made up words or mixed up words and trying to be silly. Last night topped it all. She asked Mommy to sing her a lullaby and then commented, "like the one you used to sing to me. Watch, I'll show you" and sang to her baby doll (rocking the baby back and forth of course). So, Mommy played along and sang along to Emma's made up song.Emma then stopped singing and instructed Mommy to sing. So Mommy picked a lullaby and started. No good. Emma screamed at Mommy and said that wasn't the lullaby. The only thing left to do was to make up a lullaby with words that don't really exist, and that is what Mommy did and Emma was happy.

Nursery School Update

This week (and last) in the 3's

In between the snow days, the 3's class has been having fun celebrating birthdays, holidays and classroom activities.

On Tu B'Shevat Rabbi Kenter and Jackie taught the children about the many fruits and seeds that grow on trees. The children were also shown examples of fruits that are native to Israel. The 3s especially enjoyed examining the insides of the fruit with the Rabbi. Jackie planted parsley with each of the children to take home to watch grow.

We continued learning about Tu B'Shevat in our classroom. Gina, Lauren and I read several books about trees and Tu'B'Shevat, including Have You Seen the Trees. Lauren helped the children to create their own fruit trees by gluing on leaves and sponging on assorted fruits.


We made a fruit salad with the children for snack on Tu B'Shevat. The children helped cut and prepare the fruit. They loved eating the delicious salad they helped to create. Thank you for all your contributions.

We had a very successful Trike-A-Thon. Thanks to all the parents who helped count laps and for all the donations.

Last Wednesday, Brittany from the Greenburgh Nature Center came to our class with several new animal friends. She introduced us to a blue-tongued skink (lizard), and had the children guess what kinds of fruit and vegetables he would like. She also brought a tree climbing frog from Australia that changes colors to match his environment.The students' favorite animal was a screech owl named Melodo. We also discussed and named some additional nocturnal animals.

For pretend snow play the students used shaving cream as finger paints. Gina intends to use this again during her unit on the 5 senses in February.

We had music with Marcy on Monday. The children loved singing along with her colorful Skat Cat book. The class also had the opportunity to sing and play the chiquitas (small maracas) while reviewing musical terms.

We looking forward to another amazing week with your wonderful children.


Nancy, Gina, and Lauren

Ardsley Rocks

Okay, sure, lots more snow fell last night. But, the streets in Ardsley had been paved so many times, one only saw black pavement. YAY Ardsley!! Yet, school was cancelled. However, the gang made the best of it and had a great day! In a previous life, Mommy would have probably stayed home because it was a snow day, but the roads were clean!

Daddy did some major shoveling and then everyone loaded up in the car to take Daddy to the train. Scarsdale was a bit slippery and the train station didn't look like it had been plowed, but Daddy made the train. And, since Mommy was out, and the gym was open with babysitting, Mommy went spinning. Mommy was suprised and thrilled to hear that Emma went poop on the potty at the gym- wow! She has gone several days in a row. After, Mommy took Clara and Emma to Chabad with neighbors Maya and Kayla for their snow day open play. It wsa fun for the kids to run around the gym and do some art projects. Dobbs Diner was the next destination. By 1:30, the kids were tired, but didn't want to nap. Off to Hayden's house for a playdate where Clara and Emma tried on lots of dresses and wigs. Emma also got to play with Hayden's Baby Alive - which Emma keeps asking for. She was so excited! They took a really late car nap- parked at the Scarsdale station waiting for Daddy.

I'm Three And A Half Years Old, I Can Do It Myself

The kids woke up at 6:30 ready to go! They couldn't wait to eat cereal because they both wore pajamas that had cereal bowls on them. They had a hug it out love fest too- super adorable.

Another day, another snowstorm. This one started falling at around 7:30 am. Heading out the door at 8:40 for school, it certainly was a bit slippery, but school was open! The school had early dismissal at 10:45, so Mommy headed to the diner with some friends to wait. Of course, lots of snow came down and at least 3 inches covered the school parking lot. Mommy got the kids and headed home- and is now officially, a snow driver.

The ladies woke up from their nap and were excited to see Daddy home early from his business trip due to the snow. The gang got all bundled up and headed out to play on Mt. Rest. After the mandatory snow angel, Clara couldn't wait to climb Mt. Rest and both enjoyed shoveling and throwing snowballs!

There was a bit of a lull with the snow in the afternoon and Daddy was able to go out and get pizza.

Tonight, as Mommy was about to put Emma in the bath, she turned and stated "I'm three and a half years old...I can do it myself." Mommy responded, "well, sure you can do lots of things, but Mommy will still help you get in the bath."

Ice Skating!

This morning, the ladies pretended they were pirates in their castle.

Clara and Emma went ice skating for the first time today. They've been reading the Pinkalicious ice skating book and were really excited. The gang arrived at Westchester Skating Academy in Elmsford- about ten minutes from the house- with Auntie Alyssa and Ryan and everyone got their skates on. Clara and Emma wore their helmets and their snow suits.Mommy took Emma, who quickly mastered how to walk in skates. With a huge grin, she stepped on the ice. Mommy had not been ice skating in years, but got her grounding and remembered how to skate. Emma even let go and went by herself and learned to step on the ice a bit. She had a great attitude, even when she fell a few times and kept saying "I love ice skating. This is so much fun."
Clara went with Daddy and also had a great time and got to go in the middle holding Ryan and Daddy's hand too.
It lasted about 40 minutes, but everyone had lots of fun. Mommy and Daddy have sore backs, but it was worth it!

Clara, Emma and Auntie made cupcakes and then frosted them with pink icing (just like Pinkalicious). Everyone enjoyed dinner together and fof course, singing happy birthday to Auntie Alyssa!

A Two Day School Week?

Sure, there was about 4 or 5 inches of snow. But it was over by 8 am. Daddy shoveled the driveway. The plows had come several times. And yet, there was NO SCHOOL! Yep, Clara and Emma, actually mostly healthy, made it to school only twice this week. One holiday and two snow days.

By 8:30, Mommy had painted Emma's nails in a rainbow and Clara's blue. Good thing Daddy needed a ride to the station in Scarsdale. The main roads were mostly okay-some slippery spots but by the time Mommy turned around to come back, it had already improved.

The gang headed to the Ardsley Library and checked out one of the free programs- which of course was running. It was meant for younger kids, but the group was so small, she invited Clara, Emma and their friend Ashley- and it was totally appropriate. Snowy Day book, musical instruments and bubbles- what could be bad? After some computer time, everyone went to lunch at Stars. The kids had a really nice morning.

Today was their first art class at Kidville. They had a blast- and made it from 12:45-1:30. Sure, they fell asleep on the way home and slept for about an hour- but it was worth it! Emma came home with piece of paper where she had written her name- in the right direction!

Clara had a follow up doctor appointment. Both ladies required lollipops to keep them entertained. Good news is Clara's ear looks better- sure, there is fluid, but it isn't infected!

Floor Tacos

On the way to out the door to school, Mommy had one coat in her hand and said "let's put on our coats." Both stood up simultaneously and each put their arm through one of the arm holes in the coat! After getting in coats, everyone got out the door and to school. It was Tu B'shvat at school today (the holiday of trees) and they celebrated by planting parsely and having a fruit seder (meaning they got to taste lots of different kinds of fruit).

They've got a new thing- flipping cards to decide which one gets to wear a certain shirt or gets to hold one of their animals etc. For example, Emma stood up and said "let's flip a card. if it lands on the side with the "1" I get to wear it and if it lands on the other side, you do." She flipped the card and it landed on the other side. So she pouted and said "let's do it again," until it landed on the side she wanted.

They also continue their obsession with band-aids (Dora, Kai Lan, Princess). They now know where they are, climb up to get them and open them themselves. There are white little pieces of paper all over the house. Clara said her foot hurt when she closed the door and Emma announced "I'll get you a band aid." Clara responded, "thanks, Emma. I know you didn't hurt me. I love you." This was followed by a hug it out session.

It was a no nap day. In some ways, it is easier. Emma especially doesn't wake up groggy and whiny. They both eagerly went to their therapies and seemed in a better mood for it than if they had napped. Of course, by the time it hit 5pm and they walked in the door, they started falling apart. Mommy thinks they are probably ready to nap on some days and not nap on others. It is hard because if Clara wants to nap, Emma can't stop talking and vice versa.

Tonite, Mommy set up for tacos- taco shells,a bowl with c
heese, meat, and sour cream. They shmeared the sour cream on and ate with their hands. Suddenly, one of them (Mommy isn't sure which one)- tipped their plate over on the floor. Then, the other plate went and before Mommy could stop it- all the bowls filled with items. To top it off, they poured their juice on top of it - giggling the whole time. What a mess!

Emma was excited to show Mommy that she spelled her name with the letters on the fridge- of course it was backwards- but, hey, she was happy.

Here's hoping for no snow tonite! Two snow days in one week is a little much!