MOM OF 2 BOYS

A word a day

2011-07-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

The boys have loved learning super hard words with A Word A Day from teachmama.

Every morning I introduce a new flash card. We read the definition and sentence and then make our own. The boys have really enjoyed impressing family members with new vocabulary.

Everyday write books

2011-07-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

Here's another idea I borrowed from the We Teach blog.

The boys each got a book with handwriting paper inside. They decorated the covers by making a collage from a stack of magazines.

Everyday we have been writing facts about ourselves (address, phone number, age, birthdate). Gabriel has been using complete sentences. Noah has been perfecting his Kindergarden pencil grip with the help of a Claw.

Kid's Car Wash

2011-07-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

Gabriel had been wanting to make this car wash he saw in Family Fun Magazine for some time. I finally went to the hardware store and bought all the materials. Andrew built it and I put the finishing touches on it. The boys gave it a thumbs up.

Cooking

2011-07-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

So far we have prepared 2 items for a kid's cookbook

Sweet Potatoes Surprise and Granola. They didn't really care for the potatoes and the granola got a little burnt but we had fun!

Me on the Map

2011-07-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

We have been doing some of the activities on Smart Summer Challenge blog.

www.facebook.com/smartsummerchallenge

Me on the Map was a favorite.

Mommy camp in full effect!

2011-07-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

The boys had 2 weeks of real camp this summer and a lot of "mommy camp". I have tried to plan out plenty of activities to keep them active. Each boy has an activity clipboard. The days activities are written down. They check the box next to the activity when it's complete.

President on a coin

2011-07-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

Noah - If I am a president when I die will you tell me what coin I am on?

Hannah and Gabriel

2010-05-29T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hannah came over for a play date after school. I asked them to hold hands as we crossed the street. They didn't let go after we crossed :)

Gabriel and Naomi

2010-05-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

It was our turn to host the Shabbat group for dinner. Gabriel and Naomi took their food and found a small space to eat together. It was very sweet.

Class tour

2010-05-29T05:54:00.001-07:00

Gabriel acted as a tour guide when a younger class toured his classroom.

Gabriel proudly showed them the art studio.

When everyone was lining up to leave Gabriel loudly said, Thanks for coming!"

Death

2010-05-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

Noah and Gabriel (especially Noah) have been talking a lot about death and dying lately.

When they play someone always dies.

This morning during breakfast Noah said, "Let's talk about dying mommy."

I took out some pictures of my mom and told them she got sick and died.

Noah said, "You die when you get sick or old."

I told them I miss her very much and she would have been your abuela.

Shabbat sing

2010-05-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

Ready for Bim Bam
Noah dancing with his friends.
Daddy paying a visit.

This will be one of the last Shabbat sings with both boys. I have really enjoyed having the boys sit on my lap and sing along with Ellie. Although in the last 6 months Gabriel waves hello and sits with his class. In the last month Noah has done the same. Bittersweet.

Noah turns 4

2010-05-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

My baby boy is 4. We had a old fashion backyard party for him.

Good time had by all.

Balloon toss.

Noah picked out a baseball pinata.
How old are you?

Tuba

2009-10-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

Gabriel and Noah conversation while playing musical instruments.

N. - Do we have a tuba.

G. - No. It's too big. It wouldn't fit in our house.

N. - Is it this big (expands his hands).

G. - No it's bigger.

Noah's first day of pre-shool

2009-09-19T02:40:00.000-07:00

Noah started his 1st ever pre-school class last week. He was a little anxious and so was I. I will be working in another classroom (across the hall) the same 3 morning Noah is in school. Noah did well and seemed to be having a good time. My little baby is growing-up again.

Walking to school.

Brand new lunch box.

1st art project and so proud.

1st day of PreK

2009-09-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Gabriel started his last year of pre-school today. He was super excited, not one once of fear.

Amazing how time flies.

Gabriel and his beloved Bento Box.

Present

2009-09-08T12:16:00.001-07:00

Noah - "This is going to be a present for rocket."

Is a poo poo coming?

2009-08-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

Mom - Is a poo poo coming?

Noah - Not yet, but soon. In 20 minutes. When the bell rings.

Brothers with new haircuts.

2009-04-19T11:30:00.001-07:00

Hug your brother.

Playing in the creek.

2009-04-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

Gabriel and Sean on creek patrol.
   Sean wore the goggles to protected him from the water.
Noah loves to pour water into buckets.
   This will require pliers.
   Working together.

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Silver Stars Fall class

2008-10-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

Silver Stars Fall class

2008-10-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Latest playground hat wear

2008-10-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sukkah field trip at Missy's house

2008-10-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Kofim class.
Noah and Gabriel eating under the sukkah.

Placing a pine cone on the sukkah.

Fall school pictures

2008-10-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Shabbat sings
Plant watering job.

Lunch guest.
Gabriel, Noah and Nathaniel eat lunch.

School is going well for Gabriel. He goes MWF, 9:15-1:00. He really seems to enjoy it and is getting a good Jewish Education. I've been lucky enough to help out in the classroom quite a bit. Here a some pictures:

skateboarding Gabriel style

2008-09-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Gabriel - Look mom I am skateboarding

Mom - How do you do it?

Gabriel- You put one foot on the magazine and you push of with the other.

1st Roller Coster Ride

2008-09-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

We went to Six Flags last week with Benjamin and family. It was unbearably hot but the boys had a blast.

Buckle up
I am tall enough !!!!
Noah's not sure about this ride.
Weeeeeee!!!!! It's fun!
Someone is getting tired.

I am busy Noah

2008-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

Noah and Gabriel were playing downstairs.

Noah - Come here Gabriel

Gabriel - I am busy Noah!

"Man sing it!"

2008-09-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Noah is very picky about his music selections in the car. I started signing along to a song and he shouted, "Man sing it!"

Dr. Snow

2008-09-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Gabriel (thank G-d) has been potty trained for about a month now. When we decided to give it a 2nd go around I told Gabriel that I spoke to Dr. Snow and she said your body is ready to poo-poo and pee-pee in the potty now. Flash forward to 3 months later. We ran into Dr. Snow and she greeted Gabriel. He looks up at her and says, " I poo-poo and pee-pee in the potty now."

He was sooooo proud.

Cat food?

2008-09-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Noah pointed to Gizmo's food bowl and said, "Gizmo eat mommy cereal."

P.S. I eat very high fiber cereal :)

Mom's Birthday!

2008-08-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

County Fair

2008-08-16T13:01:00.001-07:00

County Fair

2008-08-16T12:57:00.001-07:00

Sleep positions

2008-08-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

We recently moved Noah out of his crib in the office and into a bed in Gabriel's room.

The transition went well. Bedtime is a little bit latter because of the chit-chat but they're happy to be sharing a room. When Noah was in his crib he would scrunch up against the head rail. He does the same thing in bed.

Blueberry picking with Benjamin

2008-07-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

Potty training saga continues.........

2008-07-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

So Gabriel has been somewhat trained in the last 2 weeks. Over the weekend he had a bit of a setback refusing to attempt #2 on the toilet. He even.....BEWARE OF TMI..........pooped right on the floor in our attempt to run to the toilet if he's naked. Today I took the boys to the mall because it's sooooo hot. I put Gabriel in underwear and gave him the lecture of not soiling poor Thomas. One hour into our trip Gabriel started the poop dance. I told him to "push it up" until we got to the bathroom. He resisted but I managed to get him there. I placed him on the toilet and told him to push. Unfortunately we had a toilet that automatically flushed every minute. At first this freaked Gabriel out (and flushed millions of germs on his tush) but I managed to make a joke out of the magic flusher. After some reminders of the cool Thomas toy he would get if he continued to poop for a week, Gabriel managed to get one out. I almost missed seeing it (to confirm it happened) because flusher went off at the same time. Good times.

Conversation

2008-07-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Gabriel had just received a trolley from the Trolley Museum.

Gabriel - Noah can have the old trolley and I will have the new one.

Mom - Why?

Gabriel - Because Noah likes older things.

Ain't that the truth.

Beach part 2

2008-07-08T12:33:00.001-07:00

Mmmmm Ice cream!

The whole mispacha.

Bethney Beach family vacation

2008-07-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

Abuelo invited everyone to a week at the beach. Good time had by all cousins.

   Playing in the puddles after the rain.

   Kissing cousin Leo

   Silvan, Orion, Gabriel and Noah devouring snowcones.
   Paying taxes to Abuelo.

Later????

2008-07-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Noah is quite a negotiator.

Noah - I want cupcake.

Mom - No. Noah you just had one.

Noah - (Loudly) Want Cupcake

Mom - No Noah.

Noah - Cupcake later?

Poo Poo in the Potty!!!!

2008-07-08T11:44:00.001-07:00

We have been struggling with potty training for some time now. Gabriel will pee in the toilet but he never really did # 2 until Sunday. Gabriel on a hike in the woods when the poop face appeared. After some encouragement from daddy Gabriel squatted and pooped on the ground. On Monday I showed Gabriel a toy he could have if he pooped on the toilet. He said he wanted to try so I took him to the bathroom set him up with 2 books and left him. After about 10min. he said he did it. Sure enough sitting in the toilet was the long sought after pooie. He said, " I heard the splash!" Today I told Gabriel to pee before nap time and he said he wanted to poopie. Well after a few pushes success again. This may seem like nothing to most but we have been struggling with this for months now. I really hope he has it time time.

Conversation

2008-07-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

Gabriel - Your a guinea pig

Noah - No! I not.

Gabriel - Your a guinea pig Noah.

Noah - I not guinea pig. I Noah.

Gabriel - But you look like a guinea pig.

Myrtle Beach

2008-05-28T17:54:00.000-07:00

The boys had a great time at Myrtle Beach after a longggg car ride. Gabriel and Simon continue their great friendship, sticking together like glue. They also really enjoyed spending time with Grammy.

Cousin Simon!!!!
Noah loves the beach.
Laughing it up with Simon.
Enjoying the rides.
Saying goodnight to Simon.

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T18:40:00.001-07:00

Noah's Birthday

2008-05-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

The big 02
Mom's digger cake.

Messy!
Gabriel helps open the presents.

Noah celebrated his 2nd birthday today. It sounds so cliques but my baby is growing up soooo fast. Noah can speak in full sentences, he is manipulative, he can say his alphabet and count to 10 and he's pure trouble :)

Day out with Thomas (Baltimore)

2008-04-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! A Lego Thomas!
Fearful of the conductor.

My own private train.
"All aboard!"

Papa visits

2008-04-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Taylor grandsons
I wonder what the point spread is?

Cousin Simon, Uncle Craig and Grammy visit!

2008-04-13T14:25:00.001-07:00

Making Grammy's famous sugar cookies.
Shabbat time!
Which way do we go?
Tourist.
More tourists.

Pumpernickel

2008-04-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

I made the mistake of making different sandwiches for the boys. I made p&j on the usual wheat bread for Gabriel and the same on pumpernickel (1st time) for Noah.

Gabriel took one look at Noah's and said, "I want a chocolate sandwich too!"

2008-04-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

J.Crew ad or Gap?
Delaying the car entry.
Gabriel has been very interested in the tulips that suddenly appeared.

Purim 08

2008-04-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Purim is here!!!
Riding "Sandy" at the Purim carnival
Shake that groger!
Gabriel and Andrew a.k.a "Thomas"

Brothers

2008-03-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

1st real poopy on the toilet

2008-03-07T12:03:00.001-08:00

Gabriel had his first b.m. on the toilet on Sunday. Andrew caught him in the crouching positon and carried him (screaming) to the toilet. After 15min. Andrew was really to throw in the towel but lo and behold there was a big poopy. We had a major celebration and Gabriel received the harmonica (monica) that he has been promised for 2 months. Gabriel hasn't repeated the b.m. on the pot. He becomes quite paralyzed when the poopy feeling comes and we can figure out how to get him to hold it and run to the bathroom.

Say _____ game

2008-03-07T12:00:00.001-08:00

Gabriel's new past time with Noah is the say it game. Gabriel will say a random word and ask Noah to repeat it. Ex. Say fish Noah, Say papaya Noah. Noah will repeat everything Gabriel asks, much to the delight of Gabriel.

Bargining

2008-03-07T11:57:00.001-08:00

Store

Gabriel - Can I have that toy?

Dad - No, it's for girls.

G. - Can we get it for mommy?

D. - No, she doesn't like it.

G. - Can we get it for Nina.

Haircuts/Biel

2008-02-23T12:23:00.000-08:00

The boys are showing off their new haircuts.

Noah uses the name Biel to refer to his brother. In the last few days he has been correctly calling him Gabriel, much to the disappointment of his mom :(

Doctor Gabriel

2008-02-23T12:20:00.000-08:00

Gabriel loves his doctor kit. He chases Noah, asking him if he feels ok while attempting to listen to his heartbeat with a stethoscope.

Abuelo

2008-02-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

Gabriel and Noah really enjoy Abuelo's visits.

1st girlfriend

2008-02-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

Noah enjoys spending time with Elli. He gets very excited when I mention her name.

Snow Day

2008-02-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

Gabriel and Noah really enjoyed the recent snow. Gabriel liked making footprints in the crunchy snow and Noah keep saying, "icies."

Turn around

2007-11-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

I made a School book for Gabriel, documenting a day in the life of Gabriel in school. He really enjoys reading it and he now enjoys going to school!!!!! He actually said, "Mommy I want to go to school".

Bath time with the Taylor boys

2007-11-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

Argentina trip

2007-10-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

We went to Argentina in late October. It was a good trip but very exhausting.
*Gabriel was fascinated by all the statues. He constantly asked, what statue is that? and what is he doing? I answered, San Martin is standing to all his questions.
*Every time we left our apartment Gabriel would touch the building and say "This is Argentina."
*Because of Noah's appetite we renamed him "Super Pancho"

Sprinkle bagel

2007-10-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Gabriel saw and ate his first doughnut today. He saw one on a plate and said, "Look a sprinkle bagel!"

"I was sad today"

2007-09-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Gabriel still has a hard time going to school. When I pick him up he tells me, "Mommy, I was sad today."

Brial Brial

2007-09-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

When Gabriel was at school today, Noah pointed to Gabriel's carseat and said, Brial, Brial." I guess his misses his brother.

School Blues :(

2007-09-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

For the 2nd time in a row Gabriel wasn't thrilled about going to school. As we approached the building Gabriel started saying, "Go the other way, other way." He started crying getting all upset. I felt like just taking him home and forgetting the whole thing. But I started to sing a song about school and he went along with it. When we got to the class he got upset again. Molly heard us and came out to tell Gabriel what they were doing inside. We walked in together and he seemed to be OK. This is very hard for Mommy.

1st Hair cut

2007-09-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

Noah got his first haircut at 16 months. Gabriel got his at over 2 years old but Noah's hair was in need of some help sooner. He wasn't crazy about the event but he didn't cry.

So many words!

2007-09-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

Noah is 16 months old and talking up a storm. He most used words are : ball, up, mas, popo, mama, ayia, nooow (no), dada, peas, baaaa, meowwww. He uses no when he's doing something he's not supposed to do, like throwing food off his highchair and looks you in the eye and say noooow.

1st day of school

2007-09-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

We have been drilling Gabriel about his 1st day of school. Mommy will take you to school and you will see your teachers and friends and then mommy will walk out the door and come back when school is finished. He knew the drill and never looked back. The boys in the class cried but Gabriel got down to bussiness and played. It defienitly was harder for me. My little baby is growing up :(

Week at the beach

2007-08-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

We spent a week at Bethney Beach. For the most part the boys had a good time.
Gabriel really enjoyed the beach, sand and water....Noah not so much. But he did like playing in the showers by the exit.
Gabriel didn't like the Funland. The firetruck ride started out well but he wanted out of the boat ride. Too much stimulation I think.

Poopie in there?

2007-08-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

I just put Gabriel's poopy diaper in a trash bag. He came with me as I took it to the dumpster. Gabriel's poopie's in there? Yes, Gabriel it is. The next day we walked by a man throwing away his trash away. Man throwing away his poop? I try to hurry Gabriel along but Gabriel keep repeating the question. I am not sure if he heard but I didn't stick around to find out :)

Happy Birthday Mommy!!

2007-08-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

Mom celebrated her 41st Birthday with the boys on Sat. But according to Gabriel mom's 8. Every time you ask him he answers 8. Fine by me :)
After singing Happy B-Day Noah started to blow the candles and when we were done Gabriel said, Open presents next!"

Sing with me!

2007-08-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Gabriel grabbed his little guitar today and said, "Sing with me!" and started to sing Old McDonald...........

Look who's walking!!!

2007-08-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Noah began "really" walking today. Abuelo was visiting and I told Noah to walk for him. He started off in the kitchen, turned the corner, went through the family room and stopped and the stairs. He is quite a sight to see. His arms are up and he's got this grin on his face, that says, "wow I am walking!"

Gabriel walked at a little over 15mon. and Noah made it right before he turned 15mon.

They both also started crawling after 10mon.

They are very competitive that way :)

Cake

2007-07-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

Gabriel is very into Birthday parties. Especially singing Happy B-day and blowing out the candles. Last Sunday we went to Katie's 1st Birthday. Gabriel walk in the door head to the kitchen and says, "I need cake."

What a mess!

2007-07-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

It's cute how Gabriel is starting to imidate us. He walked into the playroom say the messed up train tracks and said,"Who made this mess?"

Questions????

2007-07-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

We are going to.....
It is.....
Is it a ......
This is the way Gabriel asks questions.....very cute. He leaves out the answer but expects one from you.

"one upon a time"

2007-07-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Recently we have been telling Gabriel oral stories, starting with Once upon a time. The stories generally involve him and rocket and a castle. Gabriel becomes so enthralled with these stories. He constantly asks for more. If he is ever upset I say, "Once upon a time," and he instantly calms down and listens.

Sit and Spin

2007-07-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

The other day I noticed Noah spinning around in a circle (sitting and using his feet to spin). I started to sing, "around and around we go...spin, spin around. So know when I say, Noah spin around, he does just that....very cute!

When to the pool today. Gabriel is really enjoying it now. He says he's a seal and he goes around the baby pool walking on his hands, his feet dragging behind. He's content to mostly play alone, just going around the pool on his hands and talking to himself.

Is it.......?

2007-07-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

"Is it......." Lately Gabriel has been posing everything in the form of a question. When we went to White Flint mall Gabriel asked, "Is it White?"
He pointed to the T.V., "Is it a toy?" Picks up a blue book..."Is it blue?" I guess he's just reiterating what he already knows.