Hard at work

 Making a collage.

We have this picture up on our wall. :)

And speaking of kids at school... I ROCKED my part of the potluck for tonight's "International Night" with my Israeli salad.  There were only dregs left in the bowl afterward, and it was a huge bowl.  

I was also really impressed, again, with the diversity at that school.  Almost all the families attended, and there were dishes from Kuwait, China, Mexico, Japan, Cambodia,  Laos, Italy, Greece, Armenia, Jamaica, Brazil, Sweden, and more that I don't remember.  I laughed when I saw that the "token" completely white-looking kid had brought in BBQ chicken from the "United States of America"!  Looking around at the variety of skin colors, hearing a bunch of languages, and noticing the kimono to the Scandinavian dress to the hijab reminded me how much can change depending on where you live - it wasn't that long ago that 2 year-old Xander was scared of a black person in Cincinnati because he'd never talked to someone with skin that dark before.

But going back to my salad (because that's the important part!).... Here's the recipe in case anyone wants to make it.  Full disclosure: my proportions fed probably 15-20 people, so it took me an hour and a half from beginning to clean-up.  Cut it in half and it'll still be brilliant for an 8-person dinner.  Abba, I thought of you the whole time I was chopping!

ISRAELI SALAD

6 English cucumbers (Usually by tomato section, wrapped in individual plastic, long thin ones) – Take out middle seed section. Dice, skin on.

6 Roma tomatoes – Take out seeds.  Dice.

1 yellow bell pepper, 1 orange bell pepper.  Take out seeds.  Dice.

5 green onion stalks – Thinly slice.

1 bunch flat leaf parsley (1 cup) – Don’t use stems, rough chop where it’s tied.

Fresh mint bunch (½ cup) – Take off all stems.  Finely chop.

1 head of garlic (or 2 if small) – Finely mince.

½ cup olive oil

2 lemons – Roll on table, cut in half, squeeze juice in bowl.  3 to 6 tablespoons.

Toss and serve.

Movies, books, being "teal," and reading

1) So I've been very lax about reporting on my non-child entertainment as of late... I've really gotten into the "Israeli and Middle Eastern movies" label on Netflix.  "Eyes Wide Open" was very interesting, if a bit depressing in the end; how DO you live if you're gay and ultra-Orthodox?  (Apparently with quite a lot of guilt.)  There are a ton of other interesting movies, but I can't remember their names. Also, the Canadian sci-fi show "Continuum" is really fascinating, and mildly addictive.

I read The Innocents by Francesca Segal, a lovely tale of 20-something modern Orthodox Jews finding their place in religion and the larger world in contemporary London; Rav Hisda's Daughter: Book One by Maggie Anton, which is all about my thesis, aka female sorcery in Talmudic times!!!  Very exciting.  Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 added to my ST collection beautifully, as it focused not on the characters or ST world, but was about the behind-the-scenes production, particularly from the view of the writers.  And Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat was a fun traipse into someone else's life, and made me appreciate my cats all the more.

2) It's been quite a shock to the system to realize that I'm no longer left-of-center anymore.  After one year in Israel and five in the Midwest, I'd gotten used to my status as resident hippie, and kind of liked it. Now I'm by far not the greenest person I know, not the most liberal politically, not even the most liberal in childrearing/birth practices.  My coworker told me that instead of being "green," she calls herself "teal," meaning she does the best she can to save the earth, but doesn't sweat it if she eats food out of season and increases the carbon footprint.  I like the moniker, so am adopting it as my own.

3) Xander is READING!  OMG!!!  We went to "Teach Your Parent Night" at the kids' school on Tuesday, and he showed us his various "jobs" that he does, meaning his various activities.  Two of his favorites are practicing writing his numbers and reading three-letter words.  Then sewing. :)

4) Fascinating article:  "More than 40% of U.S. households with children relied on the woman as the chief or only source of income in 2011, up from 11% in 1960, a Pew study of census data shows."  And yet society is still uneasy with it.  Sigh.

Clearing off the camera - aka smiles galore

From last month - Round Table Pizza play room glory.

Horsie rides!  

(Jonathan's been going to the gym three times a week to work out; after this 20-minute wrestling/riding session, he told me, "That counts as my fourth gym day!")

Reading bedtime stories.

Saying hi.

More sandbox time.

Inspecting the Shabbat candles (note that he told us he wanted to wear a kippah, and then he ran right over to pick the color he wanted).

My day on "West Wing"

On Thursday I spent a fabulous day at the CA state capitol as a member of a group called Reform CA, lobbying various Senators and Assembly Members on behalf of passing the TRUST Act.

To quote from my senior rabbis' FB page (because she said it better than I could):

"I was so proud to be part of a coalition of Reform movement leaders from across our state to speak in a united voice in defense of the Trust Act.  Reform CA includes over 120 Reform Rabbis representing congregations and institutions. In honor of our ancestors who were sometimes forced to immigrate, and sometimes chose to immigrate, always looking for a better life for their children, and their children's children, we stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters and support fair and comprehensive immigration reform."

Reform CA on the Senate floor.  I'm in the first standing row, middle left.

 After our talk with Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

It was a great day, full of meeting new people, learning how to be a lobbyist, and feeling like I was a part of a greater whole.  I left feeling so patriotic about our governmental system - we can all make a difference!

Haircuts - much, much shorter for all of us

Park playdate

Xander's in the red shirt, Ari in the brown.  Very excited to run down the street at a friend's house to the nearby park.

Checking out the visiting dog.

Climbing the play structure.

"I did it!" he says.

Riding his duck very contentedly.

Both boys having a blast.

Yesterday was the last day of religious school!

I survived my first year!  And it went very well, if I may say so myself. :)

After naptime yesterday, Jonathan and Xander headed south on a train (emphasis due to Xander's extreme excitement) to go to Fresno to see Jonathan's mom for a couple days.  They'll come back up by way of car/trailer truck, bringing us a new bedframe.  In the meantime, Ari and I have been having a ball.  I'd forgotten what it was like to have just a toddler in the house!  I miss the big boys (husband included) like crazy, but it's really sweet having Ari all myself.

This also means I have time to download all the pictures on our camera.  Expect picture posts in the near future!

Surreality (is that a word?) of Shavuot

Shavuot is the Jewish holiday celebrating the day when God gave Moses and the Israelites the Torah and the 10 Commandments.

It's also commonly the day when 10th graders have their Confirmation ceremony.

An hour before that ceremony, each 10th grader took a picture flanked by me, the senior rabbi, and the cantor.  They lined up in a long row and the photographer called "Next!" after each picture.  It took over half an hour for the entire class of 15 Confirmation students - my face started to hurt halfway through from smiling so much on cue.

What was so odd was that the last time I was in a photo session like that, I was the student.  I more than vividly remember standing in line before Ordination last June, waiting to have my picture taken with the HUC-JIR president, Rabbi David Ellenson.

Crazy to think that in less than a year I went from the picture-taker-in-line, to the picture-taker-in-the-white-robe-who-waits-while-everyone-else-rotates.

Amazing what an ordination can do. :)

This made my day

You all remember that back in Cincinnati, I worked as a private researcher for the American Jewish Archives?  Well, one of the projects I worked on was about Jews during the Gold Rush era in San Francisco, for a movie producer.

The documentary's now finished.

I contacted the woman I worked with, and guess what?  She'll do a private screening for our temple, for free, in thanks for me helping the movie get made!

People are so nice. :)

Totally random collection of photos from the past two weeks

 This was my rocking chair when I was a girl... it's being put to good use!

 Contemplative Ari.

 Trying to sit "criss cross apple sauce" (cross-legged), as Xander instructs from the side.

 Wearing kippot like Mommy and making funny faces.

Our "rainbow wall" - light hits all of our crystals in the kitchen window and lights up the wall and ceiling beautifully in the afternoons.

Ari at school, loving the boots.

 Oooh measuring at preschool!!

 Xander's newest favorite activity is to build train tracks, and then Ari loves to play with them.

 Another train track a few days later.

Click HERE for a really awesome video of Xander and Ari with their new Cars-themed light-up shoes.

Reason #987,650 why my husband rocks

While getting his haircut last week, Jonathan struck up a seemingly-casual conversation with the stylist about how sad it was that I haven't been able to get a haircut in months.  I can't go into the salon because the chemical smells are too overpowering.

She sympathized.  He kept going.

Upshot?  Tomorrow she's coming to our house to give me a haircut.  And to give one to the kids.  All at the usual rate for me, and at only $15 per kid!  (including Ari, Odelia.)

I have no idea how he did it.

I'm just amazed.

And really thankful I don't have to go into the salon. :)



(Oh yes.... and he corralled the kids beautifully all day today so I didn't have to lift a finger, AND he got me fabulous books for Mother's Day.  Go Jonathan!)

Festivals from last weekend

Jonathan and Xander with some really big gun at the Scottish games.

 Xander got his kilt the day before, so wore it the next day to the Jewish Heritage Festival.  This was by far his favorite area... bounce houses galore.

 Brothers sharing the stroller.  Many many thanks to the friends who gave us their double stroller, for use in the future!

 And what happens after getting so dirty at these festivals?  BATHTIME.

So so happy Mommy was in the bath with him.

Our kids love beads

Pictures from school last week.

Mazel tov!!!

To Holly and Dan on the birth of Ian Xavier!  It was yesterday, I know, I'm behind.  But I know that he'll forgive me... he's too busy nursing to keep track. :)

News news news

I'm 11 weeks.  This explains previous blog absences... it's been a very difficult 11 weeks filled with nausea and exhaustion.  Due date is around Thanksgiving.  

And in case any of you are wondering: Baby #3 is definitely our last. :)

A weekend of identity

Saturday I went to a Bar Mitzvah, and Jonathan and the kids went to the Scottish Games.  Ari loved the animals, Xander the hammer-tossing, Jonathan the various tartans, and everyone got into the art booths and the parade.

Sunday we all went to the Jewish Heritage Festival.  That involved Israeli music and dancing, multiple bounce houses, more art booths, and shaved ice as big as Ari's head.

As Xander said after, furrowing his brow, "It's like everything we are all in two days!"