and then, it was just us.

it's been a long week.  

a good, mourning, healing, memory making, reconnecting week.

we were able to spend time as an adult with all my cousins who we never see,

the kids won the hearts of everyone who saw them,

and the week made me realize that even though we may not be close,

we're still family.  and that matters.

hopefully, next time we'll see each other under better circumstances.

a trip is in the works for me to see my favorite cousin kathryn in new york this summer.

so, so, so excited.

when we were younger, our grandma had me go with to pick her up from the airport.

i love that she'd have to come get me. 

anyway, a week of spending time with the same people gets really long.

and i the kids missed our small little everyday normal routines.

bath time, stories, little man laying on me as i sing lullabies.  

it's been nice to get it back.

we've started taking the kids outside from 6-7 because it's kayla's witching hour

and she won't. stop. screaming.

outside helps.  and it's been lovely.

tonight:  

jason learned how to "run" up and down hills.

he discovered his shadow.

he can find the moon.  and point and say "mmmmmmmmm"

(it totally counts as a word.  yeah.  i said so.)

he helped walk the dog.  (oy)

then i tried to give sweet little kayla some attention.

her daddy had been pushing her in the stroller, and i thought it was my turn.

poor cupcake.  i feel like a lot of her life is going to be this way...

at least she gave me some smiles, right?

those eyes.  i just LOVE those eyes.

the jewish/catholic spring holiday extravaganza is starting this coming sunday!

seder here on sunday, seder at mom's on monday, 

auntie invasion!!

easter egg hunt/ dinner a week from saturday, polish easter on sunday with the augustines.

so much to look forward to.

maybe i'll even post some new recipes.  :)

simple gifts

i turned 30 today.

i thought it might be a big deal, but other things are more important right now.

i've been composing a post in my head about all i want to accomplish in this new decade.  and i'm simply too tired to write it.  hopefully someday soon, most likely after this week, it will be posted.

but now, we'll celebrate with some simple gifts.

my morning commute was so much quicker because of a birthday serenade from grandma sunny and zadie mort.

3 of my students brought me chocolate.  :)

peter bought me flowers and signed a card from the kids.

he also surprised me with a fabulous dinner of steak, grilled asparagus (first of the season), garlic bread and red wine risotto (which is my favorite!)

jason was so fun at dinner... he ate the garlic bread and risotto, and tried to drink out of a cup (which ended with a completely soaked shirt and diaper).  we also learned he likes to have his cheeks pinched, which will be good for all the family we'll be seeing over the next few days.

my dad got me a mrs. fields cookie cake for dessert tonight, but we all know it really was from debbie and she just got him to sign it.  :)

and kayla, sweet kayla, didn't cry the entire time between 5:45 - 7pm.  she actually ate the rice cereal we offered... 2 tbsp cereal and 2 tbsp apple juice!  impressive!

off to bed... it's gonna be a long week!

parks & recreation

i love going to parks.

i grew up 2 doors down from a park.

it was basically my backyard.

i spent countless hours there on the swings,

playing football/baseball/tag,

riding my bike,

breaking my wrist rollerskating 

(yes, i said skating)

today was a lazy day.  

little man was up late late late last night,

and asked for his nap a bit early.

it threw off our schedule.

so i proclaimed it "park day."

peter hasn't been able to play with jason at the park yet, 

and it was so fun to see them play.

luckily, the rain held off, and the weather was warm.

well, warm-ish.

you'll find no pictures of kayla.  

she slept. the entire time.

hopefully by may, when the weather is nice,

she'll join her brother on the swings.

 when did you get so big, little man?

this picture is totally screaming teen angst... 

 the plane!  the plane!

this week will be full of extended family...

aunts/uncles/cousins are flying in starting on tuesday and are staying through sunday.

it's been a long time since all of the kliff cousins have been in the same place at the same time.

it's sad that we have to see each other under these circumstances. 

passed.

my grandmother bobbi passed away today.

she was my dad's mother.  she was 79 years old.

our relationship was full of ups and downs.

but due to the diligence  of my step-mom,

i'm happy to say we were closer during her final years.

she was at my wedding, and got to hold both of my children.

i feel lucky.

we'll miss you, grandma.  i'm glad your not suffering anymore.

already? really?

it's april!??!

where in the world did this break go? 

such a tease you were, spring break.

cold and quick.

our last real days of break were full of simple pleasures...

 sock monkeys...

 bear hats from auntie the julie...

 

 which obviously weren't meant to be worn...

 playing around at the park

sharing devouring ice cream with daddy... 

(mint oreo blizzard, if you were curious)

 becoming a "pepper pal" at chili's,

where jason ignored his mac and cheese, discovered cinamon apples,

and mooched a french fry off of his our new friend sogol. 

ike?  he just flirted.  he didn't mooch.

rachelle and i got to talk about our favorite subject... babies!

(no.  not either of ours, thankyouverymuch.)

such a lovely lunch with a new friend...

:)

 eh... 45 degrees is warm enough.  let's go outside and play!

 kayla's two favorite men... grampa and daddy!

friday night dinner, and we actually have challah!

(and ham.  and bacon.  and cheese.  totally kosher :) )

two more days of freedom...

then back to work for 2 months and 7 days.

then

summer... summer... summer...