Yom Kippur is over!

I celebrated Yom Kippur with our family this year.  On Friday, I was feeling guilty that my in-laws will come over and I will feed them while they supposed to fest, even though I know they are not observant but it would have been on my conscience.  So, I asked Boris to invite them earlier.  We ate and finished with the desert right at 7:20pm.  I was not feeling well but decided that I will try to fest.  Boris followed my lead and truly stuck to the fest through the whole time.  I was drinking some water with lemon once in a while because of my sore throat and fever.

It was hard not to eat when I was feeding kids.  The food smelled very good and I just wanted to finish what they didn’t finish (as usually).  I was strong enough not to eat all day. 

I have a book that describes all Jewish holidays for kids in Russian.  I read the chapter about Yom Kippur and gave it to Boris, so he would understand the meaning behind his fest.  Also, I read part of that chapter to Michael who actually was not behaving well.  I hope he has learned a lesson.

In the evening we went to Torah Academy for the final prayer with Aish Minnesota.  It was an interesting experience.  I was glad that my friends also made it there and later on Masha came with Tanya.  I finally got to meet in person Sarah and Berl Simpser the organizers of the events.  We had a long conversation with Sarah before we left. 

Michelle played in the daycare area for about 10 minutes and then I heard loud cry.  I went to the gym where woman who was supervising kids was holding her and trying to calm her down.  I called Michael and gave him her pacifier and tried to stay away from her view and see if she will calm down.  She kept crying, so I went and took her with me to the service once she was quite.  She stayed quiet for a long time but then got bored and started making loud noises with the books on the table.  So, at the end of the services I was in and out because of Michelle.  I was happy that Boris went with us; I was actually planning to go there by myself with kids only.  I guess lead by example works pretty well.

Next is Succot on Wednesday night at Masha’s succah.

Yom Kippur is over!

I celebrated Yom Kippur with our family this year.  On Friday, I was feeling guilty that my in-laws will come over and I will feed them while they supposed to fest, even though I know they are not observant but it would have been on my conscience.  So, I asked Boris to invite them earlier.  We ate and finished with the desert right at 7:20pm.  I was not feeling well but decided that I will try to fest.  Boris followed my lead and truly stuck to the fest through the whole time.  I was drinking some water with lemon once in a while because of my sore throat and fever.

It was hard not to eat when I was feeding kids.  The food smelled very good and I just wanted to finish what they didn’t finish (as usually).  I was strong enough not to eat all day. 

I have a book that describes all Jewish holidays for kids in Russian.  I read the chapter about Yom Kippur and gave it to Boris, so he would understand the meaning behind his fest.  Also, I read part of that chapter to Michael who actually was not behaving well.  I hope he has learned a lesson.

In the evening we went to Torah Academy for the final prayer with Aish Minnesota.  It was an interesting experience.  I was glad that my friends also made it there and later on Masha came with Tanya.  I finally got to meet in person Sarah and Berl Simpser the organizers of the events.  We had a long conversation with Sarah before we left. 

Michelle played in the daycare area for about 10 minutes and then I heard loud cry.  I went to the gym where woman who was supervising kids was holding her and trying to calm her down.  I called Michael and gave him her pacifier and tried to stay away from her view and see if she will calm down.  She kept crying, so I went and took her with me to the service once she was quite.  She stayed quiet for a long time but then got bored and started making loud noises with the books on the table.  So, at the end of the services I was in and out because of Michelle.  I was happy that Boris went with us; I was actually planning to go there by myself with kids only.  I guess lead by example works pretty well.

Next is Succot on Wednesday night at Masha’s succah.

Ukrainian Heritage Festival in Minneapolis

I had a wonderful day communicating with my friends.  In the morning I called my friend in Germany then my friend in Kiev and talked to several friends here. 

Then I took kids and my friend with her son to the Ukrainian Heritage Festival in Minneapolis.  The weather was great!   There was music, dancing, singing, food, games for kids and a lot of people.  I was surprised that it was very inexpensive unlike all other festivals that I have been to before. 

It was interesting to listen to real Ukrainian language and even speak some myself.  I saw one woman there that looked just like my theatre director from Kiev 20 years ago.  I asked her if it was her but it wasn’t.  However, we found that she also finished same university as that woman did.  I met some people that I know there.  Michael enjoyed playing games and even though he didn’t always make on target, they still let him get a prize.  They gave ice-cream for free.

Michelle stayed in the stroller for a long time but then of course got tired and wanted to run around.  I really liked that event and would love to come back next year.   

In the afternoon when we came home, unexpectedly we had a full house of guests and I fed them dinner that I cooked on the spot.  I really enjoyed being surrounded by friends!

After dinner we went for a walk in our neighborhood with our friends and kids.  It was gorgeous evening but kind of cool.  The day ended with tea and Michelle's pearls that I will write about separately.

Ukrainian Heritage Festival in Minneapolis

I had a wonderful day communicating with my friends.  In the morning I called my friend in Germany then my friend in Kiev and talked to several friends here. 

Then I took kids and my friend with her son to the Ukrainian Heritage Festival in Minneapolis.  The weather was great!   There was music, dancing, singing, food, games for kids and a lot of people.  I was surprised that it was very inexpensive unlike all other festivals that I have been to before. 

It was interesting to listen to real Ukrainian language and even speak some myself.  I saw one woman there that looked just like my theatre director from Kiev 20 years ago.  I asked her if it was her but it wasn’t.  However, we found that she also finished same university as that woman did.  I met some people that I know there.  Michael enjoyed playing games and even though he didn’t always make on target, they still let him get a prize.  They gave ice-cream for free.

Michelle stayed in the stroller for a long time but then of course got tired and wanted to run around.  I really liked that event and would love to come back next year.   

In the afternoon when we came home, unexpectedly we had a full house of guests and I fed them dinner that I cooked on the spot.  I really enjoyed being surrounded by friends!

After dinner we went for a walk in our neighborhood with our friends and kids.  It was gorgeous evening but kind of cool.  The day ended with tea and Michelle's pearls that I will write about separately.

Compliment from my son!

I made turkey cutlets and Michael at first didn’t want to try them.  He is usually pretty picky about food that I make.  So, finally he tried my cutlet and after a pause made big eyes and said that this is the best cutlet he has ever tried in his life.  Then he ate about 10 of them.  He said: “Mama, your cutlets are better then grandma’s!”

I was glad that he liked what I cooked and told him that it was a real compliment that really touched me!  I blended celery with onions and a lot of garlic and mixed it with the ground turkey with eggs and matzo meal then seasoned it well.  I made the same cutlets today for dinner and everyone gave a lot of compliments again.  I improvised and for the first time in my life it turned out pretty good looking and very good tasting.    

Compliment from my son!

I made turkey cutlets and Michael at first didn’t want to try them.  He is usually pretty picky about food that I make.  So, finally he tried my cutlet and after a pause made big eyes and said that this is the best cutlet he has ever tried in his life.  Then he ate about 10 of them.  He said: “Mama, your cutlets are better then grandma’s!”

I was glad that he liked what I cooked and told him that it was a real compliment that really touched me!  I blended celery with onions and a lot of garlic and mixed it with the ground turkey with eggs and matzo meal then seasoned it well.  I made the same cutlets today for dinner and everyone gave a lot of compliments again.  I improvised and for the first time in my life it turned out pretty good looking and very good tasting.    

Michelle my Bell!!!

Michelle talks more and more.  She repeats all words we say, however she might sound only the ending of the word or say it in a very very cute way!  Her voice is just like a beautiful bell to my ears that makes me Boris and even Michael smile. 

She listens to me from the first time unlike her brother.  For example I tell her that she needs to take her shoes off or put them on and she immediately seats down and takes her shoes off or puts them on.  So, after an evening walk we came home and I told her to take her shoes off.  She did it right away and my friend was impressed with her.  Then she started walking upstairs while I was telling my friend that I need to bath her and Michael.  Michelle quickly went up the stairs; I didn’t rush but went after her.  I thought that she went to her brother’s room since that is her favorite thing to do.  She wasn’t there, she was in the bathroom standing in the bathtub in her clothes holding liquid soap dispenser and spreading the soap on her hair!  It looked so cute!  I called my friend to look at this picture!  I should have taken a picture of that scene.  Well, I had no choice but give her a bath right away.

After we said good bye to our friends, Michelle was not sleepy yet.  She asked Boris to play with his phone.  Boris suggested that she can talk to her grandma and dialed his mom.  Michelle took the phone and was seriously walking around making various noises, listening to grandma’s questions and occasionally saying: “Duh” (Yes –in Russian).  She kept grandma on the phone for a long time and didn’t want to give up the phone.  She tried to tell her something and it was super cute too!

For some reason when we ask her what her name is she says one of two things: “Anya” or “Kakah.”

Also, when we punish Michael and put him to stand in time out in the corner, she goes and stands there with him. 

You just need to see how she gives air kisses to everyone!!!  Your heart will melt!  I video-recorded that and many other things she does and says.

I need to write more often about her, she is such a wonderful girl!  Boris, Michael and I are in love with her and she really brings us joy!

Michelle my Bell!!!

Michelle talks more and more.  She repeats all words we say, however she might sound only the ending of the word or say it in a very very cute way!  Her voice is just like a beautiful bell to my ears that makes me Boris and even Michael smile. 

She listens to me from the first time unlike her brother.  For example I tell her that she needs to take her shoes off or put them on and she immediately seats down and takes her shoes off or puts them on.  So, after an evening walk we came home and I told her to take her shoes off.  She did it right away and my friend was impressed with her.  Then she started walking upstairs while I was telling my friend that I need to bath her and Michael.  Michelle quickly went up the stairs; I didn’t rush but went after her.  I thought that she went to her brother’s room since that is her favorite thing to do.  She wasn’t there, she was in the bathroom standing in the bathtub in her clothes holding liquid soap dispenser and spreading the soap on her hair!  It looked so cute!  I called my friend to look at this picture!  I should have taken a picture of that scene.  Well, I had no choice but give her a bath right away.

After we said good bye to our friends, Michelle was not sleepy yet.  She asked Boris to play with his phone.  Boris suggested that she can talk to her grandma and dialed his mom.  Michelle took the phone and was seriously walking around making various noises, listening to grandma’s questions and occasionally saying: “Duh” (Yes –in Russian).  She kept grandma on the phone for a long time and didn’t want to give up the phone.  She tried to tell her something and it was super cute too!

For some reason when we ask her what her name is she says one of two things: “Anya” or “Kakah.”

Also, when we punish Michael and put him to stand in time out in the corner, she goes and stands there with him. 

You just need to see how she gives air kisses to everyone!!!  Your heart will melt!  I video-recorded that and many other things she does and says.

I need to write more often about her, she is such a wonderful girl!  Boris, Michael and I are in love with her and she really brings us joy!