Matzah Ball Soup

Matt and Leah made matzah balls together for Matzah Ball Soup. Ruth always tells us about how when she first made matzah balls with Lindsay and Matt, how the kids got a kick out of seeing the tiny balls grow big so quickly in the broth. Matt doesn't really cook much but when he does it is always good and it is almost always something he had as a kid. It is a real treat to see him do it with Leah's help.

Matt's soup ended up looking like this-minus the carrots. Tasted really good. Nice comfort food.



Anyone who cooks with Leah knows how much she truly enjoys helping. She is especially good at making anything into balls. She gets all serious and focuses on the task.

Fridays

Fridays are great with Leah. Now that its warm out I pick her up early and we hang out. Sometimes we go to the malls, sometimes we walk down and get ices at the Ralph Ices that just opened right by her school. A couple of times we've picked up picnic stuff up at John's Farms and walked down to the park, eaten, played and then walked down to the library. Sometimes we get a ride home and just veg out at home. No matter what it is mostly our time and it is wonderful.

Today we went to Ralph's and Leah picked out a chocolate milk ice and we took the bus to Walt Whitman for some shopping & to get lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Leah loves to listen to my Ipod so its pretty easy to keep her entertained while we shop, take the bus or sit in a restaurant waiting for food.

4 Year Old Milestones

Leah will be 4 in August. Today she is 3 years, 8 months, 3 weeks & 6 days old. Crazy how time has flown by. Less than 4 months until she turns 4. Today at school the teachers were discussing some of Leah's latest things. She has taken to telling stories, elaborate, drawn out stories. She has also created her own version of gibberish. She is getting very good at pretend play and can do so for hours on end. She is a delight. An imaginative delight. She has developed an imaginary play friend or two which show up every once in a while at home. Mostly when I am busy with chores and she is out on the porch playing. One thing Leah has never done much of is having a security object, lately though she has become quite fond and attached to a few of her toys.

Seems to be right on target with all the milestones 4 year olds should be meeting.


Milestones: 4-Year-Olds

Motor Development: Gross Motor Skills

* running is more controlled; can start, stop, and turn
* turns somersaults; hops on one foot; gallops
* can easily catch, throw, and bounce a ball
* can brush teeth, comb hair, wash, and dress with little assistance

Motor Development: Fine Motor Skills

* copies crosses and squares
* prints some letters
* uses table utensils skillfully
* cuts on a line

Language and Thinking Development

* uses a 1,500-word vocabulary; speaks in relatively complex sentences ("Mommy opened the door and the dog ran out.")
* understands words that relate one idea to another — if, why, when
* continues to learn through experience and the senses
* understands, mostly, the difference between fantasy and reality
* understands number and space concepts — more, less, bigger, in, under, behind
* thinks literally; starting to develop logical thinking
* begins to grasp that pictures and symbols can represent real objects
* starts to recognize patterns among objects — round things, soft things, animals
* grasps the concepts of past, present, and future but does not understand the duration of time

Social and Emotional Development

* takes turns, shares, and cooperates
* expresses anger verbally rather than physically
* can feel jealousy
* may sometimes lie to protect herself, but understands the concept of lying
* enjoys pretending and has a vivid imagination

* Speech is almost always understandable.
* Can usually count from 1 to 10.
* Can walk on tiptoes, climb a ladder and ride a tricycle.
* May name and match three or four primary colors.
* Knows his or her own name.
* Correctly uses the pronoun "I."
* Children this age recognize gender differences and will correctly say "I am a girl" or "I am a boy."
* Can dress and undress with supervision but still has trouble with laces and buttons. Children this age also begin to be selective about what they wear.
* Holds and uses a pencil with good control. Can copy a cross, circle and possibly a square.
* Can to draw a person with a face, arms and legs.
* Engages in conversational "give-and-take."
* Can sing a song.
* Talks about his or her day's activities and experiences.
* Can identify emotions such as sadness, anger, anxiety and fear.
* Enjoys the companionship of other children; plays cooperatively and shows interest in other children's bodies.



Before I know it she will be off to kindergarten.

We are currently working on Leah memorizing our home phone number, after that we will probably have her memorize her grandparents' home number. She has an excellent memory.

All in all she is a happy, healthy, well-adjusted girl. Can't ask for more than that.

Fairy Princess

It amazes me how easily Leah finds so much to entertain herself with. While I started on cleaning out the garage, Leah spent the afternoon on the porch making up stories and games with random things like hangers, Christmas decorations, plastic Easter eggs, baskets and random other things. She pulled out part of her fairy costume and threw it on.

Spring is here!

We've been suffering major cabin fever around the house as of late. Leah spent some of the afternoon out in the park.

Shabbos Confusion

Leah was watching the Backyardigans and in the episode two of the characters were trying to get to another two characters before sundown because they were in the mountains and it was full of snow, so they didn't want to get stuck in the dark. So one of the characters says "Hurry up we need to get there before sundown" and Leah says "MOM! I didn't know the Backyardigans were Jewish! That is cool."

I explained to her that not all sundowns were Shabbos and that not all Jewish people observed Shabbos the traditional way they do at my job. I still think its pretty neat she connected the show to something she has learned about at the shul.

Leah Rocking Out

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Leah likes to listen to music. All kinds. On occasion she will rock out, as she likes to call it. She especially enjoys NOLA band Down.




She also likes to listen and dance to goth/industrial music. She is getting pretty good at mimicking our dance moves.

Happy Valentine's Day

Matt & his valentine



Leah picked out her Valentine's Day outfit at H&M. A My Lil Pony shirt paired with the cutest pink & red polka heart sweatpants. She is getting pretty good at getting her own outfits together. She even remembers what she already has at home so she can get things that coordinate. We really love H&M.

Like Father Like Daughter

What is she thinking?

What is Leah pondering in this picture?

Conversation with Leah

Mom: Leah could you please get the phone for me.
Leah: Hmm...the phone? I don't know. Actually you know what I think?
Mom: No I don't, not a mind reader.
Leah: I think you have legs & feet and you can walk. You should get it yourself.

Leah: It is so nice when you can just take a break and play with your dolls.
Mom: Thats nice.
Leah: Mom, you just don't understand. I never get a break. It is nice when people finally leave you alone so you can finish your work and play.

O_O

Feeding the dolls

Leah has found new uses for her new bed. She loves to play dinner party with them her dolls in the upper bunk.

Decorating Time

Leah decided to add some extra touches to her new bed.



Leah's hair changes from day to day depending on what we do with it. Though naturally it is very curly.

New bed

Leah got a new bed from Ikea. She has been eying the bed for about a year now. Every time we went there she would ask for it. For a while it was out of stock. She loves it.









Leah shows Elmo some love.

Christmas Day 2007

This was our first Christmas in the new house. It has nice to be able to decorate a bit and have space for things like a tree and lots of presents. And oh boy did Leah get lots of presents. lol. Between Christmas Eve and Christmas I suspect we won't need to go shopping for toys for another year.

We were woken up by Matthew who I suspect was more excited for Leah than Leah was. When he first woke her up she told him to go away and she wanted to sleep some more. So sleep some more she did.

First she saw her new bicycle.




After opening presents we headed over to Ruth & George's for Christmas Day brunch/dinner.

Leah wasn't feeling too great, a bit of a cold so she was tired & cranky but still enjoyed herself. Not to mention looked adorable in the Christmas dress she picked out for herself.



Leah got the prettiest initial necklace, along with lots of other goodies in her stocking.



We opened lots of presents. Then had a delicious meal cooked by Grandma Ruth with Aunt Lois & Aunt DL & Aunt Lindsay. Everything was delicious and the perfect conclusion for Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with our families and friends at our new house. We had a great big dinner of all kinds of different dishes and just hung out and had a good time. Eating, drinking, laughing and being merry. I think a good time was had by all.



After everyone went home Leah got ready for bed. She was incredibly excited and couldn't wait to put on her pajamas and set out brownies & milk for Santa. In years past Leah has been afraid of Santa and anything Santa related. This year however she reconciled her feelings and just couldn't wait for him to come. Every Christmas Eve we give Leah a new pair of pjs to wear.

Today we went to Freeport for a birthday party for one of the boys in Leah's preschool class. We had a great time. Leah got to ride a pony, decorate a pumpkin, and run around with all her playmates and her 'boyfriend' Alistair.

Happy Birthday Leilani

A very happy birthday to Tia Leilani :)

Good Morning

Leah has officially begun attending Pre-school. Here she is with Matt all ready for school.

Kitty love

We love having the cats in the house. Tiger Lily is definitely the affectionate one and Darth Vader is a bit selfish and only comes to you when she wants attention. The two are almost always together.

Tiger Lily & Darth Vader

Tiger Lily & Darth Vader love laying on this throw. We got it as a gift when we lived in East Meadow and it has served many purposes. Not sure why the cats love it but they just lay down and stretch out on it, no matter where it is.

Leah the Bold

Leah the Scaredy Cat is diminishing and Leah the Bold is making her appearance. Over the last two months Leah has really come out of her shell. She is opening up more towards people and isn't nearly as shy as she used to be.

She will go on swings and even ask you to push her a bit faster and higher. She will go into a pool and the ocean with no qualms about it.

We went camping last week for a few days around Lake George. At first she was not crazy about the nearly mile walk to the cabin, or the lack of electricity. She asked us "Where's the fridge?" after we walked in. But after a few hours she didn't miss any of those amenities one bit.

She rode in a canoe without a bit of fear and wants to do it again and again. She climbed up and down and through these caves at the Natural Stone Bridges and Caves. She was a trooper and better at walking and climbing than some of the grown-ups.

On Sunday, on our way back to Long Island we stopped at Indian Ladder Farms for their local food festival. They had a sand play area for the kids, lots of free, and delicious food samples. They also had a petting zoo. Leah is usually quite adamant that she doesn't want to go anywhere near the animals but over this summer she has gotten comfortable with the concept of feeding and petting the animals. She feed the sheep and the alpacas and lamas.

Then she did something that surprised us. She decided she wanted to ride a pony. These weren't tiny ponies either. Usually she says she wants to do it but then in the end decides not to. This time she waited and waited, put the helmet on, climbed on and left us to ride the pony.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get a ton of pictures due to the fact our digital camera broke before our trip. We have to develop some film and post those pics.

She also started pre-school this year. She loves her new class and has some awesome teachers.

AND she started taking dance classes as well. That was part of Ruth & George's birthday present. She took her first class and was scared to go into the room and leave us. But once she was in with the other little girls she was ready to dance her butt off.

She looks absolutely adorable in her leotard and tights. She even has her very own pair of ballet slippers and tap shoes.

Watering the plants

Leah has taken to watering the lawn. Even if it is raining, even if the sprinklers just went off. Of course we don't have to do any of this but she really enjoys it. So what the heck?

The new place

So far so good. The new house is really working out for us. The extra space is exactly what this family needed. Even though we tend to stay in the living room/dining area for the most part, it is wonderful to be able to just not be on top of one another ALL THE TIME.

I am making the kitchen my own. We are still working on the entry way room. We will figure out something for there, eventually. Leah's room is still under construction. Finally found a bed or two that will be perfect for her room. Just a matter of making a decision and getting it in there.

Leah has adjusted wonderfully to the whole move. She was able to go and hang out with the girls at the place in Farmingdale the other. I know she had a great time visiting.

Here are some pics from the last couple of days.

New Family Addition

We went and adopted a kitten from North Shore Animal League.

She is a black striped gray tabby, who Leah has named Tiger Lily.



It is a good thing both Matt and I agree that having a pet is a crucial component in having a family, when you have the space & time to care for it. I know that I feel lucky to have had the barrage of pets we had growing up, everything from our albino burmese python named Samantha to a wonderful toy poodle named Chop-C. We got tons of enjoyment and learned a ton about responsibility. The lessons that come from caring for another animal are invaluable.

Leah loves her. It is a 15 year committment and one we are happy to make.

32 Days to go!

In 32 days Leah will be 3 years old. Unbelievable.

Now I understand the old cliché, Where does the time go?.

Many changes have occured in the Deller/Soto residence over the past week.

As of Friday, June 29th Matt is now a proud homeowner. As of about 4 p.m. on Friday we started moving into the new place.

Thanks to the hard work of George, Ruth and Lindsay we were able to move out on Friday and we were all moved in come Saturday night.

Many pictures to come.

I don't know how we would do anything we are able to do without Matt's parents helping us and supporting us. I wish there were a way to show them just how grateful we really are.

On Saturday we had my dad, youngest brother and Vivian over. My dad graciously gave us his living room set. It is perfect. It fits just right, and it matches everything. It is also comfortable. Our last couch was being held together by plywood, string and staples.

And then George, Ruth and Lindsay and we had PLENTY OF ROOM! :D I cannot wait to have people over for dinner. I promise not to poision anyone.

Leah seems to like the new place. She walks up and down the stairs. We are in the process of 'Leah proofing' the outside doors. She likes to just walk out front, which isn't the safest thing for her to be doing.

We still have a garage full of stuff. In time we will figure out what goes where.

As for what our plans are for Leah's 3rd birthday, we haven't had a chance to sit down and actually plan anything. I know her birthday party probably won't be the weekend of her birthday but it may be the following weekend. Hopefully we will have a definitive answer by this weekend.