Apples & Beatles

I've been so fascinated by the outcome of Beatles on iTunes, and I can't seem to get over it! I just find it so incredible that the music my parents grew up on is top-selling on iTunes today!! Am I the only one who finds this so impeccably enthralling?? Maybe it's because I grew up listening to a "Best of the Beatles" cassette tape on my walkman and felt very cool that I was enjoying the music of my parent's era, or maybe because my childhood best friend and I would put on "Beatles Shows" on the couch in her family's living room, or maybe because I thought "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was about Candy Land - either way, somehow, I'm completely inspired by the awesomeness of Apple's ability in managing to completely erase the five-decade difference between generations - bringing the Beatles on vinyl to the Beatles on iPod. Simply wondrous!

This video clip gives me chills:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mUXwnEWEnE]

Plus, this commercial makes me laugh!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X75XahmP3x8&feature=related]

Their ad campaign has been simplistically incredible, as well. I guess their music will never really die... My husband and I sat in the second row at the broadway Rain (we loved it!!), and my 2 year old is a little die-hard Ringo Starr wannabe (and one of her favorite songs is "All you Need is Love")! Some things are simply too good to grow old...

Now if only we could reduce the parent/child generation gap in a few more ways than music. :)

P.S. I'm totally smitten by this "Beatles Ten Great Years" print from Max Dalton! How cute?? (via A Cup of Jo)

Macaroons on Chanukah!

We are currently loving the Macaroons Chanukah songs!! In the car, Freida has requested a constant repeat of "Hurry Up and Light the Candles", and at home this week all she sings is "Dreidel Bird". The Macaroons are produced by JDub (the guys that originally signed Matisyahu back in the day), and a spin-off of their (potentially fatal) band the LeeVees, are now gearing their critically acclaimed musical instincts toward Jewish rock-out kids songs. They provide a bit of kosher tunes that the children will love, and the parents won't mind. At least I know I'd rather have "Mezuzah" stuck in my head over "I have a Mezuzah"...  :)

You can check out and purchase their music on iTunes here.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Wbkelvzkw]

Hope you're all having a rockin-Chanukah!!!

Light Up with Magnets

Happy Chanukah, dear readers! I hope you all enjoy these eight crazy nights - to the fullest. Chanukah is the most delicious when it's spend with family - so get snuggly, indulge in some greasy goodies, and savor the bright light your family brings to your life...  Here's to those miracles!

I decided to dodge out of the impending power-struggle that would surely ensue every Friday night following us allowing Freida to light her own Menorah. She had been begging to light Shabbos candles for months now, and while I'm not against a two-year-old lighting in theory... I do feel it's unnecessarily dangerous. Three-year-old girls lighting their own candles was perfect guidance - seems to be just the right age for understanding the importance and the responsibility. I knew if I let her light her own candles on Chanukah, I would never hear the end of it come Shabbos. Therefore, I nixed the idea of crafting her Menorah altogether, and went with a simple magnetic flame cut-out.

I cut up some construction paper and let her stamp it out her style - via, do-a-dots. She also used some stickers left over from her Chanukah crown (thanks Sara - they went a loooong way!). I cut out some flames from foam sheets, and glued some magnets on the paper and on the flames. Much more toddler friendly, much more fun, and way less nerve-wracking. She can light her own candles next year, once she's three. Until then, it's magnets for my little dreidel-loving maydel!

Chag Sameach, Mamas!!

The Arts (Party) & Photography

It was raining the morning of Freida's birthday party, and while the weather stayed quite clear through the afternoon, I opted to have her get-together indoors (last minute!) due to the wet, muddy elements that would no doubt grace the park. Last minutes stink. So do bad-weather-forecasts. They really do. But we made it happen, and held her 2nd birthday party at our home. Was crowded, but we managed to work out a little something for everybody. We planted the "art" table smack in middle of the kitchen (easier floor cleanup, and a kitchen sink for washing art-covered little hands), all the eats in the dining room, and the Colts/Patriots game going in the living room for the guys (they seem to be the absolute easiest to entertain). We had a Toy Story 3 "screening" (with popcorn) in our bedroom for the older kids, and Freida's room was, naturally, the play zone. It worked out beautifully, and we had a lovely afternoon sharing Freida's 2nd year with family and friends. Unfortunately, the lighting indoors made for horrific photography... thankfully, the Berkowitz family joined in the festivities - along with their photo-shooting Pop, Zalmy. Who, brought along his trusty every-charming-moment-capturing lens! Thanks so much for the priceless photos!!!

How epic is that "skype" picture??? Freida's Bubby was broadcasting birthday wishes live from Chicago. A generation - defined by a moment, captured in a photograph.

I've previously written about the importance of honest photography, and I strongly advise all parents to make the effort in capturing time. Zalmy Berkowitz is an incredibly gifted photographer, who manages to capture the most real and inspiring/ humorous of moments - at the most beautiful angles. An artistic photographer is worth every ounce of effort, time, and money. I promise you, this is the guy you want to snag your greatest images!!  Here's a little peek at his style and some of his work, these are a few of my favoties:

(Yes, it definitely helps that he has his 3 beautiful children as models...!)

You can check out some more of his work on his website, and have at look at what other goodies he offers here.

Happy snapping!

Chanukah Gift Guide: Boys

For the little dudes in your life...

1. Papo Knights & Warriors - for your lil' knight in shining armor. $6.00

2. Kangol Box Plaid Fedora - a hat-tip to all the pee-wee hipsters. $43.00

3. Lego Architecture Series - for Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lego-lovers. $19.99

4. R2-D2 Backpack - because he'll simply freak! $35.99

5. Boardpusher Custom Skateboards - it's DIY Tony Hawk style. $59.99

6. Automoblox Build-a-Car - toy vehicles get a a modern makeover. $10.00