Tubular Matzah Tunes

Somehow the Macaroons always seem to fill in a hipster holiday music void in our house! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIAtJIHXqv0]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOkexg5oiOQ&feature=player_embedded]

A Little Bugs Life

In correlation to the insect life cycle unit, I picked up a little "bug house" for Freida to collect and observe the little buggers. She was, to say the least, ecstatic! I guess it was about me giving in to her bug-loving nature, and actually aiding in her insect-collecting activities...

She now totes the little mesh bug house like this seasons "it" bag!

To my shock (and disgust!) she veered toward collecting the slimy variety, namely: slugs, snails, and worms! Nasty lil' things!

Thankfully, she found it just as exciting to feed them (leaves, flowers etc.) as to catch them...

You can get a bug house like this one, here.

First Lesson in Life Cycles

The arrival of Spring heralded a new era in Freida's little education. I decided to start doing some actual teaching, through proper "units". This will be the first in a series of (hopefully) many, in attempt to be the first to teach my little lady about the facts of life - on a 2 year old's level, of course! :) Freida has been obsessed with butterflies since she was about 6 months old (she was watching her cousin's Wiggles DVD and upon seeing "The Butterfly Flit" her breathe grew rapid and her little toys didn't cease twirling!), and I figured Spring would be the perfect time to introduce the concept of Life Cycles - via the classic childrens illustrations of Eric Carle.

I broke out the over-sized board book that I had bought a few months earlier, and popped in the included audio CD of the author reading the story of this iconic and beloved little green critter...

Naturally, she gravitated toward "Saturday" - the day he ransacked a picnic...

She always loved that Press 'n Go caterpillar toy (I think it's actually meant to be an inchworm), and she was really interested in learning about how he was born and what he eats etc.

Once we bonded enough with the story itself, I let her play with some story-theme stick-ons (I had found for $2 in Marshalls) which ensued into a full-on foods matching game.

I think the life cycle aspect is really well brought out and easily graspable in this book...

Also, I decided to go with this book as a start to learning in "units" because aside from the life cycle concept, this book can be an awesome art reference (collage style, tissue paper art, an introduction to abstract etc.), a start to the calendar (as it goes through the days of the week), an early and easy-enough math lesson (counting the fruits),  a lesson in cause and effect (poor little guy ate so much he wound up fat and with a stomachache!), etc.

I'll post here and there about this unit as we make our way through this sort of learning exploration for the first time.

For now I'll leave you with a little video, celebrating The Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th Birthday:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYG1tLt5GCQ]

Also, check out this totally wicked project - felted food to accompany the book!!

Guest Post: Pleasant Cakes

A friend of mine has a cake decorating company I've been meaning to blog about for some time now. When I caught glimpse of her super-adorable Shalach Manos photos via Facebook, I knew this was the right venue to debut her services to the Freidafroo masses! Chani Levine started a Kosher cake decorating business a few years ago, and her incredibly adorable cake designs totally caught my eye! You gotta head over to the Pleasant Cakes Facebook Page to check out the rest of her awesome designs (especially the Patron Cake, Boy's 1st Birthday Cake, Fancy Orchid Cake, Jersey Cake, and Cupcake Bouquet)!

Pleasant Cakes services the greater Los Angeles area, so if you are here in California and looking to up the fun-factor at your party, add a super-special element to any get-together, or simply spruce up special occasion, contact Chani: PleasantCakes@gmail.com/ 310.254.8992

Luckily for us, she graciously agreed to share some of her creativity today with all of us in a fun and easy Sushi Cupcakes DIY Tutorial! Thanks Chani!!

One of the best parts on Purim is coming up with fun ideas for Shalach Manos. This year I decided to put my love for cake decorating and make mini cupcakes that look like rolls of sushi.

What amazes me the most is how easily you can take something as simple as a cupcake and transform it into something completely different with just a few ingredients.  120 mini cupcakes, 1 pound of butter cream icing, 3 containers of white sprinkles, 3 bags of gummy fish, and 15 sushi containers later and I was on my way. It took me a while to make, but it was lots of fun and pretty impossible to mess up which for me is the best part being a perfectionist and all. I must confess though that I did spend an a little more time then needed making sure every sprinkle was placed perfectly on the cupcake. Even those with little or no decorating experience can master these. It does not require any special decorating tool or technique to make them. You can make the mini cupcakes any flavor you would like. I made them yellow cake because I did not want the dark cupcake peaking through the icing. I used white mini cupcake holders, but dark green ones will work just as well as the seaweed but might be harder to find. Put a thin layer of butter cream icing to cover the top of the cupcakes. Dip or sprinkle cupcakes with white sprinkles for the sushi "rice". You can get kosher white sprinkles at most of your cake decorating supply stores such as Michaels or Joannes.  For those that like the taste of coconut, you can also use shredded coconut in place of the white sprinkles for a cheaper option. Cut up gummy fish into tiny pieces and use the icing to "glue" the pieces onto the top of the cupcakes. I also put some whole gummy fish on the tops as well for a little extra pop. I bought 15 sushi containers from a sushi restaurant for 25 cents each, but you can also buy them in bulk at Sams club. I finished it off with a pair of chopsticks taped to the top of the container and it was done.

Its great for parties, gifts, or to make as a fun food craft with children.

Jar It Up

Mason Jars are one of those things on earth that make my life cleaner, prettier, and simpler. I'd love to do a little round-up as to how these fabulous glass jars make my economical world go 'round, but for now here's how they keep they keep me just a bit saner come the Purim time of year: jarred Shalach Manos (i.e. "Purim Baskets"). (2008) Spring-pea Pesto in a jar. Stick in the fridge, and blend up on demand. Dinner's a cinch!

(2009) My grandmothers Oatmeal Espresso Chocolate Chunk cookie mix in a jar. A useful gift to stick in the pantry for late night cookie monsters, rainy days, or last-minute play-dates.

(2010) Cinnamon Chocolate Biscotti + Chai Tea bags. A cozy tea time in a bottle.

I'm not quite finished with this year's just yet (there are some details that can't be done until the last minute), but let's just say I would totally enjoy a Cupcake in a Jar if it were dropped off on my doorstep!