Weekend Round-up!!

I'm having one of those weird Sundays... The ones where nothing really happens, and nobody really wants to go out. So we end up staying in thinking we'll be relaxing and watching movies all day, which obviously doesn't happen because, well, we have kids. So then we just end up lounging in the back, complaining - to keep ourselves busy, and eventually cracking up from Freida and her attempts to snap us out of it. :)

Today we ended up caving to her "bike wash" - there was just no way to say no to her; bikini-clad, on her radio flyer trike, pink goggles on and all! So we cranked up the sprinkler and got on line for the ride. Anyways, while I take a few minutes break to dry off and feed my 4 month old brood who just woke from her afternoon nap, here's a few links I've been loving:

- Paint chip animals look like a great doctors office activity! (you can even bring along a crayon and draw up a farm on the paper-covered exam table.)

- Sandbox up-cycling. #iWish

- Can't wait to drive to Arizona to meet my new niece this weekend!! Freida is staying behind for this trip, but if she were coming along I would totally attempt this!

- This deliciousness should help jumpstart my "lose 10 lbs" summer goal!

- I found the two sides of his face fascinating.

- Denim + Blueberries - perfect.

Hope your Sunday was better than mine!! :)

Happy summering!

P.S. This bubble machine creates instant backyard magic!

Quesadillas + Cookbook Giveaway!!

I had been looking for some new summer dinners lately (somehow my regular weeknight menu plans just don't feel right for the long lazy summer evenings), and while leafing through the new Bais Yaakov Cookbook last weekend it dawned on me that I should really be switching things up in the kitchen - even just for Freida. She is so used to my meals and the way I cook and the flavors I use, I thought It would be really good to try some new things. And since I have all this time with her during these summer weeks, it's a perfect way to incorporate cooking into our slew of "mommy camp" activities. Anyways, we poured over the cookbook together this morning and I let her pick something new she wanted to try for dinner. She went with Quesadillas! The recipe was simple enough - unlike many of the other high-grade kosher cookbooks, this one is beautiful to look at yet actually works with regular ingredients that you'll likely have in your pantry! - and she was able to do most of it and assemble them on her own (while entertaining Hudi, to boot! :).

I used whole wheat tortillas, and the recipe called for onions, mushrooms, red pepper, yellow pepper, and shredded cheese. She ate it all! I couldn't believe she didn't even put in a request for a "plain" version!! Who knew quesadillas are total kid fare?? She dipped them in sour cream for a while, and then went on to munch away on them happily like they were little slices of personal pizza. Perfect summer dinner + leftover lunch-on-the-go - perfect with some chilled salsa and sour cream!

The Bais Yaakov Cookbook is choc-full of elevated recipes you can make from regular ingredients you have on hand. It's beautifully done and really well-written (I loved reading the History of Bais Yaakov in the forward. I had no idea the whole movement was started by one girl when she transformed her small seamstress workspace into a classroom in Krakow - for only 5 girls!!), and the halachic guidelines in the back will very likely come in handy,  but mostly what I loved about this cookbook is that majority of the recipes I can make for dinners, or dinner parties without hassling too much in the kitchen. (I can't wait to try the Crumb Coated Sea Bass, Roasted Garlic and Zucchini Soup, and these Apple Buns look off-the-hook-amazing!!)

To win a free copy of The Bais Yaakov Cookbook leave a comment where you see this post on Facebook!! A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday. Good luck!!

But don't worry - even if you don't win you can still snag a copy for yourself or for a friend at 20% off + free shipping here!!

Freidafroo + Babyccino = PLAY!

So here's the latest installment, girls: I'm starting a modern form of "day care"  in my home this year! I've been thinking about doing something like this for a while now, and since Freida will be going off to school in September, and I'll be home giving myself over to Hudi and her itty-bitty education set on exploring her life and the world around her - I thought I'd invite some other little ones over to play! I'll be opening my home to little friends for 3 hours, 3 days a week - in a quest to bring babies together for our teeny-tiny explorations and adventures!

Here is the mock-up for how I envision PLAY:

The goal of PLAY is to encourage little children to grow through play, and to learn through fun - we're not afraid to get our hands dirty in the process. Little senses will be developed as we expose young fingers to a myriad of textures, small ears to many different forms of sound and music, little palates and noses to diverse tastes, flavors, and aromas and an array of interesting things to look at and learn about. Also, early social skills will develop as the children share time together, and will be honed as they continuously interact with their little friends. Baby sign language is continuously being proven to minimize the frustration of pre-talkers and in turn reduce early tantrums and meltdowns, and will be used consistently by the care-takers while playing, eating, and especially - transitioning. Think of PLAY as a teeny-tiny community made up of the most important pint-sized individuals on earth...you kids.

Obviously, that was much too much information to slap onto a postcard or flyer, but here you have it folks.

Since PLAY will only be operating 3 days a week, it's really ideal for 3 different moms: "the freelancer" (can enroll her child and obtain 9 uninterrupted day-time work hours a week!), "the part-time employee" (can reap the benefits of some educational care vs. housekeeper care - a few hours a week of social interactivity with other babies and age-appropriate education and exploration), and "the full-time mom" (can double-down on her sanity by freeing-up some time for peaceful grocery shopping, or solo exercising - while feeling great about what her baby is getting up to in the meantime!).

But of course, it's just great for everyone and anyone who wants to give their baby some real time to PLAY!

We're now open for registration!! If you're interested, please email me: freidafroo@gmail(dot)com as space is very limited.

Firework Flowers

A few weeks ago we spent a Sunday at one of the city's nature parks, and on the way out Freida picked up this (red magnolia bloom?) flower and commented on how much it looked like "the fireworks!". I was shocked that she remember last 4th of July, and I loved the quirkiness in her nature comparison. I laughed when I read this Apartment Therapy post today; I guess she's not the only one to see fireworks in the flowerbed... :)

Happy 4th girls!! Hope it's bright and booming!!

Moonrise Kingdom-inspired Nursery

Have you been to see Moonrise Kingdom yet? I haven't, but I love Wes Anderson, and am looking forward to seeing it eventually...it just takes a bit of nudging to get my husband to go in on the whole indie film thing with me. :) (Though, I won't tell you which movie I did see twice this week! :).

Anyways, I spotted this Moonrise Kingdrom-inspired nursery and fell in love!