HOT CHOCOLATE DAY

The weather in New York has been so unpredictable lately – snowstorms one day, and then warm sunny weather the next! This past weekend was a snowy one so Noam and I bundled the kids up in warm clothes and headed outside to experience the winter wonderland that overtook our neighborhood. The streets and cars were covered in white and it was so fun to jump around in the piles of snow with the boys.

In a city like New York, it can sometimes feel like we don’t have a lot of opportunities to run around outside with the kids. But when the snow comes down it becomes a lot easier to get out there – less cars on the street = more space for us to play! We had a blast making snow balls and kicking around the snowflakes that fell earlier that morning.

The best part was carrying baby Romi around to see her very first glimpse of snow. We dressed her in an adorable white fleece hooded onesie with little ears. She looked just like a snow bunny and was totally transfixed by the sparkly white snowflakes around her. Every winter becomes more and more special as our family grows and new memories are made. I can’t wait until all three little ones are able to walk around in their snow boots together. Nothing is cuter than the excitement that comes from your little ones’ face when they are playing outdoors in the winter.

One tradition we’ll always keep up is a warm cup of hot cocoa after our outdoor activities are over. Once we’re back inside in warm clothes and blankets it is time for a treat. In my opinion, nothing says snow day like a comforting mug full of homemade hot chocolate – and I’m pretty sure the kids can agree. My go-to recipe is quick and super satisfying, with a bit of an Israeli twist. Instead of semisweet chocolate we use chopped Mekupelet – an Israeli chocolate bar you can find at most Kosher supermarkets (such as Holy Land in the East Village), as well as Fairway’s Israeli section. It’s a thinly folded chocolate bar, which is what gives the bar its name. Mekupelet means folded in Hebrew and when this special chocolate is chopped up into fine pieces and melted into hot cocoa it creates an amazing and creamy flavor that is so delicious.