Carolyn Greenwald is the mom to three boys, and the author and creator of The Gelt Giving Golem. 

The Gelt Giving Golem tells the tale of a friendly character who was formed from clay by a rabbi on the first night of Hanukkah. The Hanukkah Golem teaches children to practice Tikun O'lam (repairing the world). The Golem can be found doing silly activities at home every morning, and will share chocolate gelt with children who are well-behaved during the holiday.

Carolyn shares some of her favorite treats here. 

1. What's your favorite color? My favorite color is purple.

2. What's your favorite ice cream? My favorite ice cream is Oreo (I still remember stopping at Robert's Ice Cream and ordering this for the first time).

3. What's your favorite purple? My favorite purple is lavender.

4. What's your favorite flower? My favorite flower is a sunflower, or anything my kids pick for me.

5. What is your all time favorite song? My all time favorite song is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," (check out the Ukulele version on Youtube).

6. When did you move for the first and last time?  I moved to Ithaca for college in 1990 and have never left.

7. What is your favorite US city to visit? My favorite city to visit is Boston 'cause its the closest city to Cape Cod.

8. What is the last book you read? My book club just read Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio, which was the Cornell all-school reading project.

9. Four Square or Tetherball? Four square (but I called it box ball).

10. Favorite childhood meal? Chinese food (Jewish + from Long Island + Sunday Nights).

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind? Chocolate chip (in Ithaca you need to watch out and make sure they are not vegan).

Notes by OOGIAH:
Song: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Book: Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio, by Amara Lakhous

Find out more about Carolyn Greenwald here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

I lit my Spring Break candle by Diamond Candles last night. It smells so good, and the glass jar it comes in is classy too. The labels all have nice simple images on them as well. Other scents of these soy candles include Vanilla Lime, Hawaiian Coconut and Strawberry Bliss. It was so fun to keep checking how much of the candle had burned, and when it was time to take the ring out. My ring was sparkly with a pretty lavender stone, and it fit well too. This candle was really two gifts in one, and makes a great gift for anyone for any occasion. You can get $5 off right now if you sign up on the website, and receive free shipping on orders over $45. 

The candle was sent as a gift from Diamond Candles, but all opinions are our own. 
Posted by Rachel Teichman.

We all know and love Punky Brewster from our own childhoods. And it is so cool that we can now bring a little of her style and spirit to parties for our kids, since Soleil Moon Frye has written Let's Get This Party Started! It is basically an easy to use manual for creative parties that anyone can throw. There are so many party themes from Carnival and Pirates, to Picnic and Rainbow. Each theme comes with ideas and instructions for snacks, favors, decorations and a game. 

I recently made fruit skewers on paper umbrellas for my daughter's Hula Party! The kids could not get enough. They will do anything for those little umbrellas! Next time maybe we will try Coconut Bowling too. Soleil takes simple ideas to the next level with just a few craft supplies, and anyone can really do this too. Happy Birthday, or whatever day you are celebrating!

Posted by Rachel Teichman. 
We were given this product to try out, but all opinions are our own.

Well a mighty cute copyright one-piece outfit at least! As the son of two MBA parents, our Little Guy was bound to end up in something like this. Before we knew if he'd be a little guy or gal, our friend Nicole bought this from Mitetees for us in neutral orange, and sent it to us when he was born. He wore it on New Year's Eve, and has worn it in 2011 as well. We don't know if a career in business is in his future, but he does have a sweater with a tie knitted into it as well. That was another gift from The Children's Place. In case he has any last minute meetings to attend! Coupon codes from Children's Place can be found here. ~ What are your favorite custom clothing items? ~

Posted by Rachel Teichman
Originally posted on Tots and Plans

Enter our drawing for a new family-friendly Seder activity from Jewish Holidays in a Box that will keep your kids engaged, while teaching them about the 15 steps in the Seder. Whimsical illustrations and an easy-to-follow format make it helpful to all Seder participants, from toddlers on up. Use it to prepare before the Seder, or during the Seder, to keep everyone involved in the journey through the Haggadah.

It comes with:

• 5 gloss-coated boards
• 5 playing pawns
• Instructions and ideas for how to use before and during the Seder

We got a big box full of such fun and thoughtful gifts! Homemade cork stamps with Hebrew letters, homemade jams and Nutella, a spice blend, NY dish towel and mug and so many cookies! All wrapped in handprinted paper. 

Thank you Roxanne & Charlie!
Thank you Food52!

Posted by Rachel Teichman

It's nice to have crafty friends. To create stuff with, and to teach you how to make new things. And it's so nice when they share what they make with you! I am lucky that one of my new Houston friends taught me how to make adorable hair clips, and still shares some of the ones she makes with us! We have owls, stars and turkeys. They are so sparkly, and fun for specific seasons and all year. 

As you have guessed by now my friend is Sandye, and her line is Candye by Sandye. She makes these awesome clips with crafty care. And she also makes great candy bouquets great for any theme event, including birthdays, baby showers and events like the Super Bowl. Check out her gallery here and contact her for clips and candy bouquets for any theme.

Posted by Rachel Teichman

My little cousin Leah is well into her first year as an MBA student at one of the ivy covered schools. We have a long history of sending each other fun mail. So when I learned about PijonBox I knew this was the fun mail for her! When you order you get to pick the gender of the recipient, and what year in college or grad school they are in. When Leah had tried out all of the items in the box, she sent me this email: 

I got the PijonBox, thank you so much! I loved the Revitalize Lollipops, and already painted my nails hot pink because we had a blacklight party last night - it was fun! These boxes are definitely awesome quick fixes for students' problems - deodorant and moisturizer are key!

Thanks Cousin Leah!

Full disclosure: I have been in contact with PijonBox about their products. But I purchased this box for my cousin, and the feedback is all hers.

Posted by Rachel Teichman