Prepping for Yosemite

We're getting very excited for our trip to Yosemite in two weeks.

So of course we had to practice putting up the tent.

Passover 2012

Technically, we led our very own seder last year for the first time, when Samuel got sick and we weren't able to go to anyone else's seder for fear of contaminating them.

But this year was our first planned seder with extended family.

Samuel and Shira put on a play with the 10 plagues to prep us for the seder.

It was a treat to have Grandma and Grandpa from Minnesota in town and most of the Silberman clan made it (though Suzette and Lena and Sara were sorely missed.)

Searching for the afikomen.

Finding the Afikomen

Tooth Pulled, Hair Cut

Samuel's front tooth died a few months ago after Samuel whacked it falling off his bike (we think.) At his last appointment, the dentist said we needed to pull it. I was a little freaked out, but Samuel was excited and couldn't wait.

Before

After

Dentist appointments are exhausting.

And the promised ice cream for the super brave boy.

(and his sister, dad and grandma, too)

And a few days after that, Samuel decided to cut his own hair. Quite the look.

Buzz cut to follow

Shira's first Fieldtrip

We had the pleasure of taking Teacher Rachel's daughter, Josephine, on our bus fieldtrip.

Shira thought the fieldtrip and Josephine were pretty fantastic.

Welcome to the Bay, Uncle Micheal

Uncle Micheal charmed Samuel and Shira.

I think it was mutual.

His presents weren't bad either ;)

Conversation

Samuel: Why are we going out to dinner with Daddy's uncle?

Me: Because we haven't seen him for a long time, and you have never met him.

Samuel: No, I mean why are we going out to eat and not going and playing somewhere?

Me: Well, because adults like to talk to each other over a meal. It is considered sociable. Kids like to go play.

Samuel: Well, Daddy plays with me all the time.

Me: Yep. You've got a pretty awesome daddy.

March Madness

The kids were super excited for Purim this year.

We kicked it off with a hamantaschen making party at our house. I'd love to say the idea was all mine, but I read about it here: http://jcarrot.org/yiddish-savory-hamantaschen. It was super fun, the kids jumped themselves silly on the trampoline in between eating raw cookie dough, rolling out dough, filling their cookies, eating cookie filling, and generally wreaking the kind of havoc that only 15 children between the ages of 1-5 year olds can. It was so hectic, I didn't manage to take any pictures unfortunately, but I hope to make a tradition of it.

At the synagogue celebration Samuel and Shira went as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

They loved the kids service.