Holiday-palooza

A lot has been going on this week.

Last Sunday, we went to Hazel's kindergarten play date, then added on an extra surprise -- our neighborhood egg hunt! We got there kind of early, talked with a bunch of friends, took photos with the Easter bunny, and had our faces painted like bunnies. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. Then, finally the egg hunt started. Before we knew it, less than two minutes later, it was over! We all were mad because we did not get as many eggs as we wanted. So we went home.

Then Monday night was the beginning of Passover. We had a Passover Seder at our house. Dad made coloring book Haggadahs and we got to talk about the story of Passover. We also got to eat lots of yummy Matzah, charoset that Dad made, and matzah ball soup from Mom. After dinner, Hazel found the afikomen - she reminded us that she found it last year too - and we all got prizes.

Five!!!

Tuesday night we had another Passover Seder that was just as fun. Hazel found the afikomen and we  all got prizes again. We were all sad to hear that we don't do Passover Seders every night of Passover.

As soon as the Passover Seders were done, it was time to start celebrating our next holidays.


Friday was Hazel's birthday. Since she was getting so many presents, she started opening them at the beginning of last week. That gave her time to appreciate and play with each one before opening more. Unfortunately, it also resulted in Hazel starting to think her birthday is several weeks long. Next weekend Bubbe and Aunt Laurie are coming for Hazel's birthday party. Stay tuned for more on that.

For Hazel's birthday, we had dinner at Rudy's. Since it was Passover, we couldn't have any bread, but we were still able to eat turkey, brisket, potatoes, and everyone's favorite - creamed corn. It was yummy. Then we came home and shared a delicious homemade ice cream cake. It was a great birthday.

The very next day was Mom's birthday. She got the day started right by heading out of the house and getting a massage. Then she went to a meeting for my school's PTA and then took Hazel and me to swim class while Dad stayed home with Turner.

Saturday afternoon we finally got to all be together when we watched Mom be fabulously spoiled with presents, and then we went out to dinner. We had a wonderful picnic outside. Mom got us Freebird's while she and Dad shared some Chinese food. Somehow we managed to find kosher-for-Passover food for all of us.

We came home and shared a delicious flourless chocolate cake that Dad got for Mom. Yum!

Hazel and I each made birthday presents for Mom. She was very touched.

On Sunday, Dad has a special treat planned for us. We drove to Enchanted Rock to climb a mountain. Mom and Dad packed a bunch of water and a picnic lunch for us to have at the top of the mountain. After a quick two-hour drive, we got to the park and started walking up the mountain.

At first it was pretty easy. We were all running on our own. But pretty soon it started getting steeper and Dad had to carry Turner who got scared. But Dad was impressed at how well I was doing. Soon we turned around and Mom was gone! Dad had to go back and get her because she was freaking out about the steepness and height, and then we all held hands and walked up the mountain together (Dad still held Turner and Mom the whole way).

When we got to top, we had an unbelievable view of Texas. We put on our sweatshirts since it was so windy at the top of the mountain. Then we pulled out our picnic blanket and had a great lunch of matzah, carrots, and hummus.

After about 15 minutes, it started to rain, so we headed back down. With the slick rock, it took us a little longer to get down, but we all made it in one piece. Dad and I really want to go back again. Hazel and Turner probably need to wait until they are a bit older. Mom says she's never going back to the top but will make us a nice picnic to enjoy when we come back down.