Consecration

We all got dressed up, but Hazel forgot
one of her legs!

As if Halloween wasn't fun enough, the next morning we all got up early and headed to synagogue for my consecration. This is a ceremony that marks the beginning of my formal Jewish education. The whole family came - we got dressed up and everything.

It was a pretty fun service. We got pictures taken holding a Torah, we got to sing songs, and then at the end, we each got called up by both our Hebrew and English names and got our very own Torahs. You an actually watch the entire 30 minute ceremony here. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, you can skip to the 28:40 mark which is where they announce my name and I come up and get my Torah.

My Hebrew name is Marnin Chaninah. It means "One who brings joy" and "compassion". Mom and Dad gave it to me because they hoped I would have these qualities when I grow up. So far, so good!

Happy Halloween!

Here are a few pictures from our awesome Halloween, which included a party at Dad's work, carving a pumpkin at home, and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Also, Turner had a pumpkins and pajamas party at his preschool. Hazel and Dad carved a pumpkin together at Hazel's school too.

I dressed up as a wizard. Hazel was a witch. Turner was a cowboy on Halloween and an astronaut (or space cadet, as he likes to say) when we went to Dad's work party.

For trick-or-treating, Mom pulled out her banana costume. A teenager told her she is the coolest person she's ever seen. Mom won't stop reminding us of that moment. Dad pulled out his werewolf costume.

We all had a great time! To see more pictures, click here.

Bubbe's visit

Last weekend, Bubbe came into town for a short visit. We were super excited to have her here!

She got into town Thursday night after we had gone to bed, so we got to surprise her Friday morning by singing to her to wake her up. Hazel and I have made up a little special Bubbe song that we only get to sing when she's here. We're teaching it to Turner.

Unfortunately, Hazel was a little sick when Bubbe was here, so we had to tone down our plans a bit for the weekend.  During the day Friday, I went to school while Bubbe played with Turner and Hazel. Then I came home and we all played some more.

Friday night, out Aunt Susan (Bubbe's sister) and Uncle Stuart came over. They were visiting from Birmingham. After we said hello, we went to dinner at a very Austin-y place, the Salt Lick! The drive was a bit long, and Turner fell asleep in the car. Dad carried him in, and  Turner remained asleep in Dad's arms all the way through dinner. The drive was worth it though. We had really delicious barbecue - brisket, turkey, and beans, followed by ice cream and pie for dessert! Yum!

Saturday morning Bubbe and Dad took Turner to Tot Shabbat. Bubbe was surprised at how much Turner loves to sing!

Later Saturday afternoon, we all went over to the Harvest Festival at our school. Mom volunteered to help lead the cake walk, and while we were there, Turner won a prize! Since Mom was tied up with the cake walk, and Dad was home with sick Hazel, Bubbe took me and Turner around to see everything. Turner liked the petting zoo. I liked all the yummy treats.

Then, Saturday evening we got a special surprise. Mom and Dad left town and went to visit some friends in Dallas. So Bubbe stayed home with us by herself all night. We had so much fun with her! We had make your own taco night. It was fun.

Sunday morning Bubbe took us to Sunday school and Mom and Dad met us there, when they came back from Dallas. We were excited to see them again.

When we got home, Bubbe helped us put up our Halloween decorations! We had fun stretching out the spider webs and adorning them with spiders.

Sunday afternoon, it was time to take Bubbe to the airport. It was a fun weekend but it sure went by fast. We had one more treat for Bubbe though. Dad and I were going straight from the airport to our cub scouts meeting, so Bubbe got to see us both dressed up in our uniforms!

You can see pictures from our weekend here.