tales from a far-land

By March of this year, we had finally fallen into a good family groove with all of our kids' activities and school work.   Madilyn most nights of the week would have some sort of cheer practice.  She would either have her team practice or she would go extra nights to work more on her stunts.  Somewhere in-between all of the time at the gym, she would study for spelling tests. grammar tests and complete her homework, usually for math or science.  Then, on the weekends, she would either have more practice or a competition.   Aiden's schedule for the week consisted of lacrosse practice two nights a week with three games on Saturday.  He would then have flag football practice one week day night with his games on Friday night.   Both kids would also have Religious School every Sunday at the synagogue in the mornings.  Our weeks were packed, but we found a good rhythm and it worked for us. However, it made it even more meaningful when we ...

Our February was full of activities and frolicking.  We celebrated Purim by making delicious hamantaschen cookies and pizza pockets.  We enjoyed exploring northern Arizona wine country.  We also toured Phoenix's downtown street art scene.  We spent time with friends.  And the kids learned how to clean the upstairs one Saturday morning in our attempt to teach them some important life skills as they are growing older. This year I attempted to make hamantaschen cookies for the first time on my own.  They may look yummy, but sadly, I misread the recipe and used baking soda instead of baking powder.  Ugh!  That will be a lesson I remember for next year. However, the savory hamantaschen turned out much better.  The kids had fun stuffing their pockets with a multitude of toppings.  There were toppings for pepperoni pizza pockets, buffalo chicken pockets and even a Mexican themed pockets.  It was a fun and different family dinner ...

This year in March, we celebrated Purim with our friends at Temple Kol Ami.  During Purim, we celebrate the Jewish people's survival from being massacred by ancient Persia and Haman.  This story is told through the annual reading of the Book of Esther (or also known as the Megillah).  The reading is a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman's name is read aloud.  Our temple also performs a Purim Shpiel (play) in which members of our congregation re-enact the Purim story.  The shpiel is usually full of songs and witty humor.  As Purim is a celebratory holiday, the kids are encouraged to dress up as well.  I am really glad that we were finally able to attend this annual tradition.  It was a very fun night!  Plus, I was able to indulge in some very tasty chocolate filled hamantaschen for dessert.  Yum!

Purim is one of the most fun and joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar.  It celebrates the story of Esther and how she saved the Jewish people from persecution and extermination in Persia.  This year, we celebrated Purim at our local Jewish Community Center's carnival.  They had rides, games, snow cones, jump houses, petting zoo, and crafts.  The kids had an amazing time.  The weather was a little warm, but it never deterred the kids from enjoying themselves.  We even splurged and purchased some hamantaschen (traditional Purim cookies) to take home for dessert.   Chag  Purim  Sameach! Madi and Charlotte on the swings Addison and Aiden on the swings Charlotte Addison Aiden Obstacle time.... The Goldstar Darlings

Tonight, we celebrated Purim with the kids.  We all enjoyed learning more about the story of Queen Esther and the evil Haman.  We concluded our evening by eating hamantaschen, the holiday's traditional food.

We celebrated Purim this year at Temple Chai.  Purim   is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar.  It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plots to exterminate all of the Jews.  His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews from destruction.  One of the highlights of Purim is dressing up in costumes.  Some attribute this tradition to the fact that Esther initially “masked” her Jewish identity.   The kids much obliged this tradition and dressed up before we headed to the Temple.  The first portion of our temple’s Purim celebration is the reading of the   megillah (scroll).  This is the Purim story and is typically read and preformed in a humorous and rowdy way.  Our kids may still be a little young for this portion of the holiday as it was a little longer than we expected, but they were very good and we kept them pretty ent...