Our Austin Trip

I am hoping to expand on this post, but for now at least I've got photos.  We had a family vacation to Austin and it was fantastic.  Jerry wanted to check out the city AND we got to go to Kochavim, an Israeli folk dance camp. A fabulous time.  Great weather, great food, great people.

I'm having fun at the museum too!

Our little tinkerer

Shabbat Dinner at Kochavim

Sabrina must have gone down this slide at least a dozen times

QT Pants!!

We reused the Purim costumes for Kochavim

Our princess

I wish I was big enough to eat the beef ribs at The Salt Lick

My sweet girl

Seriously, this girl is adorable!!! She makes my heart melt. This picture was taken at the California Sports Center in San Jose. It is a children gymnastics studio and we head over there every couple of weeks or so for their open play. Sabrina's not really interested in organization but loves to go there and play on all the equipment. It's a great place to get the wiggles out, all for $5.

Chag Purim, Chag Purim, Chag Gadol Hu La'Yehudim

I have really fond memories of Purim at preschool. One year I was Queen Vashti. Basically, the story goes that the Jews were in Persia and King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to dance for him and his buddies and Queen Vashti refuses. Consequently, the King said he was going to look for another bride. Then there's the whole part about Esther but I always liked Queen Vashti better.  I thought it was great that Queen Vashti stood up for herself and didn't just do what the King wanted. Anyways, I was excited to experience Sabrina's first Purim at her preschool. I found costumes for both girls, Sabrina was Cinderella and Maddie was a butterfly. Although I tried to tell Sabrina she was Queen Vashti and she told me "no. I'm Cinderella". Oh well, but it was true, she WAS Cinderella...on a side note, every single girl at her school was wearing...a princess dress. No joke. For Purim the school marched around the campus doing their own Purim parade and showed off their costumes to the religious school, the office, etc. At the end of the parade the kids went into the sanctuary and the rabbi held a little mini megillah reading. It was really cute. On Sunday our shul had a Purim Carnival and Sabrina had a great time. She really got into the games and spirit of things. 

Happy Hollow

Since Maddie was born it has been difficult for Sabrina and I to have quality alone time together. Sure, we are together at home just the two of us when Maddie is napping, but it's not the same as being able to go out and have some fun somewhere together. So on this morning in Mid-March we got a call from my friend Michelle, who is the mommy to Sabrina's friend Ella to join them at Happy Hollow. Happy Hollow is this really cute kiddie zoo and amusement park right here in San Jose. It is a five minute drive from our house and we go there all the time. They have a small zoo section but lately we have bypassed the animals to go straight to the back of the park where they have kiddie rides, a great play area and a puppet show. So I put Maddie down for her nap, packed us a lunch and Jerry said he would take care of the baby until we got back. What a great time the girls had together! I love watching Sabrina interact with her friends. And Sabrina loves all her friends. We got to the park just in time for the puppet show. Sabrina LOVES the puppet shows at Happy Hollow. They are about 20 minutes long and Sabrina really pays attention and enjoys the show. Afterwards we rode the rollercoaster (by far Sabrina's favorite ride at the park) then hit up the play area. By then it was time for lunch and afterwards some more rides. I think over 2 1/2 hours had flown by! By now I needed to get back to feed Maddie but it was a great time!