Zisn Pesach (Sweet Passover)

Every spring we make the long and hard journey through the wilderness to my mother's house to celebrate the holiday of Passover.  This year to prepare we spent time playing with a kids Sedar kit, watching a movie of the story, and reading some books. Lilah was even able to attend an early kids sedar at the temple.  But I think think the kids enjoyed the running around, the eventual eating, and the afikomen hunt the most!

A little pre-Passover running around will hopefully help these two Passover princesses stay seated at the sedar table!

The Sedar Leader and Chef! A.K.A. - Grandpa & Grandma

The kids lasted for at the sedar table for a little of the service>  "When can we eeeeaaatttttttt!!!???"  Was heard as often as Dayenu!  They were allowed to play a little and sedar a little... Lilah, as the youngest, was ale to ask the four questions "Why is this night different from all other nights?"  and then  it was time to eat a traditional feast:  Eggs, Matzohs, Kasha, matzah ball soup, horseradish, and then...FINALLY!  THE HUNT FOR THE AFIKOMEN!  I WONDER WHICH LITTLE ONE WILL FIND?

AND 


THE

WINNER


IS?

LILAH!

And the prize for ALL - Money for the tzedakah box!  Happy Passover!

Spring's Surprises!

LOOK CLOSELY and you'll see that a little bit of spring had arrived at the Mayernik House. That's right. Ella and Lilah are raising their very own caterpillars! Lilah wants to put the caterpillars to nap time and take them in her stroller and Ella just wants to open the lid. So far so good! Day 2 and the larvae are still safe in the jar.

The adventure began when our caterpillars and butterfly house arrived in this last week. The girls are so excited to see the chrysalis.

Ella was able to tell Lilah all about it since she had done this in school when she was three (I couldn't believe she remembered everything!). I also read them this great story about a class that raises their very own painted lady butterflies. 

"Just like ours" Lilah said :)

Check back in 17 to 21 days and hopefully I'll have pictures of excited girls with their beautiful butterflies!

Gotta Dance

When Ella was three, I took her to her first basketball game. I was sure she wold be amazed by the speed of the players, how high they could shoot, how fun it all looked.





She spent the entire game watching the cheerleaders :) Sometimes Mom's dreams are just gonna have to take a backseat. I traded in the jersey for some tap shoes! She recently had her first little dance class and couldn't wait each week for Friday to come. I have never seen her more focused than at this class. She's just gotta dance!

Lilah also started a class but she HATED the tights ("too tight" became her pre-dance battle cry) so she only made it to a few classes but I have no doubt that this will not be the last Mayernik Dance Adventure :)

Big Sister and Biggest Sister!

I feel like we are starting a whole new beginning even though we should be old pros by now... This pregnancy - the new Mayernik -
seems so much MORE...
everything!

We showed Ella and Lilah the ultrasound today and told them the big news by giving them both BIG SISTER books from the "new baby"! Both girls offered to let the baby sleep in their bed
(whew... I thought sharing a room three ways mght be a problem)
and then Ella asked to kiss the baby!
Being able to share this experience with my daughters makes it all so much sweeter!