Parties, Purim, and Playing

March has been full of birthday parties, Purim festivities and general play!  It's been busy, but it's been fun.

First up, a Star Wars themed Drowos Party!!!

Daddy shows Josh how to line up the ball ramp.

Benji helps Derek with a turn.

Darth Vader arrives at the alley.

Fraternizing with the Dark Side.

Derek defends the galaxy!

It's a tough battle.

This Darth was HUGE.

Now that I've defended the galaxy, back to bowling!

Chewie is coming home with us!

Derek fights Darth Vader

Anakin has already defended the universe, 
now it's time to help Daddy change a flat tire.

Learning from Daddy.

Now that that's finished, we can head to Aunt Susie's to make hamantaschen!!!

Hey, get up!  You can rest when you're finished!

Benji thinks it's funny.  Kia's toy is just like his toys.

Keeping their eyes on one another.

Bubby eases the tension.

Let's get baking!

Ready to roll!

Fun with Susie.

Cutting out circles.

Mommy made a dough-man for Josh.

Shaping the hamantaschen..

Thanks Aunt Susie for the fun baking lesson --- they were delicious!!!

The end product --- and a "J" cookie, too.

Even Kia enjoyed the company.

The following weekend, another bowling party and a gymnastics party!  SO fun!!!  We love helping our friends celebrate!

Becoming pros.

What would bowling be without some arcade games towards the end?

Riding without a helmet. Tisk, tisk.

Next up -- gymnastics!

Cannon Ball into the pit!

The boys climb out of the pit.

Benji tries the trampoline.

It's hard enough to walk, but this ground moves!  Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy!

Just hanging around, waiting for the cake.

Each day is a bit entertaining around our house.  Here the boys collaboratively decided to sing a few songs.  They have been obsessed with the Newsies soundtrack, and usually request the songs be played while we are in the car.

First, a song about Purim.

Now, "Seize the Day!"

Benji points out all of the family
members in this picture.

Benji mimics everything Derek does -- including this bad habit.

Lookin' good --- the actual hamantaschen were easier to make!

Both hamantaschen are ready for school!

Mommy joins Josh for the 3's Purim Experience.

Josh wrote his name (see the J and the O -- floating
around the board?)

A hamantaschen eating a hamantaschen?!

Next up, snack time!

Game room!

Josh loved the magna-tiles!

A great puppet show!

The Purim experience was wonderful and everyone had a great time.

Cousin Marvin shared this old picture of Daddy when he was about Benji's age.  Boy the Barbag Gene is strong in these boys!

One morning Mommy was making breakfast and all of the sudden she hears Derek counting.  She looks up and asks him what he is doing.  "My morning stretches."

Benji's morning routine is to gather as many stuffed animals as possible!

Defending his stash.

A little catch up and Josh and school:

Josh working on shapes.

Flashback to Abba day!

Dressing Up with his Buddy, the King!

Meanwhile, down in Miami, Mommy, Bubby, & Zaide carry on their annual tradition of watching some tennis matches at the Miami Open -- unfortunately it rained on their parade and they did not get to spend the entire day watching matches.  But, they still had a great time.

Each week there is SO much going on --- we're all exhausted.  But, it's fun!!!