Team Cohen: Red Tent vs. BRO

In honor of Zayde's 70th birthday, all of Zayde's male family members aged 5 and up (Aunt Sandi included) traveled to Boston for a memorable BRO weekend. The rest of the females and children (Nana and Mira included!) landed upon Austin for a Red Tent weekend. Fun was had by all family members, including Aunt Syssa who broke her foot the day before the fun started and was confined to crutches. Everyone moved into Casa Cohen, and we all worked together to survive, one day at a time.

On Friday afternoon, we got dressed and ready for a fun Shabbat Splash event at the JCC.

Big cousin Mira was an honorary adult that weekend as capable/mobile adults were limited in numbers.

Since the adult:kid ratio wasn't crazy enough, we added baby bestie Nora to the clan of crazies for the day to help Ms. Becca and Mr. Seth move across town. Welcome to the Red Tent, Nora!

Gabi and Nora decided to match in their "Mira dresses" with matching hairdos, and note the socks too! Then, the toddler boys were motivated to coordinate their outfits as well.

We got loaded up on carbs and then got loaded up in the car!

We arrived at Mt. Playmore, and it was my job to safely navigate 5 children from the parking lot into the building. We got this.

Being that there was a much larger child to adult ratio, we tried to encourage them to stay in pairs while climbing.

Mira helps take Ethan around.

Gabi and Nora climb together for a while.

Ethan and Joey have fun together in the toddler area. These boys...so much love...

not exactly perfect timing, but still pretty cute

Nana and Aunt Syssa took babies under 2 home for nap.

Mira helps entertain baby Spencer as the
adults figure out the exit strategy.

Somehow, I decided it was a good idea to take 4 children between the ages of 2-10 to a restaurant for lunch by myself.

Thank goodness for well-behaved children (and ice cream cones)!

After everyone rested that afternoon, what better way to enjoy the afternoon than more sweet junk?!

PHEW - We survived another day.

And to all a good night!

Ready for another day of fun! Anyone who could walk put on our bathing suits to get ready to head to the second pool of the weekend.

coordinated cousins

Fun in the sun:

After all the pool fun, we needed rest, snuggles, and groceries (and tomato sauce bigger than Nana's head).

We had a crew of helpers making lasagna for dinner.

Another day and night in the books!

There was more fun to be had the next day!

When it was too quiet upstairs, it was time to be suspicious.

We made our way to Robinson Park. Aunt Syssa did her one job that she did very well all weekend long: take care of the baby who can't walk either.

(Let me know when you get tired...) The fun continued!

Mira and Aunt Debbie had
"special aunt time" while dress shopping.

BRO participants (and helpful father figures) arrived back
in Austin (!!) and joined us in the eating of the junk.

Little cousins private fro yo date:

Our final morning together arrived, and we just weren't ready to get out of bed.

Before Nana and Mira had to head back to Houston, we had time to splash in a third and final pool. This time, Daddy got to join!

The women folk survived. The kiddos survived.
And, of course, the very next day, Aunt Syssa
got a walking boot. Great times had by all.
Aaaaaand breathe....

Meanwhile, back in Boston...Zayde was turning 70, and the family decided to surprise him with a boys' weekend (aka BRO) in Boston. He crossed off Fenway Park from his bucket list, had a ton of kosher meat, and spent a lovely weekend with 2 children, 3 in-laws, and 3 grandchildren. Team Cohen sent Daddy as our delegation. Being that the extended family was split between Boston and Austin, we sent pictures to each other all weekend and tried to see who could eat the most junk and who could have the most fun.