We may need to keep practicing. |
At shul school t'fillah, Rabbi Blumofe asked for volunteers to help with "Mah Nishtanah." Ethan decided he was ready for his debut.
(The second picture shows Ethan practicing his "reclining" on buddy Gabriel. Question 4 shout out!) |
For the first of many years to come, we headed to Driftwood to Nana and Zayde's new 10 bedroom compound for our Passover celebrations. We started our family togetherness super early by surprising folks at a breakfast restaurant in Dripping Springs.
Gabi bonds with Aunt Susan. | 
Things get pretty goofy with cousin Dan pretty quickly. |
Anyone paying attention to the events of this post will easily notice how engaging, fun, and helpful Dan was with his younger cousins. It was such a treat for the kids (and adults too)!
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No other adult was brave enough for the 64 degree water. | 
The spectator gets some last chametz in. |
Our Boston cousins arrived to Texas, and we greeted them in good form at Torchy's Tacos.
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Fast forward to outdoor cousins pizza with plenty of drinks for everyone!
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If you think nerdy, Jewish humor is amusing, you'll enjoy the irony of Uncle Mitch's beer while getting to ready search the house for chametz. |
It was time to rid the house of any crumbs of chametz still hiding throughout the massive mansion.
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While the bigger cousins were arguing over who got to do which job, it was really the little cousins who stole the show with their cuteness:
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| It was the end of our first day together, but we managed to squeeze in some Passover cookie preparation before calling it quits. 
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Don't be sad though! The next morning started VERY VERY early... 
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back to business with Dan |
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Zayde helped us fulfill the commandment of burning the chametz collected the night before.
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While some adults stayed behind to continue seder preparations, we took the kiddos to the park down the street.
3 and up car | 
2 and under |
It was a gorgeous day for exploring with Joey and Sammy.
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Back at the neighborhood clubhouse-
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The noise returned back to the house for lunch. What started potentially calm turned shirtless and loud. Adults had lost all control.
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Everyone cleaned up nicely that afternoon to officially begin the Passover celebration.
Team Cohen ready to go! |
Candles were lit; 1st cup of wine/juice was drunk; and the seder was off and running!
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Joey and Aunt Debbie | 
Ethan and Aunt Sandi |
After much much practice, Ethan rocked ALL FOUR questions of the Mah Nishtanah.
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removing grape juice for the Ten Plagues |
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The children's part of the seder came to a close but not before Afikoman presents resulted in a very ecstatic Spencer and his brand new singing Baby Shark doll.
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Good morning! The cousins' bonding and family getting alonglylike continued at breakfast and throughout our third day together.
Noah, Gabi, and Sammy show their matzah delicacies. | 
Uncle Jon/Shayna/banana selfie |
Spencer and Shayna were in their own cutie world. |
Sammy hitched a ride with Gabi. | 
Aunt Susan and Spencer worked together on some art. |
As is tradition, our 2nd night seder begins with a full family picture, and it came out beautifully!
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Attempts at a big happy cousins picture were less successful:
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Seder 2 was ready to go!
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And then, there were these 2 adorable cuties! Obviously, there needed to be a photographer ignoring the seder to capture these babies and their outfits that were just about too cute to handle.
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So much love - what are you gonna do? |
Gabi decided that she wanted to prepare her own special song for the seders and worked very hard on "Avadim Hayinu."
Debbie took the 7 children on an interactive journey through the story of Exodus. All adults portrayed and acted a part of the story. We were enslaved - Baby Moses was rescued - Moses grew up and ran away - Burning Bush - "Let my people go!" - Pharoah said "No!" - Ten Plagues - Hurry, hurry, matzah! - Red Sea - Freedom!
Aunt Syssa acts as Moses' sister, Miriam, watching him float down the Nile river. | 
Jon acts out the burning bush and voice from God. |
After Jon's brief challenge with his maror, he's comforted by his smiling children.
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When the seder was thwarted without the afikoman, the children led Zayde on a hunt to find it.
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Afikoman is retrieved; game on! | 
Noah and Ethan share a moment. |
Everyone under 6 was put to bed, and then these 2 big guys felt super cool staying up extra late! (And no, I'm not talking about the 2 super mature adults photobombing.)
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2nd Seder Out!
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On our last full day with the extended family, we were up and ready to rock and roll once again!
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Spencer and Nana's lap enjoyed a chocolate matzah (2nd) breakfast. |
With 19 people and 10 bedrooms, people were in and out, up and down, eating breakfast, moving on to snack, wearing pajamas, ready to run outside. You never knew who'd be with whom.
Dan, Gabi, and Aunt Susan | 
Ethan guides Shayna to whatever's next. |
Daily outside time included a lot of riding toys.
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Spencer showed Gigi the "moo moo helmet" she bought for his birthday. |
Spencer and Shayna were truly 2 adorable peas in a pod throughout the weekend.
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At lunch, Spencer showed everyone that he had been listening and learning all along.
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After nap, it was time to say goodbye to our Boston family. Hugs all around!
Aunt Debbie got a final snuggle with Sammy. | 
Aunt Mandy/Joey/Debbie/Nana/Shayna pile |
Team Cohen had a few more hours before we had to head back to Austin, and we definitely made the most of it with the family that remained.
Joey got sweet with Aunt Debbie. | 
Gigi and Gabi shared a snuggle too. |
Dan was back in action once more:
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We went for one more dip in the pool as we waited for one more Pesadic meal to cook.
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I really hope Dan got a well-deserved vacation after this vacation.
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(If you're tired of seeing cute pictures of Spencer and Shayna together, I don't want to hear about it.)
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And in conclusion - exhausted kids after a very successful long weekend celebrating the time of our liberation. Nailed it.
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