my kids playing with a bucket of ice

notice the moonbounce being neglected in the background. They were all happy to play with a bucket of ice.

PTA Mommy

I was nominated to be the PTA president at the boys school. Funny thing is, that there was no PTA to be president of. So since January I have been working hard and created a PTA that meets monthly. We've had our 1st fundraiser and big event. Mishloach manot fundraiser, and a Purim Carnival. I'm having a blast and making new friends. The director of their school is phenomenal, Minde and I get along really well, in fact I've invited her family for shabbat lunch.

I put the PTA together in about 5 minutes. I love organizing and so I planned that at the next parent meeting I would get a volunteer from each class, there are only 4 classes, (two of which I have at least 1 kid in) and these parents would represent their classes. I stood up at the meeting, and said the speech I rehearsed, and before I could finish, hands were going up. I had my volunteers. So now this group of moms meets once a month and we get stuff done at the school! Its a new school so there is a lot to do. My 1st mission was to create a communication between parents and teachers and each other. I did it! It was so rewarding I couldn't stop there. We meet every month, rotating evening and morning meetings. Evening meetings are at the presidents house (lol thats me!) Its alot of fun for me. It has given me a sense of accomplishment. At the end of the day I don't have much to show, besides my kids still being alive and I survived another day. Now I have a different feeling of fulfillment and excitement to be apart of their school. Being in the know...making things happen... getting stuff done.

The Purim carnival was a big project for me. I was in charge of the entertainment. I met with another mom and we came up with ticket prices and prizes. I booked a moon bounce, a petting zoo, 2 ponies for pony rides (that walked in front of the school to get attention) a caricature artist and an airbrush face painter! I had to make sure everyone showed up and got paid... And it went so well. The only complaint was that we were not charging enough! Can you imagine? We charged $10/kid and $4/Adult but they paid in tickets so it was affordable to all. Tickets were .50 cents each. Anyway it was a huge success, I was so proud.

Next on the agenda? A shabbat luncheon at their school the shabbat before pesach. Everyone is contributing. The only way I can describe how I feel about all this, its like when I was younger and we played house or make pretend. I feel like I'm playing school. I get to be the PTA mom! I even get to drive my own minivan.

Purim

This year for purim I let the boys decide what they wanted to be. Yakov and Avi shared a costume. they took turns being a carebear. Yakov one Avi the next. Ben found a tiger print skarf and decided he wanted to be a tiger. Avi was also baby Bekem, we have a kid size soccer outfit with Bekem on the back. Yakov was Haman, he got to wear a cool hat. Yehuda had no choice he had to be the cutest china doll in the world! The twins wore it 2 years ago. Little china doll ouftits from when Yosef went to china around chinese new year time. The pics of Yakov did not come out clear. I was not on my game this year. These pics were taken at their school carnival. Shana helped take care of Yehuda the whole time. The boys had a blast on pony rides and had a caricature drawing done of each of them. It was fun.

The Chipmunks Birthday Party

After Yacova and her kids left, my house felt so empty. Suddenly 4 kids was a breeze! After having 7 kids it was a piece of cake. So i needed another challenge. I had not done a birthday party for the twins (their birthday was January 15th ) Yacova came Jan 22nd. So I decided to combine Yakov's birthday with the twins. Why not they share everyting else! So they were ok with it. They all have the same friends too! So we made a big celebration at our house. This was the first kids birthday party at our new home. I hired entertainment for the 40 kids, so they wouldn't trash my house. we had a moon bounce, a balloon maker, face painter, & games master/magician. The theme was the chipmunks birthday party. It was exhausting but fun. I gave my camera to a friend of mine and had her take the pics. I baked the cakes the night before with Shana. I made a cake for each of them. Plus one more, I was worried there wouldnt be enough. We served pizza and salads. If you ask Yosef, the best part was the goodie bags. Yosef scored bigtime downtown at the toy district. He bought them at wholesale prices. We filled bags with fun toys that even the grown ups could enjoy! After all the kids left and they boys attacked their gifts, we went out to the moonbounce as a family and had a blast! The moonbounce was the best bargain for the party, only $60 for the whole day, tip included! they rest of the party... well it was worth it, they had a blast!

COUSINS