Action packed

We've had a busy weekend.  Mo and Myla's Gigi, Papa, Auntie Beth and Cousin Sadie came to visit. Mo has been having a blast with his family and everyone has been enjoying Myla.  Ted's family came in for the last three days of activities, which included Mo's second birthday party, Myla's Jewish conversion and a family trip to Disneyland. 

Mo's birthday was awesome.  Since Mo is SO super into animals, we decided to rent a petting zoo.  We couldn't decide if it was a little over the top but figured that we actually have the perfect backyard for farm animals, we might as well make use of it.  When Mo woke up from his nap on Sunday, he had a really awesome surprise - a mini horse, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks and a giant tortoise.  Mo LOVED the animals, but I think he loved the animal handler even more.  The first thing he did was walk over to her, grab her hat and stick it on his own head - and then he very seriously pet, chased, and was terrorized by all of critters behind the fence.

I'm pretty sure that the animals were a hit.

All of the kids really enjoyed them.....even if it looked, at times, like they were longing to escape:

On Monday, Myla became a Jew.  She was converted in the Mikveh (ritual bath) at American Jewish University - the only multi-denominational Mikveh on our coast from Mexico to San Francisco.  It was a really special ceremony, with lots of meaning for us.  The woman who ran the Mikveh explained that there were many reasons that people use the mikveh - not only for conversion - but also for new beginnings and to wash away old traumas and to mark special occasions.  We loved the idea of Myla starting a new beginning - not only as a Jew, but as our daughter.  Our families joined us - it was really special.

Yesterday, we took Mo and went with Teddy's extended family (his Aunt Jan, her husband Ian, her two daughters and their husbands and children, along with Auntie Beth, Sadie, Gigi and Papa) to Disneyland - my favorite place on earth.  Yes, even today, as a 40 year old woman - I LOVE Disneyland. I wondered if Mo would "get it" or even have fun.  No need to worry at all! He loved it. He was even a super trooper in the ride lines - which is more than I can say about the adults. This kid took no nap at all and still managed to stay in great spirits for most of the day (with a very small exception on our way out of the park). Seeing him having so much fun was the best fun ever. I can't wait to go back with him!!