Hit List

 A Gutten Moed everyone! It's Hudicus, signing in from down south. 

As I sit next to my Zeidy, who may or may not be dictating this post to me, I wonder: how truthful can I be this week? If I were to document all that happened this week faithfully and truthfully, two things would most certainly happen: 

1) My family would disown me and 2) I would be at the top of 14 hit lists (those 14 people being my family). Pesach is one of those holidays where, if everyone makes it out alive and unscathed at the end, it is a miracle almost on par with Yetzias Mitzrayim. 

Yes, I happen to be somewhat dramatic right now, but I reflect on the fact that having everyone squashed together for over a week, with interesting food, topics of conservations, so many meals, so many late nights, the cleaning beforehand, during, and after, and the lack of Krispy Kreme donuts, is a recipe for disaster. 

Anywho, let me start from last Wednesday. It will forever be known as the day that I gained 20 pounds in the span of five or so hours. How is that feat even possible, you may wonder. Well, have you ever baked three types of cakes (double batches of of each), two raspberry bar thingies, almond-chocolate clusters, brownies, apple crumble, and macaroons in one day? I didn't think so. 

Needless to say, I baked a lot on Wednesday. It was fun. My brother, sister, and I had fun in the kitchen, whipping up a storm and blasting some music. 

Most of my fam jam arrived at different intervals on Wednesday, and the last of the stragglers came in on Thursday. And we were a full house, and boy do I mean full. With a niece and three nephews, eight siblings (each louder than the next), three brothers-in-law, two parents, and two grandparents, the average decibel level was something slightly lower than a shrieking bat (but above a whining monkey). 

With so many of us, only the Pesach-miracle-spirit can explain how all of us were magically ready 30 minutes before Yom Tov for some pictures. 

And Pesach began! The first seder, we were all a little loopy, which obviously added to the fun. Throw in some wine, back-flipping frogs, chucking dirty napkins at people and yelling "Barad" every few minutes, my dad's "common-question" game, Zeidy's rendition of Mah Neshtana in Yiddish, my niece and nephews all singing Mah Neshtana, too much matzah, too little lettuce, and the inexplicable Pesach-spirit, and you've got one great Bart-family seder. Ending sometime in the AMs, the seder finished with the very-easily understood Chad Gadyah. I was glad to be a girl so I could sleep in the next day. 

Shabbos was my only day of Yom Tov, so I tried to get the most of it by sleeping away half the day. Just kidding. Kind of. I did take a nap, but I also learned a bit and spent time with the lovely people in my home. 

That night, I frantically rushed to find someone to make the Havdalah services for me. I was unsuccessful in my search, so I made it myself. Second seder was an experience in and of itself. I sat at the table for most of the time, obviously not partaking in Maror (remember the too little lettuce situation), but enjoying myself and learning many things nonetheless. 

Second-day Yom Tov (or first day Chol HaMoed for yours truly) came and went. The weather was beautiful. I went on a walk, saw some friendsies, was way too social for my liking, and slept yet again. Remember the mono, people. Remember the mono. 

And then Chol HaMoed for everyone else began. 

I played many games of bridge (if you are under the age of 70 and know what that is, I am concerned for you), learned with my father in person for the first time in awhile, held my 7-month old nephew a lot, played a very fun game my brother Aharon made up, read, spoke to a friend I hadn't talked to in a long time, and ate a whole lot of matzah. 

And guess what I didn't do? Well, worship a tree. Yes, but that's obvious. Besides for that. I didn't do a stitch of homework. Ha, Machon Tal. So there.  

Anyhow, that is what's been going on here in Hicksville for the Passover holiday. Hope all is going fabulously well with all y'all wherever you may be or whomever you may be with for this special time. 

Toodles from Hoodles!