When I was single, Purim held little appeal for me, though I did try to wear a creative costume each year. When you have children, in Israel, the holiday of Purim (officially one day long) lasts close to two weeks, and the joy and anticipation of the kids is infectious.
On the first day of the month, the school had a Purim Opening Ceremony. There was Pajamas Day and No-Homework Day, and You-Don't-Have-To-Wear-A-School-Uniform Day. In past years in nursery and kindergarten, the menu included Clown Day, Silly Hat Day, Kings and Queens Day, and the like.
Today, however, the Purim Carnival and Costume Festival takes place. Raphaela woke up at 5:30 am out of pure excitement.
It is a half day of school with the promise of no academic activity whatsoever. Pizza for breakfast, and a roaming popcorn stand! Among their classmates, the exchanging of Mishloach Manot, traditional Purim junk food gift baskets.
To top it all off, this afternoon Raphaela and a friend of hers will be hosting a six and a half birthday party. Both girls were born at the beginning of the school year during the Jewish holidays, and did not have a private party because it was school vacation and the start of the school year, when the girls didn't really know each other and hadn't coalesced as a group.
Raphaela, of course, chose to dress up as Queen Elsa from Frozen, despite my protestations that it was one of the least original costumes out there. She carefully put on her gown this morning, her crown, some eye shadow, an Elsa ring and an Anna bracelet. Raphaela was bedecked and bejeweled.
When I suggested some faux sparkly earrings as well, she scowled at me, horrified at my apparent lack of fashion sense, and said, "Really Mommy, it is too much. That's over the top!"
Needless to say, the halls of a Raphaela's school felt like a Disney princess convention.
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