Purim

 **I wrote this post several weeks ago, and am just now getting around to posting it. Been a crazy few weeks!**

This past week we celebrated the Jewish holiday, Purim. This holiday is described in the book of Esther as "days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor" This lesson couldn't have been better timed. We just finished reading the book of Esther together as a family. Our home school curriculum, MFW, gave information on this holiday. We learned that the Jews today celebrate Purim as a fun holiday. The girls dress up like Queen Esther. The boys dress up like the king or wear a three-cornered hat like Haman. They boo and hiss when they hear Haman's name as they listen to the story. And they also make three-cornered cookies called hamantaschen.

We did what any home school family would do. We dressed up, made the cookies, and booed Haman's name. It was a neat experience. Julia was in charge of finding the dress up clothes. She came out with jewelry, capes, and crowns. Of course, we don't have any king crowns and Isaac had to wear a blue princess crown. He took one look at the picture of the princess on it and immediately covered it up. As we were getting ready to read the story, Isaac ran back into his room. He said he needed to get one more thing. He came back out with an umbrella. This was to be his sword. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. Isaac actually staged the pictures and took his position as "king" and protector pretty serious. He told Julia to stand behind him and act afraid. He would protect her from danger. The pictures are priceless.

As I watched him pretend and get into character for the pictures and activity, it made me realize that he was not far off the mark. Isaac is very protective of Julia. They may bicker and fight at home, but just try messing with his little sister and see what happens. He will not let others bother her and I have seen him stick up for her many times. He is a great big brother, he is a wonderful son, and I know he will one day be a fantastic father. Ok, sorry for that mushy side note. Just had to be said!