First, I did not take the easy way from Seattle to California. My first stop on the way was to Sardinia, Italy. I spent a lot of time on the beach while my aba was giving lectures (seems fair, no?).

But I also found time to relax in the beautiful setting!

Then we went on to Israel to visit my savta and saba and family. As you can see, I felt immediately at home.

Here I'm trying to score points with my Aunt Sharona (I think she likes me).

A few days later we had a big feast welcoming the new year (Rosh Hashana). Good food! In general, Israel has some excellent culinary delights like bamba, pita, artik and tilon (translation available upon request).

Here I met a few friends, the children of Nissim (my aba's best friend from highschool) and Ravit. We went to the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem (the animals didn't seem that old though).

Then we finally made it to california, and this whole issue of Halloween started. I'm not complaining, it was a blast! As you can see, I decided to be Madame Butterfly for the day (and the day after, and after,...)

My parents took me to a bunch of pumpkin patches, where I got to hug my mommy a lot!

Doesn't my mommy cool shades??

and jump on these huge air thingies!

I got to apply my creativity to a few pumpkins too.

Halloween was basically party after party. I did well under the circumstances. Look at my new teachers -- don't they look goofy?

Now this business of trick or treating! What an invention. You just walk down the street and your bag gets filled with goodies. Incredible! Why only once a year? (I should really ask my mommy what happened to my bag... hmmm)

I also joined a dance group in Menlo Park. We're not performing for the public yet, but just wait!

And then, there was Disneyland! Way too much to do for a kid like me, but I managed. Here we are in the teacup party (and again, and again...)

Probably the most profound thing about Disneyland is the nutritional component. Seems like a place where candy is the way to go! Look at this one. It's almost bigger than me!

Not to speak of the lollipops: everywhere, in every color and shape! Amazing that I let my parents take me home from this heaven.

Just before you know it, Hanukah hits. Again, party after party. Here I am, making my first menorah (or Hanukiah, to be precise).

Then I had my face painted. Ain't I cute??

Add to that a nice crown that I helped my aba make.

And when you have all the dress details taken care of, it's really time to focus on creativity!