Hanukkah Is Almost Here!

At the end of this week we began an early celebration of Hanukkah, as Ari and Alex's school had a family celebration on Friday with songs, a story, a "practice run" lighting the menorah, and, of course, donuts! Mommy and Kira went to school a little early to meet up with Ari and Alex's class before we all went upstairs for the party. It was so much fun to watch them interacting with their school buddies!

Getting ready for the party with their class and teachers

Alex and JessicaAlex is a little dreidelAri enjoying the songs and dancingIncluding Kira in the fun

It was a fun day and just a precursor to what's to come tomorrow night as Hanukkah officially begins. Ari and Alex really understand the holiday this year, mentioning that when we celebrate Hanukkah we will play dreidel, light the menorah and get presents (luckily, getting presents is usually the last thing they mention...for now!)

In other news, Kira is quickly progressing towards walking and is starting to stand up on her own this week. She enjoyed a playgroup with her own friends on Wednesday, although she's a little too enthusiastic about "babies," attempting to show her affection by poking them in the eyes and grabbing their cheeks. Mommy is trying to teach her how to be "nice" but it just ends up with Kira "petting" the other kids a little too hard!

Ari and Alex are always looking out for their sister, and for each other. They like to run around after each other and get riled up, especially right before bed time. Here is one of their sweeter moments: