Last night we began the first night of Hanukkah with Miri, Opa, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jason and Cousins Naomi and Jonathan. Ari, Alex and Kira were showered with thoughtful gifts from everyone, including neat new chairs for Alex and Ari and fun toys for Kira, clothes from Yayita in Chile, and a train set from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jason. But wait-- where to put a train set? On the train table that was a gift for Alex, Ari and Kira from Mommy and Daddy, of course! The kids got their train table when we got back from Hanukkah dinner and they haven't stopped playing with it since.
Discovering the train table
Family portrait with Ari and Alex in the clothes sent by Yayita
Hanukkah blessings
All the cousins
Mommy and Daddy usually don't get each other gifts, but Daddy surprised Mommy with a new camera last night...so the pictures you see from here on out are from the nice new camera!! (Of course, Mommy thought she was surprising Daddy with a tin of different types of popcorn, one of his favorite treats...she felt a little bad when Daddy gave her the camera!)
Today there were more Hanukkah celebrations at school, followed by the second night here at home and presents mailed from Aunt Joyce and Aunt Candy and Uncle Jerry. Despite our attempts to NOT make Hanukkah focused on the gifts, between last night and tonight our house now looks like it was hit by a toy storm! Tonight Mommy purged out some old toys and organized the new toys. The standout tonight was clearly the Tickle Me Cookie Monster sent to Kira by Aunt Joyce (but quickly coveted by Ari and Alex, as well), but the kids enjoyed and appreciated all of their gifts, including activity kits from Aunt Joyce and Magna Doodles from Aunt Candy and Uncle Jerry.
After lighting the candles and dinner, it was off for the most anticipated part of Hanukkah yet- the annual Hanukkah fire truck parade that comes through our neighborhood. Mommy drove the kids down to the clubhouse to wait for the truck, and Daddy met us there after going to the gym (again this year wearing shorts in 20 degree weather!!) Alex and Ari were SO excited for the fire trucks and for the gelt that the fire fighters handed out to them. Kira just took it all in, enjoying the lights and commotion.
Bundled up to go see the Hanukkah fire truck parade
Eagerly awaiting the fire trucks
Alex in fire truck heaven
Two nights down, six to go. Ari and Alex are now officially on Winter Break so we'll be staying busy with playdates, outings and activities!
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