On the First Night of Hanukkah

Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!

On a beautiful fall/winterish with springish weather afternoon, we went to Mimi and Pops' house (but first the park at the end of their street) for the first night of Hanukkah!

We had fun in the sun...

...and took some family pictures...

Then it was back to the house for some Hanukkah dinner, singing, and fun:

Mimi's delicious briskets and latkes were big hits!

...and Aidan and Julia, you served the traditional Hanukkah donuts... and then enjoyed them yourself!

Then we gathered together to light the menorah. Mimi took your hands and you all lit the candles together.

And then we retired to the living room to dig into the magical, silver, giant dreidel for some really thoughtful and wonderful gifts. Just like with Santa, Hanukkah gifts are only given to children who behave well; and you two have behaved wonderfully.

And Mimi and Pops behaved wonderfully too! You two got them presents as well.

Julia, you had wanted to get Mimi and Pops some bracelets. So you and Aidan each made a bracelet for them!

Aidan, you wanted to give Mimi and Pops 'a song' for Hanukkah. So we did!

And then Mimi and Pops returned the favor with the coolest gift: a piano and microphone, so you two will always be able to give the gift of music. 

This was a big hit: you sang, you played, you shared, you called special guests up to the stage ("anyone with purple hair? come on up, come on up. now go. you're done"), you sang beautiful songs, and rocked on well into the night.

By this point, the candles were burning low; and with hugs and kisses, and a few more sneaky bites of donuts, we said goodnight to the first night of Hanukkah.

A Very Weinstein Hanukkah

 Wow, you blink for one second and suddenly your daughter's first Hanukkah has come and gone.

Julia, one of the virtues of having an October birthday is that you were born in a super cool month!

One of the drawbacks is that your first holiday season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years) are kinda, well, uneventful for you. You're still a newborn, you know? So next year, your second Holiday season, you'll be a Holiday season seasoned vet, but probably won't know it.

So, your first Hanukkah was, like I said, a bit uneventful...for you! But not for the happy people who got to hold you, celebrate with you and just be with you. Heck, you even got some pretty cool gifts (diapers! rattles! chew toys! (baby kind, not doggy kind) dolls!

 

So...you may have been a bit concerned about all the fires being lit nightly.

But, I think every thing turned out quite well for your very first ever Hanukkah.

After all, you'll fight and win each fight you win, but you are only 2 months old!

Now, Aidan, this was your Third Hanukkah, and you definitely got the gist of it now.

Granted, when we told you what we were going to do, "Candles! Singing! Donuts! Presents!" You said "Happy Birthday!"

But, then we told you more and taught you a new one: "Happy Dreidel!"

Donuts!

Family!

Dreidels!

The Menorah!

 

Presents!

We Promise, you'll like them!

Fun fun fun!

And singing!

We had a lot of fun with both of you every night of Hanukkah. Sure, we got some pretty cool gifts, like a new water bottle, new sweater and books. But, you two are the only presents we truly want and need. And getting a smile out of you, or watching you spin like a dreidel, or sing your version of the Hanukkah prayers while playing with your new wooden menorah (l'shanah, l'shanah), or just watching you coo in front of the fire is enough gift for us for a hundred Hanukkahs. Every day is a celebration when you're a parent, especially of two lovely, creative, smiley, children like you. It's just not every day you get to celebrate with donuts, latkes, candles and dreidels!