Festival of Lights

This year Hanukkah came so early; it began on Saturday, December 8th, and ended on Saturday, December 15th. I kinda liked it that way. Now, when everyone else is rushing around trying to get last minute gifts for Christmas, I'm just kicking back, decorations already put away in the garage, and enjoying the spirit of the season.

On the first night, Lauren was with Norm and Kathy in Encinitas, so Joe had his first introduction to Hanukkah with just me and Mojo. As it was Moj's first Hanukkah also, they both jumped in full force to light the menorah together.


But Mojo one-upped him, by donning a yarmulke for the prayer.

[And looking absolutely thrilled about it, as you can see]


Night 2 brought my parents over for a full-on celebration, with my dad cranking out latkes with the world's most ancient grinder, my brisket (using Mom's recipe of course), and more of that Wilson Creek champagne.











The traditional hiding in her room and then running down the hall to find her presents for the night:




A competitive game of dreidel to finish off the evening.




The victor, of course.


On Night 4 Norm made the drive from Encinitas to celebrate with us.





Night 5:




One exhausting dog (who is blissfully away right now at puppy boot camp).


Night 8 (the last night):










We always give the largest gift on the last night. Lauren has been begging for a real piano (to replace the keyboard she has been using for the past 18 months). Never in a million years did she think she would get it.

I arranged for Lauren to have a play date with her friend Cadence that afternoon so the piano could be delivered. Add one very large red bow and her new American Girl doll tinkling the keys, and our girl was in for one very big surprise.







Of course she immediately gave a virtuoso performance.




So that's it for Hanukkah 2012. We dreidel'd, we latke'd, we had quite a bit of fun. Can't wait to see what next year brings.