And Just Like That, Two Holidays (Almost) Down: The Epic Thanksgivukah Post

Well, nothing like Thanksgivukah to really rush you right through the year, right? Sheesh! And then I panicked a little when I looked at the calendar this morning and realized we only have three weekends until Christmas.

Wait, WHAT?

But in the spirit of Living in the Moment:

We lit the candles the first night (which fell the night before Thanksgiving, making Thanksgiving technically the first "day" of Hanukkah. Leave it to the Jews to make it confusing, believe me). And this is what happened. It's a little hard to make out Lucy's expression. But I think you get the idea.



I definitely could not have predicted Lucy's reaction to the menorah in all its glory. This year there was a lot less wonder and awe and a lot more screeching, all from Lucy who demanded to "Get down!" so she could "Blow out the candles and sing Happy Birthday!"

Let's contrast the above photo with the one below (from last year). Such sweet darlings, right?



Before I got all Pity Party about how much harder everything is lately in the land of Twin Two Year Olds, I recalled this little gem:


Ellie was the exact age that the twins are right now. I think you get the idea.

Someone is always mad about something.

Ha ha ha. Kidding.

Mostly.

Back to 2013: Everyone eventually (mostly) calmed down and we finished lighting the candles.

Earlier in the day, I attended Ellie's first grade thanksgiving "feast" and then picked her up from school and we did a bit of shopping for our feast.


Along the way, we were excited to see all the Hanukkah displays. You know those giant blow-up holiday decorations you see all over the suburbs? They now make Hanukkah versions (and no this is not necessarily an endorsement, just an observation). And you know, I've lived in the New York/New Jersey area for over thirteen years and this kind of sight still slays me. Growing up, I always felt like the odd man out who celebrated Hanukkah and now it's just the norm (this photo was snapped at Bed Bath & Beyond).

Ellie and I had such a fun afternoon that Thanksgiving Eve/first night of Hanukkah. Have I mentioned how much I'm enjoying age six? Oh sure she still has her unreasonable moments but she is just maturing so nicely, has such a clever sense of humor and fun disposition. Being out with her is almost like being with a friend-a young, short friend. Anyway, I think you get the picture. Her thoughtfulness really impresses me too.

To wit: We spent a good amount of time in the Target toy aisles trolling for last minute Hanukkah items for her siblings and she genuinely wanted to get everyone something they would like. She would have stayed there all afternoon shopping for other people if I'd let her. Only once or twice did she point to something she might like, but it was very casual and off-hand and not at all insistent or whiney or Buymethatrightnow!

And thank goodness I did have Ellie with me because I am pathologically indecisive and pretty much a horrific shopper. I over think everything. Ellie however, is no-nonsense and was full of wonderful suggestions about Matchbox cars (Harry) and Spiderman action figures (Leo). Lucy is the real question mark this year, as she doesn't really play with toys as much as she plays with people. And since we all know she's going to steal anything Harry likes, maybe I should just get two of everything I get Harry and call it a day? (Kidding of course.)

Not until we were driving home did Ellie wonder aloud if she was getting a Hanukkah present. Darn it! I KNEW there was something I forgot to do! I teased, smiling at her playfully in the rear view mirror. She played along. She knew better.


Up went the decorations this weekend, and the return of Harrystoptouchingthelights!


Thanksgiving Day dawned early as they always do. It quickly turned loud and crazy (don't be fooled by this relatively calm scene).


I got it in my head to make a Toll House Pie this year (it's basically just a giant chocolate chip cookie inside a pie, how can you go wrong?). Ellie heard the words "chocolate chip" and was immediately on board.


Best Thanksgiving Pie. Ever. The End.




I always look forward to watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and this year did not disappoint (yes, that's a few of us watching the parade, in case you were wondering-you can see they're all riveted, although I also think I managed to catch it during a commercial (of which there were many). But really, each year the kids seem to be more and more interested in the actual parade which is fun. Someday, we will all go.


Ellie set the table.


The Meal. The great Thanksivukah mash-up.


Surveying the spread. Harry gave those mashed potatoes a good poke.

Right before the meal, we went around the table and asked everyone to say what they were thankful for. With no prompting whatsoever, Harry said he was thankful for Lucy and then Lucy said she was thankful for Harry. And you know what? It really doesn't get any better than that.


And here is something else to be thankful for. A cheese plate from one of New York City's finest restaurants, eaten in the comfort of my own home. In fact, I think I was in my pajamas when I finally got around to enjoying this little beauty. Talk about grateful.

There are so many things to be grateful for this year: Health, happiness, our extended family, friends, our home and of course a wonderful family of my own that I never in a million years imagined having. They overwhelm me every day, and yet they bring me more joy than I've ever known, to say nothing of all the laughter. Those are fair trade-offs to me.



Here's hoping your Thanksgiving (or Thanksgivakuh) was a great one and that you have plenty to be thankful for too. Wishing you a holiday season full of light and love.

Stop It. And Some Wonderful Things (After Some Not So Wonderful).

An assortment, from years gone by. It doesn't get much better than that feather turkey wreath from Leo's (I think) first grade.


This weekend, down came the Halloween decor and up went theThanksgiving paraphernalia.

Then Amy pointed out to me that if it was time to decorate for Thanksgiving, then it was also time to acknowledge Hanukkah (which, for the first time in our lifetime happens to fall on the same day).

Hannuskiving?

Thanksgivingmacka?

I don't know what to call it or what to say except Stop This Year. Just Stop It. You are going by too fast. And Stop My Favorite Season From Rolling By.

I know that time is one of the most boring subjects but it's all so true, every single word of what "they" say about it. This is all just whizzing right by. This weekend I sat in the backyard with the twins while they burned off some late afternoon/time change crabbiness and we watched the planes fly overhead from the Newark airport. Harry flapped his little arms and ran around the driveway like a miniature 747, because really there is nothing more interesting than watching the planes fly overhead and then pretending to be a plane. These little people. Two years ago they were sitting on the deck strapped in infant seats and buried in little winter suits. And now?

Now I manage to get Harry to sleep a full hour later than Lucy (Hello, 5:15 a.m. on time change Sunday!). Lucy and I have a rare hour to ourselves as the house remains quiet with everyone else still asleep. And when I hear Harry stirring, go upstairs to get him and present him to Lucy, Look who I found! I joke to Lucy, who is drinking her morning milk and grazing on cheerios and pumpkin bread.

Oh thank you! I like Harry! Hi Harry! Lucy says, her face, an explosion of happiness and glee.

Of course, the irony is not lost on me that "Stop It" is also a phrase that has been coming out of my mouth quite a lot these days (and yes, it's pretty much always directed at the twins). Stop It! Stop stealing Harry's toys! Stop it! Stop screaming! Stop it! Stop throwing open the refrigerator doors and stealing apples and packages of string cheese and then running, celebratory through the house (Yes, this is my life).


I found this oldie but goodie this weekend. From last year: "A Turkey, in the Rain," by Leo.

***

A few weeks ago Leo had to get a tooth pulled. It was his first time (thank goodness!) and it was also a baby tooth (another thank goodness!). It was just a rotten little tooth that the dentist said hadn't been worth filling but it was finally in bad enough shape to pull. We all know Leo has finally overcome his dental issues, which is why it was perhaps even more traumatic to have to hold him down while he had that little tooth pulled (a parenting first that I hope to never repeat).

Oh he was medicated and numbed and even nitroused up. But he saw the tools and even without pain, I guess there is no mistaking the "force" of having a tooth extracted. Bless our dear Dr. F who was cool as a cucumber as he had to do some serious acrobatics during the procedure, practically turning himself upside to accomplish the task. But he could not have been more patient with Leo (or me). Did I mention his daughter has Down syndrome? He gets it.

And when it was all over, I felt teary, for Leo and for the fact that we are so fortunate to have some wonderful people in our little village, including our dentist.

As he always does, Leo recovered very quickly. There were no hard feelings toward Dr. F, only fist bumps and high fives. A hug may have been attempted too.


After the trauma (for both of us), I did what any guilt-ridden mother would do. I took Leo out for the biggest donut I could find.* And I bought myself the largest pumpkin flavored coffee available (I also may or may not have quickly eaten ten pumpkin Munchkins in the car).

I ran into Dr. F at Ellie's school Halloween parade (his kids go to the same school). There he was, in his Stay Puft Marshmallow Man costume. It was two weeks after the tooth pulling ordeal but all he could ask me was "How's Leo?"

It doesn't get much better than that.

*Don't worry. Leo brushed his teeth when we got home. :)

Leo Can Have the Duplos. I'll Take the Caviar.

Happy Hanukkah!

(Photo from a past Hanukkah. Last night was not the sixth night).

This seems to be the first year that anyone is very interested in lighting the menorah. Ellie rushes to get the candles every night and asks me how many we need. Leo refuses to assist in the lighting, preferring to keep his distance from the flame I guess, but he sings the blessing along with me. Ellie is fascinated by lighting the candles and wraps her little hand around mine as we light each one together.

Of course, I’m sure the presents aren’t hurting in piqueing their interest in the Not As Glamorous As Christmas Holiday. Growing up, I did not come from one of those “a present every night for eights days” families. I scoffed at those spoiled ones (hmm…jealous much?) but now that I’m a parent? Well? I have to admit. Giving little presents every night is more than a little fun.

Yesterday I spent way too much time on the gathering of the little gifts. A trip to the Lego store in Rockefeller Center was amazing. Crowded, but amazing. I settled on this (a Duplo Hayride!) and Leo was in love. He didn’t want to go to bed because he wanted to play with it. Then when he finally came upstairs (with the truck of course), he wanted to take a bath because he wanted to bring the hayride into the bath.

And so I think it’s safe to say that this holiday season for Leo will be recalled as the year of the Lego. We went with Duplos because I think they’ll be easier for Leo. I hope I’m right. I played around with some of the “bigger kid” Legos at the store yesterday and they are tiny and even I had a hard time fitting some of them together and especially taking them apart. I’m stifling the urge to go back to the Lego store on my lunch break today for another little set like the one I gave him last night. It’s all leading up to the piece de resistance, which is this, to be given on Christmas morning.

This weekend I’m thinking about latkes. The latkes (and other recipes) featured here look amazing (creme fraiche and caviar? Yes please!). But I’ve never made latkes that actually tasted good and did anything more than make the house smell like onions and potatoes for a week. Maybe because I forgot the caviar? So maybe we’ll go with takeout. I am a sucker for sour cream and apple sauce though.

Oh and also? The whole If you don’t get dressed/come upstairs/put your coat on/fill-in-the-blank, Santa is not coming and no more Hanukkah presents…Totally, totally works. It’s like, MAGIC.

What am I going to do on December 26 when they stop listening to me again?

Five for the Fifth

An inappropriate photo for a Hanukkah themed post. They love their $1 Target Santa hats. Sorry but I couldn't resist.

Why, hello!

Finally, a moment to touch the stone here.

Tonight is the fifth night (I think, right? It's strangely confusing to figure out) of Hanukkah, so here are five bullets:

1. The results of Friday’s ENT visit are that as an early Christmas (we celebrate that one too in our house) present, Leo will be getting a new set of tubes and saying goodbye to his adenoids on December 23. Yup, Merry Christmas Leo! Sorry, guy, but hopefully it will greatly improve his health and reduce the amount of antibiotic treatments. I think we’re on round number three in the last four months…not good.

2. The ENT appointment was not as bad as I had expected although I think my thighs are still sore from clenching them to hold Leo’s legs and prevent him from kicking our dear doctor where the sun don’t shine. And I’m sure Leo with his nasal cavity numbing spray and the tube with the light on the end of it but have a different opinion of how bad the appointment was. Luckily Ellie’s view of the whole procedure was blocked by the doctor so hopefully all that Leo screaming won’t traumatize her for life (don’t ask me what it will do to Leo).

3. The kids are really enjoying lighting the menorah this year. Leo calls it “dora” and the first night Ellie called it “birthday candles.” Last night the kids got their first gift (hey they don’t know that some kids get a gift every night and we plan on drawing out that innocence as long as possible). Upon opening, they swooped around the house appropriately.

4. Leo’s teacher is Jewish and I think she’s definitely pushing Hanukkah more than teachers in the past have. I know that this week they’re learning about Kwanzaa though so maybe they’re just actually giving the holidays equal treatment for a change. I’ve lived on the East coast for about ten years now and it still shocks me a little that I don’t feel like an alien because I celebrate Hanukkah. People actually put menorahs in their windows and decorate for Hanukkah. There is a Hanukkah section at Target for goodness sake. Sorry, Hanukkah rant over.

5. The whole “finish your Brussels sprouts and you’ll get your Hanukkah present” line—it totally works. Last night Leo ate an entire bowl of rice and beans in exchange for his present. This is a boy who could probably happily subsist on scrambled eggs, cheese quesadillas and grapes.

It's just a shame Hanukkah only lasts eight days.