A week before Hannukah I was concerned. There wasn’t enough hooplah planned. We had one party to go to and Julia and gang coming over for our regularly scheduled Tuesday night pre Hebrew School dinner. (See next entry). I love to celebrate, and I wanted lots of celebration. I got my wish.

On the first night of Hannukah, we went to a party at Mike and Sheila’s. I’m sure some culture has a term for how we are related. They are my sister’s in-laws, thought of by all as another set of grandparents. Sheila had spent an entire year helping Rose and Miriam make small quilts to hang on the wall. They are absolutely phenomenal. I too learned to make quilts in 5th grade, but mine were poorly cut, poorly sewn, and not particularly sophisticated pattern wise—think big squares. Rose’s is intricate. Every month or so, especially around vacation time, Rose says to me, “I want to do something big” and then she tries to bake cookies when we have to leave the house in an hour. This is something big. It took planning, small steps, and perseverance. I am so proud and so grateful that Sheila mentored her.

In the great and glorious tradition of Hannukah, we had latkes Sunday night, and David ate them. I know you’re thinking, who would pass on latkes? Or, he eats French fries and hashbrowns, why would he say no to latkes? Right. You know John and I boxed ourselves into a corner where our children always got separate meals, and we are slowly dismantling the box. Rose has become a completely reliable and enthusiastic eater. We hadn’t even been trying with David and main dishes; that’s next quarter’s plan. But we told him, whatever Sheila and Mike serve is what we are having for dinner, he could eat it or not, but no complaining. Last year we had huge power struggle fights over the latkes. This year he ate two plus some applesauce.

I would also like to point that David is doing extremely well with his thank yous. It probably helps that he has loved every gift he has gotten so far, but that’s a good attitude right there. He has said loud enthusiastic thank you while immediately starting to play with the gift.

For the second night of Hannukah, we had a good-bye party for my dad who arrived safely back in Cairo today. John made chicken with schmaltzy potatoes for the nine of us. Again we told David, eat it or not, but no fights. I think he had some rice for dinner, but hey, no fights.

On the third night of Hannukah, we had invited over a family we know from Rose and David’s school. They aren’t Jewish and wanted to know the story. I told the outline and then both Rose and David filled in details I hadn’t known. I’m happy not just that their religious school education is sinking in but that David in particular wanted to share what he knew.

The dreidal playing needs some work. The kids don’t have the antying concept. They do spin a pretty mean dreidal.

For this indulgence in oil, John made potato latkes and sweet potato/carrot latkes. We also deboned chicken left overs, and I put crudité in Grandma Rose’s serving dish. David enthusiastically ate it all. I think he has had family dinner every night of Hannukah. It’s a miracle.