Oh my, the season of light is upon us, and it's party party party. We started Wednesday night with ten family members, four menorahs, and the traditional sushi platters. The kids are over the moon with their big gift from Dad and Barb: table top air hockey. I can hear them hitting pucks as we speak.

Thursday was Thansgivikkuh. We went to my sister's in laws, or as we say, other grandparents. I think there were eighteen friends and family, but frankly after the pomegranate martini, I didn't bother counting. John made two carrot souffles and two pumpkin pies. Our hosts made absolutely everything gluten free. It was amazing. The latkes were amazing. And the kids all got head lamps which were totally cool. Actually, the best present was my sister's husband's sister and husband, or as we say, another aunt and uncle, are taking David and Rose to a production of Little Women. David keeps bragging about it to everyone.

Friday, nine family members gathered after the Apple Cup, which Mom, Julia, and Miriam went to. Huskies won! At dinner, we got the mashed potatoes we had been craving and all the Husky gear are little hearts desired. David is going around in his new Husky batman shirt and Husky cap.

Rose also got a big gift from Mommom: a slackline. Rose has been taking circus arts. We were at a math department picnic at the beginning of the year, and some cool grad student brought a slackline. Rose fell in love. John and Rose set it up in the backyard today and ten kids played on it for three hours. I would call that a huge success, especially the part where we can set it up in our own backyard instead of hauling ourselves to the park.

Today, my friend Becky and I started our Christmas celebrating by seeing Le Club Noel at the Taproot Theater. It was fine, not outstanding theater, but fine, and, of course, fun to go with Becky. It was the story of Paris in December 1933 when the right tries to push for the return of the king and attacks the students. It's not a time I know much about, so that right there was fun. Then Becky came home for Hannukah.

Other highlights of the last few days:

Julie and Kathleen got married! I'm so happy for them. They've been together fifteen years and Kathleen is sure she is mom's third daughter, the daughter that actually fixes things around the house. Mom stood up with them at the courthouse and then took them and a few others out for dinner at The Georgian Room, the swankiest gig in town. It was very special.

The traditional Thanksgiving day walk in the Arboretum was lovely. Not freezing cold as it sometimes is. I saw fog covered cobwebs and silent ducks. David had so many cool boys to run with and climb trees with that he forgot to whine until we were in the car on the way home. I had so many people I wanted to chat with I didn't even get to them all. Even though I joined everyone after I did jazzercise, I didn't get lost.

And that is half of Hannukah.