Chanukah

Phoebe loved Chanukah!! She learned the routine quickly, as she does with all our routines. And as she loves music (even my singing, go figure), her eyes would light up and her head would start bouncing as soon as I started to chant the blessings. Thanks to Phoebe's very generous friends and relatives, she had at least 3 or 4 presents to open each night. Phoebe's favorite part, of course, was ripping of the wrapping paper. We interrupt this blog post for a short rant. High on Dad's list of people for the gulag -- once he assumes absolute power -- are (1) the devious people who have perfected the art of securing children's toys to boxes with open fronts -- so that people can try the toy out in the store without destroying it and (2) the manufacturers, distributors, and users of packing peanuts. There, I'm better now. It has dawned on me, after Phoebe's first Chanukah, that the ability to discern good chocolate from bad chocolate is an acquired rather than an inborn skill. Phoebe just loved her chocolate Chanukah gelt, even though the chocolate they use for it clearly falls into the "not so great" category. We were a little afraid that Phoebe would wonder why no candles and presents on the "9th" night of Chanukah, but it and subsequent nights passed without incident. Now Dad has to help Phoebe find a present for the next big family celebration -- Mom's birthday next month, her first as a mommy.

We didn't get too many good Chanukah photos, but here's one of candle lighting and one of Phoebe wearing an apron she got from Grandma and Grandpa: