Happy Hanukkah to everyone who’s celebrating! Steven, Sammy and Amaya are very much in the Hanukkah spirit. They loooooooove presents this year. I think they’re going to go into shock on Wednesday night when there are no more gifts. (Though Sammy is already telling everyone that their birthday comes after Hanukkah.)

On Monday morning we opened up some early gifts before school since Steven had opened presents in NY. Amaya was so excited to wear her new Elsa hat and sweatshirt.

I took SSA to school and got there after the class had already gathered. Here, Amaya and Steven are saying, “Come on, Sammy!!” They were ready to play!

Grandma Betsy arrived on Saturday night and was in the thick of things when I got home from work on Monday. Very early on she saw how much SSA love to craft.

Steven put on his Captain America costume to “caprise” Daddy. He was jumping-out-of-his-skin excited.

Tuesday night, Hanukkah was here! Steven, Sammy and Amaya all have their own menorahs that Aunt Sara and Uncle Dave got for them when they were born, given as gifts at their baby naming. It’s so special. I had no idea that they were learning the blessings over the candles at school but the boys surprised me but singing along for parts of the prayers. As the week goes on, they’re all getting better and better! It’s awesome. Fills up my heart.

After Hanukkah, presents!

Everyone was very busy working on their new puzzles. (Actually, in this picture, Amaya is working on Sammy’s.) Steven spent a few days highly focused on his puzzle and he’s pretty much mastered it now! He’s already looking at the back of his box to pick puzzles he wants for his birthday.

Everyone wore their new Hanukkah shirts to school on Wednesday.

Wookie!

Cap!

Elsa!

At bedtime the boys were “washing” their stuffed animals. “Don’t worry, Mommy. You can leave. We’re just pretending.”

Gratuitous photo of Sally! There was a major snow storm on Wednesday so I worked form home in the afternoon. Sally was thrilled. <3

Thursday, due to the snow, Steven, Sammy and Amaya stayed home from school. Fortunately, Grandma Betsy was there to hold down the fort until Megan arrived at 11:30am. She did the same the prior afternoon while I worked and Megan left early to beat the worst of the weather. Lucky kids!

Thursday afternoon, the whole gang went to the airport to pick-up Nana!! We have a full house!

Amaya was excited to try some of Nana’s sushi. 🙂

We lit the candles with Daddy, Nana, Grandma Betsy, Megan and, by phone, Savta!

Presents from  Aunt Sara & Uncle Dave. Vacuums! Happy kids!

Before bed, it’s always nice for Daddy to get to visit the SSA Salon.

Friday, it was the Nana and Grandma Betsy show all day long while Megan had a surprise spa day for her THIRTIETH birthday. They joined the kids at school for Shabbat at the JCC.

In the afternoon, everyone baked Hanukkah cookies! Nana even brought two rollers with her from NY so everyone could use one.

Nana and Grandma Betsy even ran the Hanukkah show on their own. Candles and gifts all around!

On Saturday, Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came and joined the Hanukkah fun! More presents and happy, happy kids!

Saucer sleds were among the gifts from Grandma Sunshine and Steven and Sammy were eager to try them out! There was SO much snow.

Amaya did crafts all weekend long. It really is incredible to see her interest and focus.

Reading “The Monster at the End of the Street” with Grandma Sunshine.

Sammy, testing out one of his new gifts. It’s an interesting age for gifts. There are a lot of gifts that are to share but SSA are starting to get more gifts that are just for them individually. They are starting to walk a nice balance between wanting items for themselves and a willingness to let a sibling use the gift once the immediate novelty wears off. They never forget who owns what, though.

Three grandmothers and one aunt! So much fun!

On Saturday the kids also got their gifts from Savta. Everyone likes this police/fire station but I knew Steven would absolutely love it. I think he played with it for 2 hours straight. He was so cute creating adventures for the fire fighter and police officer – his little voice narrating events.

They also got these wooden semicircles of all different widths. I wasn’t 100% sure what they would do with them but they proved that kids imaginations are boundless.

A motorcycle ramp.

A pool.

A swing set.

They’re loving these new chairs from Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy.

We had a very lazy day at home today. I love getting out but it’s also nice to have these really, really lazy days at home. Amaya, Nana and I never even got dressed!

Steven so badly wants to pet Sally. He was just about there today before she got nervous. “But why does she run away if I’m a friend?”

While Sammy was at the grocery store with Jason and Amaya was crafting, Steven set up a train ride for Nana. He was the conductor attending to her every need before taking her on an elaborate trip. So much imagination! When Nana “fell” off her chair, conductor Steven immediately became Doctor Steven, ready to tend to Nana’s injuries.

Tomorrow, Grandma Betsy and Nana both head home. 🙁 It was a wonderful, wonderful week full of family. Steven, Sammy and Amaya are lucky, lucky kids.

I’ll wrap up with happy birthday wishes for Megan! We love you, May May!!

Have a great week!