With Hanukkah around the corner, we needed to be ready to roll before Thanksgiving. Sophia’s been a huge help wrapping presents as the arrive and I’m going to give myself a little pat on the back for the very, very early preparation. And, trust me, I looked ahead to make sure it isn’t this early again for a while.
On Tuesday afternoon, the kids and I headed to NY for a Thanksgiving timed visit. We’ve got such a good routine down. I’ve started having the kids take point in the airport – leading us to our next step and ultimately getting us to our gate. It was an easy, on-time flight to NY but the 1:45 drive back to the house is making me re-thinking 4pm landings at LCG.
Cousin hugs at our Airbnb, across the street from Nana and Papa’s house.
Wednesday night family dinner. ❤️❤️❤️
On Wednesday morning, while I worked, the kids went to Nana’s house where they baked, built legos and visited with Savta.
I took the afternoon off and, after Nana and kids picked up Charlie from school, we headed into Manhattan for a visit to MoMA.
The big draw of the visit was Starry Night. It was really amazing to see this painting in person.
How it’s displayed in the museum. There’s a small rope at calf level keeping people a small distance away and a guard who’s keeping a relatively watchful eye.
We spent a little over an hour wandering galleries. I only saw a fraction of what I’d like to see so I’ll definitely need to get back there. I’m guessing it’s been more than 20 years since I visited and don’t want to wait until my mid-60s to return.
The kids saw this Chagall painting and recognized it from a project they did in art class. So cool! It was a really great moment during our visit. I sent this photo to their art teacher with my thanks.
Water Lilies
Steven had me take a pictures of him in front of all of his favorites.
The kids each picked out a souvenir from the museum and Steven selected this wooden duel chess/checkers set. It was his first time playing checkers and my first time in years and years and years.
My Wednesday night sleeping buddy.
To manage schedules, we postponed our big Thanksgiving meal until Friday which made Thursday a very lowkey day. The kids spent most of the day at Chase & Charlie’s and took advantage of the gorgeous weather with lots of trampoline time.
A bump into Charlie’s head took care of two of Steven’s more stubborn baby teeth. One was hanging on for dear life as the adult tooth came in behind it. It was good timing because the dentist wanted to pull it if it wasn’t out by January.
Joanna, Sara and Nana hands, with our matching tattoos and bracelets Nana gifted us.
Reindeer – Turkey!!
It was so nice that Sammy, Amaya and I walked to the Hall’s Pond playground later in the afternoon, while Steven stayed home with Nana and Papa.
The kids, Nana, Papa and I had a small and lovely Thanksgiving dinner but not until after Steven beat Papa at checkers. (And, prior to that, beat me at chess. After I beat him at checkers.)
This morning, early, we crossed the street to Nana and Papa’s house so Sammy could prepare the turkey. Last week, Nana asked what he was going to stuff it with (meaning stuffing, veggies, etc.) and he responded “my bare hands!” Bare hands it was. 🙂 Plus butter, parsley and bay leaves. The top was buttered, salted and peppered.
We spent the morning back at Chase & Charlie’s which was a nice way to break up the day and SSA are always happy to be at the Goldberg’s.
Amaya and Charlie set up Pengui with his own booster seat and seatbelt for the ride back to Nana and Papa’s house.
Back at Nana and Papa’s, Sammy posed with his turkey. Such a proud guy. <3
Lots and lots of lego time for the kids. We were all excited to have Allen & Syvia Goldberg join us for the evening.
Auntie came for dessert!
Nana and her Five ❤️❤️❤️
We capped off Friday night with a sleepover.
This morning the kids got a lot of time at Nana and Papa’s house and a visit to Savta’s with Auntie.
Our afternoon / evening event was a Hanukkah party at Jamie & Spencer Goldstein’s house with the Goldstein Cousins. Spencer & Jamie with Cooper, Jordan and Tessa. Glori & Mark with Miles & Sailor. Heidi & Craig with Ben, Issy and Seb. Alex and Chadwick. And the Clines and Goldbergs. It was a wonderful night!
Steven, Sammy, Amaya and I were ready to party in our Hanukkah shirts.
Chess!
Cousins’ kids! (Technically, also cousins. 🙂 )
Each family was “assigned” another family to gift. Spencer and Jamie had the Cline kids. Sammy got a new controller for his Switch. Amaya got a jewelry making kit. Steven got Pin Art. Remember that from back in the day? He saw it in the DIA gift shop a couple of months ago after our museum visit and really wanted one. It was a huge hit.
Cookie decorating for the kids!
I’m very impressed with Amaya’s gimmel.
We had a 12:45pm flight today which gave us all a little time at Nana and Papa’s house this morning. While Steven and Sammy had paper airplane contents, Nana and Amaya looked through clothes from Charlie.
Then it was off to the airport!
Steven has been nervous about moving sidewalks but, today, he mastered it! He said, “I don’t know if it want to but everyone at the party last night said I can do it so I’ll try.”
On this flight Amaya had a seat in the row behind me. A first for her and she did great!
We got home in time for the first night of Hanukkah! Yay!! We definitely have excited kids.
First night presents!
Amaya’s #1 request was these baby dolls who she named Chip and Minty.
Sammy got a Gravitrax set
Steven got an ultimate hot wheels garage. Right on brand for all 3 kids.
I’ll wrap up this week with this wonderful letter that Steven wrote to Jason.
“Dear Daddy, Every day I check on you in the night and now sometimes I will hide candy in our room. You will have to find it if you want it. I love you so much and I know you love me, too, but I love you more. Yes I win. I love you so much. By, Steven”
Happy Hanukkah to everyone who celebrates!