Holidays*

It was a very festive week with Hanukkah, the lead up to winter break, and helping people we love celebrate Christmas.

Every day at school was themed and Amaya participated in all of them which meant holiday PJs, glow lights, reindeer ears and her “reindeer” onesie.

As we’ve done in the past, the kids brought in little mesh bags with hanukkah gelt, a dreidle and instructions for the game for everyone in their class. All three kids’ classes played together and I got very nice notes from Amaya’s and Sammy’s teachers.

From Amaya’s teacher Mrs. Murrell:

I just wanted to send a heartfelt thank you from our entire class for the dreidels and gelt. The kids LOVED them and are still playing with them today. Amaya let me take one home to my daughter and we spun the dreidel allllllllllllll morning until I had to leave for school. I thought she would eat the gelt up first, but she actually enjoyed holding it in her hand and admiring the wrapper. 🙂

Amaya did a great job with sharing facts about Hanukkah. She was very knowledgeable and confident. The kids were excited to learn from her.

Thank you so much for this experience!

And from Sammy’s teacher, Mrs. Costello:

Thank you for sharing. The game has been an absolute hit, and Sammy also answered students’ questions about the gelt, dreidel, and about Hanukkah in general. He did an awesome job, and I am so glad that he, and that all of you, were eager to share some of your traditions with us!

All three kids really enjoyed sharing their traditions with their classmates and it’s become an annual tradition.

On Monday I hosted Amaya’s girl scout troop’s holiday party. It’s a relatively easy way to help out and I like seeing the girls in a casual environment. They had pizza and cupcakes, did a used book gift exchange and Amaya showed the troop how she lights the hanukkah menorah. It was a fun afternoon, and loud.

Everything about this moment made me think of Nana. Amaya was confident and proud to share her holiday with her friends. They had time to ask wonderful questions like “Does Hanukkah have a mascot like Christmas has Santa?” and “How do presents work for Hanukkah.” They also knew a fair amount about the holiday which Amaya thinks was aided by what she and her brothers shared this week.

One of Amaya’s gifts was a fashion design kit and she made this dress for her baby Olivia.

Lights/Glow day at school

Lighting the candles on day 4!

Bedtime with Amaya <3

Favorite holiday character day

A snowstorm was expected Friday so the district made a call on a snow day by midday Friday. She and her best friend, Dylan, both cried that they wouldn’t be able to see each other on Friday. As consolation, Amaya dropped off a card for Dylan on Thursday night and Dylan came by on Saturday with a small gift for Amaya. Amaya was happy, though, about a book she got at school continuing the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Since there was no school on Friday, the kids tried for a sleepover with daddy. Amaya made it until 9:45pm when she returned to her room.

Game a Clue on Friday afternoon. Amaya was the winner after Sammy, Steven and I all made wrong guesses. I need to up my Clue strategy.

My sweet girl on a CVS run with me.

On Friday night we lit the candles on FaceTime with Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy and then opened the wonderful gifts they sent. (And did the same today with Aunt Ouize and Uncle Todd.)