Second Night of Hanukkah 2019

We had a hurried first night of Hanukkah since we were just getting to NY at dinnertime, but for the second night Pop-pop made us potato pancakes (Nana's recipe) and we had more of a celebration:

Playing some dreidle

Afternoon Tea in PA

We drove up to NY on Sunday, having a very civilized stop in New Cumberland, PA, for afternoon tea at a cute little Irish cafe/shop. The tea had mince pies and brack, which we had never had before (but enjoyed immensely), as well as scones and clotted cream. It definitely took the sting out of a day of travel:

The Grand Illumination

To start off our Christmas Break, we had a quiet Friday night and Saturday at home. Benji took the opportunity to plan out a long-anticipated "grand illumination" of our Christmas tree (which we had already had up and decorated for several weeks). He did a few skits and had us each perform a musical number. I took video, but here are a few screen snaps:

New Phone

On the last day of school before break, the kids convinced me I should take care of my phone upgrade before vacation. Since I was due for a new work phone, they thought it would be fun to have access to the iPhone 11 Pro's cool camera features over break. We immediately took it home and started playing:

Profile mode

Stage lighting

Key notes

More stage lighting

Sunday Paper

He loves it and reads it cover to cover almost every week (mostly sitting in the chair like this):

The rest of pre-break festiveness

The last week before the holidays is always hectic, but we fit in a good bit of merriment as well:

Our entry for the creative chanukiah contest at CBI

Watching Christmas Eve in Sesame Street, which they still love

Every Christmas Story Ever Told at the Blackfriar's Playhouse in Staunton

Playing Rubik's Race, which was his first holiday gift

Cookie decorating with the Kishores

Happy Hanukkah! 2019

Because Hanukkah fell so close to Christmas this year, we decided to do a little pre-celebrating at home. We opened some of our presents the week before break, giving the kids something to look forward to during the grueling last week of class (and for Abby, midterms). We planned to do a little more celebrating and light the candles in NY and have one last night when we get back to celebrate with Gammy: