holidays | The Angel Forever

Category Archives holidays

I Went to a Chanukah Party

Posted on December 22, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Wednesday came and went and seems like a blur to me. I was hardly home most of the day. Three hours in the morning were spent setting up for the big family party at JSL’s nursery school. The front of the room was festive. There was a podium with a banner, a menorah to light, and presents for the teachers. Each table had balloons, Chanukah glitter, and napkins.

Then, in the back of the room, there was a buffet line set up for everyone to get their goodies. A lot of time was spent baking the latkes for everyone to enjoy. Families were able to have the latkes, apple sauce, sour cream, clementine oranges, grapes, donuts, and juice.

At the Chanukah celebration last year, JSL and the rest of the boys refused to sing and dance. This year, JSL was shy, but more into it. I have video to share with family and friends later on. The kids did a great job. Then, it was time for a sing along. Since I went to set up the latkes on the back table, JSL sat on Mimi’s lap. He was so thrilled that she came along with Aunt S, and Nana. He really liked all of the attention once it was time to have donuts and apple sauce.

Just before everyone left, we decided to take a photo of four generations of us at the party. So Nana, Mimi, JSL, and I jumped into the shot. Thank you to Aunt S for taking the picture.

Thank you to everyone at JSL’s school for helping to make these memories possible. I know our family enjoyed this special time together.

Categories:
family food glorious food holidays looking back photos school yummy

On the First Night of Chanukah

Posted on December 21, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Categories:
fun holidays Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tales – Chanukah Bugs

Posted on December 20, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

A year ago, I wrote about a great book that my little guy received from his speech therapist called Snow Bugs. The book is written and masterfully illustrated by pop up author book extraordinaire David A. Carter. Carter has many other books that we have seen, but I have always wanted to view one in particular. Enter JSL’s speech therapist and her Chanukah gift that was left with his things last week.

Like Snow Bugs, this books is also a pop-up book that will delight all readers. Chanukah Bugs takes you on a fun journey to meet eight Chanukah bugs. Yes, there is a special Chanukah bug for each night of the Festival of Lights.

Each night of Chanukah, we are presented with a box to open on the page.

Then there is a flap, pull, or other item which will real something inside. On the first night, we meet The Shammash Bug.

Not only did my little guy love reading about the different Chanukah Bugs, but I did as well. Nana was also mesmerized when she looked inside. The details of the pop-ups make it a book that adults will really appreciate. Kids may even notice that the Storyteller Bug is actually reading a familiar book. Now to share two of my favorite bugs (hard to narrow it down).

I know that this book will be gifted for family and friends in the future, both children and young at heart.

Have you read any of David A Carter’s books? I would love to know. I would also like to hear about what have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Tuesday Tales and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Disclosure: As mentioned, the book was a gift to my son from his teacher. Two Amazon Affiliate links are included. Should someone purchase these from Amazon I will receive a small percentage of the sale. As always, all opinions are my own.

Categories:
books gift ideas holidays Product review Tuesday Tales

The Festival of Lights Begins Tuesday Night

Posted on December 19, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

On Tuesday night, Jewish families will gather together to light their menorahs to commemorate the miracle of long ago. Every family has their own traditions that they pass along to the next generation. TechyDad and I are really trying to focus on the miracle of Chanukah and not on the gift giving and material items. The reality is that those are not really what the holiday is about. Society has pushed it to this more thanks to being at the same time of year as Christmas.

Yes, we will be giving the boys some gifts, but nothing extraordinary. This year, we hope to make some potato latkes, spin the dreidels, dance to Chanukah music, and sit together for family time while watching the menorah shine.

Something else I can not wait to share with the boys are the fun new series of 30 second Chanukah tips from Mama Doni. Yes, this hip and rockin’ mama shares eight of her tips including:

Makin’ Lotsa Latkes!
Get Your Dreidel On!
The Story of Chanukah
Are you Gr8teful?
Is it “Chanukah” or “Hanukkah?”
Honey This Ain’t Money
Gobble Up Some Sufganiyot!
Eight Special People in Your Life

Here are the videos, which will play one after the other:

I love how fun, energetic, and informative they are. Mama Doni also gives great items to talk/write about with older children. Do you have a favorite tip from the videos?

Disclosure: I found these videos thanks to subscribing to Mama Doni’s YouTube Channel. I enjoyed them and wanted to share with other families.

Categories:
fun holidays interesting laughs Music photos TechyDad video

Favorite Chanukah and Holiday Songs

Posted on December 16, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The other day, I shared some new to us Chanukah music from The Mama Doni Band. It’s funny, festive, and great for the entire family. As much as I adore music for my family, I still love songs that speak to me as an adult. Three years ago, I actually wrote about my favorite Chanukah song. The song still holds up in my top billing. It is called Hanukkah Blessings by Barenaked Ladies. The other day, I actually found a video of the song and wanted to share.

As I said in the past, it gives me chills because of the power of the lyrics, the message, and the entire package.

Of course, a new music video out from the Maccabeats for Chanukah is fantastic. The imagery is simply stunning. They really do a magical job creating the feel of celebrating the Festival of Lights. Watch below and look for a special guest spot from Mayim Bialik. You may recall her playing Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory. She was also also Blossom when I was growing up and playing young Bette Midler in the movie Beaches. Check out this new Maccabeats song here:

So my question to you this week:

What is your favorite Chanukah or other holiday song and/or video?

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.