Hanukkah 2018

It's time again for one of the kids' favorite holidays: Hanukkah!

As frightening as it may be, Irene was insistent that she could light her own candles this year. Well, everyone's gotta go sometime... Fortunately, she didn't burn herself or anyone else, so maybe she was right?

We kept to our usual traditions of lighting candles, reading the story of Judah Maccabee and his brothers, and letting the kids pull the tabs on the paper hanukkiah to reveal various activities.

We also participated in Valley of Blessing's Hanukkiah Contest again this year. We put together a chicken-themed hanukkiah with a chicken wire base, real wax-filled eggshells for the candles and a mama hen for the shamash. Sadly, we didn't win. That's ok, though. I know whose was really the best, ;)

A Quick Zoo Trip

Despite being barely a week away from winter, we had a balmy day and decided to take a morning trip down to the zoo. 

It turned out that the theme of the day was "Nap"... The gorillas were sleeping.

The lions were laying down.

The chimpanzees were enjoying a siesta. Isn't anyone awake???

Well, the otters were.

And so were the seals, who were having a great time wrestling for an audience.

 The bobcat was restless

 and the bison and elk were grazing.

And of course, there's always the children, who are a herd of active animals all their own. :)

2018 Fall Piano Recitals

2018 Father-Daughter Dance

American Heritage Girls hosts an annual dinner and dance for dads and their daughters. 

 Of course, I took the opportunity to get my girls all dolled up and looking beautiful!

  This year's theme was a masquerade, so along with dinner, the girls each got a cool feather mask to wear.

 And of course, there was lots and lots of dancing!!!

I love my girls and there's nothing like getting to spend some time with them having fun. The Father-Daughter Dance is certainly one of the highlights of my year.