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Gift central

Posted on December 28, 2008 11:44 am by TheAngelForever

Last Saturday, we celebrated Chanukah early with my family because of the threat of snow storms. My brother and his family were not able to make it into town thanks to all of the snow. Since the boys have been born, they have been spoiled by our families. Most of the toys in our house are purchased by people other than us. This Chanukah was no different.

Nana and Papa had all of the gifts labeled and ready to go. They wanted to try something different. Rather than give NHL and JSL a present or two and then more another day, they opted to do things Christmas style.

Note to casual Chanukah observers: Jewish kids do not really know how to handle present overload when it is not on their birthday.

NHL quickly tore through all of the packages and sat staring at his little brother. He wanted to know what was inside all of his wrapping paper. 5 year olds definitely burn through things quickly and 19 month olds want to take each and every item in. In fact, JSL did not understand why more and more was given to him. Still he was sweet and squealed at each and every item given to him.

Here are some photos of NHL from the evening:

Now time for JSL:

Photos from from Hurricane Chanukah:

Now of course we have to find homes for all of the new items. We have purchased a lot of new Rubbermaid containers to put things away in and sort for future garage sales. Tonight we will light the eighth and final candle and then will put all of the Chanukah items away until next year.

Categories:
family fun holidays jsl nhl photos play time weekend

Keeping with traditions

Posted on December 25, 2008 12:05 am by TheAngelForever

Today while many of you are enjoying Christmas meals with your family (Merry Christmas!), the boys and I will be heading out to keep a tradition alive. This evening we will have Chinese food for dinner once JL is home from work.

Last Saturday, we had an early Chanukah celebration at my parents house. Thanks to the snow storm, my brother and his family were not able to make it into town. Still, we had a very delicious dinner with my parents, grandmother, and Aunt T. Here are is the delicious meal that we had.

Photo Key: 1. Sweet Potato latkes, 2. Sides and things, 3. Salmon, 4. Pierogi goodness, 5. Not officially Chanukah – so these candles will do, 6. Must have some veggies

Before sitting down to eat, NHL declared that he wanted to sit between Aunt T and Mimi. Thank goodness they are good sports and allowed his wish to come true.

My mother had a Chanukah table cloth out and had napkins to match. Check these out. On one side it had holiday greetings, while the other told the story of the Festival of Lights.

After we ate dinner, the kids played for some time, while everything was cleaned up. Then the goodies were put on the table.

Right before we went to the table, JSL fell down running and landed on the back of his head. At first we did not think it was serious, but when looking back it is never right when the little guy refuses chocolate. Our time with the cheesecake and other delicious items was cut short by the call to 9-11, arrival of the paramedics, and ambulance ride to the emergency room.

This will certainly not be a Chanukah that we will soon forget.

Categories:
family food glorious food holidays jsl nhl photos weather weekend winter yummy

Winter Wanderings

Posted on December 24, 2008 1:05 am by TheAngelForever

Please note: This was the little guy’s first time in the snow on his own to play and explore the wonders of snow.

Categories:
fun jl jsl messy milestone nhl vent weather weekend winter Wordless Wednesday

Happy Chanukah 2008

Posted on December 22, 2008 11:06 am by TheAngelForever

Chanukah officially started last night . At sundown, we lit our menorah and watched the candles burn. The boys each received a small present and later we had cookies that were baked while snowed in. It was a very quiet day thanks to the excitement from the previous night. Thankfully the little guy is recovering well. We head to the doctor tomorrow afternoon for a concussion follow up to see if there is anything that he wants done.

Today we will hang out in the house, probably a pajama day. The boys already have a favorite activity that they can enjoy together. Check them out with one of their new Chanukah presents.

Of course maybe we will try to play a little game of dreidel. Just in time for the season, JSL had a new word. Here he is saying it in a very short video.

To all of those celebrating Chanukah, may you have a wonderful Festival of Lights. Here is a little something that I found thanks to Twitter that you may also enjoy: The Differences Between Christmas and Chanukah. This may be from 2005, but it is still fabulous and I had to share.

Categories:
baking brothers holidays jsl nhl winter

Feeling frazzled

Posted on December 21, 2008 11:21 am by TheAngelForever

Lack of sleep, an ambulance ride and visit to the emergency room can leave a family quite frazzled. I would be one of those family members this morning.

Last night, we went to Nana and Papa’s house to have an early Chanukah dinner with them, Mimi and Aunt T. We had a wonderful time opening presents, spending time with each other, and of course eating a delicious meal. After dinner, we decided to let the kids play. JSL loves to run around the large space at Nana and Papa’s house. At one point he was playing with my father and they were running through the kitchen. The rest of us were sitting in the living room and heard a gigantic THUD.

The night quickly changed at that moment.

That noise was JSL’s feet wiping out, his body flying into the air and him coming down on the back of his head. After a minute he cried and wanted JL. We figured the boys were getting tired, so we went to the table for cheesecake.

Of course after the fact, everyone else mentioned that they noticed the same thing when we sat down. JSL suddenly got very pale, stopped talking, was sweating horribly and then started shaking. Then the scariest part, he was unresponsive to us.

Nightmares of February came flashing back to me.

We got him out of the booster seat and took him into the kitchen. He was still not responding to us. Not to his name, tickles, nothing. He was trying to close his eye. When he did look at us, it was as if we were not there. I screamed for JL to call 911. He did and they sent out first responders.

During the time it took for them to arrive, JSL came in and out of it. When we tried to let him walk, he looked like he was drinking and could not walk in a straight line.

When the paramedics came into the kitchen we noted more odd behavior. Typically if a stranger tries to go near JSL he will recoil onto one of us and scream. Nada happened, he just sat there starring into space. They did vitals and said they were ok, but wanted to take him by ambulance to the hospital.

As I went running to get his coat and my boots I failed to notice all of the water from the paramedic’s shoes on the kitchen floor. I went flying into the basement door jamming my foot, hand and fingers. I was on an adrenaline rush and kept moving.

During the ambulance ride JSL was very quiet. He did move or do much. Finally minutes from the hospital he uttered "Mama" and pointed to the light. When we arrived into a room at the hospital the little guy started to perk up after about 30 minutes. He wanted to get down, explore and he was chatting up a storm.

When the PA came to see us you would never know there was anything wrong. The end product is JSL definitely had a concussion and may have had a mini-seizure. We have to follow up with our doctor Monday and keep a close eye on him today.

Last night he was up until midnight and was screaming and very restless during the night. Thankgoodness this morning he is in a great mood and playing nicely.

Today we will be staying in during another snow storm for a quiet day with the boys.