Merry (early) Christmas!

I hope to post some video of Kieran singing his holiday songs (yes, it does include a rendition of "Oh Dreidel"). Today we're mostly puttering around the house making cookies for Santa. We took a visit to the Science Center earlier (thank goodness they were open) and then we went to visit Santa at his workshop in the Inner Harbor. Kieran said "thank you" to Santa and I got a great photo of the two of them.

Tonight we open presents from family and friends. Tomorrow morning Kieran will enjoy Santa's largesse and then we'll head down to Uncle Andy & Aunt Wendy's for a belated Hanukkah celebration (and Christmas dinner). I must ask - if you do both holidays on one day, does that officially make it Christmukah? Either way merry happy whatever.

Token Jew (and Gentile)

Ah, the first night of Hanukkah. Somehow it was also Ken's firm's holiday party - why in a firm full of Jews they decided to have it then I'm not entirely sure. But hey, Ken and I got a night out together, so there's that. In his department I think Ken is the only gentile, which I find funny for no particular reason.

Kieran is the only Jew in his daycare class. Its a pretty integrated daycare (which we like), so it was a strange realization. I offered to bring in our menorah and then volunteered to go and do the first night's "lighting" of the menorah. There is truthfully nothing funnier than watching two and three year olds wandering around, fighting over craft sticks (our "candles") and basically not really paying attention when the teacher is trying to corral them. I knew what I'd gotten myself into and didn't get upset when only one or two kids paid attention while we "lit" the candles.

Kieran is having a great time with Hanukkah. Many thanks to my sister-in-law who bought us a decoration that has pockets in it for each night. After we light the menorah, Kieran goes to his pocket and opens a gift. They're small gifts but he's excited by them. This weekend we'll do family festivities and that will be a lot of fun watching him with his cousins and my cousins' kids.

Ken is very big on Santa and I asked Kieran last night if he knew who Santa was. He said "Yes. B-I-N-G-Santa." (At school they did S-A-N-T-A to the tune of "Bingo".) I asked if he knew what Santa did. He said "Santa brings toys." I mentioned that Santa only brings toys to boys and girls who are good. When asked if he had been good this year, Kieran spent a quick second in reflecting and then gave an emphatic head nod.

I can't argue with him.

Stars in his Eyes

Ken, Kieran and I had a grand four days together this past weekend. Let's see what we did....

Thursday we mostly killed time until dinner at Uncle Gary's. We watched some TV, played some video games (yes, even Kieran - he loves his Elmo's World game and the online games at PBSKids.org), went outside and kicked the ball around, and made stuffing. Thanksgiving was really wonderful with lots of great food to choose from (though Kieran ate mostly dessert, who can blame him?). Ken's vegetarian stuffing was a huge hit given that we have somehow created several Lipshultz vegetarians. Knowing these guys as they grew up it really seems like an oxymoron to say Lipshultz vegetarian.

Friday we went to the Maryland Science Center. The last time we went we took Kieran to watch his very first planetarium show. When we gave him the option, he jumped to "see the stars" again. So while we were there we watched a new show they had called "The sky above Mr Roger's Neighborhood" it took some elements from the show and added some stars, clouds, the moon and the sun. Ken and I were a bit bored, but Kieran loved it (again). Even more than playing with the dinosaurs or in the water table. We finished up the day with dinner at Oma and Opa's where Kieran was (relatively) well-behaved and my grandmother was able to show him off to pretty much anyone who would listen. I can't blame the woman, he is pretty great.

Saturday... I think I went grocery shopping that day. Honestly, I can't remember. Wow, I'm getting old.

Sunday we went back to the Science Center. Kieran wanted to see the starts again. Each night we ask him what his favorite part of the day was. He keeps talking about watching the stars in the planetarium. He won't pick something from that day. Oh well, I'm sure we'll be back soon to see them again.