Why Jews Love Christmas

It's no secret I'm a sucker for Christmas time even though I don't technically celebrate it. I love going to look at lights, I love playing Christmas music in my house while I cook, and I love the cheer that spreads around like fire. But there are some other reasons we Jewish folk love Christmas. Let me explain...

We love an excuse to wear our pajamas all day.

We love watching favorite Christmas movies that happen to be chick flicks and forcing our husbands to watch with us because we claim it's a "tradition."

We love that our spouses get the day off and can spend the day at home stress-free.

While it may be annoying that everything is closed for an entire day, we appreciate the opportunity to be stuck at home and teach our little ones how to clean.

And of course, we love the fact that we can find every other Jew at a Chinese restaurant at dinner time. (Though we opted for Chinese take out this year since Campbell decided to skip a nap yesterday. But, Izzy came over and all was well!)

Can you say pooped?!?!

Hope you all had a very merry day with the ones you love!

Hanukkah Hoopla

Well, we are in full swing of Hanukkah celebrations over here. Kind of like I mentioned back here about Halloween, the same holds true for Hanukkah... it's just so much more fun with a kid. Now, I've always loved the holidays like most people because of the music, lights, great food and friends/family gatherings, but something about having a kid to celebrate this magical time with makes it, well, magical.

We kicked off the first night of Hanukkah on Saturday with the Passmans and Desais. They came over to light candles, open presents and eat my first batch of homemade latkes ever! While my house still smells like latkes and there is still remnants of oil splattered on the stove, I'd say they were a success and I was very proud of how they turned out!

The kids opened presents and the adults sipped on some wine, and it was a jolly time all around.

 

 

So hard to believe this was last year:

Then, last night, we headed over to the Johnson's for a Vodka and Latke party with a couple of Cam's buddies. Lindsay put out quite a spread, and the boys had a hoot playing with each other.

And, lastly, Cam hit a major milestone this weekend and gave his parents a very special Hanukkah present. He took his first steps! He has taken a total of two steps together so far, but the only video I've been able to capture is of him taking one:

He turned thirteen months old yesterday, so we had a lot to celebrate. Hope everyone is having a happy start to their holiday season!

Trick or Treat...Smell My Feet

While I have never been a huge fan of Halloween, I always oohed and ahhed at the little kids trick or treating. I think costumes are cute and haunted houses are fun, but as an adult I never felt the need to go all out, dress up and party hop to show off my costume. I loved the traditions in my own family, like my mom dressing up as a witch every year, picking us up from school on her broom, and passing out candy to the kids on Halloween night in her witch outfit while my dad took us trick or treating.

But as everyone always says, it all changes when you have a kid. This was Campbell's first Halloween, and oh it has been fun! We definitely went all out, celebrating in every way we could, and I am pleased to say our first Halloween as a family of three was quite successful.

Last time Fancy was here, she brought me my very own witch's hat and the torch was officially passed down.

Cam dressed up as a Campbell's tomato soup can. I figured this is the only year I'll be able to get away with this, and next year he'll actually have an opinion. Man, he was stinking cute.

Thank you, Nanny, for the amazing tomato hat that you knit to go with his costume. It is so cute and has kept him warm all week!

We went to a celebration at Wicker Park on Saturday with Izzy and some of our neighborhood buddies. We took pictures, watched a dog costume parade, picked a pumpkin from the "Pumpkin Patch" and played with the stroller wheels. Duh.

Yesterday, Cam hosted a Halloween bash for his friends. Some of his buddies came over to play, eat and be merry. Izzy even joined in the fun with the babies!

(Disclaimer: I could not, for the life of me, get good pictures of these kids. I think I was too overwhelmed with hosting duties along with making sure my child acted like a peach. So the pictures aren't great, but you get the idea.)

Waiting for everyone to arrive!

 

 

  

 

 

A few brave souls tested out the "Bloody Brains"....

But, Campbell decided that reading books was more fun.

In the end, he was one happy kid. Isn't that what Halloween is all about!?!

Tonight, we will go "Trick or Treating" on our block. One of the streets around the corner shuts down to cars so the kids can frollick around. It's a big block party and should be fun! We will most likely last twenty minutes considering it's supposed to be 40 degrees and we're cutting it close to bedtime, but it's all about the experience, so we're doing it.

Happy Halloween y'all!

Shana Tova!

Today is the first day of the Jewish New Year. To those who celebrate, Campbell, Rick and I would like to wish you a year full of health, happiness, and lots of laughs!

Happy Chrismukkah!

Though we don't celebrate Christmas for its religious purpose, Rick and I both enjoy the holiday for what it represents -- being joyful, spending time with family and friends, and giving to others. I love the holiday spirit, the smells, the lights and the way you feel when you hear that Salvation Army bell ringing at every corner.

We spent Christmas Eve as any Jewish family would -- eating Chinese food with friends and family. We went to Chinatown with Allie, Hart, Izzy and some of their friends. We had never been to Chinatown before, and it was beautiful! I loved that I couldn't read a single sign, how the streets were buzzing with people and the Christmas lights lit up the town square. Cam also really enjoyed the Chinese food -- he slept his first 5 hour stretch ever that night!

While Cam slept through dinner, this cutie pie enjoyed her Chinese Christmas Eve:

The next morning, we woke up rested (thanks to Super Cam!) and ready to celebrate our holiday at home just the three of us. Rick brewed a pot of coffee and made pancakes, we built a fire and I turned on the Pandora Michael Buble Christmas Station (yes it exists!) We danced and sang our favorite songs, and Cam enjoyed some more diaper-free time!

We spent the morning opening our Chrismukkah socks and lounging around the house. Cam loved his new toys to hang from his playmat! In fact, he got so excited, he quickly pooped out and took a nap.

Later in the evening, we went to Izzy's house for a Hanukkah party. We ate more latkes, opened more presents and had more fun. Thanks for hosting us, Passmans!

This nugget knows how to open some presents! She helped Cam open his gifts...

Then she gave him his present. She's such a good sharer! 

Then she loved on "Baby!" 

Hope your holiday was just as merry!