The children are having so much fun with the holidays.
Saturday we made gingerbread houses with all the cousins at Deirdre’s and both boys had their first basketball game and we went to see The Gift of Nothing at the Kennedy Center and the kids loves seeing their friends Giovanni, Simmone, Sofia, Guilia and Paolo there and dancing in the halls of the Kennedy Center and browsing the nutcracker shop.
Sunday we went on a winter hike.
Monday I went to Teddy’s class to talk about Hanukka and read stories and give out gelt. Then I went to Charlie’s class for Roots of Empathy and have those students gelt and candy canes.
Tuesday I went to the girls class to talk about Hanukka and read and hand out gelt. Then we had Johanna, Birdie, Barquito and Lbeth over with Carol for a Hanukka dinner of latkes, kugel, haricot very with shallots and beef bourguignon. We have the children an air hockey table, an iPad mini and nutcrackers for the girls who hadn’t gotten theirs yet.
Yesterday I got to help serve pasta at the first grade holiday pasta lunch-the children are so adorable and so polite. Last night we had our annual Fifth Night of Hanukka party at sprinkles cupcakes (even though it was the second night). It was so much fun with so many friends who were so nice to come and so generous to give gifts and as always I love hostessing it with Nicole.
Today I took gifts to everyone at the barn and everyone at the boys school-I LOVE giving gifts. It is such a small way to show people how much you appreciate them and like them and it brings so much cheer. This afternoon we had the children pick Secret Santa names from a hat and then take turns shopping with MJ in Sullivan’s to buy a gift for the sibling whose name they chose. It was hilarious the way they wanted to tell each other so badly who they had and what they were giving. We had dinner, light the candles and Scottie gave Teddy a Pokemon set, Charlie gave Nelly a Frozen necklace and Olaf doll, Nelly gave Scottie a Barbie, and Teddy have Charlie football figurines and cards. It was soooo cute. They asked to do it again and I can’t what to have them do it again next year-I think their gift exchange is my favorite part of the holiday. I love the way they are so thoughtful about what to give and so grateful to receive. I try to teach them to show appreciation for gifts and to practice by saying something nice about everything they get.
More tomorrow with Charlie’s punishing party, Teddy’s silly dress movie day, And holiday parties in the evening at school friends house and Alix’s party at the Jefferson.
