Chanukkah 2008

This is our second year celebrating Chanukkah. It fell on December 21st - 29th. Even though it overlapped Christmas, our kids had no problems separating the two and their different meanings. It was extra special this year because my Dad was in town to celebrate it with us. He
said the first line of the blessing in Yiddish - the only prayer he remembers from his childhood.

Each night we say the blessing, light the candles, turn off the lights to enjoy them for a minute, remind Jackson not to blow them out!, and then open a small gift (for the kids only). The candles burn for an hour. Last year they dripped all over, but this year we got higher quality ones that burned perfectly with no mess.
The center candle is called the 'shammus.' "Why the shammus candle? The Chanukkah candles are for pleasure only; we are not allowed to use them for any productive purpose. We keep an extra one around (the shammus), so that if we need to do something useful with a candle, we don't accidentally use the Chanukkah candles. The shammus candle is at a different height so that it is easily identified as the shammus." from JewFaq.org.

First night of Chanukkah. Notice the Christmas PJs.

turn off the lights to enjoy

This holiday is by far Jackson's favorite. I mean really, look at the pure joy!

1st night gifts are usually holiday related. This year they got a Chanukkah puzzle and stickers.

Last night - all 8 candles and the shammus burning

cool toy from Costco - sticky blocks

Why would a Christian celebrate Chanukkah? Stay tuned for my next post =)