Piya's Perspective

An extremely belated Happy Channukah (and Merry Christmas).

This year was the first year that Simeon was able to really participate and understand the holiday.  They did a few things in class, which helped too, including singing the dreidel song.  Simeon mixed up a couple of holiday songs though, and would sing “Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel, I made it out of town.”  He did pretty well at pointing out the different letters on the dreidel – though he tended to spin it until he got the letter he wanted – and counting the chocolate coins.  He was always more than ready when it was time to pick out the candles for the menorah – we just had to stop him from blowing them out and making a wish the first couple nights.  He wanted to follow along in the siddur (prayer book) and/or his little Channukah book when we sang Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages).  And he was excited to open both his and his sister’s dreidel containers and count the Channukah gelt they received[1].

All-in-all, a fun holiday.  I look forward to next year when Caitlyn can start to participate. 

[1] Ari and I seem to be adopting the tradition I grew up with.  Unlike many families who open presents every night, we did presents on the first night and that’s it.  Instead, my dad would give us a silver dollar and a 2 dollar bill on the first night and silver coins (50cent pieces and/or quarters) the rest of the holiday.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the 2 dollar bill or dollar coins this year, but I made sure to give the kids quarters each night and Simeon enjoyed opening the containers and counting the coins.