Snow!

Christmas

Hannukah

We have had a very Hannukah weekend. Friday night (the first night), we had a lovely dinner here with latkahs and candle lighting. Saturday we went to my cousin's house for a Hannukah tea. The children all lit menorahs and exchanged presents. Much donut eating was done by all!

Today we were invited to a friend's synagogue in Ealing for a Hannukah party. Everyone brought menorahs and there was a very small reading done and then everyone lit the menorah and sang Hannukah songs. Again, there was much donut eating! And the children all played dreidel with chocolate Hannukah gelt.

Holiday season begins

Hannukah starts tomorow and the boys have got into the swing of the holiday season. Last weekend was traffic free day on Oxford Street. This year's Selfridges theme was Panto - and we had "front row" viewing of 20 large and ugly panto dames dancing and hip swinging - Aaron certainly did not know what to make of it! There was a German market and lots of entertainment.

The boys have been making lots of Hannukah decorations including some stained glass windows (makit bakit - for those of you in America). In the photo - the two large decorations were made by Aaron and Elye. The smaller ones were made by me and my sister in our childhood! There has been lots of card making and label writing going on. And for once Aaron hasn't even complained.

Aaron has learned the blessing for lighting the menorah in hebrew this year. Spurred on by the thought that both his 2nd cousin and his only Jewish friend (both of whom we will be spending some of this weekend with for Hanukah events) know it already, he learned it very quickly.

Today we went to Harrods Grotto - an annual tradition. Aaron and Elye both told Santa what they wanted: Aaron wants some books and Elye wants a Wii game. I think Santa will be fairly obliging on both fronts (wink wink).

London Zoo

Halloween

Awards Ceremony at the Allotments

Saul is Growing Up