The Latke Recipe

Does everyone know that song? It's been one of our family's favorites for a year or two now. (I should warn you that you may sing it for days after hearing it!) And since it's Hanukkah, we figured we were overdue in attempting our own latkes, so we tried this recipe on Night 1! Here's Tony grating potatoes in his new Virginia sweatshirt that was an early Hanukkah present. 

It's a bit presumptuous to claim that it's the recipe for the BEST EVER latkes, but lo and behold, they were DELICIOUS and we can't wait to make them again!

By the way, Target had so many fun things for Hanukkah this year...it was hard not to buy them all!

This is from Target a few years back. It's SO applicable these days...

We've been loving having something to look forward to each evening. Lighting candles and getting a fun toy or book has really made the start of winter weather and early dark nights more bearable. 

These dinosaur eggs (that you crack open in search of dinos and fossils) were SO messy. The box really should say in bold letters, "THIS IS AN OUTDOOR TOY."

We also went to Rockdale for a Parking Lot Shabbat and menorah lighting. It was a beautiful, warm evening and the kids enjoyed getting out of the house for a fun celebration. 

Hanukkah even got a shout out on the local weather forecast! 

Over the weekend, we picked up donuts since they're a (less traditional, but commonly accepted form of) Hanukkah food, too! 

A few years ago, we started giving the kids socks on at least one night of Hanukkah. They love funny socks--Sebastian got tacos, Brie got chili peppers and Samuel got dragons. We now look forward to this tradition every year. (They each got a mini Baby Yoda eraser, too.)

I found these throwback socks for Tony...perfect since we all watched the movie "Big" a few weeks back.

And then it was Hanukkah Party time (on Zoom, of course)!

(Brie's adorable shirt was also from Target!)

We even played bingo and trivia over Zoom. We didn't get first place, but we did well! Israeli trivia is neither of our specialties...

Another popular gift this year? Secret Decoder Spy books! 

We're grateful for the literal and figurative light that Hanukkah has brought into our home this year. It feels really good to celebrate and be joyful together...night after night! 

P.S. Oy, the boxes this year!

P.P.S. Extra memorable gifts this year?? Auntie B sent Brie a book about RBG. She declared, "This makes me so happy! I think it's my favorite Hanukkah gift!"

Samuel got four special eggs that have their own nest. Each egg has a calming, restorative property. He was really excited about them. 

Sebastian got the new veterinarian version of Operation. Full disclosure: the dog makes some funny and inappropriate noises, which a six-year-old will love and the rest of the family will roll their eyes at! 😅

P.P.P.S. If you liked "The Latke Recipe," you'll get a kick out of this song, too!