Baby’s first Hanukkah
Sunday night was the last night of Hanukkah and we decided to celebrate. A feast of traditional Hanukkah foods was prepared — traditional latkes (though we added in carrots, too), latkes from a mix (the Jewish equivalent of instant mashed potatoes, though much better tasting), and apple blintzes. Though the food took much longer to prepare than we were expecting, everything turned out fantastic, it reminded us that this is good stuff to make all year round, not just during one week in December.
It wasn’t just a feast for two (or two and a half), though; Andrew and Sara and Byron and Wendy joined us as well and enjoyed the Hanukkah festivities (the first for some of them). Dinner was followed by Andrew’s “yarmulke” apple pie. He said it fell apart taking it out of the pie pan; we said it was intentional to make it look like a yarmulke to fit the theme. And yes, for those keeping track at home, we had potato pancakes served the traditional way with apple sauce, apple blintzes, and apple pie. Jeff was in heaven.
The night was capped off with a rousing game of dreidel. The stakes got pretty high at one point — the pot made it to about 12 M&Ms.
Esme had a great time and enjoyed her first Hannukah, and her first round of Hanukkah gifts. Among the presents, she got her own kiddie electric menorah from Great-Grandma Else, and a great Hanukkah Bear from Great Aunt Debbie, Great Uncle Nick, and Cousin Robyn. We know she liked the bear (see below), because she instantly tried to put it in her mouth, which she does with everything she liked.
Happy Hanukkah!
Esme and her Hanukkah Bear