Celebrating Chanukah

Chanukah began on December 1 and continues until December 9, but our friends Cody and Emily managed to squeeze eight days' worth of festivities and excitement (and as many families!) into one delightful evening at their "Hanukkah Madness and the Dreidel of Fire" party Sunday evening. 

Cody's mother is Jewish, and he and Emily and most of their friends are Presbyterian, so it was an educational event for most of us. They set out Hannukah coloring pages and books for the guests to color and read, while Cody fried up latkes (and chicken) for the feast.

After we stuffed ourselves, he gathered up the kids for a lesson on Chanukah care of The Rugrats. (Last year Cody did the honors himself, but he thought he'd try a more visual approach this time.)




Then it was time to light the Menorahs. They had three, including a Disney princess one! Every child who wanted to lit a candle.

When the menorahs were lit, a friend played the flute while we sang The Dreidel Song, and The Chanukah Song.

Then the chocolate geld was passed out so the kids could play the Dreidel game!

I have a little dreidel,

I made it out of clay 

And when my dreidel's ready 

Then Dreidel I shall play. 

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, 

I made it out of clay 

Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

Then Dreidel I shall play.

I thought the gambling for chocolate would never end, they were having so much fun! But then they put out Emily's star cake and cookies...

Thanks, Cody and Emily, for an amazing evening of Chanukah!

Chanukah, oh, Chanukah,
Let's light the menora,
Let's have a party,
We'll all dance the hora, 
Gather round the table, 
We'll give you a treat, 
Dreidels to play with, 
Latkes to eat, 
And while we are playing, 
The candles are burning low 
One for each night, 
They spread a sweet light 
To remind us of days long ago.