December 2011 Updates: Chanukah celebrations, at homeHahgoot finished the spinning top at home and kept singing and dancing the songs she learnt all week at home, including a couple of new ones she picked up from the CDs and internet.

Barak was very negative about participating in the holidays rituals, but did me a favour and lighted the first candle. He gave Hahgoot and Alma their presents (two scooters and a helmet, to share).

The girls were very happy with their presents

The next morning they went out to test them in action

We invited the Walsh family to learn the holidays rituals. Both Charlotte and Liam enjoyed the spinning tops.

And they liked the holiday food, too!

Barak lit the second candle too, but quickly lost interest (we did it all yesterday!) and became negative again.

For the third candle we had Sarah, Deena and Emma over. The girls enjoyed Mistys company and Alma enjoyed Sarahs latkes, freshly fried on the spot!

We had a feast for dinner!My apple rings were especially popular.

They brought their own Chanukiya too.

The girls eating Sufganiyot while enjoying the candles

The spinning top game got a bit out of hand so we took a break (competitions are a bit of an issue with the sisters)

Everyone was back into happy festive mood with some craft they made giant Chanukiyot to take home!

The fourth candle we celebrated with Moshe, who came to care for the garden and stayed afterwards.

The fifth candle we lit with the Rotem\Mazrier family,

who brought homemade Sufganiyot, freshly fried by Hamutal.

Alma threw a tantrum because she didnt get any food yet...

Natan took things much more calmly.

The kids all had a good time playing indoors and outside while the adults chatted.

Thanks Hamutal for contributing photos, including a rare photo of me working in the kitchen on more latkes!

The last candles we skipped because we went to Canberra for a three nights vacation keep looking at the presentations and youll read all about it!

In our next presentation:

Christmas celebrations!

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