Happy (Solar) New Year!!
Thought I'd take a little minute out of my morning to wish all you readers and mothers a very happy, very healthy, super-hero-esque productive new year! As I've mentioned last year, though we celebrate the start of our year in September with the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, for a Mom - there are some serious implications that come about through starting a fresh new page in a fresh new planner. I've broken down the planner thing in 2009, and I'm still using the same trusty classic Gallery Leather version, but this year I went with the family-style edition. Though, my sister-in-law (who is, I swear, the most obnoxiously organized woman I've ever met!) is addicted and committed to her Erin Condren Life Planner (and I must admit it does look a hell of a lot more vibrant than my go-to scheduler). In any case, however you choose to organize your life and your tasks-at-hand, wishing you heaps of enjoyment in the year to come!! Hope you get to schedule in ample "date-night"s, "lunch with girlfriend"s, and "spa day"s!! Personally, I am so glad to be starting a new page in life... 2011 was stressful for my family, and was mostly about getting by and figuring things out - school, education, work, family/work/life balance etc. I'm so grateful to be living in a new city and settling into a new and improved lifestyle - there is just no way to compare life with your husband commuting to work and life with him down the block! Our Chanukah was a completely different experience with him home for lighting candles every night, and for me - eating dinner each night with my family (and having an adult there to converse with!) is the most satisfying change ever! I'm so glad to be here, at this moment, nesting a new home, starting a new work venture, with G-d willing, a new baby due to make an appearance next month!! Totally enjoyed transferring all my planner information, and looking forward to a bright new year!!!
Menorah Magic
The week before Chanukah it suddenly dawned on me that Freida needed a Menorah. Last year I was able to excuse the lack of a little holiday candelabra with the fact that my little bug was simply too young to be playing with fire (hence, the magnetic variety). This year, after her 3rd birthday and her arrival at the "age of education", came her entering into the covenant of Jewish women through the igniting of a Shabbos flame (more on that beatific ritual and her arrival at the threshold later), there was no getting around the colorful little Chanukah candles!
When I asked Freida what kind of Menorah she wanted to light, she was quick to reply "a war elephant!". That majestic battle animal had graced the full-colored spreads of her many Chanukah books (especially this one), and apparently she took to the beast. :)
I found the idea online of using Model Magic clay to create a Menorah out of any form (toy, object etc.), and we walked down the block to Blick to pick up a $2 bag of white clay. We then picked up a big pack of colorful Chanukah candles and headed home to get crafting.
I opted out of using Freida's beloved Shleich elephant, and opted for the plastic $1 Target version instead (it was bigger anyways).
You basically just smoosh some model magic onto the top of any object of your choice, stick in the candles securely and let the whole thing dry with the candles in it.
Once dry, remove the candles and spray paint (or simply paint) the whole thing. You can even get bling-y and add some glue and glitter for a more glam effect.
Light up!!
You don't need to worry about the wax dripping all over - it pops right off the painted surface. The most important thing with this Menorah is to never let those candles burn all the way down - spray paint is rather flammable, if you know what I'm saying. Also, the Model Magic burns to a char. :)
Lava Lamps: An Oily Exploration
I know it totally bites that I'm posting Chanukah activities after the holiday festivities have ended, but I was so not used to my new big-city life that I really couldn't keep up over holiday break!! And some crafts and activities were too fun not to share - even if you wait until next year to utilize them! Freida had her first little chemistry lesson this week: water vs. oil. She was mesmerized!
I initially made these "lava lamps" for Babyccino, and while those little guys sure enjoyed shaking the bajeebers out of these contrasting elements, there was another slightly-larger part of the lesson waiting to be explored by a little lady at home: add alka seltzer to the mix!
To make these lava lamps you'll need a water bottle with the label removed, oil, water, food coloring, and alka seltzer tablets. Fill the bottle with 3 part oil/1 part water. Add 10 drops food coloring (and point out the balls of color as they slowly go from floating in oil to bursting in the water at the bottom - way cool!!). Once the water is fully colored, break an alka seltzer tablet in four pieces and slowly drop them in one at a time (wait until each piece stops bubbling) - then watch the magic!!
Afterwards, keep the bottles around for the kids to manipulate and discover the properties by shaking, straightening, and observing.
Freida took this whole thing very seriously, and I was blown away by how long she explored the whole thing!! Definitely a great way to teach the properties of oil/water to a kid around Chanukah time, but would make a fantastic rainy-day activity for any ol' time of the year!
Holiday Cookie Art
Freida had some serious Chanukah fun with this box-of-cookie-crafts that her Zaidy sent her for Chanukah (thanks Ta!). It was such a fun and simple way to engage her in the holiday prep (peeling potatoes is exciting and all but doesn't hold a little candle to making and decking-out a tray of holiday desserts!), and get her creatively involved in hosting a Chanukah dinner. She was literally able to do the whole thing on her own (with a little help from the Kitchen Aid), and the box included everything you need to make a super-cute sweet and edible Chanukah display.
The instructions were written out with little icons making the recipe reading skill-free.
It was basically just a regular sugar cookie mix (you add margarine, eggs, and water), Chanukah cookie cutters, and a mix of white royal icing.
After the royal icing hardens, the kids can literally "paint" onto the cookies with the most adorable little food-coloring paint palette and water color brushes!
Basically, 'twas a super-fun way to deck the holiday table! Just thought you might want to keep this in mind for a great pre-Chanukah gift next year! :)