The Best Hannukah EVER.

It's been an exciting set of holidays in our house, a Hannukah to be remembered.
The first night of Hannukah brought Ruby, our new 3 year old rescue mutt, who we coincidentally took home with us in time for the first night of Hannukah. Needless to say, nobody was interested in any other presents, in Chispa's words, "Our dog is my Hannukah miracle, I always wanted her, and now Ruby is ours. We have our very own dog!!!!"
















And of course, Mr. H's birthday fell smack during Hannukah this year too. We always go to Moroccan food, which Mr. H has done since he was EIGHT, with his whole family. I thought these were good for the gift for this night.






Changa has relentlessly stolen all friend's guitars, and when short on those, resorted to air guitar. So we got her this.


Chispa, on the other hand, has been positively pining for Barbie's. Those that know me well, even, are quite shocked that I'm fine with Barbie's. I, who do not allow branded commercial toys in my house. But here's the thing. I'm fine with Barbie's. I made up endless stories with mine. And I acquired a huge stash on freecycle + clothes. Because I'm such a Gruppie like that, reuse, baby, reuse!!!! One night each girl got a Barbie, and the night Changa got the guitar, Chispa got the stash of clothes, which I stipulated she needed to share. (she's done that grudgingly) And when Chispa accidentally broke the head off of Changa's Barbie (mine just popped off/on back in the day, I can't believe these ones just BREAK, but it did), I snuck a replacement from my freecycled stash. Voila. Crisis averted. Sssh, the kids don't know what I did. They think I "fixed" it.

I also gave Chispa my 6 year old favorite dress. Yes, you read that right. It's vintage 1970s. Not that I need to tell you that. Seeing is believing.





















































Aunt J. sent some mega hits- stamps for Changa (which she's sharing nicely), and a cool scratch off the black rainbow princess book for Chispa.







The girls also really like the Ladybug game I got, that they can BOTH play, and appeals to my Gruppie Mama sensibilities. :)


For my next trick, I plan on setting up dog poo composting. It looks to be quite easy, and much more environmental.
http://www.plantea.com/dog-waste-compost.htm
http://www.cityfarmer.org/petwaste.html


Now the only problem is I covet that lid. Seriously. I may have to make one. I know, I know, I am hopeless.

The kids have gotten even more gifts than this, but you get the idea, and seriously we need a year to play with everything, with Chispa's birthday overlapping so closely, she's drowning in fabulousness.


Happy Hannukah 2008 friends! And Happy Holidays of whatever sort you celebrate in your house!