Happy Jewish Kids, Happy Jewish Mommy

For 364 days out of the year, we are your typical American family.  December 25th is the only day that we are different from many other American families. We are Jewish and therefore do not celebrate Christmas. 

This morning, I asked my kids what they thought about not celebrating Christmas and if they felt left out.  I wasn't sure what response I would get.  With all of the decorations, music and specials on tv, it would only be natural that they would feel a little left out.

Happy to say though -  not my kids!

My daughter said, "We got our Hanukkah presents two weeks ago and it is our friends turn to get their presents this week."


My son said, "Christmas is very decorative."

Perhaps, they were dropping the hint that I should channel my inner Martha Stewart and decorate a little more for Hanukkah next year.  I can do that.  I've got a year to figure out how.

So, we can admire our neighbor's tree and Christmas lights down the street and not feel left out.  We will happily take any leftover Christmas cookies that they want to get rid of.  We can sleep in on Dec. 25th, then wake up and check the movie listings and finally see movies that we never got to see.  We will finish off the day with family and friends enjoying Chinese food and spending quality time together.

Scott & I can take great pride in the fact that two weeks ago we gave our kids the best Hanukkah we could - complete with dreidel games, menorah lighting, great Hanukkah songs and presents.  They went to a festive Hanukkah service, enjoyed Israeli dancing and a big chocolate feast of gelt and treats at our synagogue. Throw in a few Hanukkah parties thrown by family and friends and we can call it a great holiday.

Starting this Sunday, we can go back to our normal lives and ask the question that will be on everyone else's mind - what are we doing on New Year's Eve?

Winter Gear Missing Alert!

ATTENTION! Frustrated suburban mom is putting out an APB on 2 red gloves and a blue lunchbox with a J embroidered on the front. Gloves last seen on the small hands of a 7 year old boy. Lunchbox last seen in the company of a 4th grader on the school playground. If found, please post on FB so that I can come pick them up and don't have to spend more hard earned money on said lost essential items.
Suspects who lost the above items were properly interrogated at 8:15 am (approx. 15 minutes before we have to leave for school).

 "Where are your gloves?" "Bring me your lunchbox. What do you mean you left it at school?"

Typical Responses:

"I don't know."
"I was in a hurry."
The Academy Award Response for Best Child Performance of Coming Up With A Good Excuse - "Mom, the girls were chasing me on the playground and pulled off my gloves and I couldn't get them back." (Note to young son - you aren't being chased by 6 ft giants on the playground. Go get your gloves off the ground!).

Action taken: Suspects were provided with the same lecture that this suburban mom was given by her parents 30 (gulp!) years ago. It was probably as effective then as it is now.

So, how many pairs of gloves and scarves and lunchboxes will go missing from your house this year?

P.S. - An UPDATE: Gloves and lunchbox were retrieved from the floor of the backseat of this suburban mom's SUV. CASE CLOSED! (Note to self - give suspects the equally ineffective lecture about bringing their belongings into the house from the car).

My Weird Travel Habit

Before I get on any airplane, I have to tap it twice on the outside to the right of the door - as if to say "Good plane - get me there safe and sound."  I know this is silly, but it makes me feel better about flying.

Yesterday, I flew back to Philly from Las Vegas. After boarding the plane and tapping the side of the plane as usual, I sat down in my seat and pulled out my People magazine. Much to my surprise, I found out that the cute guy who does those Old Spice commericals said his weird travel habit is to tap the plane three times before he boards his flight.

Wow! I was so relieved that someone out there didn't think I was crazy. But then I thought - how silly for him to tap the plane three times when twice works just fine!  

Okay, fess up - what is your weirdest travel habit???

Well, Excuuuuuse Me!

I am choosing between two companies to handle online payments for the new synagogue website.  I'm a pretty smart cookie but I don't know the difference between a Gateway and a merchant login.  And I couldn't tell you the ins and outs of encrypted credit card numbers to save my life.  

I'm sure that the representative I spoke to gives this speech 100x a day.  After he explained everything to me - while speaking at the speed of light - I asked him a few questions in an attempt to slow him down so that I could understand what he was talking about.  This was the sarcastic response I got -

"Ma'am, I'm not sure how I can explain this any clearer to you" 

I think someone needs to brush up on their people skills.