Happy Pre-Hanukkah 2014

Happy Pre-Hanukkah!

David has a classroom assignment in which he has to present something about the holidays.  His teacher and I discussed various options since he is Jewish (respecting Christmas activities, but offering him a more appropriate alternative).  Thus the pre-Hanukkah fun (actual dates are 14-24).

Together - we all agreed upon latkes (potato pancakes). Who would have guessed how much work it was?  I remember eating them of course but making them - well that's another story.

So - what did we do?  We went to YouTube for some guidance.

We watched a gourmet version and then a traditional Jewish mom's version.  We combined the two and made our own version of Hanukkah latkes.

Yes - David had to do the work. He peeled the potatoes (and did a very good job, leaving me with the heavy grating and clean up of course).

We took a break to show everyone how the onions got to both of us.  

(Oh yes, for ingredients we are talking about grated potatoes - no big deal - grated onions (a very big eye watering deal), salt, pepper, and garlic - plus 1/3 of a cup of flour and 3 eggs.  

A lot of folks don't know you have to squeeze the water out of the mixture so that's what we are doing and then making them into patties.

You notice the safety glasses. That's mom's touch, big on the safety with the hot oils.

Also not too many latkes in the pan or it will reduce the temperature of the oils.

(See we listened to the YouTube videos.)

Just look at those golden brown latkes.

Just add a scoop of apple sauce and another one (a dollop) of sour cream. 

What you have is nothing less than phenomenal.

We ate 4 of them all at once - in one sitting.

They really were great.

(Like hash browns on steroids.)

Oh yes - we had Larry Latke with us.  

He got this doll from his aunt.

We used to play it every morning to get him to eat breakfast when he was a baby.

(The toy sings - it is Ben Stiller's dad's voice.)

What a Latke Team.  Happy pre-Hanukkah!

Mom made it home late and that was her dinner.

She said she loved it.  We believe her.

Pasadena Skating and a San Jose Piano Recital - All in One Day

What a Life this Little Man Has: Sharing Another "Day in the Life"

Last night Summer and I attended a Google holiday party.  David stayed at a friend's house while we were at the party.

Then we picked him up and hopped on a plane to Pasadena. We got a good night's sleep and then off to the competition.  David's ISI Holiday Skating competition was in Pasadena this morning.  He did great.  David got 2nd place.

Skating Competition:  Chinese Spiral

But that was just this morning.  We had a bite to eat at Counter Burger in Pasadena  (beautiful weather - 75 and sunny in December) and then hopped on the return flight to San Jose.  We got home in time for a little piano practice and then off to David's piano recital.

Piano Recital

We celebrated the day with a dinner out and then everyone went to bed.  I just took the dogs out and it is time for me to get some sleep too - but I figured I had to capture this crazy day before it disappears on us.

We did not plan it - its just one of those convergence of David events, but we made it all happen once again.

Hey David - many years from now when you read this blog on your life maybe you will say: "hey mom and dad I really appreciate all you do" or "hey we had some fun today didn't we".  Either one will do little man (but interesting to think about the idea that we knew you would read this and appreciate this trip down memory lane sometime in the future).   What a day!