3rd Night of Hanukkah Tonite! Kids Get Creative With Menorahs & Rock Band

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Me at Homeschoolers Hanukkah Party Last Night

Photo by son of Janis Brett Elspas

Can't believe how fast Hanukkah is going. It's already the 3rd night and we'll be lighting candles in a few minutes.  The kids are getting more wound-up with every day of this holiday so I can't even imagine how rambunctious they'll be by the time we get to the last candle 5 nights from now.

Last night, the whole family went to a really fun Chanukah celebration put on by the L.A. Jewish Homeschoolers group we belong to.  The food was delicious, but what made this event so special was that there was a menorah contest featuring some really creative handmade holiday candelabras made by both little and big kids.  

To top it all off some of the middle school and high school homeschoolers put on a Chanukah rock music concert for us featuring original arrangements of popular songs celebrating the Festival of Lights.

Below: Assorted Menorahs from the Party ALL Made by the Kids

All Photos by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Candy Bar Menorah

Menorah Made With Pottery Shards from a Family's Israeli Archeology Dig, Recycled Copper Pipes

Cake and Candy Edible Menorah

Menorah Constructed with Recycled Wine Corks

Hot Air Balloon Menorah (back), Snowman & Penguin Menorah (front)

Recycled Baby Bottle Menorah with Backdrop Made with Baby Blanket Fabric

Don't miss these other MommyBlogExpert Hanukkah Posts:

4th Nite of Chanukah - Lighting Up the Night with Candlelight by The Maccabeats

3rd Nite of Chanukah - Some Really Creative Handmade Menorahs

2nd Nite of Chanukah - Homemade Potato Latkes for Kids
1st Nite: in the Chanukah Mood With Adam Sandler & 8 Crazy Nights Song
Guess what my teen daughter is getting for Chanukah this year
Beyond Thanksgiving Pie: Moving into Hanukkah & the rest of the holidays
Really Memorable Gifts for Celebrating Hanukkah

FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Sandra Boynton's Newest Humor Book, Amazing Cows & Book GIVEAWAY

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Amazing Cows Cover Shot

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

WIN Amazing Cows - See bottom of this post for GIVEAWAY Entry Details.  Contest ends 1/31/2011

I couldn't have been more thrilled to hear that Sandra Boynton has just released another awesomely funny title Amazing Cows (Workman Publishing, $10.95).  

This new book overflows with amazing cows -- every kind you can imagine -- heroic cows, sensitive cows, edgy cows, cows on the moove and so much more drawn and written in a style that only Boynton can pull off. 

What makes me so excited about her latest book?  The short answer is I'm a huge fan of fellow Baby Boomer Sandra Boynton since the 70s when I was in college out West and she was at Yale in New Haven.  

Over the years she's been referred to in the media and by the public as an author, a writer, an artist, an illustrator, a cartoonist, and greeting card maker.  If you ask me, though, I'd say Boynton is simply one of the most brilliant creative talents who has ever lived and is one person both my generation and those before and after me all admire.

My Piccolo & One of the Vintage Boynton Note Paper Pads I Still Have
Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

This woman's energy is unbounded.  Since 1973, Boynton has created over 4000 greeting card designs and sold more than 250 million of them.  Then there's more than 40 of her bestselling books for children and 7 for adults, who are really just big kids, and four New York Times bestsellers. Between all these more than 20 million copies of her books have been sold.

That is not even to mention four record albums for children -- including one nominated for a Grammy -- and 40 music videos that she's written and produced.  After all that, her most recent work Amazing Cows is still just as fresh and hilarious as ever.  This for sure is one book that I know my own kids will enjoy too.

NOW THE GOOD NEWS:
Sandra Boynton WANTS TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE...

Don't Miss an Udderly Amazing Book Event December 4th

Meet Sandra Boynton, the author of Amazing Cows, in person at her only scheduled event to promote this new book.  

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 at 12 noon, Boynton will come in from the pasture with her book's characters for an appearance at Books of Wonder in New York City in the only event scheduled for Amazing Cows and you can be there!

Dedicated to the subject of these beautiful bovines, the New York Times-bestselling author will be on-hand to first present a short musical revue and then a book signing at Books of Wonder (18 West 18th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue) on December 4 from 12-2pm. 

That's not all, currently Books of Wonder is hosting the first ever New York City gallery exhibition of Boynton's artwork (signed limited edition prints available).  Don't miss out on the opportunity to introduce your own children to something so genuinely moo-ving.  Adults who are Boynton groupies like me shouldn't miss this big bru haha either.  For more information on the event, visit the Books of Wonder page.  Here's an excerpt from the book, plus more details on the title are available on Workman's site. 

ENTER to WIN this Book

The Amazing Cows book giveaway, which is hosted by MommyBlogExpert and sponsored by Workman Publishing, is open to legal U.S. residents only.  See details below.  Contest ends January 31, 2011 at 11:59 PST.  

For the Mandatory Entry

Leave a comment below this post to tell something funny or humorous that happened to you or your child.  Remember to include your email address or Twitter contact info with your comment so that we may reach the winner.  Keep in mind that this is a family-friendly blog, so keep it G-rated, please, otherwise your comment will be deleted. 

For Additional Entries (Optional)
Follow MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and/or Facebook (1-2 entries)

Follow Workman Publishing on Twitter and/or Facebook (1-2 entries) 

Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert's Blog (1 entry)
 

Retweet the following message about the contest as often as you like (for unlimited extra entries)

Amazing Cows by Sandra Boynton Review + @WorkmanPub Book Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/23wkvyq #AmazingCows #contest #kids #humor #books

Be sure to leave an additional comment after you complete each optional entry action so that we can tabulate all your extra entries.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received a copy of Amazing Cows to facilitate this review.  In addition, Workman Publishing is providing the book for the giveaway contest.  However, I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Happy 2nd Candle of Hanukkah Tonite - Lighting Up Our Menorah in California

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Hope everyone celebrating Chanukah is enjoying our 8-day flight of special nights, now going into Night #2

My Daughter With Last Night's Latkes

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

We'll soon be lighting two candles on our menorahs here on the West Coast, so wanted to send good wishes to all.  I know we are having a great time here so far.  After we light our candles, we have parties to go to both tonight and over the weekend, so I'll be logging off for awhile to enjoy the festivities with my kids for those events. 

Yes -- in case you want to know -- I'll have my iPhone turned off so I don't get distracted from all the fun I hope to be having with my hubbie and kids.

My Homemade Latkes with Pomegranate & Paper Menorah Table Decorations

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Last night, I made Latkes (potato pancakes) that are traditionally served for this holiday.  We eat foods fried in oil for Hanukkah because it evokes memories of the single vial of sacred olive oil that the Maccabees found (the rest of the oil for the Temple's official menorah had been smashed by the Greeks when they destroyed the Temple itself).  By a miracle that we believe performed by G-d, the Jews were able to keep the Temple's menorah burning miraculously for eight days and nights.

The latkes I fried in olive oil -- of course -- not only because of the religious historical significance but since it's ALOT lower in cholesterol than other fats.  The patties themselves were made from hand-grated fresh potatoes, chopped onions, and salt and pepper and then spooned into a frying pan with the oil for cooking.  I've always loved the crunchy and yummy homemade ones better eversince my mom made them for me when I was a little girl.  These beat the potato latkes that many people make from a mix that comes in a box.  They're no harder to make, either, you just need a little elbow grease to peel and grate those potatoes.

I served these yummy potato treats on a very special Our Name Is Mud piece made by hand in New York by talented artists that was given to us by EdiblesGiftsPlus.  This platter was last featured in the Best of Memorable Gifts for Hanukkah.  As it says on this beautiful holiday heirloom dish: Get 'em While They're Hot...or else they might be all gone.

Latkes Get 'em While They're Hot

Hand Painted Ceramic Hanukkah Platter by Our Name is Mud

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com 

Now, I'd love to hear how you make Hanukkah special at your house, either this year or in years past.  Please post your ideas and traditions, happy and silly stories involved little kids or us big kids in the comment section below.  I can't wait to hear all about everyone's own celebrations.

Don't miss these other MommyBlogExpert Hanukkah Posts:

1st Nite: in the Chanukah Mood With Adam Sandler & 8 Crazy Nights Song
Guess what my teen daughter is getting for Chanukah this year
Beyond Thanksgiving Pie: Moving into Hanukkah & the rest of the holidays
Really Memorable Gifts for Celebrating Hanukkah
 

HAG SAMEACH

A Happy Holiday to Everyone!

FTC Disclosure:  Our Name is Mud platter provided by Edible Gifts Plus in conjunction with a previous post.   However, I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.