Behind the Scenes

Here's what's happening

behind the scenes

while daddy gets ready for the Christmas story,

and reads the Christmas story.

While the Snow Fell

 Christmas night at our house, which is actually about a week to ten days before the real Christmas day, began with a short piano piece from Xandra,

a belly dance from Tikvah,

more belly dances from Tikvah,

followed by Jayhawk jammies

for the whole family,

made by mama,

worn while we opened other presents:

We wrapped up the evening with a group shot,

alligators included,

and hot cocoa

bundled in blankets

amidst the falling snow.

Two Parts

The annual making and sampling of Christmas goodies in two parts:

Part one

Part two:

A Tale of 33

The tale of a 33rd birthday:

First you will be forced to wear a silly hat,

so you will don a goony expression

Your cake will be adorned with tall candles

that won't blow out

no matter how hard you try.

Puzzled,

you call in reinforcements,

lots of reinforcements,

who will finally extinguish your cake.

Then you will eat sashimi (raw fish),

by choice,

and enjoy it immensely.

You will force your wife to eat raw octopus.

She will enjoy it much less than you.

You will receive beautiful handmade gifts

from your adoring fans

THE END

Seriously

It wasn't uncommon last fall to hear Aliyah ask, "Can I feed Isaiah?"

Whenever I consented, she took her job very seriously.

And Isaiah took his eating very seriously.

They're a good pair.

Seriously.