I’ve been really excited about getting my older son, Michael, to experience other holiday traditions, besides Christmas this season.  First on the list was Hanukkah.  I had read great things about Bananukah!, where popular musician Danna Banana tells the story of the Festival of Lights with props, songs, games and kid participation.  This would be a perfect way to introduce Michael to Hanukkah – or so I thought.

My whole family went to the CMOM on Saturday to see the performance.  Unfortunately, I was the only one who enjoyed it (well Sean, my baby, seemed to enjoy it too - if that counts).  Both Michael and my husband had these glazed, “when will this be over?” looks on their faces during the performance.  I think that part of the lack of interest was that some of the songs were in Hebrew and we didn’t know the English ones (perhaps if they would have had a songbook, it would have been more inclusive?).  My husband did know the dreidel song though – perhaps because he grew up in NYC.  In any event, at the end of the performance, my husband was like, “Where’s the latkes?” and Michael said, “You said that there would be food.”  (I did not.  CMOM where it was held, doesn’t even allow food.)  Oh well, I tried.  Next year, I’ll take them to a Hanukkah event with latkes!

Later that day, we tried to get a good picture of the kids to go on our holiday cards.  (I don’t really like “perfect” professional photos for my holiday cards – I want family and friends to see the kids in a somewhat natural pose.)  What did I learn?  1. I could never be a children’s photographer and 2. I could never be a baby wrangler (a job related to helping kids on film).  It was hilarious!  First, the batteries in the camera kept acting up, so my husband and I were having this huge conversation about alkaline and non-alkaline batteries – which ones would make the crazy camera work.  Finally, we had the camera working correctly.  Then, the kids would not both be still at the same time.  My baby Sean, who is nine months, kept crawling towards us as we tried to take the picture.  When Sean sat still, Michael would make these crazy Joker-esque smiles when we said, “Smile”.  (By the end, we learned that saying “Cheese” cured that problem.)  Finally, we said, “This is the last picture.  It is what it is.”  So, below you’ll see the shot that our family and friends will get on their Snapfish holiday cards.  (Oh well, next year perhaps we will do the professional shoot thingy!)

Happy Holidays!

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On Wednesday, my three year old son Michael took part in a focus group for an upcoming show by Little Airplane Productions, the creators of The Wonder Pets, Oobi and more preschool programming.  Beforehand, I told him that his "job" was to listen to the story and then answer the questions that he was asked.  He did exactly what I said.  He listened intently while the story was being read.  Then when the facilitator asked questions, he was quick to answer…too quick.  Michael is a lot like me in that he processes information really quickly.  As soon as the facilitator asked the question, he was ready with the answer.  The other little kids who were participating just repeated his answers until the facilitator started asking them what they thought first specifically by name.  We’ll have to work on giving others the opportunity to answer questions first before he goes to preschool next September.  I like that he grasps things quickly.  However, I hope that he isn’t like I was in school - I would learn everything really quickly, then get bored and talk for the rest of class, distracting the other students who didn’t learn as quickly - not good.  I never really got punished by teachers for acting that way but looking back, I see how unfair that was to the other kids.

Anyway, it was neat to see how Little Airplane does focus groups for their preschool programming.  They were really great at listening to the kids’ input in order to make the shows great.  I said that I would spread the word, so here’s the info:

"For those who have children ages 3 to 5, they are invited (with their parents or guardians) to the offices of Little Airplane Productions to listen to - and offer feedback on - potential episodes for current or future educational preschool shows.  Each participant receives a $25 travel stipend and a small gift. Sessions run 30-40 minutes and various times and dates are available; call or email Natascha to schedule an appointment. 207 Front Street, in the South Street Seaport. [212.965.8999; email: natascha@littleairplane.com; http://www.littleairplane.com] "

Later, I found out that Little Airplane also offers tours of their studio (all work on their shows is done in-house) for $10/person.  I think that would be fun for the kids to see a "behind the scenes" look at some of their favorite shows, so I plan to go back when the weather gets warmer.

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The New York Theatre Ballet is giving away four tickets to their one hour Nutcracker performance on December 29^th at 3:30PM.

"GROUNDBREAKING in its programming and execution, NYTB’s wildly popular Once Upon A Ballet series provides entertaining storybook ballets meticulously rendered in miniature. Our traditional Nutcracker and Cinderella classics, as well as new works such as The Alice-In-Wonderland Follies and Mother GOOSE! are only one hour in length - perfectly suited to the attention span of our youngest audience members, yet sophisticated enough for the most discerning adult."

NUTCRACKER
DEC 14-30, 2007
GET TICKETS ONLINE TODAY AT www.nytb.org

Mom in the City members can enter simply by sending an email to contests@mominthecity.com with "Nutcracker" in the Subject line.  The winner will be chosen on December 20th.

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The last couple of days have been full of holiday prep.

On Sunday, we went to the DM/Cookie magazine “babes in toyland” event at FAO Schwarz.  The snow did not deter my husband and son, who were eager to go.  I’m glad that we went.  It was great to browse through the store and get a couple of things without huge crowds.  We picked up Candyland and a Parents Magazine Bee Bop Band.  Unfortunately, they didn’t have the main thing that my oldest son has his heart set on (Fisher Price’s Planet Heroes collection) so I ordered them online later.  It was also nice to finally meet Lyss Stern (the founder of DM) in person after having e-talked a few times.  She is a very friendly, welcoming person (with an adorable son).

One thing that I especially liked in the event’s goody bag was the Baby Jamz CD.  I had seen the CD before, but was not inclined to get it.  (It’s the packaging – to me, it’s not that great/kind of “cheesy” – yes, I still haven’t found a word to replace that outdated one.)  Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the music.  Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s sister) does a great job of singing updated versions of some classic nursery rhymes.

On Sunday night, my sons and I played the cd while alternating between playing instruments and dancing.  My husband even joined in on one of the songs – doing the “Chicken Noodle Soup” dance to the beat while my 3 year old started break-dancing.  So cute!

On Monday, I completed all of my Christmas shopping online.  (I’m so happy with myself!).  Kid-wise, I ordered the Planet Heroes figures for my oldest son and Learn & Groove® Counting Maracas for my baby and my new nephew.  Now, all that’s left holiday-wise is it to get the cards out.  The problem is that I haven’t been able to find a picture that I like with just my two kids (I prefer to only have the kids on holiday cards), so I just might send regular Christmas cards with a family photo included.  I just don’t feel like dealing with any behind-the-scenes holiday-related things past this week.

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