Gifts galore

We all got together for our Hanukkah celebration and dinner this evening and it was, surprisingly, not raining.  The boys got lots of toys and books; I gave them a band-in-a-box full of not very noisy instruments and a book about Jazz music that had buttons to push to make musical sounds.  This was a very successful gift, and they had fun playing with the triangle and the maracas.  They also got new rubber boots that they adore.  I received a new terrycloth bathrobe - my old one being 35 years old, it was a real treat - a rice cooker and a new handbag.  Andrew had made a big pot of chili for dinner and Sarah and Nick had brought an assortment of crackers and cheese for us to snack on.  All in all a lovely get-together.  And tomorrow Sam and Max get to celebrate Christmas.