It was finally here – our annual family Chanukah party! After numerous community events and parties, tonight would be just me, my husband and our kids. The sound of latkes sizzling on the stove combined with the sight of pretty matching plates and tablecloths was the perfect combination. The mason jars labeled with the adorable stickers, each filled with another donut topping, stood in a neat row. Chanukah themed edible place cards with each kid’s name on it were propped right near their placemats. It was picture perfect.
And then I woke up.
At least part of it was true – it was the day of our family Chanukah party. As I refocused from my Instagram worthy dream, I tried to make my mental to do list to get everything ready in time.
Quicker than it usually seemed to be, I had to leave to pick up my kids from school. I left directions with my oldest son, who was home for the week, to put on a nice tablecloth and prepare the homemade sushi. The store bought dough for donuts was rising on the counter and a pot of freshly made custard was ready and waiting. I had to nix the egg rolls plan because I had only two wrappers left and no time to get more.
And Latkes. The perfect Chanukah party wouldn’t be complete without latkes. I still planned to fry up a fresh batch.
I got home from carpool with my Ford Transit full of famished boys and they tumbled into the house ahead of me, before I could get some picture perfect-ness into my Chanukah party.
And they wanted their sushi. Like now.
But aside from the tablecloth, the party wasn’t set up! I needed to peel the potatoes for the latkes. If they eat the sushi now, they’ll be gone by the time the latkes come out. And I want it to be a family party! Like, we should all sit together at the table at the same time. And get nice plates. And put a sushi container at each setting. Maybe even get a picture. I wanted it to look NICE!
My husband walked in just a moment after us and surveyed the scene. Lowering his voice, he whispered to me, “Let them have their sushi, I won’t tell anyone, I promise. We won’t take pictures, no one will know. Just let everyone have a good time.”
Wisest. Words. Ever.
I looked at him in wonder … how did he know?! How did he know what I was thinking?
I took a deep breath. I knew he was right.
I let my imagination run out the door, turned to the scrambling crew and gave the resounding “OK!” to take their sushi.
It was hard to miss the squeals of delight as they headed off with their prized sushi containers and I started peeling potatoes.
“Latkes?!” That was my 9 year old. “Can we have french fries instead??”
Scandalous! French fries instead of latkes?! The Mommy Police would arrest me.
I looked over at my husband. I knew what he was thinking. And so the latkes happily fried side by side with the French fries, while the oil was heating for the donuts.
When the latkes were ready, no one was at the table. My husband and I sat and enjoyed too many of them. Empty sushi containers were strewn all over as were puddles of soy sauce. The french fries drew a crowd but then everyone was too full. Until the donuts came. Before I could even reach for my cute little bowls, my kids were deep into their frosting and toppings, straight from their original (very uncute) containers.
No mason jars, no labels, no crystals. Just happy kids and their plastic spoons in frosting containers and torn open marshmallow bags and a bowl of chocolate chips.
On un-classy un-fancy white paper plates no less.
And smiles. Big happy smiles on those adorable faces as they bit into overstuffed oversugared non traditional donuts. Most of the kids couldn’t finish their whole plate.
The kids shmoozed and came and went and everyone was happy with the grand family party. And you know what – it really was grand.
A grand deconstructed Chanukah party.
Nothing like the setup I dreamed of but everything about the happy looks on my kids’ faces.
Little Yellow Notepad 