On the Eighth (and final!) night of Chanukah my parents gave to me...

A magical day helping others and night with Bubbie and Zaydie! Wow, was our day ever fun filled and full of magic! We started the day with the tree donation to Martha's Village and Kitchen. Emily organized a wonderful event for our Mommy's group to donate a tree, decorate it, and fill the bottom with presents for those in need. We were lucky enough to be part of the team that got to drop the tree off and decorate it. You LOVED the ornaments ('balls') and were a fine little helper with good color sense for where the ornaments were placed. I must say I did feel super warm and fuzzy today, especially when seeing two different people who use the facility play piano while we decorated the tree. It was so beautiful and I thought to myself, well there's something I realized today-don't prejudge people who are down on their luck and possibly homeless...they still appreciate the finer things in life like music and know it can bring enormous pleasure to any one's soul.

I know one day you will see your scrapbook full of good things you've done for others and will be proud to continue on that tradition on your own. In fact, last Christmas goats were given to a family in Africa in your name. And on your birthday a duffel bag was filled with goodies for children who are taken away from their homes because of dangerous living conditions and are put in foster homes. And for Daddy's birthday you gave him a gift to the International Make A Wish Foundation to help a specific group of children. Basically every special occasion we make one charitable gift in your name and when you are old enough you will be able to select what you want to give on your own. This Christmas I already have your donation set but don't want to write it here because it's a surprise to Daddy. :)

Then tonight we went to the Living Desert with your Bubbie and Zaydie to see Wild Lights. It was SO gorgeous and definitely felt like we were walking through a magical fairy land. You loved it and pointed at all the lights and the animal displays that were lit up, and the train! Oh what fun it was. It was COLD and you stayed bundled up and warm in many fleece layers and hats and mitts! You had a great time and walked holding Daddy's and my hand all the way back to the car. We both loved it. Another late night for you but you are handling it all like a trooper. I love you.