Tradition

Creating family traditions makes wonderful memories.  This topic is sung in one of my all-time favorite films--Fiddler on the Roof.  As Tevye explains, without Tradition, "their lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on a roof."



We have four interfaith families who have grown to love and share the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.  Since our children were small, we would alternate houses each year, have the traditional foods and feast, exchange gifts, and of course, partake in the candle lighting ceremony.  This was the kids favorite part.  Each family would bring their menorah and depending who was up for it, one or more of the kids would say the blessing as the candles were lit.

My friends and I have had favorite family recipes passed down from our parents' generation and we will pass these on to our children.  For the first time this year, Grant and Daniel will make the potato latkes.  Making latkes is a time-consuming and arduous process but soooo worth it.   I have complete confidence in our chefs.


All of the children in the photo above are lucky to have reaped the benefit of the traditional Garrity, Ross, McDonald, Weinberger Hanukkah celebrations.

Cotillion

Mr. Benjamin's Cotillion was a right of passage in the sixth grade.  At least in our town, all of the children we knew attended.  Bottom line--social graces and etiquette would be  reinforced by someone other than the parents.  Yes!  Cotillion was not given as an option but as a mandate by all parents in Tierrasanta. 

The children met in the middle school auditorium once a week.  There was an equal number of boys and girls.  There was a dress code.  You can imagine a room full of budding adolescents having to dance and actually touch each other, practice properly introducing each other and listening to Mr. Benjamin and his chaperones discuss table manners.  They learned the box-step and other dances appropriate for formal social functions.  Yes, toes were stepped on often.  And remember, at this age all of the girls towered over the boys.

The parents were allowed to be in the auditorium but had to stay seated on the sidelines and not talk.  I will never forget the hidden smiles and snickers from each and every parent as they watched their child advancing the skill set.  Each week did get a little easier and less awkward for the kids and by the end, all were quite comfortable and having fun.  The class ended with a formal dance for the parents and children to show off their polished social graces.  I LOVED Mr. Benjamin.  He was one of a kind. 

Photo above of Grant (right) and buddy Daniel (left) with Grant not looking too chipper in one of the first classes. 

Block Parties

When the kids were small my neighbor and I had a brilliant idea.  Instead of traipsing down by the ocean or bay to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July and fight the crowds and traffic, we would organize a block party and invite the entire street.  The tradition was born.

With the help of some neighbors who had access to the police-type barricades and willing friends and families, our annual Fourth of July block party was a hit each and every year.  Barbecues were hauled out, tons of food was made/shared and a day of activities made for some great memories.

My co-chair and I planned the fun with a bicycle decorating contest and parade, a water balloon toss (that always turned into a gnarly water balloon fight), and the all-time favorite event; the pie eating contest.  We lined up our tables in the center of the street and each child had to bring a cream-type pie for entrance.  With their hands behind their backs and the "On your marks, get set, GO" the kids would delve into their pies face-first in an attempt to win first prize.  

We always had cool prizes for the winners (and of course goody-bags so nobody cried for the losers).  You can only imagine what happened after the winner was announced with all of those unfinished pies lying in wait.  Pie eating quickly turned into pie throwing and with the video cameras rolling, came the most hysterical pie throwing fight you can imagine.  We had twenty-plus children unrecognizable due to pie-muck from head to toe.  Grant was always one of the first to start throwing.  A boy's heaven.  We always said we should submit these films to America's Funniest Home Videos show and could easily win the $10,000.  We only had  one near choking incident with a girl who brought an apple pie which was dangerous to eat at rapid speed!  It took the dads on the block quite some time to clean up the aftermath--but it was sure worth it.

Photo above of Grant (on table left) with his buddy Daniel in the moment.

Broken Bones

 

Boys break bones.   Active boys are particularly at risk for breaking bones.  Doctors across the country are noticing an increase in fractures and researchers suspect this increase may be related to calcium deficiencies.  I suspect it is a combination of boyhood and a mild calcium deficiency.

I had never broken a bone in my life, however, my son has had three broken bones (to date); one requiring surgical repair.  I am now calm to the experience and take it in stride.

The circumstances surrounding the broken bones are actually quite comical, in hindsight.  

First break--brother and sister fighting over seat in car leads to car door slam on thumb.

Second break--brother and sister riding two on one bike barefoot with crash into curb and subsequent toe break.

Third break--snowboarding down a course (without prior inspection of the course) led to a jump gone bad and broken wrist.  The bummer about this break was we were stranded on the mountain without any orthopedic services and had to wait until the next morning to drive to the ER back home.  It was a very long night.  The funniest memory was of Grant's rugby coach when he had to show up at practice with his cast.  Coach walked up, gave a look of disdain, muttered "dumb-ass" then simply turned around and walked away.  It was the beginning of the season and needless to say he wasn't happy.  Rugby coaches are tough.

My only hope is that we preserve what unbroken bones are left and can make it into adulthood without another trip to the ER.

Photo above of the first thumb break and cast.