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Happy Hanukkah!
Saturday, December 20th, 2008
Video Game Gift Ideas for Kids
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
I asked my children to tell me what they’d consider to be their favorite video games. In case there are people out there still looking for last minute gift ideas, below are some recommendations.
I recommend going to Game Stop to buy video games since they’re small stores that you can find anywhere. If you’re looking online, you can also try Amazon.
Here are my teenage son’s favorite games:
For the Wii:
For the DS:
For the PC (Computer):
Spore
World of Goo (It can also be downloaded onto the Wii*.)For the N64 (Some old N64 games can be downloaded onto the Wii* – that’s how my son played it):
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Here are my 7 year old daughter’s favorites:
Disney Princesses: Enchanted Journey – available for the PC, Wii and PS2
Littlest Pet Shop Video Game – available for the PC, Wii and DSBratz Baby Ponies – this is free online – all you need is a Flash player! You choose a pony and style its hair. Great for girls!
Frogger – another game that has a free version online – good for boys and girls (My daughter played it on the GameCube – which is an older system.)
For the DS:
For the PC:
World of Goo (It can also be downloaded onto the Wii*.)
Most kids seem to like games in the Mario Bros. franchise. You can see that Mario games are on both of my kids’ lists and I’ve bought them for many other children in our lives who have enjoyed playing them.
If you’re interested in stuffed animal and robotic animal gifts you can click the link to see an earlier post I wrote with recommendations.
Feel free to let us know about the games the kids you know like in the comments below…
Mama Lisa
*A Note About Downloading Games onto the Wii: There’s a Wii Shop Channel on the Wii Menu on the Wii. You can buy a Wii points card at a video game store or you could by points through the Wii Shop Channel. To use the card you just enter the code on the card into the Wii Shop Channel and search for a game. If it’s there it should come up. Most games cost $15 or less. 100 points costs $1. You can get old games on it and some games that are programmed specifically for it. The old games are from NES, SNES, N64 and some other systems.
Stuffed Animals and Robotic Animal Toys for Kids
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008Furreal Friends is the big thing this year. They’re robotic pets that act like real animals. They feel like stuffed animals – though sometimes, they’re hard underneath. There’s a horse that kids can “ride” on. Actually, it’s the head that moves – making real-looking movements – and you can “feed” it. There are cats, dogs, hamsters, and the list goes on. They range in price from about $19.99 (for the small animals) – $199.00 (for the horses). Preskool put out a Triceratops robotic toy that young kids can go on too. If you’re interested in buying a robotic stuffed animal, I’d recommend checking out the reviews of the different types of pets on Amazon and YouTube. Furreal Friends is the main brand – but some specific animals rate better than others.
Chantilly Lane Bears sing! Their mouths move while they belt out a song! These are really cute – though hearing the same song again and again can make a parent crazy! They’re less well-known than some other toys and I think there’s value in that! They come in other animals besides bears. They’re priced around $19.99.
A Webkinz is a little stuffed animal that comes with a special internet code that lets your child can interact with an online version of it. Webkinz have been around for a couple of years – but both boys and girls in elementary school still enjoy them. Their animals can get a “job” online and with the “money” they make they can improve their houses, and buy virtual food or clothes for their Webkinz. There are also games kids can play online in the Webkinz World. Webkinz normally cost between $8.00 – $15.00.
Girls aged 4-8 like Animals in My Pocket (like “Puppy in My Pocket“) and also Littlest Pet Shop animals. My daughter and her friend can’t get enough of them! There’s also “Safari in my Pocket” that boys might like.
These are some fun gift ideas if you have a school-aged child in your life who loves animals!
Mama Lisa
UPDATE: Check out my more recent post of recommended video games for kids!
“Oy Chanukah” – The Yiddish Version of “Oh, Hanukkah” with a YouTube Video
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008The other day I posted the popular English version of “Oh, Hanukkah” with a YouTube rendition of the song. Here’s the Yiddish version of “Oh, Hanukkah”. It was originally written by Mordkhe Rivesman (1868 – 1924), who was born in Lithuania. The song was also called “Latke Song” and “Khanike Oy Khanike”.
Below you’ll find a YouTube video of 7 year old Aviv singing “Oy Chanukah”, followed by the transliterated Yiddish lyrics, and then an English translation I did to go along with it.
Chanukah, Oy Chanukah
Yiddish TransliterationOy Chanukah, Oy Chanukah
a yontif a sheiner,
A lustiger; a freilicher
nito noch a zeyner.Alle nacht in dredlech,
Shpiln mir,
zudig heise latkes, es un a shir.
tsindt kinder geshvinder*
Di dininke lichtlech ohn.**Lumir ale singen
Und lumir ale shpringen
Und lumir ale tantzen in khur.Lumir ale singen
Und lumir ale Shpringen
Und lumir ale tantzen in khur.Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
(English Translation)Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah,
A holiday, a lovely one,
A cheerful and happy one,
There’s none other like it.Every night with dreidels
Do we play,
Fresh*** hot latkes, do we eat.
Quickly children light
The thin, little candles!Let’s all sing,
And let’s all jump,
And let’s all dance together!Let’s all sing,
And let’s all jump,
And let’s all dance together!*Normally this line is in reverse: “geshvinder tsindt kinder”.
**Alternatively: “Di Chanukah lichtlech on” = “The Chanukah candles!”
***Literally: Scalding or burning hot.I welcome comments and suggestions on the transliteration and translation and we would also love for someone to send in the Yiddish text in the original characters to the version above.
Happy Hanukkah!
Mama Lisa
Oh Hanukkah – A Holiday Song with a YouTube Video
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008My mother-in-law sent me the lyrics to Oh Hanukkah. She sings it while lighting the Menorah* every year.
Oh Hanukkah was originally Yiddish. I believe the original version was written by Mordkhe Rivesman (1868 – 1924), who was born in Lithuania. This song is extremely popular in English now.
Here is a YouTube video rendition by the Chicago Children’s Choir, followed by the English lyrics.
Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah,
Come light the Menorah
Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the horah**.Gather ’round the table, we’ll give you a treat
S’vivivim*** to play with, and latkes**** to eat.And while we are playing,
The candles are burning low.One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.*A Menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum used on Hanukkah.
**The horah is a popular Jewish circle dance that’s still done at special functions. It’s often done to the song Hava Nagila (see video below of people dancing it).
***S’vivim (also spelled ‘Sivivon’) is the Hebrew word for Dreidel or top.
****Latkes are potato pancakes.Here’s a video of people dancing the Horah…
Next I’ll post the Yiddish version of Oh Chanukah with a Video!
Happy Chanukah!
Mama Lisa
How to Choose a Digital Photo Frame – A Great Gift Idea if You Can Afford It!
Saturday, November 29th, 2008I think a digital photo frame is a great gift idea that you could give to many different people – for many different holidays and celebrations.
However, I’ve been looking into the possibility of buying one, as a gift, and I’ve come to the conclusion that, if you’re the type of person who cares about image quality, the minimum you’re looking at paying is about $100.00 – here and now in December 2008.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when buying:
According to PC Magazine, a digital photo frame should have a resolution of at least 640-by-480 pixels.
Also, consider who you’re buying for. If it’s someone who’s not tech-savvy, make sure they can easily access the photos. If I was going to give this as a gift to anyone over 60 or so, it would be for a family member and I’d load it up with photos in advance for them. This way they’d only have to figure out how to scroll through photos or set it to a slide show.
Make sure there’s enough memory built-in to the frame. It should have at least 128 MB or some easy storage for the photos. I would want the built-in memory.
Consumer Reports recommends buying a frame that’s at least 8″. They also recommend a matte frame.
The most standard and less expensive frame right now is 7″ – so if you’re going to go up to 8″ as recommended by Consumer Reports – it’ll cost more money.
I’ve only been able to find two digital frames that are close to $100 (on sale), that are 8″, with a resolution of at least 640-by-480 pixels, and with the buit-in memory of 128 MB. They are:
Smartparts SP800WS 8″ Digital Brown Wood Picture Frame
Kodak EASYSHARE M820 Digital Frame (Photo Above)I don’t have direct experience with these frames. You can check around the internet to see what other people say about them, if you’d like, and to hunt for bargains. These are the two I’d check out based on what’s out there for a reasonable price right now.
My hope is that next year there will be lower price/higher quality choices!
The Dreydl Song and an Easy Way to Make Potato Latkes for Hanukah
Thursday, December 6th, 2007Mark Bittman at the NY Times makes an alternative to latkes that’s called potato nik. He learned it from his grandmother. It’s easy and that’s the point! You simply use your favorite potato pancake recipe (click the link to see mine). Instead of cooking them individually, Mark cooks them as one large pancake. He coats the bottom of the pan with oil and pours in the latke batter. Once one side is cooked, he slides it out onto a plate, and covers it with another plate. Then he turns it over and slides it back into the pan to cook the other side. Once it’s done, voila! It’s ready to be eaten. Much quicker than individual pancakes. You can watch Mark prepare his Potato Nik to see how it’s done.
Serve latkes with sour cream and/or apple sauce. I’d recommend trying my recipe for homemade applesauce to have with it. Yum!
If you’d like to teach your kids a Hanukah song here’s a link to The Dreydl Song and the rules for the Dreydl Game.
-Mama Lisa
The Dreydl Song
Sunday, December 24th, 2006We went to a Hanukah party last night. My mother-in-law, Susan Pomerantz, played The Dreidel Song on the piano – so of course I asked her if I could record it! Here you can hear the tune of The Dreydl Song, with lots of party noise in the background…
MP3 of The Dreydl Song (or click the “PLAY” triangle below).
Here are the basic lyrics in English…
I Have a Little Dreydl
I have a little dreydl
I made it out of clay,
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreydl I shall play.Chorus
O dreydl, dreydl, dreydl
I made it out of clay,
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreydl I shall play.Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanzaa and Merry Christmas!
-Lisa
Recipe for Potato Pancakes or Latkes
Wednesday, December 28th, 2005“Latkes” is the Yiddish word for pancakes (usually potato pancakes). Jewish people eat latkes for Hanukkah because of the oil they’re fried in.
It symbolizes the miracle of the oil: A little over 2000 years ago, the Jewish people were besieged by a Greek army. Many were barricaded in the Temple of Jerusalem, trying desperately to protect it. They only had a small amount of oil, yet it lasted for eight days and nights. (Another Hanukkah tradition is that candles on the Menorah are lit for 8 days, one for each of the eight nights the oil lasted.)
I’ve made latkes using different recipes over the years, and they usually taste about the same. The main difference in how a latke tastes is in the frying and storing. It’s important to keep the temperature of the oil fairly high while cooking. This keeps the latkes from absorbing all the oil. They turn out crispier this way too.
Baking potatoes are best to use since they’re starchier. The starchiness holds the pancake together better while frying.
Recipe for Potato Latkes
2 to 2 ½ pounds Baking Potatoes
1 Yellow Onion (optional, but recommended)
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
¼ cup Flour or Matzoh Meal
1 t. Salt (or more to taste)
Pepper to taste
Vegetable or Olive Oil for fryingClean the potatoes, cutting out any imperfections. Grate potatoes and onions. (If your eyes can’t take grating the onions, you can finely chop them. Also, to save time you can grate it all in a food processor.) Put both in colander. Strain out all liquid, pressing down with a clean towel or squeeze it with your hands. Place mixture in bowl and combine with remaining ingredients.
Pour ¼ inch of oil into skillet and heat over medium-high heat. You’ll know the oil is hot enough if , when you put a very small amount of the mixture in, it sizzles.
Spoon potato mixture into the skillet and flatten with spatula, making about 3-4 inch pancakes. Fry latkes until golden brown to brown on bottom and flip. Turn down heat a little if needed to prevent burning, but not too much or the pancakes will turn out soggy.
Once pancakes are golden brown on each side, drain on a double paper towel and gently blot the top with paper towels too.
Do not stack the latkes. That will make them soggy too! You can put them on a cookie sheet in a single layer in a low oven to keep them warm.
Serve them with homemade applesauce for a real treat!
Many thanks to Diane Schindelheim for teaching me the art of cooking latkes!
Happy Hanukkah!
Lisa
UPDATE: Check out my instructions for Potato Nik which you make as one large potato pancake to save time.
Oh Hanukkah
Sunday, December 11th, 2005Here’s another Hanukkah song. I believe it’s sung while lighting the menorah.
Oh Hanukkah
Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,
Come light the menorah.
Let’s have a party,
We’ll all dance the hora.
Gather round the table,
We’ll give you a treat.
Dreidels to play with, latkes to eat.And while we are playing
The candles are burning low.
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago;
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.Menorah = Ceremonial Candelabra used for Hanukkah
Hora = A circle dance
Dreidels = Special tops, played with on Hanukkah
Latkes = Potato pancakes, the traditional food for HanukkahHappy Hanukkah!
-Lisa
Chanukah Song – “I Have a Little Dreidel” and The Dreidel Game
Wednesday, November 30th, 2005The Dreidel Song is very popular at this time of year. Dreidels are tops. Here are the lyrics…
I Have a Little Dreidel
I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay,
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play.Chorus
O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay,
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play.It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin,
And when my dreidel’s tired
It drops and then I win.Chorus
My dreidel’s always playful
It loves to dance and spin,
A happy game of dreidel
Come play now, let’s begin.Chorus
Children are often given dreidels for Hanukkah. Dreidels are tops that have four Hebrew letters on them. One letter is on each side of the dreidel. The letters are nun, gimel, hay, and shin.
The Dreidel Game
The dreidel game is usually played using chocolate in the shape of a coin, often wrapped in gold foil. Each player puts a coin in the “pot”. They then take turns spinning the dreidel. The letter the dreidel lands on will determine what happens next.
נ – Nun = nothing happens
ג – Gimel = you get the whole pot
ה – Hay = you take half of the pot
ש- Shin = you put a coin into the potIf the pot ends up being empty, each player has to add a coin. If someone loses all their coins, they’re out of the game. Whoever gets the most coins in the end wins.
Happy Hanukkah!
-Lisa
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