We celebrate both holidays in this house and my husband does Hannukah for the kids. Each night they do the menorrah and he gives them a gift at the end. He starts small and by the 8th night they get their large gift. Well SD no longer has anything to do with this household. SS12 has been with us until this morning and he is back at his BM's for the next week. So he has gotten his gifts every night. BM has been doing things right lately and actually texted DH that she would bring SS back at 5:30 so he could do Hannukah here. DH refused to contact her and was leaving it up to SS if he wanted to come for the last three nights. Well, she texted on her own about this. I think his last email telling her off on being an ineffective parent, may have done some good.

Funny thing was SS12 told us that SD14 got her mom (not jewish) to get her a mennorah for her to light for Hannukah. Well, DH just said that is nice for her. We talked later and we both thought that ought to be an interesting lighting since she has no clue what she is doing. DH barely does and he is Jewish. I am sure that SD has manipulated her mother into doing it, so she can get some more gifts, since she is not getting them from her Dad. He said in front of SS that if she doesn't live here she doesn't get anything. SS12 could care less about her, but he is so cautious not to upset his Dad. DH also figured out that SS was not letting him go to an Open House that they were having this week at school, he went through his backpack and found the note. He figures it is because he doesn't want them together with him. I think DH should go. He doesn't want to, he figures SS12 would ask him if he wanted him there. BM mentioned in her text last night that she was taking SS and would get him from our house after Hannukah to take him. She wasn't telling him about it, she was telling him her plans. I think she is manipulating another situation with DH. But, not my kid, so it is not my problem. But, I still think DH should keep track of this one. I am sure BM will somehow portray down the road that DH does not care about school functions.

I am volunteering again at SS choir concert to prevent bullying for him. I forwarded her the email telling her about the concert so she attends. SS doesn't tell anyone anything. I am sure she is pissed that I am doing it again. She never goes to anything for SS, so I find it interesting that she is going to the showcase. Someone is trying to look like a good mom.