We have been really, really busy the last week.  We’ve had a great time going to Chanukah parties by family and friends, hitting the mall for fun activities, going to Beirot Yitzchack where we rode on camels and donkeys and milked a goat and learned all about making olive oil, going to the biblical zoo and finally hiking with friends through caves.  We’ve come home late almost every night and slept in almost every day!  The kids are nice and exhausted and so are we!

Some of the pictures are up online on Facebook and some are still to come because Eric needed the phone and I can’t upload while he’s on.  So check out the pictures below to see our hike today and I’ll post more tomorrow. 

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Less than an hour before shabbat and we are busy getting ready for Chanukah and Shabbat.  Latkes are made, table is set and the Chanukias are ready to be lit.  Ben keeps reminding me that a menorah is a light and that I shouldn’t be calling the Chanukia a menorah.  So confusing.

Eric got home safely and with tons of gifts for the kids so we are good to go on the gift front…

Today Keren and Talia both slept in until 7:30!!  I had to rush to get the kids out this morning.  Fortunately, since Talia has cut her hair she needs much less time getting ready in the morning and we made it to school in time.

Keren and I spent the morning shopping for groceries and then shopping for birthday/chanukah gifts.  The day was rainy on and off so we couldn’t do much outside.

After school Ben had Eitan come over.  My grandparents also came over.  Ben has been asking lately for play dates and he’s had a few since my parents have left.  He’s much happier when he has someone his age to play with.  His play date was going well until my grandmother gave Talia the magic set that she asked for for her birthday.  At that point Ben started melting down.  Eitan took it all in stride and kept his cool even as I threw Ben into his room for  a time out.  My grandparents were so impressed with him. He sat next to my grandfather and read a book while Ben was crying in his room.

Anyway, in the end the boys had a great time playing outside in the mud with Keren.  The 3 of them were covered in mud by the end.  I am sure Robin was thrilled to get her son back covered in mud.

This evening we went to the mall with my grandparents.  They were selling all kinds of things for Chanukah. I had Talia pick out the doughnuts that she wants for her doughnut cake tomorrow for her birthday.  My grandmother was talked into buying the kids each a stress ball. We were shmoozing with the woman who sold them and she explained that it was just a balloon(baloo loo in Keren talk) with flour in it and two googly eyes stuck on and some yarn stuck on for hair.  Well, wouldn’t  you know it, on the ride home Talia’s exploded in the car all over the place.  There is now flour all over my car!!  Ben gave her his in the meantime but I think she now wants to try to make one herself.   Great.

I did some cooking this evening since I have a Bar Mitzvah tomorrow night and I won’t be able to get much done and now I am waiting for the soup to cool off a little bit before I put it into the fridge, something that Eric could do for me if he was home!

This morning I woke up and I was actually surprised not to find Eric home.  I had the most vivid dream just before I woke up that he came home 3 days early to surprise us.  It was so weird when I woke up and he wasn’t here.

Anyway, I gave the kids breakfast and started washing the dishes and just when I got to the end I heard the sound of water.  I looked up to see if the roof was leaking from all the rain the night before but didn’t see anything.  The water was coming from under the sink and was flooding out at my feet.  So I turned off the water and threw down some shmatas and noticed that the pipes were disconnected where the straight pipe hits the elbow pipe.  I stuck the two pipes back together and  took the kids to school. When I got home I wasn’t quite sure what to do.  I started cleaning all the Tupperware that was now drenched in dishwater and noticed that even though I put the two pipes back together they weren’t holding so well and the suds bubbles were still leaking.  I was really back and forth on weather I should call the handyman and spend money or call the cablan and see if I could get him out here.  In the end I opted for the handyman.  He came within the hour and fixed it in 5 minutes and wouldn’t accept any money!  So now the Tupperware is clean and organized and my sink is working again.  And all this before 10AM.

After Ben came home from English and I took Talia to English Ben asked if we could “go somewhere fun”.  I really had nothing in mind since it was already 4 and looked like it might rain again.  I asked him if he wanted to go to the mall for a while since I had to buy some gifts for my cousins’ kids for Chanukah.   He liked the idea and so we went. 

When we got to the mall as security was checking our car before we parked Ben asked me if people in Israel carry guns only or a bow and arrow as well.  I explained that people don’t use bow and arrows anymore.  He asked if they could it I wanted to and I answered that they could.  He is so cute sometimes!!

Ben and Keren had a nice time helping me pick out some books - Keren mostly made a mess.   We wrapped them in the store and then I took them to play in the little kids play area.  It was hopping there.  Usually when I take Keren at 10 in the morning there is noone there.  In the evenings, however, there are tons of kids there.  They both had such a nice time that I had to practically drag them out at 5.  I told Ben that we can go tomorrow when my grandparents are here.  We usually go to the mall to eat anyway.  We’ll just leave the house a little early so they can play.

The rest of the evening went the way it always goes.  Dinner, TV and bed.

Got to Ben’s school today to see a notice up on the bulletin board telling parents to keep the gan clean and comb our children’s heads.  Not what I wanted to hear.  Uch.  I asked Ben and he said that a couple of the girls in his ganhave lice.  I told him to stay clear of them!!  I also hung up his sweatshirt far away from the others in a corner.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that one of those little buggers doesn’t leap into his head.  I know they don’t jump but these are the super Israeli kind of lice.

Since the building freeze has been implemented here in Israel many of the places where they are not supposed to build have been keeping the inspectors out so they can’t take pictures.  Chashmonaim is now one of those places!  There have been a ton of people standing at the gates the past 2 days and holding signs protesting any inspectors coming in.  I feel like we are living history right here!

Talia had a party today in school this evening.  Luckily the parents were not invited b/c I don’t know what I would have done since Eric is away.  Of course it was pouring like crazy at 5:30 when we had to pile into the car to take her to school.  I was so soaked just from walking to the car/running to the car that I had to change my pants when we got back home.  Anyway, she came home at 7:30 and she had a great time there.  They watched a magic show performed, according to Talia, by a kid who was about 6 years old???  She also did some kind of project that I didn’t understand.  They ate sufganiot, of course, and had a nice time.

This afternoon the phone rang while Keren was sleeping and woke her up.  It might have just been a coincidence but I am pretty sure it was the phone.  Anyway, it was raining out and I didn’t feel like going out again with Keren (we had already been to the mall) so I decided to go through some bins that we have stored here to find the shoe bin and find some slippers in there for Keren.  The floors here have gotten so cold that tonight when I was undressing Keren to put her into the bath and I took off her socks she jumped onto my lap and said “cold!”  So I found the bin with the shoes and I found a pair of slippers for her, a pair of boots for her (cute Ladybug boots) and a pair of black shoes for her to wear on Shabbat!  I sure hit paydirt.  I was so glad that I schlepped it out!!  I also found a cute red coat for her when it gets a little colder and a hat and gloves.  I am so glad that I saved all this stuff from Talia.

Needless to write, there was no tennis tonight b/c of the rain. We are down to 3 players now and I have to find a fourth.  One of the girls doesn’t want to play anymore.  I am so sad.  We were a really nice group.  Oh well. 

Okay, I have to end this here and go to sleep.  If there is any thunder tonight I can be sure I will be woken up by Ben!

Well, that’s it.  My parents have come and gone.  We had a great time while they were here and now that they are gone the kids and I are totally bummed out.  It was really a great 9 days.  My parents took the kids to school every day and picked them up as well.  They also got up every morning with them and snuggled in bed before breakfast.  It was a great bonding time for them.  We basically hung out for a week and did the usual things that we always do.  They helped us not pick out dining room chairs – I didn’t like them so we didn’t pick them out in the end.  They came to the park with us in the morning with Keren.  They came to the Chanukah Yarid that we have here every year.  They took care of the kids one day while I was sick and Eric was working.  I played tennis one morning with my dad.  I went into Yerushalayim with them one morning with Keren while Eric was in ulpan and the kids were in school.  They went to some of the kids’ chugim to watch Talia at gymnastics and Ben at swim.

Today we drove the kids to school and then Keren and I took my parents to the airport.  It was very sad.  We dropped them off and then went to the supermarket to pick up a few things that we need for the rest of the week.  When we got home I put Keren in front of the TV and I started stripping beds and doing laundry.  I had a lot to do b/c not only were my parents here but I wanted to change the kids’ sheets and I also had the bedding from my grandparents who came for Shabbat.

In the afternoon I took Talia and Ben to the makolet to buy ices b/c my dad had given them each money this morning before he left to buy ice cream.  Then I dropped Ben off at a friend’s house and took Talia to the toy store to look around for things that she might want for her birthday and for Chanukah.  I was clueless so she helped me!  She came home in a great mood today b/c she got a 100 on her math test!! Her first 100 ever!!!!    She said that she actually got 2 wrong but that her teacher let her correct them and then gave her a 100.  Yay Talia!!

We came home and played a little and I made dinner and then Keren and I picked up Ben while Talia stayed home and played on the computer.  Soon it was time for dinner – taco night – and baths and bed.  During bedtime Ben started crying that he missed my parents.  I was very surprised b/c usually he’s fine and Talia is the one that cries.  So he started crying and that set Talia off and the two of them were hysterical crying while I was singing to them and tucking them in.  It was so sad.  Keren was kind of looking at them like they had lost their minds!

Anyway, I finally got them calmed down and I told Talia that we would make a calendar so that we can cross off the days until my parents come back.  In the meantime, I am kind of distracting her with her upcoming birthday.  So at least we have that.  I am sure in a few days we’ll be back to normal!

Shabbat was really nice.  I think I might write that about every week when I am talking about Shabbat.  It’s funny.  This time it really was extra nice b/c Ben was gone the whole day!  We went to shul and a friend of Ben’s asked him to come for lunch.  At first he said no.  I had to remind him that he always gets upset when Talia has a friend for lunch and I tell him he’s too young.  So he said yes and he went!  He had a great time.  I met them with Talia at the Moadon Noar to see the presentations that each shevet of Benei Akivah had done and then we went to the park for an hour.  After about an hour the boy’s mom was ready to go and she invited Ben back to their house again.  So he went back and Eric didn’t pick him up until 4:30. 

When Shabbat was over we fed the kids, got them showered and ran out to the basketball courts for daglanut and to see the new kids joining Benei Akivah get their shevet name.  It was really cute.

Sat. night Talia woke Eric up to tell him that her stomach hurt.  This morning we all got up and Talia said again that her stomach hurt.  I had too much going on this morning and I sent her to school figuring that every day her stomach hurts, so she says, and every day she is fine.  I took the kids to school and Eric to the airport and then came back to give Keren breakfast.  Then Keren and I went to her firts book club meeting.  It went well.  Keren was cute and not too loud.  One of the other moms brought her baby and Keren was glad to play with her.  At one point Keren decided to lay down on the dog’s bed!  If only the dog was downstairs, she would have had a field day.

During the meeting the call I was kind of expecting from Talia’s school saying that she had thrown up and I should go get her.  I excused myself and ran to her school.  I was glad that I brought the car to the meeting and that I didn’t have to first walk all the way home with Keren.  So I picked up Talia and she showed me the spot where she threw up, ewww, and brought her home where she continued to be sick for most of the morning.  At least when Talia is sick she can throw up herself and make it to the toilet, unlike the other two kids!

I picked up Ben from school and fed Keren and Ben lunch while Talia napped on and off.  After lunch we decided to get some fresh air.  It was warm today.  The house was cold but the air was warm outside.  Talia has been asking me to ask her friend’s mother about this “goomie” that she bought her.  They use it to play chinese jump rope and all the girls have the same one and she wanted it.  She has one at home but she says her official one doesn’t stretch as long as the other girls’ ropes.  So I asked the mom where she got it and she told me.  So I took the kids to the craft store and we picked one up.  Talia found it right away.  It turns out that this goomie is a long piece of elastic!!!!  it was 6 shekels.  Too funny!!  I got Ben some window art since we were there and he felt that he should get something if Talia was getting something.  So now Talia can play chinese jump rope and I can fix anything elastic that might need fixing.

When we came home Talia did some homework and Ben and Keren colored.  Ben did his window art and Keren decided to use her body as an easel:

The rest of the day we kind of just hung out.

In the evening Talia dosed a little more while I fed the kids dinner and then I took Keren and Ben for flu shots.  Ben went first.  He was very, very brave!  He sat on my lap while the nurse gave him his shot and he didn’t say a word.  When I looked at him and asked him how it was he had tears in his eyes!  he was so cute.  He didn’t want to cry. I went next and then Keren went.  She started crying before the nurse even touched us.  She has recently had vaccinations so I think she remembered that when I hold her and roll up her pants it means something is going to hurt!  So now we are all set except for Talia and Eric.  I am not worried about Eric, he can take care of himself, but I want to take Talia at the end of the week b/c she’s already missed enough school.  I don’t want her missing more school b/c of the flu!

Here are some cute pictures I’ve taken of Keren around the house this past week:

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I am sure there was more to write but I have to get to sleep early tonight and it’s already almost 9.  I am nervous that Ben was complaining of a headache and if he wakes up sick in the middle of the night I will be zonked tomorrow morning with no one here to help.  Off to bed!

Today Talia came home from school and announced that the optional teva that her teacher said she could make is now mandatory and we had to make one.  I would have made it when it was optional but she told me at the last minute and I was angry.  So I sent her to the area where everyone dumps their old cardboard boxes to pick up some boxes and she came home and we made the stupid thing.  It was frustrating as could be and at one point I screamed at everyone and stormed out.  Eric wound up finishing it, sans roof, and it came out pretty nice!    She has 2 floors, 2 windows, a ramp and a little perch for Noach to sit out on.  Once she adds the little animals and people that we happen to have from a toy teva it’s going to be really cute.

The rest of the short day was spent cleaning up the house and getting ready for Shabbat.

This morning after getting the kids to school we went to Tel Aviv to look at a furniture place.  We want to order dining room chairs.  It’s time.  We had a pretty hectic schedule b/c our landlord was planning on being here at 12 and we only left around 10 and it’s about 30 minutes there with no traffic.  We picked something out although we aren’t sure we want to order it yet.  We want to check out one more place to see what the price difference is.  I think this guy might be expensive.  In the end we got back at 12:30 and our landlord wasn’t even there yet!!!  Made me crazy for nothing.

This afternoon was my turn to do carpool for Ben and his swim chug.  I picked the boys up and brought them to swim and then sat and watched for a little since Keren was home sleeping and Eric was relaxing.  He is amazing in the water now.  I see such a difference.  He is also very confident in the water now.  This chug was a great idea and he loves it so much.  While I was there I noticed all the lost and found items that she has sitting on the shelves.  I was thinking to myself how many things people have lost when I noticed Talia’s watch sitting there on the shelf!!  Eric and I were just talking about her watch and how she lost it.  It turns out that she lost it last year at the pool!!  I was so glad that I noticed it.

Just before I went to get the boys from swim and bring them home the lights all went off.  As I dropped each kid off I heard from people that they were all off.  Then I found out they were off also in Modiin!!  It was a huge blackout.  We got home and Talia had brought a friend home.  They played and then went to their chug and we went around collecting candles and flashlights so that when it got dark we would be prepared.  There was no mention on the recording that we called when the lights would go back on and it was going to be dark by 5.

When Talia got home I showered everyone while it was still light and we figured we would go to Yerushalayim for dinner since Eric couldn’t work here and Modiin had no lights either.  Talia didn’t want to go b/c the older kids were putting on a show for the end of Chodesh Irgun.  So she left and went to a friend’s house and we left to eat dinner.

In the end we wound up staying local b/c as we were driving the lights were coming back on.  We ate at a pretty bad Chinese place in Modiin.

Talia came home around 8:10.  She had a great time but the poor kid was starving!  One of our friends called to tell me she was on her way home.  I was glad that she had people looking out for her.  She was with her friends the whole night.  She said it was great and each show was really cool.  I gave her the leftovers from dinner and she went to sleep right away.  She was beat.

This morning Eric got a late start to his ulpan class.  He hasn’t been napping during the day and he’s been staying up late working/going to the gym/helping friends with their computer problems so he was exhausted and couldn’t drag himself out.  So we had coffee and hot chocolate together this morning while Keren watched her video.   This is, of course, after I already came home from dropping the kids off and then doing the grocery shopping at 8. 

I took Keren to the park here today.  I knew that my old ulpan teacher would be teaching the lower level class today and I wanted to say hi to her.  So I took Keren to the park and then to the class.  I was so annoyed at Keren b/c she wouldn’t even look at Chaya or say anything. She was being really, really shy.  After that we went back to the park and there were actually other people there – shocker!!  The kid was about Keren’s age and Keren just loved running after her.  She went on whatever the little girl went on. She tried to hold her hand at one point.  It was so adorable!  So we had a nice time.  At the end the girl’s grandmother who was watching her said that they had to go home to have lunch and take a nap.  She mentioned having soup.  That was all Keren had to hear.  She was saying soup soup soup the whole way home and when we got home I gave her some squash soup that I had left over from Shabbat.

I went to Channah’s house with Keren after she woke up from her nap.  I needed her help to fill out some forms for Talia.  It was complicated stuff that neither Eric nor I could figure out so I went over there.  She helped me in no time and filled the form out for me.  Tomorrow I have to take it and drop it off.

This afternoon Eric took his nap and I picked up the kids and played with them quietly when we got home.  At close to 3 Ben went to see what his story was and he was just waking up.   We all left to Saba and Savta’s house around 3.  The plan was to go there because my grandmother had an eye doctor appointment at 6:30 and was afraid if she came here that she wouldn’t make it there.  She would have but she was nervous so we went there instead.  On the way there Talia casually mentioned that if she wanted she could make a teva (ark) for school.  Then she went on to mention what the other girls did, how they made theirs.  So for 2 days she’s been telling us that she has no homework and now, all of a sudden, she can make a teva if she wants to!!!  Oh, and it’s due in 2 days.  Yeah right!!!  That was a fun conversation.

The kids got there and immediately went to watch tv. Not the afternoon I had hoped for but still nice.  I made dinner there for everyone including my Aunt Suzie.  My grandmother just got a new rug for her living room and everyone else passed on taking the old rug so we took it.  We brought it home and put it in the mamad so the kids can hopefully play in there and not bring their toys out to the living room to play with.  It makes the room much warmer.  The only thing is that it’s filthy!!!  I am going to try to clean it.  In America they had the Rug Doctor that you could just rent and it would get the carpet really clean with some oxyclean.  Here I am not sure how clean I am going to get it without the machine.  We’ll see…

Keren and Ben both fell asleep on the way home.  Ben was in a lousy mood once we got home so I threw him into bed pretty quickly.  Tomorrow I hope to go for dining room chairs. Let’s hope the guy who runs the place is feeling better and decides to go into work!