As Promised

Here is a videos from Jordys Misibat Chanukah(I was going to upload more but they are such big files that it took almost an hour!):




Today after getting the kids to school and my exercise class I came home to organize the wall unit in the attic. I spent a lot of time looking through old pictures. I feel like it is a sin to throw away pictures but I have SO MANY(but very few of Jordy-poor second kid who was born in the digital camera era). After Danya came home from school we went with my in-laws so they could see my parents house. We picked Jordy up and then came home. Josh and his father went to Yerushaliam to the funeral of Rabbi Teller and I got a babysitter so my mother-in-law and I could join Lori at the Chanukah Botique in Modiin. There wasn't much there and we bought very little.

Coming soon to a Blog Near You....

...Videos!!!

Jordy had his misibat Chanukah at his gan today and I took a lot of pictures and videos! Only thing is I am too tired now to upload the videos since I know it will take long(sorry to Jon who I know is checking in since he missed it-come back tomorrow). But I am getting ahead of myself.....
This morning after the kids got out the door we rearranged the wall unit in the attic(photos of that also coming soon) and my father-in-law anchored them to the walls. Then my mother-in-law and I went to Petach Tikvah to go to a hat store. I think she was surprised by the large amount and the variety. We spent quite a lot of time there and I got some presents-thanks Mom!!! Then we decided to check in at the Sam's Club sized Aleph grocery store in the same shopping center. I had forgotten just how big and how much they have there. Just walking through to browse took a while. We came back just in time to bring Danya to her english class. Not long after that I went wth Jordy to his Misibat Chanukah. He was a little clingy when we got there but once the program started he was happy. The first 45 minutes was a program with some songs and dances. Then there were 5 stations of projects. We were there for 2 hours(no, that wasn't a typo, it was a VERY long evening). Jordy had a great time and was thrilled that it ended with jelly donuts and a gift of candy to take home.



After we got home and Danya finished her homework I took her to a friends house who was having a sale of children's clothing. The clothes were from America and very cute. I bought Danya 2 corduroy skirts and Jordy 2 pairs of corduroy pants for Shabbat for about $60-not too bad. Then I came home and changed and headed out to my aerobics class.
For those of you who are reading my blog since Lisa isn't updating her blog, and you know who you are, here is a picture of Michali from today, isn't she cute?
The fun visit with Bubby continues :)
That about it for now-tune in tomorrow for the videos of the party!

More IKEA and the Election process

After exercise class and getting the kids out the door we headed back to IKEA to get the broken parts repaired and buy a few more things(along with another visit to the IKEA restaurant). After Jordy returned from aftercare Moshe came over to play. I am happy to say they played nicely the whole time! Jordy didn't hit Moshe once!!! Danny came over later and hung out for a while playing with the kids. I headed out to the youth center to vote since today is election day. I have to say that I now understand why in America that there is no campaigning near the polling place. I was bombarded as I headed down the street. Fliers, people and posters. The people who were running for the local offices were all standing outside the polling place ready to help convince you to vote for them. The process itself was very simple. They handed you 2 envelopes and you stood behind a curtain. There were slips of paper for each party and you took the paper for the party you wanted and put it in the envelope. That was all...no hanging chads. The whole thing took about 1 minute from signing in and showing your identification to leaving. Not too bad!

The Robbers Ate My Homework

Sunday was a usual day. My in-laws headed to Jerusalem for the day and the kids both had play dates in the afternoon. Both came home exhausted from a busy day and an even busier few days. Both went to bed pretty early. This morning, after waking up at 6:45, my father-in-law thought it was weird that his laptop was missing. Josh took a walk through the house and realized his was as well along with a few other items. Turns out that we were finally hit by the neighborhood thieves. There have been many break ins lately and it is always at night while asleep and they usually take electronics. In our case they also took Danya's backpack outside and dumped it out(perhaps in search of a laptop or a MP3?). They left the bag and the books but for some reason they took her Dora The Explorer pencil case(perhaps there is a need for those on the black market???). Danya was really distressed by this and we had to call the school to let them know that she wouldn't be bringing her books since we needed to leave them where they were for the forensic guy who the police sent. Basically Josh had to tell Danya's teacher that she couldn't bring her homework because it was stolen. Right away we noticed how dumb that sounded...who steals homework??? Anyhow, bottom line is that everyone is safe and sound. The laptops can be replaced as can the broken DVD player and the few other things they took. Apparently they hit the neighbors across the street after us and their daughter woke up and called the police but they got away. We filled a police report and got our copy but as Jerry Seinfeld says "Unless they are giving the crook his copy, I don't think we are going to crack this case". Of course all this took up the whole morning and then the afternoon was filled with carpools and play dates. I made dinner for a friend whose husband was in the hospital for a few days and before I could blink it was 6pm! Bubs, Pops, Danya, Jordy and I headed to Burger King to get the kids dinner. Jordy insisted he wanted a hamburger with lettuce. He has never had a hamburger before and I am not sure what possessed this but he ate the whole thing! Danya had her usual chicken nuggets and fries. Then my in-laws and I picked up dinner from a cafe' and we headed home to eat. After dinner I headed to my toning class and then came home to do some work. Danya is sleeping on the couch as she was scared to sleep in her room by herself and Josh was working at the dining room table. Hopefully she will get over this soon.

Negligence

I notice that it has been a while since I updated the blog last. Sorry about that! I feel even worse since the past few weeks I have met/seen people who read the blog regularly and commented how much they enjoy reading it. I feel like I am letting them down! Sorry!!!
Last Shabbat we had some potential olim, Eric and Tammy Mandel over for lunch along with Nathan and a very pregnant Michelle Mintz and family. We hope we were successful in getting them to settle in Hashmonaim and be our neighbors. The next memorable thing that happened was this past week we got a HUGE rain storm. The marpecet off our bedroom flooded and the water was just piling up making a swimming pool. Josh had to climb out the window in order to clean the drain. Later that day Josh's parents arrived for their visit. They were real troopers as they schlepped Josh's hockey sticks with them along with many other fun surprises such as Romanian hot dogs and salami. Danya and Jordy hit them up for presents as soon as they walked in but they delivered with socks and underwear! I think they were exhausted but they fought through it making a trip to the grocery store and a dinner of leftovers. Thursday we went with them to IKEA. They bought us a great Chanukah gift of a wall unit for the attic. We had the TV on the cardboard box it came in up until now. Unfortunately on the way into the parking lot the car that my in-laws rented got a flat tire which coincided with a huge downpour of rain. Luckily while we were hemming and hawing over what to get my father-in-law had time to change it. We ran a few more errands later in the day and then came home to get ready for Thanksgiving. Josh and I left Bubs and Pops home with the kids while we went to the Shul for a party hosted by a couple here. They make a potluck Thanksgiving dinner every year for all the Americans on the Yishuv. They provide the turkeys(8 of them in the 25 lb. range!) and some other items and then everyone bring something making for a VERY big dinner. We ate a ton and had a good time chatting with friends. On Friday I spent most the day cooking and getting ready for Shabbat. Lisa and Nafi stopped by with their friends Gila and Donny who we have heard about for years but had never met and were beginning to wonder if they were Lisa and Nafi's imaginary friends. I am happy to report that they do exist. (How was that for a shout out Donny???) Friday night we had a nice quiet dinner. Shabbat day Dudy came over for lunch to ridicule/be ridiculed by my in-laws. The kids went out to play I the afternoon and we got to sleep a little. Tonight Josh and I took advantage of the built in babysitters and went out to dinner.

Family Tree

This morning after the kids left I really wanted to go back to sleep(lets be honest, I want to go back to sleep every morning after the kids leave) but I fought the urge. I went with friends to Ramot to pay a shiva call. We stayed for a while and came home right in time for gan to end. Danya ended up going out to a friends house so I took Jordy and we went to the grocery store. He was surprisingly well behaved. Which leads me to a side point that I am not sure I mentioned yet, on Shabbat the kids were a train wreck so I told them if they wanted Chanukah presents they need to behave and I made them charts to get smiley faces on. They are so excited about the charts that all I have to do is ask if they want a smiley and they behave like angles! Anyhow, after the store Jordy and I went to pick Moshe up from daycare and we brought him to Lisa's and all the kids were playing together. I dropped Jordy at Karate and hung out with Lisa for the 45 until Karate was over. Then we headed home and I did some work while Josh gave the kids dinner and put them to bed. I went to my aerobics class and then returned to do more work.
Funny story from today...While Jordy was eating lunch we had a really funny chat. I can't remember how it started but Jordy was asking about Josh and my parents. In the beginning he wanted to know who Josh's Mommy and Daddy were. I turned the question around on him and asked him who Josh's parents were. He looked at me unsure. I asked who is Daddy's Daddy? He said very confidently "Nafi". I repeated, Who is Daddy's Mommy and Daddy? Then he said Lisa and Nafi. So then I said no, so he started guessing, Lanie. Then I thought I would try a different angle so I asked him who my mommy and daddy were. He was not sure so he tried the Lisa and Lanie answer. Poor kid was so confused. I told him that Lisa and Lanie are my sisters just like Danya is his sister. Then I asked him who Daddy's brothers were and he had completely given up at that point. Once we hinted with the "Uncle..." He jumped in with Danny. Then we told him David, Avi and Matthew as well. Then we were really trying to get him to realize that Bubs and Pops are Daddy's Mommy and Daddy so Josh asked him who else we see when we see all the uncles. He still couldn't get it! As soon as I gave him the "Bu..." sound he got it right away! I think we need to go over the family tree since he is convinced that Nafi is his grandfather!

High Energy

This morning I tried out a new class at the gym. It was taught by they high energy teacher who I love. It was a very high energy way to start the day. I usually take classes at night so I am not used to feeling so energized in the morning. After the class I went back to Lisa's to help more. We finished off wall unit which made me a little jealous since Josh and I still have our books in boxes since we still need a wall unit. Time to get that taken care of I think! Danya and Meira came home from school and they played while Lisa and I worked. At 4 we all went to pick up the little boys and then Lisa drove us home. After we got home Danny came over. The kids were really excited to see him. They have been making signs to welcome him for weeks and they are finally on the door(I should take a picture tomorrow because they are really cute!). The kids had baths and then went right to bed. Danya must have been tired because she got into bed when Jordy did and didn't ask to stay up later. After the kids went to bed Josh and Danny headed to play hockey while I did some work. Now I am ready to crash because that was too much energy for me this morning!!

Too Long

Uh oh....too much time has past since my last posting that I can't even remember what I have done since then! I am sure it involved errands, carpools, cleaning and cooking! I remember that on Shabbat Josh went to the further shul for davening Friday night and got caught in the first downpour of the season on the way home. Shabbat Lisa and Nafi came with the kids for lunch and the kids continued playing all afternoon. Sunday, after getting the kids out the door, I went to my parents house/Lisa and Nafi's for moving day. The workers were moving all the stuff to the appropriate rooms while I unpacked the kitchen. I was there most the day and we got a lot of accomplished. Not long after I got home I was heading to Raanana to a belated birthday party for David Kirschenbaum. I got suck in bad traffic but it was worthwhile since it was a fun night. We went bowling and then out to dinner. Today I headed back the the Balsam abode to unpack more. We really pushed forward, unpacking the storage room and half the china cabinet. The rest of today was spent watching the kids ride their bikes and then lots of carpools. Josh left to meet Danny and pick up his luggage. Danny then went directly to Tel Aviv but we will see him soon. It's been a busy few days and I am heading to bed.

Happy Birthday to Josh!

Shabbat was pretty quiet. Friday night Meira came over as soon as Shabbat began and stayed until Nafi was done at shul. The Balsam family stopped by on their way to their dinner out. After we ate Jordy went to bed. Then Danya read to me and Josh from her new book "Morris the Moose Goes to School". Her reading has gotten much better and she is really proud that she can read as nicely as she does. Towards the end of her reading I made tea for Danya and Josh. They sat in the kitchen drinking the tea and talking about Chanukah. Danya wanted to know what gifts we got for Chanukah as kids. She was very curious about the underoos that we both got(what kid didn't get underoos???). We told her about some of the other things we got. Danya couldn't believe that there were no Leapsters when we were kids. I told her that one of my favorite Chanukah gifts was a Spirograph that I got a long time ago. She asked me "What is a spider breath?" Josh and I got a kick out of that! Shabbat morning the kids played and went to the park until we heard crying coming from down the block. Jordy had fallen off his swing and hurt his tummy and face but he was surprisingly better when we told him he could have chocolate milk. Danya went to her friend Rachels house for lunch. Then Jordy spilled the chocolate milk and had a melt down(yes Ari, a meltdown). We made him wipe up the mess. Then we ate lunch and Jordy had another meltdown because he wanted to cut the challah that Josh had already cut. It was determined during that meltdown that Jordy NEEDED a nap. After lunch and a game of checkers we all went to take a nap. I can't believe it but Jordy actually slept (with his feet in my ribs) for almost 2 hours. Danya returned with Meira and they played pretty nicely. Jordy and I played another game of checkers and were about to start the match game when Moshe and Nafi came over. We played one game as a team against Moshe and Nafi but Jordy was really mad at Moshe for winning(really Jordy is always mad at Moshe regardless of what he does) so the next game Moshe and Jordy were on a team against me and they won(I didn't even let them). WE made havdalah and the kids played and ate dinner. Then Danya remembered she had homework so she did it right before bed. After putting her to bed I went to a friends house who taught me how to make jewelry. Overall it was a very exciting birthday for Josh! In a few days when he is feeling 100% we will celebrate properly.

What's a mouse?

This morning I was feeling much better, which is a good thing because I had to get ready for Shabbat whether I felt better or not. I got the kids to school and went straight to the grocery store. I avoided Rami Levi which is the crazy store that I usually go to but avoid like the plague between Thursday afternoon and Shabbat. I went to Supersol in Modiin and was pleasantly surprised to see that if you go at 8am on a Friday morning there is parking and no crowds. I hadn't been to the store in a week and a half and bought a lot! That said, I made the round trip in less than an hour. Josh is still not feeling 100% and I feel bad that we can't do anything for his birthday tomorrow. I guess it will have to wait until next week. I came home and did some cooking, cleaning and 4 loads of laundry. I also stopped at someones house to pick something up and went to the bakery to grab some challah. Lisa called at noon that Danya came home with Meira and that the girls are playing there but can I pick Moshe up when I pick Jordy up since Lisa needed to be at the house for the delivery of the appliances. The boys came home and for a very long time Moshe was watching Jordy play computer and he didn't seem to mind. After a while I felt bad and insisted that Moshe have a turn. Turns out that Moshe never plays computer! I told him he needed to take the mouse and click on what he wanted to choose. He asked me what the mouse was! Then he picked the mouse up and put it against the screen and clicked! This story really belongs on Lisa's blog but she hasn't updated in months so my guess is she isn't going start now. I have to go now and get everyone showered for Shabbat, so Shabbat Shalom!

Training Wheels

Todays post is dedicated to my father-in-law who pointed out that I haven't posted in a while...this ones for you!

Things have been pretty status quo. School, work, cooking, shopping.

In the exciting news department Danya has learned how to ride a 2 wheeler. Josh took the training wheels off her bike and she is so proud of herself and her new abilities! While she was riding her bike Jordy was riding his until his training wheel fell off. At first he was really mad but then he realized he can roll the wheel and chase after it, so a fun time was had by all! (There is a video attached with Danya riding her bike. Let me know if you have trouble getting it to work).





On Sunday we went to my parents house to help Lisa and Nafi with the arrival of their lift. It was pretty smooth sailing since everything was unloaded into the living room since the house wasn't completed. On Sunday night Josh and I went to Ra'anana for what was supposed to be dinner with David and Emily but since there was a Bears game on Josh and David got take out and watched the game while Emily and I went for sushi and shopping(or more specifically to mock Israeli style). A good time was had by all(except the Bears who lost). On Tuesday I was sick, I seemed to pick up a 24 hour bug from someone we ate Shabbat lunch with. The good news was it was 24 hours, the bad news was that after I finished it Josh got it and for some reason his is taking about 48 hours. Hopefully he will be better by his birthday on Saturday(which we have no plans for).

While it is starting to get cool here it is by no means cold. I put on a sweatshirt if I go out at night but otherwise the kids are still in shorts and t-shirts and we are hoping it lasts a little longer.