Hoopla!

Tomorrow, so many family members are arriving in Israel for my sister-in-law's wedding. It's going to be nuts because there are lots of kids who will not have slept for a whole day. There are, Thank God, 15 all together under the age of 11.

I baked A LOT for Shabbos in Maalot, and you should be delighted to know that Air and I tasted the goods, and they are.

Why?

Does something always spill all over the oven the day after I clean it?

Rechovot Police Station

Today Air and I went to the police station for traffic cases in our area, which is kinda like a county of Israel. They had sent us our third request to come and give our witness statements about our car accident. After the third one, it sank in to my brain, and I called the phone number written on the paper. Over and over and over. But there was no answer. Eventually they called US and told us to come this week, any day between the hours of 7:00 and 15:30. Air worked overnight last night and didn't need to go in today, so we went this morning. As we arrived at the station, EVERYONE went to lunch for half an hour. Everyone. In the whole department.

After much yelling at the secretary, to no avail, by the way, we were told to "calm down" and that they would be back "any minute". I told her I was tired of "calming down". I told her I was calm before I had to deal with Israeli bureaucracy, no customer service, and rude government employees who barely give us the time of day. I told her I was sick of arriving at a doctor's office and being told by the receptionist to "go right in" and have the doctor yell at me for going in to his office, and then at another doctor's office to wait and be yelled at when they find me sitting there not having "gone right in". I am tired of teaching my kids to hit back in school and to forget about their manners in line at the amusement park and candy store, or they won't get a turn. I told her that I am an Olah Chadasha, I was in a car accident, and demand to see someone - anyone - RIGHT NOW. She told us to have a seat.

While we waited for Israel's finest to masticate and digest, I had to rearrange my carpool day and find a playdate for the Princess.

Air and I had to give our statements separately because we were both witnesses, so I was not allowed to translate for Air. Our officer didn't speak any English, and spoke Hebrew too fast and incoherently to an untrained ear. I gave my statement first and then Air was interviewed by an officer who (shouting) spoke a little English. All in all, a yucky day.

Art

Don't tell the Princess that I told you, but as I was sitting down on her bed to read her a story at bedtime, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a beautiful hand-drawn picture of a little girl on her wall. Yes, on her wall. Not taped to her wall, drawn ONTO her wall. Oy.

Good thing for her I don't hit. I did make her cry when I said, "I am very angry with you right now, and I don't feel like reading to you anymore tonight. And tomorrow you will wash this off during your playtime." About 10 minutes later she came downstairs still sniffling and said, "I'm sorry, Mommy."

Kids, what are ya gonna do?.... At least it's in pencil.

Opening Night - Next Day

Well, I did wear my bloody T-shirt, but they had our new jerseys ready last night, so I changed. Someone new was wearing my number, so I asked if we could trade shirts. She said it was no big deal. It was definitely nice to not be the new guy, just like it was nice at all the Asifot Horim (school orientations) this year. I knew what was happening, am not afraid to run the wrong way, and can now take criticism. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch a completion at all last night. Perhaps I'm having a psychological reaction to catching the ball with my face in my last game of last season. I play tight end, but I'm actually ready to run longer plays now that I'm walking most mornings.

If ever you're around on Wednesday nights, give me a call, and I'll tell you what time to come watch the "Mama's".

Veev #5

Opening Night

I think I have to wear my jersey from last season again tonight. Only problem is, it still has the blood stain on it from catching the first-down pass with my nose. It's a red jersey so I'll wear it anyway, just don't tell my Eema.

Go to Gan!

This morning I was waiting for my water bottle to get cold in the freezer and my i-pod to charge for my morning walk, so I let my little girl watch a little "Hop" TV for kids. It has educational programming in Hebrew, which I love that she watches.

At eight o'clock, the time we were going to leave, the PSA of the network, which was also cute cartoon-style, announced to the little viewers:

"It's eight o'clock,! It's time to turn off the TV and go to Gan!"

Chuckle...