Yom HaAtmaut Barbecue with the Foxes

We made the 12:50 bus, which takes us from Har Nof to Gilo. Elazar was in an independent mood today. He wanted to sit on the bus by himself and wouldn't let anyone sit with him or touch his sunglasses (which belong to Elisheva)

This year we decided to start at Park Gilo (aka Zidenfeld Park) about a ten minute walk from the Fox family. We always see the giant slides when we drive by on the bus and the kids always clamor, "Can we go on the slides!!", and we always respond, "Maybe next time". So this time, we planned it into the trip.

We found the locals canvassing the park with their grills, picnic tables and blankets. We walked around the park, which was considerably stroller friendly, and the kids tested all of the playground equipment until it was time to go to Harry and Linda.

The official start time of the barbecue was called for 3 PM. We were running a few minutes late, but from experience we knew that we would easily be the first guests to arrive. The Fox home in Gilo has been our annual Yom HaAtzmaut spot. Harry always cooks up a storm on the big grill, Linda takes care of all the other details, and the kids like playing with all the riding toys in the backyard.

Ilana and David Zeevi met us there with their kids. Ima's Chocolate Cookies were well received. We have yet to see Motti or Sheppy on Yom HaAtzmaut

However, we always manage to reminisce about the good old days in Great Neck: Little League, North Shore Hebrew Academy, barbecue's of years' past and how all the children did/didn't get along. Reminds me a little of sitting around the Pesach Seder and fulfilling Sippur Yitziyas Mitzrayim, except there are buns instead of Matzah and an abundance of flame-broiled meat

Nissan Tiyul in the Forest

On a day off from school, Abba will often take a kid for a walk in the Jerusalem forest surrounding Har Nof. There a many paths and many places that we have never been before, so we put on our 'Dora the Explorer' hats and chart a course. We will eventually find picnic benches and some playground equipment, courtesy of Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael (Jewish National Fund), which are scattered all throughout the forest along with donor plaque stones.

It's hard to get lost, since you can almost always see the apartment buildings of Har Nof in the horizon, or some other landmarks to give you point of reference.

Ezra and Elisheva like to explore

Elazar likes to stay close to Abba and watch his older siblings explore

Pesach at the "Beach"

Aunt Gail hosted a host of mishpacha at 242 on Chol HaMoed Pesach. Monica and AJ with the three youngest, Lisa and the kids, Tzippi & Andrew, Zeidi and Margret. Even Uncle David was able to come home early from tax season (14 days left to file !!!)

It was really nice to see everyone relaxing and enjoying each others company


Here's a picture of Zeidi with Aunt Lisa and the newly crowned Yosef Avrohom Elchanan Sigal born Rosh Chodesh Nissan, Rosh Hashana L'Melachim V'Chodashim

Chol HaMoed Pesach 5770

We thought it was a great idea for Abba to take the three older kids to Gan Saccher on Chol HaMoed, so that Ema could rest at home with baby Noam. Too bad everyone else in Israel had the exact same idea.

We borrowed a car from a 'good friend' and loaded all the kids' bicycles in the trunk.
Unfortunately, the tire on Elisheva's bicycle popped as we were entering the park, but Ezra was nice enough to share his brand new bicycle that he got for his birthday (thanks Bubby and Grandpa) after Abba's moderate persuasion.

We didn't realize we were supposed to bring our mangal [barbeque], a folding table and chairs, a blanket, a soccer ball, and our dog, as we found ourselves to be the only individuals in the park without these 'standard' items.

We met up with Aunt Rochelle who lives nearby and walked over. She must know a thing or two about winning over young kids. She brought marshmellows and treated the kids to ice pops (Lilo Chashas Kitniyot).