Josh's wedding trip Part II

Thursday was a "rest day". Abba caught up on some work and Elisheva caught up on some sleep. We both caught up on some laundry and did some errands and shopping for Shabbos. Saba made us dinner by putting all the leftovers he could find into a pot, added some barbecue sauce, and it actually tasted OK. It was nice to go to sleep early.

Friday we got together with Dina and Cooper. The weather wasn't cooperating to go to the park, so we went to LaPizzaria instead. Cooper got a chance to drive Abba's car.

Later that day, Abba went to Riverdale to pick up Aunt Merril for Shabbos, Grandma Libby wasn't feeling up to it.

Shabbos was nice. Saba, Beth, Elisheva, Aunt Merril and me for dinner. In the morning, Abba went to Hashkama and came back to pick up Elisheva for shul. Unexpectedly, Kobi Schwartzbaum showed up again. His wife had just delivered a baby girl on Shabbos and he walked from North Shore Hospital to the Young Israel for Shacharis. Lunch was Sheva Brachos at the Hoffman's with a bunch of their friends and Seudah Shlishis at Young Israel. Josh spoke well. Motzai Shabbos, Abba took Aunt Merrill back to Riverdale, went back to Great Neck to pack, and got to Elizabeth by about 3 AM or so. For some reason everyone but Bubby was still up. Aunt Devorah helped Elisheva to her room. Uncle Yudi helped Abba return the car at Newark International and Grandpa stayed up to supervise.

Sunday morning was the big day for Elisheva. All of the relatives came for a big Blashka barbeque. Everyone pitched in with the preparations, and Yudi handled the grill work for the day. Guest list included David & Raizy and Family, and Mr. Vaiz from Baltimore; Aunt Frimit & Uncle Aharon; Yehudis; Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara; Cousin Avi and his wife; Cousin Mendy and his family; Michelle & Bentzy and the kids; Aunt Gail, Uncle David and Racheli; and the local tenants of 35 Princeton. We had the customary piñata and Carvel cake and Elisheva got to be the center of attention for the day. Sunday was also kidsbowlforfree so we registered Elisheva, printed out her coupons, and headed for Jersey Lanes. Devorah, Binyamin and Akiva were on one lane and Elisheva, Bentzy, Ella and Ava were on the other lane. Bentzy topped all scores although Ella got the "rookie" award for her solid performance.

Monday was a shopping day with Yudi, Aunt Devorah and Binyamin (Bubby sat this one out). We started at 7-11 and then made our way to Target and the Dollar Stores. It seems like Elisheva didn't have enough bowling on Sunday, so she went again on Monday afternoon, while Abba went up to Westchester to join Cameron for Sheva Brachos, after missing the wedding on Sunday in Connecticut. Abba got there right in time for the U of Penn school song before benching. The guests waited while Abba made HaMotzai and wolfed down a Challah roll so he could lead the Benching. After the Sheva Brachos, Abba went back to Aunt Rona and Uncle Michael's with Grandma and chit-chatted until about midnight, returning to Elizabeth around 1 am

Tuesday was a morning of hectic packing and last minute decisions of what to pack and what to leave behind. Yudi drove us to the airport in plenty of time. Elisheva and Abba tried to use his free Continental lounge passes, but they were not accepted. The next 'tragedy' was that Elisheva was caught with liquid toiletries in her hand luggage and about $45 of Target purchases were thrown in the garbage. We sat on the plane for an extra hour or so before takeoff (mechanical difficulties they claimed) but we were OK since Bubby packed us a Dunkin Donuts food bag for the plane. Otherwise, the rest of the flight home was B"H uneventful.