All For the Children

As they say, "You are as happy as your children." Well, then, we are very happy. Margalit and Miriam are definitely back in the routine. Yes, only a week out of their own schools, they are back at school. They both met friends before school started and walked with them to their old schools (still in session until June 30th). Miriam was allowed to sit next to her best friend, Ayelet, and when I went in to "peak" she looked as if she had never left. Indeed, she came home with a story that she had just written (many pages long and in Hebrew, of course). And then, there was the toy she got from one of her classmate's school birthday parties, and of course, the popsicle. Life is good.

Margalit also enjoyed today. Following the talmudic injunction to teach your children to swim, the girls' school has swimming classes for fifth graders. For the last week or two, Margalit's classmates have been taking a bus after first period to go swimming for an hour at the local pool. Well, Margalit joined today and of course enjoyed. The highlight of the day though was the after school end-of-the-year- party that included some crazy water fights. In short, both girls are planning to go back tomorrow and catch the very end of their Israeli schools.

Dani is also doing great. He was greeted coincidently at the airport by two of his friends (who were their picking up someone else from the airport). Fortunately, they showed great enthusiasm to see him. After crashing at our lace in Raanana for the first night, he has been off all day at his friend Yoyo's house. Indeed, he is even sleeping their tonight. We are certainly happy. We had been feeling quite guilty about taking him away from his good life in America. Nice to think that he can have a good life here too.

Ronit is on a slower trajectory of adjustment. She slept until after 11 am and spend most of the day with the adults doing boring things like getting phones and picking up children. She did, however, go off and see her friend Jenny for an hour. She seems excited about that. Tomorrow plans to be a full afternoon playdate and we are all looking forward. We are curious how much English she will speak. True to Ronit fashion, she seems to be very stubborn about to whom she will speak Hebrew. And, you know, Jenny knows Hebrew as well. I guess only time will tell.

Well, I'm falling asleep. Jet leg is kicking in.

Dena