Staying in Touch: A New Week

Today was a great combination of fun, sun and relaxation. We woke up early this morning thanks to a skype wake up call. Mom and dad, along with Val and Noam/Erique and Gabe skyped us early Saturday at the end of their Friday night Shabbat dinner. As a result we had a conversation with Meme, Yoram and Leah. Meme also got to "meet" Eric and looks forward to seeing the U.S. crew in Israel soon. Of course Valerie got asked "THE" question. Sorry Val....they mean well.

My mom's 4 brothers all joined us for lunch today. Momi repeated kiddush for each one as they arrived and of course Meme cooked up her wonderful Dafina. Andrew and Adam wanted NO part in any of it and stayed tucked away munching on Kinder Joy's and playing on their Ipods.

As soon as everyone's belly was full with food and arak, and each passed out, we snuck out to meet some friends at the beach in Herziliya (named after Theodore Herzl - Andrew saw his picture off the freeway and insisted on taking it and then on my posting it here).

We met up with Karen and family, Renee and family, and another friend of Karen's named Mali and her family. Mali, Renee and I are all here in Israel without our husbands and David enjoyed his "harem" of women and 13 children!

David and the wives! Renee, Me, Karen and Mali!

The kids spent most of their time at the beach digging holes to China. The boys and the girls were competing against each other and before we knew it, more and more children came to join in on the fun. The surf was exceptional and although the waves were a bit rough, we all enjoyed the shoreline. I'm also pretty sure Andrew was stung by a jellyfish, but a little spritz of neosporine and he is good as new.

When we returned from the beach, we headed out for some Shwarma at Shauli's off the main kikar in Hadera. When we got home, Pepe started telling us stories. I always assumed my grandfather was old and I never get a straight answer when I ask how old he is. As long as I can remember, he has acted and looked the same. When I was 7 and visiting Israel I thought he was ancient and now that I'm 40 and visiting Israel I think that he is hilarious and will most likely outlive all of us. He told me today that he was born in 1921 or maybe it was 1923. Apparently when he was 16, someone forged his birth certificate and added 2 more years on to his age so that he could obtain a driver's license (you needed to be 18 to get one in Morocco). So some of his official documents state 1921 but he thinks his birth year really was 1923. He said he would tell me for sure how old he is tomorrow, when he looks up his bar mitzvah invitation (apparently he has one handy?) and then does the math from there. If Pepe was indeed born in 1921 then he is 90 years old or maybe 88 if the 1923 date is the valid one. I'm really amazed at his age because Pepe does not take any medicine or drugs at all EVER + he smokes a pack a day! In any case, we wish him good health and a much longer life. Maybe there are some good strong longevity genetics lurking in the family tree and I may be fortunate to have inherited some???

Today was great and a real treat - tomorrow will be lovely too but Monday, when Gabe arrives will definitely rock! Travel safely love love!