October 6, 2006
Yom Kippur was good. I'd heard my sister- and brother- in-law on the the day before and thought, "Oh, no, the cousins are here to create havoc." But we didn't run into them at all. My kids played well together the whole 25 hours or so. I took them up to the village (just to the edge--A didn't want to go any further) and they rode bicycle and scooter through the automobile-empty square and down the incline to the valley. That was in the evening. The next day they asked to try the steep incline and sharp curve going down to the nearby junction. That is one scary road, even in a car. But I agreed. They were in heaven. They rhapsodized about the wind as they went down. The climb back up tired them out and they all went to bed an hour earlier than usual of their own volition. We saw one ambulance cruising in the evening and a police car during the day. Other than that the world was for people. The silence without automobiles is freakishly amazing. And I live in a place where people visiting always say, "It's so QUIET here!"
I decided not to even try building a succa for the Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot) this year. The ex built a nice one and H helped decorate it. A helped him put branches on for the roof. If the kids want, they can use that. Women aren't required to use the sukka and my boys are young enough they aren't required either, so I don't even have to let my residual Catholic guilt kick-in.
The boys have been on vacation a week already, the girls started theirs today. The cousins are back. A and Ii have been holding their grudge for a couple months now (Yes! Quiet!) but Y went to play with them at Aunt B's house. They wouldn't let him in. Aunt B was out. Their mom told them they couldn't decide as it wasn't their house, but didn't change their decision. So Y came back disappointed. No big loss not being able to play with such disgusting children, I told him. Although I admitted they could be fun if they wanted to. Sigh. My poor kids are so isolated here in the boonies.
H went to a friend from her class at school to play this week. The first time I think. Ya has been going to friends since pre-school. I guess because I drive rather than taking the bus now, I see less of other mothers and so it doesn't come up. Anyway she had a blast and the next day we had that girl over. They are from the Caribbean and speak English. Of course H doesn't, but I enjoy it.
H got a skirt and pants yesterday from G's New Year's gift money. All the kids need shoes before sandle weather ends. So shoe-shopping will soon be on the agenda.
I decided not to even try building a succa for the Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot) this year. The ex built a nice one and H helped decorate it. A helped him put branches on for the roof. If the kids want, they can use that. Women aren't required to use the sukka and my boys are young enough they aren't required either, so I don't even have to let my residual Catholic guilt kick-in.
The boys have been on vacation a week already, the girls started theirs today. The cousins are back. A and Ii have been holding their grudge for a couple months now (Yes! Quiet!) but Y went to play with them at Aunt B's house. They wouldn't let him in. Aunt B was out. Their mom told them they couldn't decide as it wasn't their house, but didn't change their decision. So Y came back disappointed. No big loss not being able to play with such disgusting children, I told him. Although I admitted they could be fun if they wanted to. Sigh. My poor kids are so isolated here in the boonies.
H went to a friend from her class at school to play this week. The first time I think. Ya has been going to friends since pre-school. I guess because I drive rather than taking the bus now, I see less of other mothers and so it doesn't come up. Anyway she had a blast and the next day we had that girl over. They are from the Caribbean and speak English. Of course H doesn't, but I enjoy it.
H got a skirt and pants yesterday from G's New Year's gift money. All the kids need shoes before sandle weather ends. So shoe-shopping will soon be on the agenda.