oops

So I see I opened this blog a long time ago - now it is time to admit that I did not keep up with the idea of a blog. But today is a new day and much has changed since then - so let's try to get updated.

The kids are all still fine - most have added a birthday since last time. Perry is 9 and learning to play flute. It has seemed good for his creative side - if a little hard to remember to practice every day. Tani has begun a special program at the local college in Eilat to stimulate his mind. He seems to like it - though it is hard to wake so early on Sunday mornings (a regular school day in Israel - but even still). Joshua has had ana amazing 6th grade year - partially having developed some self confidence along with his onset of puberty (coincidence?) and partially due to unknown forces that have treated him kindly. He also had to have a re-implantation of his cochlear implant when faulty manufacturing was discovered on one of the line that produce an internal part, and his serial number came up. He weather that storm very well and is now simply aching to get back to sports and the normal physical activity of an eleven year old. Raziel still plays imaginary games with Asher - mostly with the help of a phenominal collection of playmobile characters inherited from their elder siblings (each has 3) as well as their choice of Hannuka gifts this year.

Gazoz plays in the background as I contimplate what else to write and I realize I must go get back to work - but I will think about what to add later! I think I have to ease in to the blog world slowly - perhaps read more of them before trying to write one....

All the best,
Sharón

Sharon's first post to the blog

Hi Everyone-
this is my first attempt to load a blog and see if this will allow me to update everyone as to what's up with me and my family - here in the Arava desert, on Kibbutz Ketura. I suppose I will also have to give some "Soapbox time" to make this a real bog - but for now, I will simply update family news. I have just come back from staffing the "Israelride" (see www.israelride.org for more details) and suffer from something that feels alot like jet lag. I am slowly catching up at work and getting ready to deal with the next round of events. We have to take Tani (age 8) to the childrens' skin doc to see about a wart that was removed but came back bigger. Since it's on his knee - we would really like to get rid of it. Did you know warts can hurt when banged? And how often do you suppose an 8 year old who plays soccer and basketball and does judo would bang a knee in an average week?

Perry (age 8) is beginning work on a report for school - each kid has to write about a work place on the kibbutz he lives on - or a place a kibbutz member works off the kibbutz. He chose to do the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (www.arava.org) and so of course I am helping him. We got the cover page done with the logo and all.

Joshua (10) had a tournament in logic games yesterday - unfortunately the school management did not use any logic - they sent him on a bus without telling us (Neil found out while looking for him at the school) and then despite having sent him a letter congratulating him on being selected to compete - informed him that he was not in fact one of the 4 kids competeing. He stayed for a while to cheer on his group - and then came home with Daddy to make a good spaghetti dinner at home.

Raziel (6) spent yet another day playing imaginary games with Asher, and then learned Abalone from Joshua on the computer. He was very sad when he lost, and then it was bedtime. What can we do - our kindergardener still has trouble waking up in the morning so he has to go to bed before his bigger brothers. Usually we aim for 8:15 pm.

Neil is busy getting stuff in the kitchen ready for the big wedding coming up. Ben Meshek (child of the kibbutz and my adopted brother) Yoav Marom and his fiance Danielle Saranga (AIES alumnus and way way more) are finally having a ceremony on the kibbutz on May 31st.

Otherwise things are good here. More next time.
Sharón