Friday August 12

We had a lovely day today. I woke up early and went out to drop off the laundry at the laundromat and find coffee. Got home and Sofia was awake (and answering the door!). Gave her some breakfast, got her bathed and dressed, and and then I took her back out for another walk while the boys got up and ate breakfast and got dressed. She was so cute. We went into the grocery store, and she tried to convince me to buy her an ice cream. The store keeper tried to give her a lollipop, but she got scared.

Came back, collected the boys, and caught a cab to The Ein Yael Living Museum:
The Ein Yael Living Museum in southwest Jerusalem is a 40-acre site that combines archeology, history, and nature, and is a storehouse of lessons in cultural and technological development of humankind. Dating back to the Middle Bronze Age (4000 years ago) the museum features the remains of a Roman villa with exquisite mosaics, ancient irrigation systems and agricultural terraces. Emphasizing the common histories of both Jews and Arabs of the region, Ein Yael utilizes this unique fusion of elements to bring history to life for tens of thousands of visitors each year.

We met up with the Rabinowitz family. It was great to see them again. The kids were all sort of “blah” at first, but once we started doing things, they got happier. First we made pita bread, then we made pottery. They explored some tunnels and excavations, and played table games on stone tables. They also painted ceramics and did mosaics. It was a blast.

Then we went (in two car trips) to the Mall, and had lunch in the food court - kosher! Very cool. We said goodbye to them and caught a cab back to the apartment. David and I are about to go for a little walk and leave the kids here! Tonight we are having Shabbat dinner at Eli’s parents’ house.

Today's Slide Show:

Shabbat Shalom!