If you can't beat them, join them (sometimes)

I'd like to start this by saying that Israel has just been through  some devastating wild fires. Some seem to have been natural and some seem to have been arson.  Please support any organization that you deem worthy to help out with this crisis.

And now,  on a lighter note.

So I've been pondering this one for a while.  Since we have been here we have gotten all types of interesting comments.  They range from,  "wow,  your kids seem so Israeli already,  you guys are calm like Israelis,"  all the way to,  "you guys are too American,  that's so American."  so today's post is dedicated to the numerous people who make random comments.

And these of course don't include the hundreds of comments I received when I had twins and then when I  had 4 kids in 3.5 years.  Those ranged from the totally inappropriate to the hilarious.  "How did that happen (ummm)  Do you have twins in your family (we do now),  Which one is the boy?"  Etc....

But that's a story for my book.

Ways in which we (think we) are Israeli :

* I allow my 9th grade child to hang out in the park with friends well past midnight.  This is not something I would ever do I'm America,  but apparently this is done here so he goes.

* My kids all ride their bikes or take public transportation to school.  In America that wouldn't be happening.

* Today my youngest child (5th grade)  was running from school to catch the bus.  He tells me that the driver didn't open the door so he just banged on the door and yelled. Who is that child??

* The way we stand in line.  If the line is slow,  we have to move to the side to investigate.  I didn't know this was an Israeli thing until a friend happened to mention it.

* Here in Israel,  the traffic lights flash yellow again before turning green.  If you don't have your foot off of the brake by the time you see yellow,  expect honking.  So now I'm all, omg,  it's yellow,  move it Arielle!

The ways in which we are American :

* I like to mind my own business. Israelis do not. But it's (almost)  always with good intentions.

* Please stop talking to me in line.  I don't actually know you,  but more importantly,  I don't understand your lightning speed Hebrew.

* I take my big kids with me on trips.  (and they like it,  and I don't actually care if they don't)

* I'm all about the please and thank you,  which to be fair Israelis are as well,  just to a lesser degree.

* I'm not abrupt.  I get to the point in a slow round about fashion.  Israelis just generally get to the point and move on.

* probably tons more that I can't even think of.  But please don't point them out.  My American feelings might get hurt.

Other news from Israel :

My girls just returned from their school overnight tiyul.  Where did the school go you might ask?  Well,  of course,  Masada and Ein Gedi, AKA, the two places that my girls have now been to three times in a year. At least they knew the way!  But they had a great time,  despite some nerves.  Climbed Masada and climbed down in one piece,  didn't get eaten by a wild animal,  slept in a cool tent room thing,  took selfies and ate candy (and Israeli tiyul tradition that I've been clued into)  and returned home full of smiles and dirt and omg  I hope not lice.

Addendum.
I thought that I would publish this last night.  Good thing I didn't.  Because another new thing happened : Scouts had an event,  going to see auditions for the show "Rising Star,"  and the big kid went.  He was fuzzy on what time he would return home.  Well,   he rode his bike back from where the bus dropped them off and arrived home at 12:35am. I only texted him once to check for signs of life.   Changes!