July 18th--Park Raanana and Chovat Yair

This morning was yet another lazy morning with the kids asleep until 10. Yehuda went out to the supermarket to get breakfast while I got the kids ready for another fun filled day. We began by going to Park Raanana, which is probably one of the nicest playgrounds I have ever seen. The boys (including Yehuda) had a great time running around, playing on the exercise equipment and climbing on the massive wooden structure. The heat was intense, but the boys didn't seem to notice. After going back to Sarah's house for a snack, some cool down time, and some rest, we headed out to Michal and Yitzchak's house in Chovat Yair.
There is no other way to describe it, but utter perfection. Their house may be in the occupied territories, but it was built by them with their own hands on the top of a peaceful mountain with the most gorgeous views imaginable. Even though it was one of the hottest days ever in Israel, the breeze was beautiful and the company was even better. Yael and Aron and the kids and Esti and Nati were all there.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a massive blow up water slide and a blow up jumping toy. The kids were in heaven, not to mention the climb down the ladder to the giant trampoline. All 10 cousins (not including Roi, the delicious newborn baby) played together for HOURS without the worry of language barriers. The BBQ that Yitzchak made was probably one of the best we ever tasted, followed by cotton candy. It was truly a night to remember.
Before we were ready the leave, just as we were about to shower the boys, the power went out and boy was that an adventure! Showers in the dark, followed by dancing outside in the pitch black with glow sticks. What fun! After the traditional group photo on the self-timer, we headed out down the mountain back towards Raanana. As we were leaving, Nati pulled Yehuda aside and told him that we if ever need any help at all he was here for whatever we needed....
.....Little did we know, but help couldn't have come fast enough. When we arrived at the checkpoint to pass back over the green line, we were stopped by security and asked to present our passports (which, of course, we did not have). We were told to pull over to the side for questioning. Well, who do you think was there to save the day? Nati pulled up right behind us and spoke to the chaylim in rapid fire (almost hysterical) Hebrew and explained to them that we are his family and that we come every year and that we had just visited his daughter and that I had come to study in Israel for a year 20 years ago...I think the guards were so stunned that they just let us through!
What a night! Thank you Yitchack, Michal, Idi, Yuval and Roi for your hospitality! See you in Jerusalem.