Conversations with my sons Vol. 1: Linguistics

J: Dad, what's olive oild made of?
Me: Well, olives.
J: And sunflower seed oil?
Me: Sunflower seeds.
J: And vegetable oil?
Me: Vegetables.
J: And what about baby oil?
Me: ...

Shalom Kitah Alef - the compulsory first day of school post

Today was my 6-year-old sons' first day of school, and my 10-year-old son's first day of junior high.

Since Craig's school had a welcoming the new students thingy last night--where, as some of you might be pleased to know, the school uniform drama was peacefully resolved--this morning we just dropped him off and he had a non-ceremonial first day. Non-ceremonial as far as parents are involved. He had his first ever Arabic class, and he had a blast. One of his greatest news for the day: "Dad, I'm not the shortest kid in class!" Which with him being about 2 years younger than most of his class is great news. He also had his first PE class of the year, and he was excited that they will do track and gymnastics alike. He told his PE teacher about the CI, and it seems it will work out better than with the previous school. He also got to pick his own seat in te class, next to one of his friends, in a place that is good for him. His friend is good about helping him, and his teachers are already aware of what's gonna happen. He loves it already.

After dropping craig off, it was time to take the twins to school. As soon as I stopped the car, the kids jumped out with a "Bye, Dad!" and took off for the school. Kevin had to run after them so they'd wait for us. You see, they have attended nursery school/pre-school/gan since they were 6 months old. It's the same thing, just a different place, they figured.

Every 1st grader was met by a 6th or 5th grader at the gate, handing out balloons, name tags, a school hat and a school scarf for the new kids. These older kids stayed with their new "buddy" for most of the morning, and they will continue to mentor them during the first weeks. I thought that was a lovely idea. There was a nice little show, though no clown (my kids were really expecting one, as there was one last year at the gan), and then the parents were invited to go to class with the kids and stay for a little while. We were kicked out after about an hour, and then the serious work began. So serious, that both boys brough homework home: they had to convince their parents to write their names in all their clothes and stuff.

And this turned into a first for me: writing my sons' names in Hebrew for the very first time. :-) In permanent marker. On their sneakers.

There is no after school care for the twins this week, so as I had an emergency at work I had to pick them up and bring them in to the office. Where their doting grandfather, who happens to be my iron-fisted father (Hi Dad!) he let the kids watch [Scrubs] and The Simpsons on one of the spare computers. He even let them play with the label maker! Scandalous! (Hi Dad, again!)

Since this is a compulsory first day of school post, here is a compulsory school related song for all Hungarian speakers. And for those who don't speak Hungarian: mementos from a school child's life in the 80's in Hungary. I'm sure Ramona will be able to relate to some of this!

Shabbat morning parenting moment

This morning my dad dropped Craig and Justin off after shul, so the four of us had a mini musroom melt sandwiches for breakfast with a big jug of cocoa. Then Craig helped me load the dishwasher while his brothers put the leftovers away and then they all attacked the couch and put Mozart's Don Givanni in the DVD and just read and watched the opera till my dad came to pick Matt up and take him in for today's treatment.

Meanwhile I just got pretty distracted by Craig and Justin having a fight that escalated to some hair pulling and scratching, so both boys are in time out for now. A friend of mine remarked that a) she would feel sorry for the kids while they are being disciplined and b) some of these little fights are better to left unpunished as kids can determine the pack hierarchy through experiencing each other's strength.

I couldn't resist, but offer the blessing--or is it a course--that may her kid be surrounded by children of parents thinking similarly and supervised by teachers also thinking the same way. The reason? If you are right, then you'll be happy, if you are wrong, you'll learn it in time.

I am not legalizing fighting and agression between my kids by letting them sort it out for themselves. They can experience the limits of their strength and their brothers' when wrestling, pillow fighting or something along those lines. And disciplining each other is not the responsibility of my kids, but mine, as their parent.

Now as I have typed this up, it's time for lunch and time out for the boys is up.

Ájer lájber cibelesz–Zsidótojás–a Hungarian Jewish Egg dip

One of my favourite simple meals as Grandma makes them. Now it seems that my sons are really enjoying this as well, as it didn't take Justin too long after getting home from the hospital to force me into the kitchen and get cooking.

What you need:

4 hardboiled eggs, cut/grated/broken with a fork
1 kosherized chicken liver
2 tablespoons of goose lard, chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of salt
some ground pepper

Cook the onion in the lard, then add the chopped liver, salt, pepper. When cooked, mix with the egg. Serve with bread or toast and fresh tomatoes, cucumbers.

I thought I should mention

…that all three of my kids are now enrolled at Krav Maga classes. The neurologist suggested we enroll Matthew in some kind of martial arts classes as they help with balance, utilize the plasticity of the brain and a billion other things, so we started to look in to classes. First we were looking at judo but really, the only classeswe found that were affordable, close enough and sans Eastern philosophies and/or mysticism was Israel’s very own Krav Maga. (Of course my kids always point out that Imi Sde-Or was born in Budapest, just like them.)

Yeah, so piano and Krav Maga. That’s all.