10 Years, part 2

After checking in, we went on an exploratory walk and to get some lunch. The city is quite amazing, a lovely mix of cultures and architectural styles so that every time you turn a corner or pass through an archway, there is something interesting to see.

After some exploring, we stumbled upon the old Turkish bazaar,

and found an amazing restaurant, Kukushka, a non-Kosher "snack" bar.

You better believe we chowed down on the fried blue crab and washed it down with some delicious craft beer!

That was a lovely, leisurely lunch, and a great way to kick off our 10 year anniversary celebration!

10 years!

Sorry I interrupted GG and Grandpa's trip with the last post, but the Muse struck.  I hope you don't mind.  We get right back to it with this post!

GG and Grandpa graciously agreed to stay with the boys overnight so Geoff and I could celebrate our 10 year anniversary.  Crazy, right?  Seems like this was just yesterday!

We decided to head up to Acre/Acco/Akko (yes, three different versions of the same name).  It's a great historic town with tons of Crusader history (which we'll get to later) about three hours up the coast, toward the Lebanese border.

We spent the night in a boutique hotel called the Efendi, and it was divine!  It's an old Ottoman palace that they have turned into a hotel.  There are only 12 rooms, and it is inside the fortifications of Old Acre.  It was so full of character a charm!  Take a look!

 Sign above the door

The lobby

Decorative ceilings and archways

Upstairs lounge

 Our room had a clawfoot tub and champagne!

So our hotel was amazing, but so was the town!  Stay tuned for more posts about our Acre adventures!

Kindergarten!

Dear Liam,

Today you start Kindergarten. Although you have been in daycare and preschool since you were just three months old, this is different. This is a big deal. This is real school.  From here on out, you will be required by law to attend every day you are healthy enough to learn. But I digress.  And so, some advice from your Mommy.

1. Be brave. There will be scary things, different things, new things. Try anything that does not break a rule. You will be better for it.

2. Be kind. Too soon, you will learn that there are some not very nice people in this world. Don't give in to the hatred. You are kind. Use that gift to better this world of ours, one small gesture at a time.

3. Be still.  You are my wiggly, giggly boy, and I love you, but be still. Your teacher is there to teach, and you need to be still sometimes in order to learn.  Except for the times when you should...

4. Be active! I know, I contradict myself. (Very well then.) When it comes time for P.E. and recess, let it loose!  Run, jump, climb, kick, throw, and enjoy yourself! Maintain your love of playtime as long as you can.

5. Be truthful. Stay honest, no matter what. Your word means something. Keep it that way.

6. Be studious. Education is such a gift. Learn as much as you can for as long as you can. Never stop being a student.

7. Be patient. Some things can take a long time: lessons you don't like too much, meetings in the auditorium, tests. You can stand anything for a little while. It will pass. It always does.

8. Be generous. Share the toys, take turns deciding what to play, hug your friends and teachers. Give what you can when you see a need. You can make a difference this way.

9. Be vocal.  (Well, not when you are supposed to be quiet. You'll see what I mean.) Speak up when you don't understand or you have a question. Tell a grown-up when you see or have a problem. Say no when someone asks you to do something you shouldn't. You are your best advocate (along with your mother, of course). Have the courage to speak up, whenever you should.

10.  Be YOU!  You are unique.  God made you the way you are, and we love you for you! You don't have to change a thing to find friends. (Although trying and eating pizza wouldn't hurt.)  Unique people grow into innovators, so just be you.  No matter what.

Enjoy this year.  Study hard and learn lots.  I love you!

Love, Mommy

 Orientation and Meet the Teacher

 Finding his t-shirt to decorate

 Coloring with his best pal, Atticus

 Ms. Jodi taking him to his cubby

 Discussing important things

 A celebratory lunch before the big day

So excited for the first day!

 Waiting on the van

There he goes!

GG and Grandpa head to Jericho

On Tuesday, we all headed down toward the "shaken city" of Jericho.  First, we stopped at sea level to take some pics with this smelly camel.

Then we drove into the city, stopping to admire Zacchaeus's tree before hopping onto the cable cars for a trip up to the Mount of Temptation.

At the Mount, we had to hike up a "few" stairs to get to the Monastery.  But it was worth it.  It is a gorgeous place.  They've done a beautiful job using the stone and building almost seamlessly with the mountain.

Once inside the church, we got to see the purported stones that Satan tempted Jesus with (Matthew 4:1-11), as well as this beautiful painted dome.  There was a silent monk who helpfully pointed to signs for us to read to explain all this.

Afterward, we had some lunch before heading home to our air conditioned refuge. The average temperature for Jericho in July is 102.2 F., and BOY did we feel that!

GG and Grandpa visit Bethlehem

The next day, Geoff took GG and Grandpa into Bethlehem to tour the Church of the Nativity and to get some great olive wood products.  They had a great time!

In front of the Catholic section of the church

 Jim and Janet at the manger altar

 Jim at the spot of Jesus's birth

 Geoff picking out a piece for our new cheese board

GG in Palestine

GG and Grandpa visit! (Part 1)

Shortly after we returned from Spain, we had our second visitors, GG and Grandpa!  They stayed for two weeks (sleeping in Liam's bunkbeds like CHAMPS), and we enjoyed every minute.  After a day of simple, close-by activity, Geoff and I got one of Liam's teachers to babysit the boys while we took GG and Grandpa into the Old City.  We did a LOT of walking that day and saw just about as much as folks can in one hot day.

Our first stop was the Muslim quarter, where we visited some of our favorite vendors. (As Geoff says to any want/need, "I got a guy.")  We got to show them Abu Khalid's fabric shop where the last of the damask fabrics from Syria is selling for $500 US a yard.

(This is not the damask, but GG's new table runner.)

And we got to introduce GG and Grandpa to Mr. Mustafa, 

who sold us some Roman glass jewelry...

 and tried ONCE AGAIN to convince Geoff to buy this $15,000 carpet.

We then walked down to the Church of the Holy Sepluchre, one of the purported sites of Jesus's crucifixion and burial.  Here are Janet and Jim at the site of the cross.

We did a bit more walking around the Old City, finding some cool things here and there,

before checking out the Wall and the views of Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

We then headed into East Jerusalem for lunch (which was a bit more challenging than expected because it was Ramadan and many places were closed).

After lunch we went back into the Old City and walked the Via Dolorosa before stopping at Notre Dame for a late afternoon drink while taking in the amazing view and this amazing wine.  'Twas a good day!