If We Were Responsible...

Then neither of the two occurrences in this post would have happened. Probably. But the fact that they both happened within a 24 hour period is making me really question our parenting skills.

First, we live on a fabulous street that has two small parks at the end of it. One of them is more a green grassy space with a few benches, not so interesting, and the other a more kid-y playground. The thing is, this playground is awful. It has two bouncing motorcycle/bike things a four person seesaw structure that looks like it's on it's last legs and has peeling paint, a weird spinning thing that it appears you're supposed to hang from your arms and a sandbox with a slide and a very unsafe looking tunnel thing. The slide would be good if it were not in a sandbox, which here in this cat infested country always turn into litter boxes and are responsible for a bunch of health issues. Seriously, I didn't make that part up- it's really a problem. Eitan is NOT allowed in sandboxes ever here.

So although it's ridiculously convenient we never ever go to that park for more then five minutes because Eitan gets bored of the bouncing motorcycle, and I feel like it's mean to take him to a park where he can't go on the slide. Did I mention that this park also has graffiti all over the walls? It's like, really really gross. The good thing is there are several really nice playgrounds a 5-10 minute walk away (like this one, or this one (and WOW was he so little, almost a year ago!)), so we stick to those.

Since Ami's sister/Nanny/Dadu has arrived, I've mentioned a bunch of times how we never go to the "shi--y park" and the end of the street, and pointed it out to her when walking around the few block radius of the apartment. So it seems like Eitan overheard...whoops. We knew this kid was a little parrot, but I didn't realize his hearing was so good! I really try not to swear in front of him, but I guess one or two references to the "shi--y park" slept in somewhere.

So this happened.


Eitan's Post Nap Request from mimi rozmaryn on Vimeo.

And really, I really really tried not to laugh, but as soon as I realized what he was asking for (this took place about 2 minutes after he woke up from his nap) I told Ami sitting across the room, very calmly that we had a video camera emergency.

I'm not sure what's worse, that this happened, or we filmed it, or now that I'm posting it for our friends and family to see, but, some days, you just need a laugh, so, you're welcome.

And onto irresponsible parenting example two. So Eitan's crib, it's not in the best shape. We bought it here, and have never been overly impressed with the construction. Ami says it's because it's put together with dowels (little wooden pegs). But being that we don't have tools here, really adding to the construction has been a challenge.There have been a couple times when, especially after moving it to open the couch-bed, a piece has come off and we'd need to pull it back together. Also one time where Eitan was jumping up and down angry about having to nap where it kind of fell apart. I keep saying we need to borrow a drill and just really reinforce it, and I even went out and got some supplies (brackets and screws) that Ami told me to, but we just haven't done it. In a recent move of the crib across the room, one of the dowels popped out and we couldn't find it, and Ami taped a piece of the crib together to make sure it stays put.

Today, during Shabbat lunch with some company, I put Eitan down to nap in his crib. He wasn't super excited about being taken away from all the fun, and cried a bit. Which isn't really unusual. And then it was quiet. And then, without missing a beat, Eitan, holding onto his blanket walks out of his room into the living/dining room and says with a HUGE smile on his face "Good Morning". Seriously, imagine 6 adults with simultaneous shock, curiosity and laughter. Like, how the hell did he get out of that crib with no noise, and parade himself in here all smiles.

Well, I'll save you the trouble and show you:

Yep, our little houdini/hercules/hulk just pulled his crib apart somehow and walked out.

The good news on the responsible parenting front is that he wasn't hurt at all, perfectly fine, and for our sake, that he hasn't jumped on the jumping out of the crib situation, which really can cause a kid a bump in the head. So obviously, fixing up and reinforcing the crap out of the crib has risen seriously on the priority list of to-dos.

But for tonight, when no hardware store is open after Shabbat (and we still don't have a drill) Ami McGyvered a whole situation together with double taped corners and a tape brace on the bottom holding it all together. Oh, and the pot on Eitan's head, that's what he used in place of a hammer. And then Eitan as a hat. Very versatile kitchen ware. But, that all being said, so far, so good.

And yes, tomorrow morning's activity WILL include another trip to the hardware store for more supplies, and a big request to anyone in Jerusalem with a drill to borrow it ASAP for an hour. Conversely, my plan is to walk around the neighborhood watching as people put up their Sukkahs and asking to borrow their drills when then finish. I think my pathetic story will entice them, even though they may not know us...right?

Anyways, that's the last two days of parenting fun that probably should not have happened, and definitely should not be inscribed to the internet forever. I hope at least it got some laughs, or sympathy.

UPDATE:

The crib (unlike Humpty Dumpty) has put back together again, erev Sukkot - if we weren't building a Sukkah, at least we could rebuild a crib. There are enough supports, screws and whatnots in that thing for us to even sleep in it soundly.

Here's the work in progress: