A List From Some Family At Home

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Erez and Avi Brandvain. Sarah, Ruth, and Mark Lerman-Sinkoff

Dov and Oren’s at home/on kibbutz list provided much entertainment here on the homefront. Avi was laughing out loud about the squirrels vs. the cats and dogs and that his son’s education was lacking; there are no AK 47’s in Israel only Uzi’s and Galil’s. Ruth’s office staff came running upon hearing the loud thump emanating from her office as she fell off her chair laughing. (No more checking the blog at work.) Sarah commiserated with the brothers; at West Bloomfield High School even the hot cocoa tastes caffeinated. When Mark read the blog list, he was excited for all the great experiences available on Workshop. When Erez read the blog list he felt inspired. And so, we, the left behind, have created a list of our own.

When Oren and Dov were Home:	When Dov and Oren are in Israel:
Dov called us on a regular basis	We still talk to Dov regularly, it just costs $120/month
We laughed at Oren shaving lightning bolts into his beard and Dov was always good for a 1:00 am Meijer’s ice cream run.	We entertain ourselves by watching squirrels on the deck and wait hopefully for blog documentation of the latest facial hair styles from the holy land. (Actually, just seeing the front of Oren’s head would be great.)
We got the latest music from our workshoppers.	We gather in the Brandvain’s basement while Mark and Erez jam or listen to Sarah belt Broadway tunes on her way to bed.
Sarah and Erez didn’t know when garbage day was.	They are intimate with biz-buz.
Erez could rely on Oren for imitation of water droplet noises.	He has to turn on the bathroom faucet or call Sarah.
Oren calling home was no big deal.	Erez actually tells his parents when his brother calls.
Beth, Avi, Ruth, and Mark were always in bed before Dov and Oren.	With a seven hour time advantage, they can actually outlast their teenagers.
Erez’s and Sarah’s friends gawked as their ride home from sports practice was a hairy guy wearing shades in a decrepit car blasting techno music.	No one notices the sedate Prius driven by a parental unit listening to a book on tape.
The kid’s bathroom was a mess.	That hasn’t changed but Erez and Sarah sport improved hygiene due to greater bathroom availability.
The stuff in the big brother’s rooms was sacred.	Sarah finds Dov’s rolly chair works great at her desk, Erez has a fabulous new wardrobe of vintage Habo/Tavor tee shirts, while Dov and Oren get stuff from the curb and abandoned buildings.

We miss you, we love you, and we’ll see you in December!

The Lerman-Sinkoff and Brandvain Families