Sixteen

Sixteen seems like an important age here in Israel. Now he is sixteen my eldest son can open his first bank account; will receive his Tzav Rishon, or the "First Draft Notice," from the Israeli army which is used to set his physical profile and kaba (a general score which tells the army what you are fit to join, and is made up of the dapar, a score due to your education, and your personal interview). He can also learn to drive.

He'll begin the process by taking a medical and eye exam, followed by a theoretical test. Once those bases have been covered, my son will sign up for 28 driving lessons with an instructor before he can take his Mivchan Shlita, the practical driving test. Fingers crossed that he'll pass because it's an expensive process! 

My son asked for driving lessons for his birthday, so this year's birthday card simply had to reflect that. I have shown him waving from the driver's seat of my new white car (he won't really be learning to drive in it - phew!). I am sitting next to him with my hands covering my eyes! There is an Israeli L-plate on the front of the car. The plate shares the general design of Israeli information signs in its square form and blue background. On the blue background is a white triangle pointing upwards, with the black Hebrew letter "ל" in it, from the Hebrew למידה‎ - "Learning".

It seems that birthday celebrations as the kids get older are not the 'palava' they once were. Once upon a time I would prepare party games and write invitations, assemble party bags and ice cupcakes with their friends names on them. Of course all of that is no longer needed. Mister Handmade in Israel and I did help with the shopping and preparations, and I did cut up a big Israeli salad and a few pitot, but then we went out and left my son happily barbecuing with his friends. And when we came home, they had even tidied up and bagged up all the rubbish!

I did make cake though. Two of them to be exact. One for the barbecue and one for his big day.

You can never have too much cake.

* This post has been shared on Wednesday Around the World, Share Your Cup, Our World, Little Things Thursday, Friday Foto Friends, Joy and Fun Linkup and Seasons.