We work and the kids play, at least for most of the week.

This week Stuart and I had a week of professional development while the kids parties with Kayleigh and our Irish friends' kids, Oscar and Astrid. 

On Sunday they headed to the zoo. It was an exceptionally hot day, but the kids reported they had a great time. 

No day at the zoo is complete without an icee. 

Millie fed the birds and was not scared a bit. She certainly doesn't have my disdain of birds. Ick!

Jack rode a horse and was a happy chappy. 

Once I returned from a riveting day of professional development, I got home and started filling eggs with candy for the Easter egg hunt. DeDe came over and we finalized the details of our Easter Extravaganza!  

Millie fell asleep on the sofa just before 5:30 pm and slept all the way through until 6 am. The zoo wore her out. 

Monday was no less exciting for the kids. Kayleigh kept them home but she had many activities planned. They made cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and the girls got their toe and fingers painted. Awesome! Kayleigh has earned her money so far this week. 

Cupcake decorating looked fun. 

Delicious!

Lovely!

By the time we got home Millie was a wreck. She was reported to have been very sassy with Kayleigh all day. We spoke with her, she had a bath at 3 pm and then fell asleep on Stuart's lap just after that. She napped for a couple of hours. And as you would guess she didn't want to go to sleep until after 9 pm. 

Both kids were up by 6 am raring to go at it another day. Tuesday they were off to the rugby club for a swim. I picked them up as soon as I got out of school and we headed back to the house to get ready for our Easter Egg Hunt. We had a craft, bag decorating as well as cookie decorating. Finally, there was an Easter egg hunt. Stuart made grilled cheese sandwiches and everyone was happy. The Murffs and the Rouvis came over for the fun. It was a great evening. It was a little messy, which everyone knows I'm not crazy about, but the kids had so much fun that I almost didn't mind the mess. 

Craig Murff made the cookies and the kids decorated them. 

Those are supposed to be eggs. This might be an example of 'craft gone wrong'. They were supposed to be eggs. 

They got their bags ready for their spoils. 

Every kid found dozens of eggs. There were 8 kids and almost 200 eggs filled with candy. 

Prior to the Easter Extravaganza, at school I was in charge of the professional development for Tuesday. It only had to be an hour but had to be about total engagement. I did the workshop on cooperative learning. I don't mean to brag but the teachers, even my most negative ones, said my workshop was the most practical one we have had the entire year. Well there you have it. As a teacher I loved cooperative learning so much because it took the pressure off of me, involved all students, and made for a better learning environment. I felt very satisfied in my job today. It was a refreshing change. 

Here are my teachers involved in a cooperative learning structure. I was so proud of how engaged they were. Considering this week was supposed to be a vacation for them, their attitudes were surprisingly positive. 

Wednesday the kids spent most of the day at Action Zone (similar to Amazing Jakes). They won all kinds of prizes and we're happy little campers when we got home. We went to the grocery store after school to get food for our camping trip. We knew we were going to get out early on Thursday so the plan was to leave at 1 pm.

When we got up on Thursday morning the air was awful! The wind wasn't bad, but the air was thick with sand all day long. The kids didn't notice, thank goodness. They were home building forts and having fun. 

Forts galore!

I believe there was more than one fort built. Kayleigh is so much fun!

Once we got home we conferred with our camping friends and all but one of the families decided to postpone our trip until Friday morning. The drive would not have been safe. 

In the attempt to give some excitement to the kids, because they were disappointed we weren't leaving for the beach and clearly they don't have any fun at all....EVER, I decided to take them to see the movie Home. 

Unfortunately, the Internet gave me the wrong timings and failed to let me know it was only in 3D, of which Jack hates. So in the end we came back home, ordered Chinese and the kids watched Nut Job. 

We got up Friday morning and the air had cleared. So, foolishly, we headed to Fujaraih to the beach for our camping adventure. Our intention was to stay for three nights. We arrived and set up our tent and our new shade structure. 

It was brilliant. It guarded us from the intense heat and was a promising set up for three days. The wind struck and the structure was not going to withstand the fury of nature. Our tent took flight and operation 'save camp' kicked in. We recovered the tent, took the lines that come down the side of the tent and tied them to large rocks. We took the canopy off of the structure and left the frame up, in hopes the wind would stop and we could put it back up. 

Millie enjoyed a snack after a dip in the water. 

Jack and his buddies loved the water. 

The kids were having an absolute blast in the sea and playing on the sand, so not all was lost. Evening came and we cooked up the pounds of meat we always bring, and it looked as if we would weather the storm. 

Here are the master chefs. 

The kids went to bed just after 8 pm and I followed shortly. When I woke up at midnight the wind was doing a number on all the tents, but especially ours. Because our tent is about 6 feet tall in the middle, wind is not its friend. Stuart and I pretty much just lay there and listened to the blowing sand pound the sides of our tent. Every ten minutes or so I would run my hands over my face to brush off the sand that had somehow entered the tent and landed on my face. 

At about half past 5 Stuart rolled over and said, 'Let's pack up. I can't do this another night'. Oh thank goodness. I enjoy camping but not as much as Stuart does, so for him to say we were breakin camp and leaving really let's you know how horrible it was. 

So Saturday by 11 am we were back home, unpacking our car and cleaning the sand out of the crevasses of the car, bags, tents and ears. Our spring break had not taken off like we thought it would. 

Once the 5 loads of laundry were finished, because no matter if you go one night of seven nights everything must be washed, we showered and felt quite refreshed, although still exhausted. We started looking for a hotel on a beach in Abu Dhabi. We decided since our camping trip was a bust, we still needed some time away. We weren't sure what we would do but we would find something. 

From the camping experience we had so much meat, and it needed to be cooked. So we invited the other two families that also left the camp to come and have a BBQ. It was so fun. One of the things we really love about our new home is we can have people over and not feel like we are cramped for room. 

Everyone stayed until just after 8 pm. Then we all headed for a much needed sleep. 

Testing week

This week was EMSA testing (English, Maths, Science, Arabic). Each day there was at least one test that lasted an hour, and the first two days we had a break after the hour test and had another 30 minute test. I will say, being a part of the distribution team this year, the test security we have had home would seem beyond ridiculous here. I will say no more. 

On Sunday and Monday when the testing ended, parents showed up in massive numbers. We had very few students there in grades 1 and 2 because they don't have formal exams. Monday when parents came it was so chaotic that on Tuesday and Wednesday we dismissed all students at 9:30 am, just after the test was completed. I love my job! 

Teachers were supposed to stay until 1 pm all days. But on Tuesday and Wednesday when there was no water in the building and toilets hadn't been flushed, we left shortly after the kids. Some of the out lying areas have water trucks that fill tanks, very large tanks, each week. Seems our water truck forgot to come. So all the teachers were sent home at 11 am because there was no water. 

Outside of school, we really just stayed at home for the most part this week. I decided to cut Millie's bangs. Got them a bit short. Ugh!

She actually thought they were 'bootiful'. 

Tuesday evening Jack built another Lego, still working on the ones he got for Christmas, and Millie tried her hand at darts. It was hilarious because she so carefully aimed and was actually really good. 

Wednesday evening we went to the Richardsons to have sushi.  There is a lady in town who makes sushi for sale every Wednesday evening. You just message her on Facebook and go pick it up. We ordered more than we actually got because there was a slight misunderstanding. However, we all brought appetizers and dessert so no one went hungry, alham (thanks be to God). 

I actually earned my money this week, well kind of. I had to enter grades and check they were correct, as well as be in charge of passing out the tests and collecting them at the end of testing each day. Because we left early on Tuesday and Wednesday, my time do actually work was cut short. On Thursday there were no kids in school except the ones who were being recognized for their academic achievements. We had two celebrations, one at 9 am for the boys and one at 11 am for the girls. I was shunned for not going to the boys' ceremony so I went to the one for the girls. When that was over at half past twelve, everyone went home except me. I stayed until 2 pm finishing grades. This is almost a sin on a Thursday. 

Thursday evening we decided to go to the mall and let the kids play at Fun Farm for an hour while we did some shopping. My neighbor, DeDe, and I are going to have an Easter egg hunt for our kids next Tuesday so I needed some cookie cutters that were Easter-like. 

We had dinner and then headed home. Millie fell asleep, of course. Once we got home we threw the kids in bed and relaxed watching some mindless television. 

Stuart was up early on Friday because his last rugby tournament of the season was in Sharjah. He reminded me that this was the first tournament he played in last year and it was also the day we picked Grammie and Pop up from the airport exactly one year ago. Wow, time has gone so quickly. 

The kids and I went to church and then headed to Dubai with DeDe and her boys, Jonathan and Jesse. We went to the Park and Shop to find some items for our Easter party. We found some things for the Easter gig, but mostly just bought junk we can't find anywhere else. It was a good excuse for a day out and a good meal at Casa Maria's Mexican Cantina. It's a great little restuarant just a little ways from the Park and Shop, and it's pretty authentic. 

When we returned from Dubai we were supposed to go to the women's end of the season pool party. However, Millie was asleep in the car by 6:30 pm and Jack was tired as well. So we skipped the party and the kids went to bed. I waited up for Stuart, but also fell asleep. I'm proud to report that Stuart thinks he might have developed a hernia in his last tournament of the season. How special for him. 

Saturday morning I did the best I could to keep the kids quiet so Stuart could sleep in a bit. I think he managed to sleep in until 8 am, which is about 2 hours past the usual Saturday 'get up' time. 

Once he was awake and we had consumed a great deal of coffee, we walked the neighborhood and visited the 4 garage sales that were going on. It's always at this time of the year that people start selling their things because they are getting ready to go home. I suppose we will do the same at some stage. But for now we are reaping the benefits of others. We bought two fantastic things. 

Two pallets like this, one much smaller than this one. We are going to hang them on the wall going up our stairs and use them as display pieces where we can put pictures and other art. I will post the finished product when it's time. 

This was the other jewel we bought. It's an incredibly sturdy wooden bench. As you can see, it can seat 3 or 4 people, easily. We needed something out in front of our house so we could sit and watch the kids ride their bikes. It's perfect! Now to do something to preserve it a bit. The bench was roughly $40. What a bargain that was. 

After the sales we headed to do our weekly shopping. Once we returned home the kids and I headed to the pool while Stuart sorted out our camping things, getting them ready for our spring break camping trip. 

The pool was full of friends and the kids had a great time as usual. The weekend ended on a good note and the kids were excited for their week with Kayleigh, sadly while Stuart and I are at work. Boo!  Just one more week and then we get a week off for spring break. Thank goodness. 

Next to last week before spring break!

Even though our rugby is over, the Six Nations rugby tournament was just starting this week. Sunday evening we had the Richardsons over to watch rugby and have curry. The match didn't start until 6:30 pm, so after we ate, the kids all bathed or showered and got their jammies on. Scott, Clare and the kids stayed for the first half and then headed home. It's so great to have them as our friends. We really do enjoy their company. 

Monday I had last shot in my knee. I asked the doctor if I should be okay now. He told me the shots were for the arthritis, but the torn meniscus wouldn't heel, but the shots should have eased the pain from the rubbing of the arthritis. Huh? It's possible I misunderstood our initial conversation, but most likely not. 

He told me to come back in two months if things weren't better. Uh, Nope. Going to get that second opinion next week, hopefully. I want to be able to work out again someday and lose the rest of this weight that I have been trying to lose for the past 4 years. I will keep you updated. 

My principal was away the first two days of the week.  She went to a conference in Dubai. And sadly, when the cat's away, the mice will play, holds true here as well.  With one two weeks left before break, and next week being testing, there seems to be a great deal piling up around us to do. I suppose that is the way it always is. Since we have two teachers who are substitutes they don't have access to our computer grading by program. So I am responsible for putting in thei grades. They give me the outcomes sheet indicating whether the student mastered, was developing the skill, or was emerging in the skill. It's a hassle, but it has to be done. This part of my job makes me glad I was a teacher last year because I had to put in grades and know exactly what to do. It will all get done in time, I suppose. 

Tuesday evening we headed to the rugby club to do our March Madness picks and celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We ate dinner there and filled out our brackets. The kids played and had fun, like they always do. 

Millie was less than impressed with St. Paddy's Day. 

Wednesday after school the kids and I went out to blow bubbles. Have I mentioned how much Jack and Millie love our new neighborhood? It's so great, and we love it too. 

Bubbles!

Wednesday at school I found out I was supposed to go to a meeting on Thursday for Abu Dhabi Reads, an initiative to encourage reading in Arabic and English. When we went to the meeting we had to have head phones for the translation. I have never been to a meeting where you are given headphones for the translation. Most venues have an Arabic speaker as well as an English speaker. The best part was when we had a question and answer period. It didn't dawn on anyone that all Arabic staff might need the head phones as well. A question posed by an English speaker prompted the translator to tell us he was switching to channel 2 in order to translate in Arabic. At this point I looked around and began to silently giggle to myself. He was translating to NO ONE!

Thursday evening Gina came into town from Abu Dhabi. Stuart decided to BBQ and we stayed up to have a good 'catch up'. 

Friday morning we lounges around the house, finally getting ready around 11 am. We headed to Bawadi Mall for a bowling alley birthday party, my favorite!  Stuart was in charge so that Gina and I could shop around and have lunch. We ate at a place I had never been before. It was delish, and when we headed to the party and told Stuart about it, he was a bit bitter and went to get take away from the restaurant. Ha!

The kids were fed McDonalds and then we headed home. Our initial plan was to go to the pool but the party lasted longer than we thought it would. So back to our place for a cup of tea. Gina left just before 4 pm and Stuart and I got ready for the end of the season rugby party, not to be confused with the Rugby Ball, a much classier event might I add. 

Kayleigh came to babysit and we headed to the club. The actual party was a BBQ out at the Sands Golf Club, which also doubles as our church. 

There was dancing and food the entire evening. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. The bus we rode from the club was to go to Pacos, a local night club, at midnight. But by 11 pm this old bag was ready for some sleep. I danced like a fool and needed some sleep. So we caught a ride home with our good neighbors, Rayna and Leon. 

Saturday morning was another morning of lounging as well as another birthday party day, ironically enough at the bowling alley. Not that we don't love parties, free food, and cheap birthday treat bag stuff, but we (meaning me) are a little over the birthday extravaganzas. However, at the one on Saturday we scored an entire pizza on our way out as well as a 100 dirham gift card for Fun City. The kids have not played at Fun City for at least 6 month. Stuart and I were talking about it the other day and reminiscing about our first 4 months in the UAE and how Fun City was our main form of entertainment. So the gift card will be a special day out for us now that rugby is over and we have all this time on our hands. 

We came home from the party, which was around 4 pm. The kids bathed and got into their jammies. By 6:30 pm Millie was asleep on the sofa and Jack followed her shortly after. Stuart and I finished watching the final rugby matches. England had to win by 26 points in order to win the entire tournament. Sad to say, that did not happen, but they gave it a good try. How is it that I now love rugby and actually understand it? Hmmm.

Birthday parties galore!

Physical therapy and the shots are not proving as successful as I had hoped. After school on Sunday I had an appointment at 5 pm and the therapist did the same as she always does. There is a bit of relief when I am at therapy but soon after that the aching begins again. If I am not better in two weeks I will go and seek the second opinion. 

School was relatively uneventful last week and quite frankly, everyone is so ready for a break. We have two more weeks and then we will have a week without students and a week off. The holidays have been shortened this year but hopefully will go back to normal next year. The Ministry of Education announced a few weeks ago that next school year they will be cutting the days back by 10 so that will give us our time back I think. 

Millie had World Book Day a week after Jack's school did. Fortunately we had a Frozen book so she could wear her Elsa dress. She actually let me braid her hair and she left it in all day. 

We hardly know what to do with ourselves now that rugby is over. We had two birthday parties on Thursday evening, a baby shower on Friday, and two birthday parties on Saturday. When there are parties amongst the expats it's as if we have a continuous party until the last celebration is completed. Our first and last party of the weekend were with virtually the same people. It's a small community, actually. 

A life lesson occurred for Jack on Thursday having to do with the two parties he was invited to. One started befor the other one ended so we had to leave the first before it was over. In the end he decided he didn't want to go to the second party after all. As tough as it was, he ended up going to the second party. I explained that when you commit to going somewhere you have to follow through unless you have an unforeseen emergency, and changing your mind is not an option. It was tough for him to swallow but in the end he was fine. And for goodness sake, he got a treat bag at each party so how can that be bad?

Friday was Stuart's last home tournament.  We got up and decided to cut Jack's hair off. He has so much and as it is getting hot outside, it only makes sense to buzz it off. 

I went to a baby shower shortly after the buzz and the kids stayed at Rayna and Leon's (friends from school and the rugby club, as well as neighbors). When I got home from the rugby club the kids had already gone to the club with Leon and his kids. Rayna and Claire (rugby teammates) dropped me at my house to get my car. Then I went to the club as well. 

The vets team played four games, therefore Stuart was a wreck on Saturday. There was a BBQ after the matches but the kids and I came home. It was too much of a day for us. 

We got up Saturday morning and Millie and I headed to her little friend's for a birthday party. There was a bouncy and Millie had a blast. She also didn't want to leave the party, but we had yet another party to attend. Boy, being popular is tough:) 

Millie and her friend Sophie were waiting for Pass the Parcel. 

Once at our last and final party, we were able to take a deep breath and just sit and watch the kids play on the bouncy, play Chase Charlie. This game is awesome. There are lollipops taped all over the t-shirt of 'Charlie' and 'Charlie' 

Runs all over the rugby pitch, trying to stay away from all the crazy kids. Itwas  hilarious. Stuart was one of the 'Chalies' and was super tired after his dodging of kids. 

Here is Millie and her friend Eli. They are waiting for 'Charlie' to show up. 

The sprinklers turned on at the club as the kids were bouncing on the bouncy castle, so off they went to play in the sprinklers. 

All kids love the sprinklers. 

The party was then moved to the pool and the rest of our day was spent at the rugby club. We ended up having dinner there with the Richardsons. Yet another fantastic weekend for the Telfords. 

Need it to heat up to rid us of germs

After the BBQ Saturday evening, the kids turned up sick on Sunday morning. I went in to work for the few hours I had to teach and then took personal time in order to take them and Kayleigh to the doctor. 

Nebulizer used on all, at the same time. Our little germ buddies. 

Jack tested positive again for strep. The doctor says that taking his tonsils out is not an option. He ended up giving him a different antibiotic, which he will be on for 10 days. Hopefully this new meds, along with the weather getting warmer, will kill all of his germs. It would also help if he would stop putting his fingers in his mouth to feel the progress of his incoming teeth. It's like having a newborn again. 

Jack wanted to go outside Sunday afternoon but I decided it was best to keep the kids inside and just let them relax. Well it didn't take long for the whining to commence. Recovery has begun. 

Stuart went on to rugby because he is one of the coaches so he had to go. Jack said he felt better and should go as well. Right! No!  Stuart ended up staying at the club to watch the England versus Ireland rugby match.  

The doctor ordered both Jack and Millie to stay home on Monday as well. I had to take an emergency day and stay home with the kids. When Jack got up he asked if Kayleigh was going to stay home with him. I told him I thought he would want his mom to stay home with him to which he responded 'Nah, I want Kayleigh to babysit'. I told him I was sorry to disappoint, but I would be the babysitter for the day. 

By noon they were both much better. I know this because they were on each other's nerves at that point. Everyone back to school on Tuesday. 

Kayleigh did come and babysit on Monday but after they were in bed. Stuart and I went to the rugby club. His team was playing touch rugby, which was over crowded, so he decided to run around the pitches. I, on the other hand, rode the stationary bike and kind of watched the girls play rugby, jealous I wasn't out there. 

Tuesday it was back to normal, well kind of. I had to teach all day because the other Head of Faculty had covered for me on Monday when I was home with the kids. The morning class was fine. But there is something that happens to the kids in the afternoon that is not normal. By 7th period I had had 4 fights (kids totally punching it out, a ripped phonics board, and a social worker laughed in my face. You really can't make this shit up! And you really can't imagine it or believe it unless you have lived it. But at half past one I put all of that behind me and enjoy my family life. Jack had his last official practice on Tuesday evening so to celebrate we went for curry afterwards. Jack ate a ton and Millie ate nothing. 

When I woke to Millie's cries at 1 am I knew she wasn't well. I took her to pee then laid back down with her. When I thought she was asleep I went back to bed, only to be awakened again to her scream. I got into the hallway and she had he hand up to her mouth. She hadn't vomited yet, but it was imminent. I walked her as quickly as I could to the toilet where she barfed, not a lot because she hadn't eaten much. She cried, we went downstairs and had some sprite, and back to bed she went. After I was snugly in my bed I heard the scream again. 'My belly hurts', bent over the toilet and yaked! Lovely! She went back to bed at about 1:45 am and this time she stayed 

When Stuart woke her up on Wednesday morning she seemed totally fine. We assessed that she had swallowed phlem and since she had very little food in her belly there was nothing to soak it up. Poor little dear!

Wednesday we had a slight conflict with a neighbor boy. I really hate these conflicts but now I understand why my mom forbid me from hanging out with certain kids. 

Thirsday was World Book Day. jack was to select a book he could read and dress up as the character. As we looked through books I suggest a Mr Men book. He said he couldn't do one of those because he was supposed to be able to read the book. He then opened one of the books and began reading it. He looked up at me and said, 'Hey, why can I read this book now. I never thought I could read books with this small writing isn't them.'  I just giggles. 

So he went as Mr Bump. He was super pleased with his costume and book selection. 

Thursday Jack was grounded for his poor decisions on Wednesday. Although we felt he was coercesed, he still did something naughty and needed a consequence. I also went to speak with the other child's mother and told her that we would need to redefine this friendship. I told her I felt they were a bad combination and Jack would be limited to his interactions with her son. She seemed to take it well, but then Stuart felt she was giving us the cold shoulder at the rugby tournament. We both agreed that we can't be concerned with other people's feelings when it comes to protecting the character development of our kids. I really do understand now, Mom!  And thank you for keeping me from harm. 

Later Thursday afternoon we went to the Richardsons for dinner, so the grounding was only a few hours long, which seemed to get our point across. We made it an early night because our weekend was going to be packed with excitement. 

Friday morning we got up and headed to Sharjah, another one of the Emirates in the UAE. Jack had a tournament on Saturday, his last of the season, so we decided to go up Friday, spend the day at a new water park, and then spend the night in a hotel. 

We got to the water park just after 10 am, opening time. It was a bit breezy and cool, but soon heated up. Also, we were the only ones there for about an hour and a half. It was so great. There were water slides, tube rides, a lazy river and a play area for little ones, like Millie. 

The play structure was perfect for Millie. I sat on a lounge chair and she played in the ankle deep water. Relaxing!

Stuart and Jack braved the large water slides. Millie was too short and really wasn't interested anyway. 

The kids had a great time. We left around 3 pm to check into our hotel and have a bit of down time. Once all the families were settled into the hotel we met downstairs to go and find some food for supper. Although it initially seemed like a good idea for 25 of us to go and storm the city, in the end it didn't work out so well. The UAE has late hours in its restaurants and most don't open for the evening meal until almost 7 pm. Plus, there were few places that could accommodate all of us. So in the end we went across the street from the hotel and ordered street food (schwarmas, meat plates, and French fries). We took the food upstairs, ate, and hit the sack. I really don't enjoy group activities as much as I used to. Getting older, I suppose, is part of the reason. 

Here we all are walking down the street in Sharjah. We weren't very conspicuous, which is also something that bugs me about being in a group when you are not in familiar surroundings. 

Saturday morning we headed to the rugby club in Sharjah around 8:30 am. After being on every pitch in the UAE and one in Kuwait, that really wasn't a rugby club, I have decided that we have the best rugby club in the UAE. We have plenty of pitch area where we can host a large rugby event. There is plenty of space for eating and drinking, should you choose, and the atmosphere is top notch. This rugby club was too small to have the event for which they had planned. The first match was to start at 9:09 am and we were to be finished by 1 pm. We didn't finish until around 4 pm. It was a long day in the sun. 

Jack played so well. He does everything he is told to do on the pitch. Being a rule follower really pays off in the area of sports. He played in a total of 4 matches and probably scored 8 tries. I can't help but be super happy for him. Fortunately he is relatively humble about his contribution and always refers to his team as the winners. I am so thankful for this. The last thing I want is a cocky athlete. I want him to be proud of his efforts, but to keep things in check. 

Jack is so sweet to Millie, most of the time, and Millie is Jack's biggest fan. 

Stuart is such a patient coach. He always encourages the boys without criticism. Not all of the coaches behave this way. It's a bit shameful to watch some of the other teams and their coaches. I would hesitate letting Jack play with teams like that. Ugh!

His team ended up getting beat in their last game, mainly because they were exhausted and the other team was a bit rougher than they were used to. All in all it was a great day and a wonderful season. 

We headed home, stopping for a bite to eat at the outlet mall. Once we were home the kids got a bath, had some fruit, and headed off to bed. 

Another wonderful week in the UAE...oh, except for the kids being sick. Yuck!