Sunday I was up and ready for the day. My teacher who had been sick was back so that would mean changes for me. I was asked to teach with her for a few weeks and then she would be on her own again. I think the idea was to show her how Daily 5 worked and make sure she really was going to be well enough to take care of the class. She and I agreed that she would be on her own on Wednesdays and teach science. So the plan started on Sunday.
After school I went to sort out Jack's cafe account at Brighton as well as pay for Millie's school trip to Bounce. While I was there I discussed what next year's school fees would look like with the accountant. After sitting there and being overwhelmed by the amount each month that would go to the college, I came to the conclusion that the kids would have to go to a different school next year. It made me sad, but I knew in order for us to continue to give them life experiences, which is part of the reason we came here, we could not justify such astronomical fees for schooling. I came home to talk with Stuart about it and together we decided we couldn't keep our family from holidays and life experiences, putting a financial strain on us, in order to leave them at Brighton. It just didn't make any sense.
I also had a conversation with Jack about his cafe bill. The first of February we received an email from the cafe telling us his account was in the negative by 80 dirhams (about $20), although when their account reaches 0 dirhams they are not supposed to be able to charge any more. At that time we gave him clear instructions that he was not to charge anything else, meaning he would not buy any food from the cafe. Well, he clearly 'forgot' that instruction and continued to charge to the tune of -221 dirhams, which was another 141 dirhams past the amount I was informed of in February. After a few minutes, and me threatening to take him to the cafe to declare he hadn't actually charged after we told him to stop, he fessed up and admitted 'but mama, the French toast is so good'. In the end, I told him his consequence was to pay me the 141 dirhams for his excess bill. He begrudgingly did that, but I'm pretty sure he won't be charging anything else from now on. After Jack left the room, Stuart asked me if I was going to keep the money Jack gave me. Of course I was. These lessons are not fun, but they must be learned now so that we don't deal with them later in life when they might be WAY more expensive.
I also started to plant the idea in Jack's head that we would most likely have to move them from Brighton College in the fall. I knew he would be the most upset by the change, thus the reason we needed to start the discussion with him now. He needs time to get used to things, where as Millie rolls with the punches a little more. Jack was a bit upset, and Millie just wanted to make sure she was still going to go to Year 1 in the new school. When I told her she would, her response was 'Booya!' She's easy!
Sunday evening the kids and I stayed home while Stuart went to a meeting at the club. They were in bed by the time he got home. He and I watched television and then called it a night. We had a lot to start sorting out for the kids.
Monday I was not feeling particularly chipper so I messaged Lara and told her I wouldn't be walking. Besides that, I didn't need to be up as early because Stuart and I had a training that didn't start until 8:30 am. The training was riveting as always, so much so that during the training I was able to put in an application for the kids in one of the two schools we were considering for them for the fall. After the training we headed straight to the school to visit. This school is called Al Ain English Speaking School. We know a lot of teachers there. They teach the same curriculum there as they do at Brighton College and it's half the price. We ended up signing the kids up for an entrance exam just to be prepared and hold a place for them in the event we move them there.
Once we were finished at AAESS, we went to lunch at 101 cafeteria. I messaged Cathy to join us as she was at the same training with us that morning. Once lunch was over, we were home and I was napping on the sofa. After about an hour nap, I went to meet up with the Monday Meet Up gals. I don't go every week, but I do enjoy the girl time for sure.
I came home to burnt fish, but kids being fed. Our oven it crap! Stuart was off to a committee meeting to sort out some things before the new committee took over. The annual elections would be Thursday and some things needed to be sorted out before then. The kids and I went to Brian's for a small birthday party Lara put together for him. We got back home around 7. The kids showered and went to bed.
Stuart messaged me around 10 and said he wouldn't be home for a while. The issues must have been more entailed than originally thought. He finally got home around 11 and filled me in a bit.
Tuesday morning I canceled walking again because I just couldn't be bothered. Plus, I was up for a bit changing a young man's bed because he had clearly had too much water before going to bed. Oops! And no, it was not Stuart. Ha!
On Tuesday, when I first entered the classroom of the girls I am still teaching, they had cake and snacks, as well as party hats, balloons and poppers to celebrate their other teacher's return. Well, there went period 1. So what I had planned to show the teacher was a bit blown by the fact that the girls took it upon themselves to throw this party. It's would not have been supported if I would have said 'no' to the party, so I just rolled with it. Things never cease to amaze me here.
We had a senior leadership team meeting Tuesday afternoon which took us up to the end of the day. It happens that my principal and I have our own meeting while the Arabic staff seem to run their own meeting. We always laugh about it. I do love he Arabic staff I work with. They always translate their conversations to my principal and myself, but it really does become two different conversations going on simultaneously.
Tuesday evening Millie's rugby team celebrated the end of the season by having a get together and some games. The parents were required to participate. I did, until the activities caused me to wet myself. Then I had to quit, as one does.
We ended up having dinner at the club, getting the kids home a little later than normal. Because it's staying light longer, it's hard to convince them it's time to go to bed at their normal bedtime, so a late night here and there is okay, I suppose. The evening ended with a snooze on the sofa for me, as it often does
Wednesday morning, no walking again. I have got to get my lazy butt back into the groove of walking. I'm clearly not that motivated at the moment. Maybe once Ramadan hits and our work hours are cut to 5 hours a day, I will feel more inclined to get out of bed. Who knows?
I didn't have to teach at all on Wednesday, thank goodness. Stuart had taken the kids to one of their potential schools for some testing. Both kids were excited when I spoke with them on the phone after their exams. Millie really wanted to attend this particular school. I'm sure in due time our decision will be made and the kids will be fine with whatever is decided.
During the school day, I continued to shoo kids back into their classrooms. It seems the closer we get to Ramadan, the naughtier the kids become and the more difficult it is to keep them under control.
Wednesday evening we decided to do a sushi night at the golf club. The kids were bathed and dressed in nice clothes so that once we left, ideally they would fall asleep on the way home. Of course that's not how it happened. Sushi was excellent, as usual and the company was wonderful. Cathy and her girls, as well as Mandy, joined us for the meal.
Thursday morning I accepted the challenge of making pancakes for my kids before school. They weren't bad, according to the kids.
Thursday I was left on my own at school. I knew there would be times the teacher I was covering for would be out again because of doctor appointments and such. I was hoping I would get a couple of weeks without having to be in the classroom, but I'm not sure that will happen. We most likely only have 6 weeks left with the students so I suppose I can persevere.
Thursday after school I did some grocery shopping and returned home just before the kids. Once they were home we started in on their homework. Millie had been selected to be Little Red Riding Hood for her play in her classroom. She has 12 lines to memorize by the first week in May. She has the most lines for the play. She was very excited, but I can see we are going to have to work very hard.
Around 4 pm I took Stuart to the club. When I returned I walked to Lara and Brian's to get the kids. We were all going to the club for the Annual General Meeting for the rugby club committee. This is the night every year that they vote in the new committee. There were only two positions that were challenged, one of them being the club chairman, which is what our friend Sean has done the last two years.
Sadly, Sean got voted out. We were sad for sure. I think he still had so much to offer the club, but the members have their say and more voted for the other guy than they did for Sean. Stuart is still the treasurer, so he was happy for sure.
Friday we went to an Easter brunch that also doubled as our friend Fechin's 50th birthday celebration. We spent 4 hours sitting, talking and eating. We decided to take the party back to the O'Reilly's house and were there another 4 hours. It was a full day of friendship. The kids had a blast together and we celebrated Fechin's birthday in style. I dropped Stuart off at the Rouvi's so he could have a chat with Andrew and Sean. Once the kids and I were home, they showered and hit the bed, after a bit of fruit, of course.
Saturday morning Stuart was our shopping for the BBQ we were having that evening. He had invited the Rouvis and Sean.
The kids and I headed to DeDe's for our annual Easter crafting. Jack didn't stay the entire time as he was going to Louie's birthday party at the club pool. In fact, he was a bit miffed at me that I made him stay at all. When we got there and Louie wasn't there he wanted to know why. I told him that Louie was at his party already. Jack lost it. I tried to explain to him that we had made the commitment to DeDe first before we knew about Louie's birthday party and it was the right thing to do. He finally stopped whining once he got involved in the crafts. We had a very fun morning of crafts, food and conversation.
Stuart came to get Jack at about half eleven to take him to Louie's birthday party. Once we were finished with our crafts, Millie and I headed home. She watched Paw Patrol while I changed beds. It was a very productive few hours. Once Stuart and Jack were home, the kids continued their viewing of Full House. They are obsessed with this show. They are on season 6 and are excited to watch Fuller House when they finish Full House.
Stuart started getting food ready for the BBQ at 3 pm. Sean and the Rouvis showed up just after 4 pm. Stuart cooked and the rest of us chatted. Once the food was ready, we fed the kids and sent them outside with their plates. Then the adults sat to eat at the dining room table. Once dinner was over, the party ended and everyone was gone by 7 pm. The kids were showered and in bed just before 8 pm. It was a great weekend, full of fun and friends.
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