Sunday, May 28, 2017

Rugby tour and a staycation.

Sunday morning came way too early. My sick teacher messaged me at 5:15 am and told me she had an appointment in Abu Dhabi. I ended up teaching three periods with the girls and a period on the boys' side. We needed to pull one of out teacher assistants to cover our intervention room, which meant I was needed to cover the grade 4 boys' class. 


I left early to get Millie to go to gymnastics. Stuart showed me a new map app to download, and I actually got to the gym faster and I didn't get lost. It's the little things that mean a lot. 


After gymnastics we went to park and shop for a few items before heading to McDonalds and then home. Millie found a 500 dirham note while we were at Park and Shop. She turned it in to a very happy young man who had dropped it just minutes before. Millie fell asleep on the way home. When I got home Jack was ready for bed. I carried Millie to bed, unloaded the car and then took Jack up to bed. Stuart and I watched Who Framed Roger Rabbit before heading to bed ourselves. 


Monday morning I was up, changed Millie's bed, which was well overdue, did my morning jobs and left for school. On the way I got a message from my teacher that she was in the emergency room. This meant I would be covering her class for the afternoon. I decided to take my class to our buddy readers. It wasn't a terribly fantastic learning time, but it saved me from actual teaching. 


Monday evening Mandy came over for a chat. We sat outside and chatted for a couple of hours. She ended up staying for dinner, which Stuart came home and made after he got back from rugby training. I had prepped most of the taco stuff and he did the beef when he returned. 


Tuesday I was teaching again. We had fewer students at school. This is very typical of the week before Ramadan. After school I helped get the kids showered and ready to go to Dubai to see Grandad. Andrew was teaching in Dubai so Stuart and the kids went to have dinner with him, while I stayed home and got ready for my staff night out. It was a bit sad because I'm transferring at the end of this year. I love my staff, but realize it's time for a change. 


Wednesday school was chilled and there were way fewer kids. The teachers were able to combine classes and have fewer teaching periods. Many teachers spent a lot of time in my office on Wednesday. Socially, our lives are getting ready to be way more fun. 


After school Stuart and I went to Brighton for parent meetings with the kids' teachers. They had nothing but wonderful things to say about Jack and Millie. Millie's progress this year has exceeded our expectations, and Jack is writing better than I do. He's so creative. We are so very proud of their progress this year. 


Once we were home, we showered the kids and headed to the golf club for sushi night. We decided since Stuart was leaving for Thailand the following morning, we would have a dinner out together. Sean and Mandy joined us at the club. Dinner was fantastic. The sushi at the golf club is the closest thing to real sushi I've had in this country. 

Jack loves sushi!
Millie thinks this is sushi!

We got home and the kids were off to bed. Stuart was up at 2 am to head to Abu Dhabi for his flight to Puckett. Unfortunately his flight was delayed by almost 4 hours. Seems the jet dumped all of its fuel and they had to disembark for a while. 


The kids and I got up just before 6 am and headed off to school. We had arranged to have a potluck at school, so all the English teachers brought a dish to share. I left early for a Head of Faculty meeting. We were saying goodbye to some of our felllow Heads of Faculty, so it wasn't much of a meeting. 


Once Millie was home from school we went and picked up Cathy, then headed to get Jack from his math club. However, once we got there I was informed that his last club day was actually the week before this one. Sometimes I forget to read the school bulletin. Oops!


At any rate we were off to Abu Dhabi for a staycation at the Raha Beach Hotel. It seems to be what we do now when Stuart goes to Thailand. It's relaxing and fun for the kids. When we arrived we went straight to the pool. Since dinner was right upon us we decided to just get food from the pool bar. We had a few hours in the pool and then headed up for showers. The kids fell asleep watching the Disney channel while Cathy and I sat on the balcony enjoying the view. 

Friday morning we were up and at breakfast by 8 am. We decided to go and see Diary of a Wimpy Kid at the cinema in the mall attached to the hotel. It was really cute, and by the time we got out the Rouvis were at the pool. We got to the pool just before 1 pm and spent a good 4 hours there. Then it was up to the room and off to dinner. We were in bed by 8 pm for a restful night and another day by the pool. 


Saturday morning was much of the same, up for breakfast and down to the pool. We asked for a late check out so we could come back to the room for showers before heading home. Ramadan had started on Saturday so there was no eating in public, thus no food court at the mall was open for lunch. So we opted to go to the super market for some snacks to consume on the way home. Our truck windows are quite dark so we could get away with eating while on the road. 


We ended up getting home around 2:30 pm and chilled for the rest of the day. It was rather nice. Millie had a 15 minute cat nap in the car just before we got home, so getting her to bed was a nightmare. Luckily, Sunday would be the start of Ramadan hours at school, which meant we all went in an hour later. We had a wonderful weekend, but Millie cried when going to bed on Saturday night because she missed Daddy. Bless her!  


Once the kids were in bed I sat down to some television and had a bit of a nap. I was awakened by a Skype call from Stuart. He informed me they hadn't won any of their games but they were having a great time. He and Sean were in charge of the tour and apparently had received many compliments as to how well things were going. I know that makes it all worth it to him. 

Sunday, May 21, 2017

A busy week for sure!

Jack woke up Sunday morning at 2 am and threw up on his floor. He was very conscientious and just hit the tile. Look kid was a wreck. Needless to say I stayed home with him on Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to me. The upside is that Stuart took Millie to Dubai for me for gymnastics. Yahoo! What a treat that was. 


Jack and I sat around and watched movies all day. It was actually nice. We did nip out to get the car re-registered and to take him to the doctor. 


Millie fell asleep in the car on the way to gymnastics so when she got home she was wired for sound and Jack was feeling better. Needless to say, getting them to bed was quite the challenge. 


Monday morning everyone was up and ready to roll out the door on time, which doesn't often happen. I'm usually barking at one of the kids to brush their teeth or get their shoes on. It was a better way to start the day. 


At school, the teacher I have been covering for has returned. Thank goodness. So teaching was not my assignment for the week. However, crowd control became my assignment. What a joy! The students, especially on our boys' side of the school, have checked out. Ramadan begins around May 26th, so we only have two more weeks with the students any way. 


After school we went to the pool. I decided to swim because my knee needed the exercise. However, it was especially painful on Monday and swimming didn't really help a great deal. But the kids got out of the house and we all cooled off for a bit. 


Once we were home we all had showers, fish fingers, sausage rolls and tater tots. Millie went to bed with little trouble and Jack watched television while Mandy and I had a catch up session. She informed me that she had started a series of rabbi shots because she was bit by a cat at her school. 


Tuesday, school was non-eventful, except for the usual boys running around the school. Cathy and I carpooled and then she went to Abu Dhabi with me to get jewelry for my two teachers at my school who are leaving. We ended up going to Al Dalma Mall and shopping a bit, mainly for stuff for Stuart's rugby tour. He called as I was heading to Abu Dhabi and said the Land Rover was over heating again. I wasn't exactly sure what he wanted me to do about it, but I think he just was irritated and I was the sounding board. He ended up driving the car to the mechanic, for the third time this month, and getting a cab home. I got home after a lovely Italian meal at Buca di Beppo, bringing some left overs for Stuart and the kids. I unpacked the car and headed for a shower. 


Wednesday at school I worked on some of my data charts for the end of the year data. It seems when Ramadan starts all the teachers are finished with their work, and that's when my work begins. I usually have the busiest time during the first week of Ramadan and then I can relax a bit. 


Wednesday an email came with the final draft of my children's book. I was so excited. Here is the cover. I can't wait until it is printed and ready to sell. 

Wednesday after school Stuart picked Jack up from school and his friend Eleanor came home with him. We went to Bawadi Mall. Stuart shopped for more trinkets for the rugby tour while I took the kids to Fun City. We then went to the club for dinner. Eleanor's mother came to pick her up from the club so it was then time for us to go home as well. I had a difficult time getting Jack to leave the club. It seems sometimes we can have a full day of fun and it is not enough. He always wants more. I suppose that's his age causing that right now. 

When they did finally get home, they showered and went straight to bed. Millie had scuffed her elbow at school on Tuesday and then reopened the wound at the club. As you would guess, her bath was filled with a few tears. 


Thursday morning I took the kids to school. Jack was getting his Silver award for earning 50 house points. He really does go to Harry Potter's school. He was thrilled I was there, and so proud of his accomplishments. He has had an excellent school year. 


Jack and his buddy, Harry, doing a school project. 

Going to his school made me late to my school. My principal is always very understanding about things that have to do with the kids. Once I was at school it was business as usual. I helped fill out a survey about English and Math, copied lesson plans for teachers, shot the bull with staff during their breaks, and finished up some more data charts. 


After school I headed for the weekly shop. Then I went to collect Jack from his math club. He claimed he had a headache. I think he just didn't want to do his homework. I decided to get home and shower the kids. We then went to collect the Land Rover around 5 pm. The kids had a nutritious meal of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, grapes, and crackers. 


We got home and Stuart cleaned up the back porch for our party to be held on the Friday. He also went around to Sean's to get the table and chairs he had said we could have. The sun killed the seats of two of our chairs so it was time for some new chairs at least. 


Sean came over later for a beverage as did Cathy and Mandy. We ended up ordering curry and just hanging out in the back garden, and I use the term 'garden' very loosely. 

Friday morning snuggle buddies. 

Friday morning Stuart was up cooking for our brunch at our house. We had planned to do a brunch at one of the hotels, as they stop during Ramadan, but we didn't book a table in time so we decided to move the party to our house. People started showing up around 1 pm and the food fest commenced for nearly 12 hours. The kids played in and out of the house, but didn't wreck the house as much as I had anticipated. They tidied up fairly well, and of course I climbed the stairs a time or two to do my own clean up. We laughed and played silly music games until Stuart got nervous our neighbors were going to get upset. We were quite loud, that was for sure. But I'm happy to report that our neighbors did not mention one thing about our overly noisy party. 


Saturday I got up and cleaned up the carnage from the brunch. The floors were sticky, there was still some crap in the garden that needed to be tossed and of course the trash bins were stuffed. Stuart and I had done come cleaning the night before, as I always like to do.  


We Skyped Grammie and Pop as soon as the kids were up, and then we headed to the pool for Henry and May's birthday party. We were there a couple of hours, had some lunch, and then headed back home. Jack was none too happy, but both kids were tired from the previous night's party, and a little down time would do them good. 



We took Molly to her first vet's appointment at 3 pm. She got a shot and had a delayed reaction to it. You would have thought she got shot with a gun, she carried on so. Once we were home from the vet, the kids helped me bathe Molly and then the two of them got in the bath. Jack had rubbed a rash on his stomach and begged me to bathe him. We told him that was why we bought rash guards for the pool because we didn't want him to be climbing on foam body boards and rub a rash on his chest. Maybe learning the hard way will cause him to wear his rash guard next time. 


Once the kids were clean, I showered as well. I then made their dinner while Stuart headed to see the bariatric doctor who did my surgery a year and a half ago. Yes, Stuart has decided this surgery is a good idea for him. He will have the surgery on June 2, and be able to be fully recovered by the time the rugby season starts in September. I think he is anxious to get it over with and get on with the results. 


When Stuart got back from the doctor, after having blood work and scheduling his other tests, I was putting Millie to bed. Jack was still on the sofa, but a tired boy for sure. Stuart started cooking dinner, which was a delightful pork green Thai curry, and shortly after we ate Jack went to bed. Everyone was spent. We are ready for a holiday for sure. It's hot and time for a break!

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Back, knee, and car trouble.

We received a message from Brighton College letting us know that because of damage done from a storm on Thursday, there would be no school on Sunday. Well, that threw us a bit. Fortunately, Clare is always helpful and takes them for us when things like this happen. I ended up taking them to Clare's at 7 am and then heading to school. I taught the entire week again but was told the regular teacher would be back the following week. Time will tell. 


The boys' behaviour at school seems to be  a bit better. There seem to be more adults around during volatile times, which I know makes a huge difference. Ramadan starts in three weeks, so we just have to hang on until then. 


I left work early in order to get Millie to gymnastics in Dubai. We were actually on time for this class. Boy do I wish I would have never signed her up for this class. Ramadan timings mean her class will be moved to 2:30 pm instead of 3:30 pm. I'm not even sure we will get out of school in time to get her there. Oh how I wish there were something here that would be suitable for her. We are going to try out a new dance class in a couple of weeks so maybe she will get into that. 

Once we had made our McDonalds run, we headed back to Al Ain to pick Jack up from the club. He didn't do his homework for Sunday and was acting like a total booger. It's almost like he is a teenager but at the age of eight. It could be a long few years. 


Millie went to school in regular clothes on Monday because she had to put her Little Red Riding Hood costume over them. She had the dress rehearsal for her play on Monday. Stuart took me to school because our Land Rover died on the way to the club Sunday evening. He made arrangements to have our mechanic pick it up from the club. 


I taught in the afternoon, but had the morning to work on my end of the year certificates for my teachers. I also spent a great deal of time corralling the boys to take them to the social worker. One of my teachers brought me home from school. Once I spoke with the kids, Jack reported to me how great of a job Millie did in her dress rehearsal. The junior school was able to watch it. He said she knew everyone's part and helped those that forgot their lines. 


The kids were up doing their homework. Stuart had put their desks and chairs together so Millie was super excited about her new study space. I put some chicken in the crock pot and carried on with my after school routines. The kids and I took Molly for a walk once the sun had started to go down and it was less brutal outside. She tuckered out quickly and didn't pee or poo once when we were outside. Of course once we got back inside she peed on the floor. 


Stuart went to a Puckett Tour meeting, preparing for his rugby tour. He was then supposed to go to training but they ended up not having training. The kids showered and Millie went to bed straight to bed because of her ill behavior. I wish the kids could both behave appropriately on the same day. It would be super nice if they would coordinate their attitudes. 


Tuesday we were all up and very excited about Millie's play. Millie had told me that morning that it was important that Daddy brought her flowers to her performance. I cracked up inside. Sadly, we forgot to do so, but so did she so no big deal in the end. 


Cathy took me to work because our Land Rover was still in the shop. Stuart picked me up just after noon and we headed to Brighton College. Millie's play was brilliant. She knew everyone's lines and helped when she needed to do so. I was so impressed. You know, when Jack was young, every time he learned something we took a bit of pride because we knew his smarts came from us. With Millie, because of her beginnings, when she would learn something we would be totally relieved. This year has proven to us that she is a smart little cookie and we are so very thankful to God for the blessing of Millie and that she is a healthy, smart and sassy little girl. We are truly blessed with both of our kids. 

After Millie's play, Jacob's mum took Jack and Millie to a play zone so that Stuart could take me to get my MRI on my back. It was a quick process and the follow-up would be on Saturday morning. We picked the kids up and Stuart dropped us at the house, and went to the store, because the dog had been on her own for way too long. As you would guess, she had a lovely mess for me to clean up. 


Stuart went to get something for dinner and the kids did their homework at their new desks, which, again, Millie loves. We attempted to take the dog on a walk, but it was still a bit hot on the pads of her feet so we brought her back inside. 


The kids played around and then headed up for a shower. They faffed about and got a few check marks on their pocket money chart, which means they get money taken away. It didn't seem to phase them. However, after their shower and the mess they made, making them go to bed early seemed to have an impact. Cathy came over for a chat Tuesday evening after the kids were in bed. We just griped about school and talked about how ready we were for Ramadan to start. 


Jack woke up early because of his early bed time. He was awake just before 5 am. I  was off to school and shortly after school started, my 9 spelling bee winners headed to the Al Ain competition in town. I was the Bee Master, which meant I was the one who pronounced the words. Of all the accents we have here, it was decided mine was the clearest with word pronunciation.  Still yet, the panel gave me total crap throughout the entire spelling bee. My grade 4 students ended up winning the 2nd place trophy. We were back to school in time for the school day to end. I then rode home with some of my teachers as our Land Rover was still in the shop. 


I got home and the kids were restless, a bit wild for lack of a better word. Stuart put our door back on the maids room so we could start leaving the back door out to the patio open for the dog during the day. Once the door was on, Stuart headed off to a meeting and then training, but when he got back he said they didn't actually train. 


The kids went to bed at their normal time. Prior to Stuart leaving Millie was off the wall. She ended up being in her room for nearly a half hour. To break the will of this child, and not the spirit, is a difficult task. 


I was up on Thursday and apparently I did something horrible to my knee on Wednesday evening because it was swollen and difficult to walk on Thursday morning. It was a good thing I would be seeing the orthopedic doctor on Saturday for more reasons than just my back. 


Thursday I taught my three period and then went to my office to do some paper work. I got pulled into a boys' classroom because the person who was covering needed to go to the intervention room for some of our ill behaved boys. 


After school I headed to buy a gift for Millie's classmate, Dareen, then picked up Jack from his math club, took him home and he went to a going away party for one of his rugby teammates, Hunter. Millie and I then took Stuart to get the Land Rover, then headed to Dareen's birthday party. Her party was a bit over the top. However, we find that's the case here more times than not. Stuart went to the club for the Coaches Awards night. We picked Jack up at the club after Dareen's party and went to Clare and Scott's for a chilli party. As you would guess, by the end of the evening  we were partied out. Millie had fallen asleep about an hour before we left Scott and Clare's. 

Millie was irritated that she didn't get to take a picture closer to Hello Kitty. We did get one in the end, but she had to push her way in. 

We ended taking our friend Gereldine and her daughter Neen home. On the way we started to discuss the kids going to their new school. Jack wouldn't talk about it. He was cranky once they left the car. He accused us of not even trying to keep them at Brighton. It's so difficult to explain money matters to children. He will understand one day. 


We got up Friday morning and got ready to go to Dubai to see Mary Poppins. We went to Dubai Mall early, had lunch at an Italian eatery, and then headed to the Dubai Opera House, just a short walk from the Dubai Mall, where we parked. 


Mary Poppins was just as good as when I saw it in London. The kids absolutely loved it. To watch their eyes when the dancing and singing was taking place was quite a pleasure. I love to see their excitement when they experience new things. 


After the play was over, we headed back to the mall for a little browsing. I began arguing with Jack about the fact that we can't go to a store without him asking to buy something. He got stroppy and decided he wasn't going to leave the toy store. We did a grocery shop at Waitrose and then headed home. I had put the kids' jammies in the car, so they were all set to fall asleep on the way home. 


Kayleigh had stayed most of the day with Molly so she wouldn't be lonely. We had to stop at the house on the way back to get the Land Rover keys because we had left it at the club the night before when we went down to the Richardson's. We could hear her yelping, but carried on to get the other car. Once we were home both kids went to bed while Stuart and I cleared out the car. It was television and bed for us shortly after the kids were in bed. 


Saturday morning I was up and out to go get insurance on the Land Rover so we could get it licensed again. The first place I went isn't open on Saturdays. The next place I went wasn't open and wouldn't be until 9. Dang! This weekend had already been too busy. I really needed something to go smoothly. I went back home and Stuart made an English breakfast. I then headed to the orthopedic doctor for the follow up of my MRI. I thought I could sneak to the traffic inspection place and at least get my insurance, but the system was down. I was a bit late to my doctor appointment, but it wasn't that big of a deal. 


Once I met with the doctor, she ordered another X-ray on my knee because of what I had done to it on Wednesday, but my back MRI just showed that I was old. While I was waiting to see the doctor, after my X-ray, a guy came into the office where I was sitting and started speaking Arabic to me, showing me his insurance card and the splint he had on his finger. Really? I don't work here! I went out into the hallway, called a nurse over and said, 'This man needs something and clearly he thinks I work here'. She took care of things and all was right with the world again. 


The X-ray showed nothing knew. Again, I am just old. Once I left the hospital with some new medication, I headed to the booze shop, African Eastern to collect my free bottles of booze we had won at one of the Quiz nights at the rugby club. 


Jack and Millie were going to Bounce for a birthday party, so I decided I would meet Leanne for coffee. Stuart brought the kids and although I was in the same place I didn't see them. After a proper catch up with Leanne, I headed back to the inspection place. After some confusion, I decided to just get the insurance and I would have to get the inspection and license renewed the following day. Just before 2 pm my jobs for the day were finished. I drove home, picking up the kids from Sean's before heading home. Stuart and Sean needed to sort out some things regarding the rugby tour. 


Scott called and he had taken Biscuit to the vet up by our house. He wanted to know if the kids and I wanted to ride with him down to their house and then Stuart could come when he was finished at Sean's. So we did just that. Stuart showed up about an hour later and we had a lovely evening at Richardsons, including dinner, good conversation and a show called Big Heads, which was hysterical. 


Another great week in the UAE. 

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Cinco de Mayo

Sunday at school, I was in the teacher seat again.  It seems that my teacher who is not well will most likely battle this illness the rest of the school year.  It makes it very difficult for her classroom of students, as well as for me.  We don't have typical substitutes in this country so the responsibility usually lies on the Heads of Faculty, at least the English Heads of Faculty.  I can live with it.  This will most likely last for only four more weeks.  As in the past, we suspect the students will stop coming to school once Ramadan begins.  Sunday afternoon I was called in to a meeting where we discussed what we would do with the boy behavior. I was under the impression that we were changing things and my input was wanted.  I was clearly under the wrong impression.  We shuffled around some of the social worker responsibilities, but other than that everything seemed to look the same.  We will see if we get a handle on things before the end of the year.  I certainly hope we do, otherwise these next 4 weeks are sure to be long ones.


I left work as soon as the students were dismissed.  This gymnastics thing may be the death of me.  On a positive note, I didn't get lost this week and we were even about 4 minutes early to class.  Millie had a great time, she just hates the car journey.  I will plan better next week and bring Stuart's iPad so she can watch a movie. The gym is like one at home.  It has all the latest equipment and she has proven to start out rather well for having not had formal gymnastics before.  She seems to be learning the proper techniques, which is what I want.  However, if we decide to stick with gymnastics we are going to have to decide whether we are willing to sacrifice Saturdays to take her to Dubai.  The class in the week is too early and we would not be able to get her there each week.  It would make me very happy if they opened a nice gym in Al Ain so this wouldn't be an issue.  Woe is me!

Once Millie and I were home, after our fantastic dinner of Burger King chicken sticks, it was bed for everyone.  Sadly, Millie had napped on our way to Dubai, and we all know that a nap for Millie, no matter how long or short, means a late night for her.  She was in no mood to go to bed.  She did relent and stay in bed, but I don't think she fell asleep until after 8 pm.  Stuart reported that the dog had pooped and peed all over the house.  It's part of what I don't like about animals, and the kids don't seemed phased by it.  I am sure they will be once we start having them clean up the mess.  Operation 'take care of your own pets' will begin soon, hopefully.  After I had showered, Stuart ate dinner and we watched an episode of Designated Survivor.  It is a good program, but I have a hard time seeing Keifer Sutherland as anyone other than Jack Bower from the series 24.  Am I the only one who feels this way?


Once we were in bed, I continued to have to get up with the dog.  I must have taken her out three times, hoping she would pee, but having no success.  Then I was paranoid that she would get up and pee in the bedroom.  It's not that didn't every happen previous nights, but I suppose I think she will relapse if we don't consistently take her out at night.   She didn't pee all night and I had to force her in the morning.  Because of my sleepless night I chose not to walk Monday morning.  Needless to say, I was very tired at school. We had our annual spelling bee in the morning, where we found our top three spellers in grade 3, 4, and 5.  Those students will go on to the regional spelling bee next week.   I had to teach in the afternoon and wasn't prepared at all.  I just winged it and no one was harmed by my lack of preparation. 


When I got home on Monday after school, I tried to force the kids to do their homework.  That is the best part of my day, might I add. Stuart had a committee meeting Monday evening, so I took the kids to Clare and Scott's along with Molly.  We went for a while and the kids ended up having dinner with May and Henry.  Molly pooped and peed in their house, and in fact she peed on Biscuit's bed.  Our dog is an embarrassment.  Good thing she is super cute! We left in order to get home and sorted out for bed.  The kids had fruit before they went to bed, and then slumber time was in order.  I was asleep by the time Stuart returned from the club.


I got up on Tuesday morning and walked with Lara.  My hip was hurting so badly that I thought my leg might break off.  Deciding not to go to school, but rather stay home and rest, was a good decision.  Although I was told my orthopedic doctor was not available to see me, I left a message for her anyway.  She called and told me to come in at 2:30 pm and she would sort me out.  Waiting for doctors who are too busy to see you is no fun at all.  She ordered x-rays of my knees, hips and spine.  What she suspected was true.  My L4 and L5 vertebrae nearly touch and are putting pressure on my sciatica nerve, causing the pain that runs the length of my left leg.  She stated she would order an MRI for my spine and we would go from there.  She gave me some medication, but I only took it for one night.  I read the side effects and decided that I would rather take my chances with stretching and strengthening rather than risk an ulcer.  Ick! 


I was home and had a bite to eat before heading off to the tailors to get my new pants and shirts made.  Prior to my tailor appointment, Jane and Bryce stopped by to re-introduce Chase to Molly.  Chase was the puppy that sparked my interest in Molly.  Chase and Molly are brother and sister.  Uh, but I don't think you are supposed to try to 'get busy' with your sister.  Who knows.  Once Bryce and Jane left, the kids went to bed and I was off to meet up with Hassah, DeDe and Heather.  We all went to the tailor's together.  All of us had something we wanted made.  It was very exciting.  I didn't get home until after 10 pm.  The shops are open late, and once Ramadan comes, they are open even later.  It can be quite thrilling to go shopping at midnight during the week. 


I was up a few times in the night for Molly to pee and poop.  Sadly, she still has not had a successful poop outside.  I think she is under the impression that she can only poop inside.  How will we ever convince her otherwise?  We are taking one step forward and two steps back with this pup.  


Wednesday at school, we decided we would have the students start their Abu Dhabi Reads activity which was a pre-reading activity.  We watched Horton Hears a Who!  For second language learners, when studying an author like Dr. Seuss, a preview of a video is the perfect thing to do.  This allowed me to be ill-prepared for one more day.  Once I was finished at school, I headed to Brighton to pick Jack up from his Spanish class.  I then made him go to the grocery store with me.  I told him if he would help me find all of the groceries we could get the shopping done more quickly and get home.  He was up for that and was a great help.  Why didn't I think of this ages ago?


Wednesday evening we were all at home and Sean came over. We decided we would have Sean move in with us. He's on his own, without his kids and we want him to feel a part of our family. It's what expats do for each other. I don't ever want anyone to be lonely if I can help them.  He is like a younger brother to me and Stuart's best friend.  We spoke with the kids about it and they were really excited.  So we will now have a lodger.  We don't know when he will move in, but it will be before Ramadan.


Thursday morning we were up and out the door for our last day of the work/school week.  It was a relatively uneventful day, but still full of bad boy behavior.  However, more boys went home and were sent to the intervention room than have been for the last 12 weeks.  I suppose that's progress.  Thursday after school we headed to the rugby club for the adult player awards.  The rugby club has lost some of it's fun for me.  The committee has changed a bit so the club feel we used to have is not the same.  It seems recently we have just chosen to come back to our house, order curry and have some beverages.  It's much more fun. The weather was windy and sandy, so it made more sense to go back to our house.   So that was what we did on Thursday evening. 


Friday morning the kids were up making forts with every blanket in the house.  They started making them upstairs and kept playing in them most of the morning.  We decided to make a run to the grocery store again, as it was Cinco de Mayo and we were heading to Lara and Brian's that evening for the fiesta.  We had to get some things to take with us, appetizers and the like.  After the grocery store the kids watched movies and we really just had a bit of a chilled day.  It was nice.  It's getting to hot to be outside, unless you are at the pool, and even then you would want to stay in the shade.  We spoke to Grandma on Skype and then Millie and I headed to the golf club for her little friend Jacob's birthday party.  I sat inside while the kids played. I am by far the oldest mother of these little ones. It does make me laugh when the helicopter parents try to subtly tell me what to do without being seen as rude. For instance, Millie didn't bring her swimmers for the water balloons, but it's hot and fabric dries quickly and I had brought a second change of clothes. The hostess of the party finally guilted me into coming outside to watch the kids play, then pointed out to me that Millie was cold and might need her clothes changed. Right! Because we live in 100 plus degrees most days between May and November so I wouldn't want her to catch her death of a cold. When I asked Millie if she wanted to get changed, she looked at the mother and said , 'No, well I guess'. I think Millie thought we were both going to get into trouble from this mother. She changed her clothes, had cake, and then we left to join Jack, Stuart and a number of friends at Brian and Lara's for their annual Cinco de Mayo party. Their parties are really convenient as they live 5 doors down from us. 

The birthday bouncy!

Minnie Mouse face painting after the water balloon fight. Lovely!

Cinco de Mayo, UAE style. 

It was a great night. We got home just before 11, showered the kids and sent them to bed. While we were sorting out the kids, Molly pooped in our bathroom and when we opened the door it smeared like  mashed potatoes under the door. That was special. Endeared me even more to that cute little puppy. After I showered, I realised I had left my phone at Brian and Lara's. I walked back to their house in my jammies, shamelessly, and collected my phone. The people who stayed begged me to stay, but I wisely declined. 


We got up Saturday morning, Skyped Grammie and Pop, but the connection was horrible. We didn't speak long because of the connection. Boo!


Once we finished speaking with them we left for Abu Dhabi. I had to go get some gifts for our two teachers going back to their home countries this year. We also made a stop at IKEA and had lunch, which was unusually horrible. We bought the kids desks to put in the loft. We have decided they need an actual place to do homework. We returned to Al Ain in time to take Jack to a birthday party at Wadi Adventure. They were able to raft and play on the bouncy castle in the water, similar to Wipe Out. 


We went to Clare and Scott's for a bit and took Molly for a play date with Biscuit. She was actually quite friendly to Molly this time. Molly pooped in their house, which again is something we are super proud of. We didn't stay long as Millie started saying she was hungry. We took her home, loaded up our sectional sofa from the loft and I headed back to get Jack from his party and deliver the sofa to a guy who lives close to Wadi Adventure. 


Once that was delivered, we headed home, Jack took a shower and was off to bed. We fought with Millie a bit because she had napped on the way home from Abu Dhabi. That's always a bad thing for her. Once Jack was in bed she settled down. Stuart was in bed by 10 pm and I was at least asleep by then. 


It's heating up in the UAE, so my tan is getting ready to benefit!