Last week of term

When I got up Sunday morning, it hit me that this cleanse was only for two more days? Did I really not cheat the entire time? Wow! Impressive!

We got to school and I tried to sort out what I was doing for the day. It dawned on me that I had taught the last social studies lesson of the term the previous week. So it looked as if a little iPad fun was in order for that group. 

On the way to Dubai the previous day, I had called my bariatric doctor to make an appointment to see him. I have had dull stomach pains on and off since I had the surgery three years ago. I was under the impression that everyone had these pains, especially after they ate. It turns out that’s not the case. My friend Kendra, who had it done about 8 months after I did, was taking to me a few weeks ago and telling me she had the same pain. She said she had it checked out and it’s a hernia which can often happen to bariatric patients. 

So Sunday after my science committee meeting at school, I headed to see Dr. Ali Fardoun. When I had messaged him asking whether I should come and see him as I suspected I might have a hernia, his response via voice message was, ‘You do not know if you have a hernia! You will need to come to my clinic tomorrow between 5 and 9 to see me for an X-ray.’ So, that’s what I did. 

I got there early and just waited around. When I did get in to see him he ordered some blood work which I had immediately and then ordered an ultrasound to see what was going on inside of me. I went to book that, as I had to be fasting for it. I wanted to get it done on Monday morning just so I could get everything settled. After some convincing, I got an appointment and was told I could come in at 9 am and maybe they could slip me in, but I had a set appointment at 10:30 am. I messaged my team leader, Joan and then my Deputy Head who does cover teachers. 

Once I was home, Stuart was making pizza with the kids and fixing our dinner. The cleanse was nearly over. The kids made their own cheese pizza and Nutella calzone. Yummy!

Once the kids were in bed and my dinner was consumed, I snuggled down for my nightly nap. 

Monday morning the kids finished the calzone. I think Millie had more on her face than in her belly. 

That girl loves her Nutella. 

We headed to school so I could sort some activities out for my class to work on in case I wasn’t able to slide into a free slot for my ultrasound. Once my students left for their first lesson I headed to the hospital to wait. When I handed them my paper that had the specific directions on it for my ultrasound, they acted as if I would be third in line. I certainly hoped that was the case. 

And, it was the case. I went in, had the ultrasound, came out, met with the doctor who told me I basically just had heartburn in my belly, and sent me on my merry way with some medications. Done! I was back at school before anyone missed me. I also didn’t have to have anyone cover my class, which was a bonus. 

Monday after school we had a committee meeting. We were to have one in April, but since spring break was the first two weeks of April it would make our meeting too late in the month. We talked about a lot of nothing, but I was able to get the money I needed for the ball and we are still keeping our fingers crossed that people will buy tickets. It seems that everyone is tightening their purse strings in the last year. Things are not as cheap here as they used to be, and people are started to spend less. We shall see what comes of the ball. 

Tuesday and Wednesday after school we had parent conferences. I really didn’t have that many sign up to meet with me, but we had to stay until 5:30 pm anyway. Tuesday was better attended than Wednesday. 

Stuart picked the kids up after school both afternoons. On Tuesday he met with the kids’ teachers. As we suspected, Miss Millie is a bit below grade level in reading. She doesn’t read enough. I blame her mother. And Jack was doing well in all subjects, but he goofs off in class. So shocking! Not! He talks too much, Stuart was told. Really? Where on earth would that come from? 

Tuesday evening, when I was home from conferences, and Jack, Stuart and Millie were home from Millie’s  dance demonstration that she has at the end of each term, we had fish tacos and they were spectacular. Stuart made them from scratch. He had never fried fish, but he can usually make anything he wants to make. We will be having those again, I hope. 

My tiny dancer!

By Wednesday evening I was wiped out. It seems that the closer the end of the term gets, the more there is to do. We went to sushi to celebrate the fact that Cathy was offered a job at Brighton College for the 2019-2020 school year. We are all so excited. After sushi, I was guilted into meeting some of the teachers at Trader Vic’s to say a farewell to Millie’s teacher, my teammate, Leon and his wife, Chloe. They have an opportunity to open a school in St Petersburg, Russia. The bad part is the jobs start in May. This leaves about 40 children without a teacher, Millie being one of them. When we told her, she cried and cried and cried. She loves him so much. 

Thursday we were only in school for half a day. We had International Day. The children dressed in their home country clothes and we had food stalls with authentic food from many different countries. It was a great day, but I was glad when it was over. It meant the kids and I had two weeks of holiday. When I got home, Stuart and I watched television. Cathy came over later and made dinner for us. It was a South African dish and it was really good. Sean came over as well. Millie was her usual stubborn self and wouldn’t try the dish. Therefore, she earned herself an earlier bedtime. She’s stubborn, but I’m more stubborn. 

International dress. 

Friday morning Stuart made boiled eggs and soldiers (toast cut up in strips). Jack loves to dip his soldiers into the egg. Millie had scrambled eggs. After breakfast we spoke to Grammie and Pop on the phone. Then we were off to Dubai 7s for the men’s conference finals. Stuart played in an exhibition match before the finals. He played really well and I actually got some good videos of him, which rarely happens. The men lost the final match, but played really hard and stayed closer to the winners than I think was anticipated. 

Before we left for the match, Millie decided she wanted to make rice crispie treats. So we did. 

Once we returned to Al Ain, we picked Cathy up and headed to the rugby club for the after party. It was a celebration of the adult rugby teams as well as the Netball and Touch Rugby teams. It was a good night. It wasn’t terribly crowded as most people had headed off on their spring holidays. But we had fun. 

Saturday morning we were up early. Stuart was spraying down our back area because with two dogs that needs to be done from time to time. I stripped the kids’ beds and discovered that at some point Millie had peed her bed without my knowing because her duvet had a big wee stain. So, I decided to take both hers and Jack’s duvet covers to the cleaners. Our washing machine is not quite big enough to do an ample job. 

Once I returned from the cleaners, the kids and I headed to Bounce. Saturday was the last day of their unlimited pass, so I thought it best if we get in another 2 hours of free bouncing. I ran some errands while they were bouncing, so it killed many birds with one stone. 

We got home just after 2:30 pm. The kids went on their devices and Stuart and I watched television. Stuart made dinner around 5 pm and the kids showered, ate and settled down for the night. The night was relatively tame as we were getting ready for a few days in Um Al Quain, another emirate in the UAE. 

Interview.....and?

Sunday school was fine. The wind was crazy as were the pupils. Sand was everywhere. My interview was good.  I felt confident in my presentation and the answers I gave to the questions. Now it’s a matter of whether I am the fit for the position. 

Sunday after school we just hung around the house. Since Stuart and I decided to do a cleanse, we were about to gnaw our hands off. I was not made for sacrifice. We went to bed early to avoid having to be hungry. 

Monday I covered for a teacher who had covered for me the previous day while I had my interview. I was informed around noon that I didn’t get the job. I was disappointed, but I always know things work out the way they are supposed to. There will be other leadership opportunities come along. 

We went to pick up my car after school and then were back home. When I picked the car up they told me my battery was dead so they had to replace it. He said, ‘We charged it to the other guy’s insurance.’  Have I ever said this phrase, ‘Only in the UAE!’?  Where else on earth could they get away with such a shadey act? 

Stuart had a meeting at the club and I stayed home, fed the kids, got them showered and watched television. I was starving! Once Stuart was home, again, we went to bed to avoid the kitchen. 

I got up and was able to have a protein shake on Tuesday morning. Nothing ever tasted so good. I got to school and got ready for our trip to the fire station. We have been studying the Great Fire of London and today was the day we were taking our ‘houses’ and burning them up. Yahoo!

I even got to shoot the fire hose. 

After school we had prize giving for the Year 1 and 2 pupils. This is where they are awarded certificates for earning 25 or 50 house points (its a behavioral system). Millie got her Silver (50 points) certificate. Once that was finished I took Millie to dance class. Then I headed home to get ready for the candlelight service for the victims of the shooting at the mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. I was asked to be the MC for the service, which was an honor. Our Kiwi friends are so heartbroken by this, as are we. When will the hatred of those who do not think as you do ever stop? I think we all have our own answer for this question. The ceremony was beautiful and full of love. 

I am the House Mistress for Pre-Prep (Years 1 and 2) Ryle house, so I was able to be on stage when Millie received her Silver certificate. 

Millie went to dance right after the prize giving. Stuart picked her up from dance and took the kids to McDonalds for dinner. He then came home and put them to bed. I had been asked to be the MC at a candlelight vigil for the Muslims who were killed in Christchurch, New Zealand the previous Friday. We have a huge community of Kiwis here, sothey wanted to do something to show their support to our Muslim community. The ceremony was beautiful. I got home just after 8 pm. We were going to all go to the service, but decided it would be too late of a night for Millie. That girl STILL needs a solid 11 hours of sleep in order to function properly. The service was well done and a wonderful gesture. 

The New Zealand expat community sang How Great Thou Art in Maori. It was breath taking. 

Once I was home, Stuart and I ate our first meal on this cleanse. 

Brown rice and beans never tasted so good. We were in bed by 10 pm as I was hoping to get up and walk with Lara on Wednesday morning. It had been ages and it was time to get my butt out there and get in gear again. 

I actually did get up on Wednesday morning and walk. We took the dogs, and it was clear by the end of our journey we had all had a bit of a break. 

We were off to school. The day went quickly. I had an email from a tutor that kind of set me off. But, since this child is considered a VIP, the tutor gets my lending ear. One of the things we put up with here in the UAE. 

After school it was Jack’s prize giving. It was longner than the previous day. He received the Bronze and Silver awards. He had been skipped over when he received his Bronze in December, so they made up for it at this ceremony.

Bronze!

Silver!

Wednesday evening was another boring evening. I didn’t realize how much social activity you avoid when you can’t eat. Stinks. Stuart made chicken and sweet potatoes, which were delightful. The kids lazed around as now that we are almost in our last week of school before spring break, thereisnt any homework. 

Thursday my class was to give the assembly. It’s basically a small play presented by your class in front of their other Year 2 classes as well as the Year 1 classes. The program is to teach some sort of lesson and be tied into our core values at Brighton College. My class assembly started with some students having a problem. They didn’t know how to do their math homework. Along came Wonder Woman and Superman, but they couldn’t help. Then the narrators explained what a hero was. And it was decided that we could all be a hero. Then two other children came along and helped the ones who were stumped. At the end the entire class sang ‘Hero’ by Mariah Carey. It was a tear jerker. Oh, did I mention that about 30 minutes before the assembly started, it was announced that the entire school would be in the theatre to watch? Crazy! I am the only one who has had their assembly seen by the entire school this year. Fortunately, they did a brilliant job. I was so proud of them. My little guy who refused to be in our Year 2 production, actually said his line from behind the curtain, on a microphone. It was brilliant. I was so proud of them. The rest of the day I was on cloud 9 because of how well they did. 

This picture was taken when we were coming back from setting up the theatre for my assembly. I always like to capture these rare moments where they aren’t beating each other up. 

Once the day was over, we rushed home and headed to the rugby club for the Spring Festival. This is one of the 4 big events we put on at the club each year. Of course, because I had done it the previous year, it was already set to go. My fabulous volunteers showed up, ready to help out. Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. There were well over 100 children there and everyone received treats when they hunted the Easter eggs. 

Spring table clothes were spread around on some of the table. Now all we needed were the people 

We did the egg hunt on a sectioned off area of Pitch 1. This was the last group we accommodated, ages 11+. We still have some 13 and 14 year olds who are babies at heart. It’s sweet! This community allows for our children to remain innocent for a very long time. It’s one of the appealing things of being an expat. 

By the time the egg hunts were finished and the prize drawing had been done, I was beyond ready to go home. We left around 8 pm. I was exhausted. Why does it seem that the week or so before a school holiday everything gears up and we are super busy? 

Friday morning, the kids and I were picked up by Cathy and taken to church. Then we headed to the mall to get a birthday gift for Millie’s friend, Amara. She just lives around the corner from us. Cathy came back to our house so we could watch A Star Is Born. She hadn’t seen it yet. 

Once Stuart headed to Dubai to watch the men’s conference team play in their semi-final, and we had delivered Millie to her birthday party, Cathy and I started the movie. It dawned on me that the movie wouldn’t be over by the time I was due to pick Millie up from Amara’s. So I cheekily asked Jack if he would go and collect her at 4 pm. And wouldn’t you know it, he actually went to get her. 

Needless to say, the film was sad and Cathy and I were both distraught at the end. We ended up having to watch a stupid comedy to get us out of our funk. 

Once Stuart was home, we fed the kids, he made chicken burrito bowls again, which was the same meal we had on Tuesday evening.  Cathy stayed and ate with us. We watched television for a few hours and then she went home. I fell asleep on the sofa after I had a shower, which everyone knows is my favorite thing to do. 

Saturday morning we went to the mailbox and then to the supermarket. Remember how they tell you not to go to the store when you are hungry? Too right! We did end up getting mostly things for the kids’ lunches and then other essentials, but EVERYTHING looked delicious. It was a bit sad! 

Once we were home Stuart watched television and I had a nap. Little food and no coffee this week has left me a bit exhausted. I also think as the end of the term draws near, I realize how tired I am. I can’t wait for spring break. We don’t have a ton of plans, which will be nice. The kids and I have two weeks off, but Stuart only has one week off. 

We headed to Dubai around 2:30 pm. Just the kids had lessons this week. Jack passed to Level 3, but Millie is still on Level 1. However, the kids and Stuart will go on the slopes in a couple of weeks and practice while I take my Beginner lesson. Ha! 

Stuart and I had a Skinnylicious meal at Cheesecake Factory while the kids had their lessons. When they were finished we supported the food court and they ate on the way home. Millie fell asleep, as did Jack. Jack is at the age that he will wake up when we get home, but Millie is not quite there and it would have been way more torture to wake her up for a shower than it was to just throw her into bed once we were home. Jack showered, had a glass of milk and then hit the hay. I showered and went downstairs to watch some television. I’m not sure how much I watched, actually. One week until spring break! Yahoo!

When is spring break?

It dawned on me Sunday morning that I am so ready for a decent break. I woke up feeling like absolute crap. My throat was so sore. I carried on as I knew I didn’t have the energy to explain my lessons to anyone to cover for me. I started feeling a bit better throughout the day, but was still scratchy. 

Rugby training for Jack’s team is over now, but we went to the club anyway on Sunday night. I ended up meeting up with a few of the teachers from my school last year. One of them has recently had a baby, and all three of them are fed up with ADEK this year. If you work for the government schools, it not as fun or as lucrative as it used to be. So glad Stuart has gotten out this year. 

We left the club around 7, took the kids home, showered them and they were off to bed. We all needed an early night since we had been in Dubai the evening before. 

Monday morning I got up and knew I would have to get my PowerPoint done for my assembly. I did it with a bit of assistance from my team leader, Joan. I now know how to imbed sound clips into a PowerPoint presentation. I feel this old dog has learned a lot of new tricks this year. 

After school we got home and Stuart was off to the club to look at new kit for the players next year. It was quite an uneventful evening. 

Tuesday we were off for swim squad early in the morning. After school I had my usual staff meeting. During the day I had received a message to tell me that I had an interview for an Assistant Head of Academics for the Senior School, specifically Years 6 through Years 8. I got very excited, but was a bit nervous as well. I had to give a presentation as to how I would restructure the current curriculum design. I told my Head of Junior school about the interview. He responded with a disapproving look. Apparently, he thought I should have let him know that I even sent an email of interest. Oops! 

Tuesday after school I headed to the mall to pick up vouchers for our Under 10s coaches this year as we were to have a celebration on Thursday. Naturally, after I bought the vouchers I received several messages about people wanting to give money. I decided I would just add the extra cask to the envelop.  I then headed to dance to collect Millie. We made our normal trip to McDonalds and then were home for showers and bed. 

Wednesday I worked on my presentation for my interview on Sunday. When I got home from school I ran my ideas past Cathy and she and Stuart thought I was on the right track. Cathy had some injections in her knee that caused her some serious pain. Stuart ended up collecting her from the hospital as she wasn’t able to drive home. She can’t do anything easily. 

We had chicken legs from our new chicken contraption we bought from our friend Martin. He has a patent on this, along with his smoker for the bbq. They were so juicy, and I’m not usually a fan of chicken legs. 

It holds 18 chicken legs and slides right into the oven. It folds up and is easy to store when not in use. Clever!

Thursday the day flew by. After school we picked Cathy up and went to the rugby club for Jack’s rugby team party. We didn’t stay long, but did eat there. Everyone teased me about the message that had been sent on our Under 10s rugby team Whatsapp group. You know when you accidentally meant to send a message to your spouse and it goes onto a group page that should have never seen it? Well, one of the mothers from the team did just that. 

The following is what she wrote, but deleted it before I saw it. Of course, I have a friend who copied it for me. Bahahahaha!

I was so shocked, but then again, not that shocked. 

I then sent her the following, being a bit snide of course. 

She then sent me this:

Then I responded with class, in my humble opinion 

It cracked my up in the end. After all, I am the loud American so she wasn’t lying. 

We came back to ours for a bit and then delivered Cathy back home. 

Friday morning we went to church. The kids decided to come with Cathy and myself instead of staying in children’s church. Stuart had a meeting about changing the menu at the club. They just can’t seem to get the pub menu right, therefore are losing revenue. After church we went to Jimi Mall, a newly renovated mall close to us. Stuart met us there. Cathy and I did shopping for our ‘favorites’ party, although I wouldn’t be able to stay long as we were leaving for Dubai on Saturday around 2:30 pm. We then had lunch and returned to our house. Cathy and I went grocery shopping and then headed back to our house to watch some movies for the rest of the day. It was a wonderful, lazy day. 

Saturday morning we got up and went to take my car to have it repaired, praying the rental car would actually make it to the location this day. The guy called me to tell me he was in front of the Ford show room. Well, that was close! I was at the body shop about 2 miles away he got there in the end and the delivery of the car was a success in the end. 

We then went to get breakfast and then back to the house. The kids got ready for skiing and they headed to the mall for a birthday party with Stuart. I did some chores around the house and started mentally preparing for my ski lesson. I went to DeDe’s for the ‘favorites’ party at 2 pm. I took my gifts and a bag of Cheetos. I wasn’t terribly prepared for the snack part of the party, but since I wasn’t staying and wouldn’t be eating, I wasn’t terribly fussed about it all. 

We took off for skiing just after 3 pm. We arrived around 4:30 and got our gear. Stuart and Jack were off to the slopes. Jack’s teacher told him last week that he needed to get out on the slopes and practice. So Stuart decided they would just get a 2 hour slope pass. I was booked in for my Discovery lesson and Millie would be doing her Level 1 lesson. Needless to say, I was on the baby slope, while the rest of the family were up at the top of the slopes. 

I had a good time. The thing that bothered me most was that of the 7 people in my class, only two of us listened and actually followed the directions given. My left knee bothered me as well. Yikes! However, I think I will probably go ahead and go back for lessons. We shall see. We did the regular take away and headed for home, showers, and bed. 

World Book Week! Why must we dress up?

As suspected, Millie woke up a bit on the cranky side. She just is not a late night girl. Unfortunately, the evening times are all that is offered on a Saturday. She managed, but then after school she and I passed on rugby training. 

School brought forth another computer program for me to learn. I was so frustrated that I snapped a bit at my team leader and then had to go and make nice. Ugh! I hate when I do that. 

My flights were booked, but one flight is not the same as Stuart’s and the kids. So it seems I will be flying back from Milan to London on my own. After school the kids went out to play with silly string. I had two random cans sitting on the microwave and Sunday seemed to be the best day for it. 

Jack was off to training and Millie and I just chilled in front of the television. She definitely needed an early night, and I didn’t mind staying in either. 

Monday was another day at school and then a rugby club committee meeting around 5:30 pm. Stuart stayed for training, but I brought the kids home and we had a snack before bed. We had fed them before going to the club just to get that out of the way.

Tuesday Jack had swim squad, which he whined about a bit. Since this week at school was World Book Week, it meant we had guest readers throughout the week. Mr. Clarke and myself, being authors, of course spoke to the Year 2 children about the process of writing a book. It was a great way to spend an hour of our day. 

Millie didn’t have dance again this week because the dance teacher had parent’s evening at school. So we all went to the club for rugby practice. We came back for pancakes as it was pancake day. Cathy, Sean and Carly came over for pancakes as well. The kids started talking about what they wanted to give up for lent. We have never really formally done this as a family, but Alice and Tommy are Irish Catholics and we’re talking about it at school. So, Millie decided she would give up electronics and Jack decided he would give up milk. I applaud their thoughts for sure. 

Wednesday was school as usual. Jack had a soccer match after school. It was the Year 6 playing against the Year 7. Even though Jack is only in Year 5, he is often asked to join the Year 6 team for soccer matches. 

Wednesday evening Cathy came over to tell me about her interview at Brighton College that day. She seemed pretty encouraged and was hopeful she would be offered a job. As you would guess, by Wednesday, right after school, neither kids could keep their commitment to what they were giving up for lent. Jack messaged me and said ‘Mom, I can’t do it. It’s so hard to think I won’t be able to have milk for 40 days. Please can I drink milk?’  I just chuckled and replied, ‘Of course you can!’ And Millie sent a voice mail sounding terribly desperate, ‘Mummy, I have to give in. The tv is on now. I’m so sorry. I can’t help it!’ Not terribly disciplined to these particular commitments, I’m afraid. 

Thursday pre prep brought breakfast to school. So of course  the waffle station was on order again.  We all dressed up as our book characters Thursday as well. Stuart came as himself as did the kids. Stuart came in to read to both Millie’s and Jack’s classes. They were thrilled. 

Little Miss Sunshine and Mr Bump. 

Before the morning assembly, I popped over to the senior school to meet with the Head of the Senior School. There is an internal posting of an Assistant Head of Academics that I was inquiring about. After meeting with him, I decided I would apply for it. I have nothing to lose. 

After school we got home and Stuart made dinner. Cathy and Sean came over and we had a good chat for a few hours. Millie played outside with the dogs. She does love her doggies. 

Friday morning I picked Cathy up and we went to church. Stuart had his last match of the season which took him to Dubai. Once we were home from church it was time for our girl’s brunch. We went to McGettigan’s. The food was okay and there was a band that was pretty decent as well. We got back to our house around 7 pm, and the men came over (Brian, Sean, And Stuart). It was a good, but late night. 

Saturday I got up and took my car to have it repaired, only to discover the rental car had been taken to Abu Dhabi. Sometimes the communication in this place is unreal, and appalling. I spent the rest of the morning lounging around. We went to the grocery store for the week’s provisions and then headed to Dubai around 3 pm for the weekly ski/snowboard lesson. Stuart and I ate dinner at Cheesecake Factory while the kids had their lessons. We ended up grabbing McDonalds again for the way home. Once we were home, the kids showered and went to bed. I showered, but stayed up to finish the latest episode of The Bachelor. I could tell I was getting sick as my throat was getting very raw. We shall see what this next week holds for me. 

Oh, by the way, we saw a cow in a truck. We have never seen a cow in this country. 

Moving? Not yet!

There was no drama from the kids getting ready for school on Sunday, which was a refreshing change. School ran relatively smoothly. We got home from school and started our new implemented ‘read for 15 minutes each day’. I’m hoping it lasts. It’s a struggle for me as well. We left for the club and arrived just before the end of happy hour. 

Once we were home from the club, I helped kids shower while Stuart made their dinner. They ate and then it was bedtime for Millie. Jack followed shortly after. We watched more of Luther, and then I watched the Bachelor when Stuart went to bed. I must say, I don’t see this ending well for Colton. But what do I know? 

Monday we were told the school would be closing early on Tuesday as there was a bicycle race that would cause the road in front of our school to close. Therefore, leaving us unable to leave the school. 

During my first break of the day, Joan and I went to view a house she had been looking to move into. Should we have left school for that? Probably not, but we did. The house was amazing and in a compound of six houses. There were three in the compound that were empty. If three families from Brighton College would decide to move into this compound, that would thrill us. We shall see what we actually sort out. 

When we returned to school it was almost break time for the children. My student teacher taught a math lesson after break, which was not great. The local people training to be English teachers will never take our jobs. Their English will never be fluent and to be honest, they haven’t been taught any kind of work ethic, for the most part. So all the expats in this country have job security, which is good news to us. During the school day I went out to see the lady booking our summer flights. I got my ticket booked for the summer, therefore Stuart could book his and he kids’ tickets as well. 

When we got home from school, I read with the kids again. Millie showered and ate dinner. We then headed to the dentist. On the way, Cathy messaged me to tell me she had an interview with Brighton College. She wasn’t sure when it would be, but the fact was she had an interview. I was so excited for her!!!! 

The dentist confirmed that Millie had a cavity. She had it filled and was very brave. I inquired about her crazy, crowded teeth and the dentist said not to worry about it just now. I also inquired about regular cleanings for the kids, but since our insurance has changed, that is not covered and it would be out of pocket because they see it as cosmetic instead of preventative. Ha! As I have said on many occasions, only in the UAE. 

I received this email about Medicare. Excuse me! What?

Tuesday swim squad was Jack’s first activity of the day. Although the rest of the school wasn’t swimming because the pool heater was broken. They just assumed since the swim squad kids are constantly swimming, they would be fine. Kids went home early as there was a bicycle race and the roads were being closed off. That meant we all went home early. I had volunteered to take Millie and her little dance buddies to our house and then deliver them to dance. However, the dance teacher was ill so dance classes were canceled. I decided to take the girls to our house anyway for a play date. They had an absolute blast together. I returned them to their homes around 5:15 pm. Once girls were delivered home, I picked Cathy up and we went to the club for dinner. I came home earlier than Stuart and Jack as Millie needed to get into bed. 

Wednesday morning, as my team suspected, the teacher who was to cover Joan’s class for the day ended up not coming to school. She’s pregnant, but treats it as an illness. It’s starting to irritate me because it means the rest of us have to pick up the slack. We don’t have subs in this school, so we have to cover for each other. It stinks!

After school Jack had a football match. They lost by quite a few goals, but he had fun. We then took Tommy and Alice home because Joan was on a course in Dubai. When I got home, Stuart had made the kids dinner. I went up for a shower while the kids ate. Cathy came over just after Stuart left for rugby training. Cathy left before he got home. I dropped asleep on the sofa and when I woke up, I went upstairs. Our light in our bathroom had totally burned out, so that made it difficult to get ready for bed. I suppose we would now be forced to get the ladder out and get the light fixed. 

Thursday morning we were up and out to school. The day went rather quickly and that thrilled me. The wind started kicking up and sand was everywhere in my classroom. I sometimes hate that I have a door that leads to the play area. After school we ran Tommy home, as Joan was off again because Alice was having the pins removed from her arm. 

After we were home, we went to pick up two Bounce passes for the kids to use for the month of March. When they run their specials, it’s quite worthwhile and cost effective. We also hit the supermarket before heading home for the evening. Before we left the supermarket, we got the kids the ever so nutritious, KFC. It’s called ‘laziness’. 

Friday morning we got up and took Jack to the club for a final match of rugby. They won with great ease and later in the day discovered they have won their entire league for the season. They really are quite a talented team. We are so very proud of their efforts. 

Friday afternoon Stuart and I went to brunch at Trader Vic’s with Joan and her husband, Gene, as well as my other two team mates and their wives, and some other Irish folks. It was great fun. We got home from that brunch just in time to go to a demonstration of a tin can smoker. Our house cleaner’s boyfriend has recently patented this and we went to taste some of the meat he had smoked. It was a good couple of hours. Cathy went with us and then we delivered her to Trader Vic’s to meet up with some of her school friends. We headed home and showered the kids. Millie went straight to bed. Jack stayed up for a bit and Stuart snoozed on the sofa. I stayed up and watched television, as is my normal habit each evening. 

Saturday morning we ran some errands and cleaned up some of the sand that had made its way into our house from the winds the previous two days. We had a bite for lunch and then headed to Dubai around 1 pm. We decided to go early because we wanted to stop at the outlet mall to see if we could get some gloves and proper ski socks for the kids. We also needed to find clothes we could wear for World Book Week. We had decided to all dress up as ourselves from The Adventures of Bonnie and Clyde. Stuart was going to come in and read to Jack’s class. I then realized I wished I had dictated what we were wearing in the book. Stuart and Jack would be easy, but Millie and I would be a bit more difficult. 

We didn’t find anything at the outlet mall, so hoped our luck would be better at Mall of the Emirates. We arrived there around 3:30 and the kids were starving. Cathy has come with us and decided to eat as well. Once the food was consumed, we headed to Ski Dubai. Stuart went a bit earlier because he had booked a slope pass for himself, which was two hours. Since the kids’ lessons were only an hour and a half, if he started at 5, they would all be done at the same time. 

For World Book Week, Brighton College asked for the children to take pictures of ‘extreme’ reading. Since we assumed they wouldn’t let them take a book on the slopes, this was as extreme as we could get. 

Cathy and I shopped around the mall, in different stores. She was looking for a blazer for her interview and I was looking for outfits for our book day characters, to which I had no luck, unfortunately. I did discover, however, that Millie actually has a dress she can wear. I now just need to find her a pink polka dot unbrella. 

We got a coffee just before 7, then went to the ski place and waited for the kids. Once they returned, they were getting the ski gear off and I grabbed Millie’s ski card, then reached for Jack’s, which was zipped in the arm of his jacket. Except when I reached for it, I wasn’t unzipping the arm pocket on Jack’s jacket, I had grabbed another kid who, fromthe corner of my eye, looked like Jack. I heard Cathy say to me, kind of in a low voice, ‘That’s not Jack. That’s not Jack.’ I looked up, and sure enough, it wasn’t Jack. I apologized to the boy and then insisted the boy see who I thought he was. So I pointed to Jack, who was coming back from returning his helmet, and I said, ‘See, you look like him a bit.’  I’m sure the boy thought I had lost my marbles. Jack said, ‘Mom! I was putting my helmet away.’ He just shook his head. I’m well on my way to totally embarrassing my child. Mission accomplished! 

Once the kids were free of their ski gear, we headed upstairs tothe food court......again. They had another ‘healthy’ fast food meal, and I am now well on my way to the Mother of the Year award......again. 

The drive home found Jack sleeping and Millie wife awake. Once we arrived at the house, both kids showered and headed to bed. The late Saturday evenings make for super fun Sunday mornings. Stay tuned.