Happy Birthday Nanaji

It's only one day late.

If you look closely, you will see that Pickle is actually singing along (and he really picks it up towards the end).

I am so pleased with how much vocabulary he is starting to use (today he told me:  want Gadget, I am playing with baby).  The words are not super clear, but he is really starting to pick things up.

Shy-shy is too.  She has quiet a few words, with 'carry-me' being her current 'high frequency' word.  

A is just finishing up her Eid break (impressive how smoothly 'Eid Mubarak' rolls off her tongue).  She was very disappointed by a sudden sandstorm that derailed her plans to go for a swim in the moat this afternoon. However, playing in the 'ball pen' helped her feel a lot better.  Back to school tomorrow--and the tears are already starting up about ballet.

I promise:  after this term, I am NEVER signing her up for another extra-curricular activity until she begs me. I just can't fight this fight anymore.  

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Pickle and his multiple crayons (don't worry--they are safe for glass)

My friend Shariza (who I got to spend a lovely morning play-date with--suffering a bit from her flu-shot but still lovely company) came back from a trip to Malaysia with loads of gifts for the kids (she always does!).  These have been the hands-down favourite of all the children (though Shy-shy hasn't gotten her little hands on the markers--she really did love the crayons though).

Yeen's baby is one month today.

First day of A's eid break, and it was a good one.

Now I have to go--after a three hour nap this afternoon--Smile-ah doesn't want to sleep (not with "Poppy" THAT's fo' sho').

xx

Ketch-UP (pronounced "Catch-up" at Sumo-sushi)

...by an Eastern European lady yesterday.

Prompted Peter to ask the question:  what could you possibly need ketchup for in a sushi place??

Forever Young
1975-2012

Our dear friend Kim died peacefully on October 15.  Though he will be greatly missed, and we are sad that he is gone, we are happy that his body has been freed from the pain and suffering.  I am so glad that Peter got to spend some time with him before he died, and I am thankful that Kimberly read him my letter, so that he knew how much I cared for him.  Kim--I toasted you with my su-mohito yesterday--you will always have a place in my heart.

Dragon Boat Racing

We have been keeping busy.  After a Friday breakfast, we managed to spend some time at the beach, and watch the Dragon Boat races kick off.  Though we hadn't planned for it (can you believe with three kids we can still be spontaneous?), we had a great time.

Returning to Abu Dhabi...?

Our friend Louise came to spend the night with us.  She used to live in Dubai, and returned to the region to get some closure...and now it looks like she wants to come back.  I would love to see her make a return back her.  It seems she has outgrown her life in England--and this place was a good fit for her.

The weather changes

I was driving home after dropping A off at school one morning.  It was a sunny morning...until I past gate 10 of ARG, and suddenly I was driving through this...FOG!!  This signifies the change of seasons--it is officially autumn now, and we are looking forward to cooler temperatures.

The monsters in the moat

All three littles enjoy spending time splashing around in 'the moat'.  It is a little shallow for A, but she doesn't mind at all.

The thing keeping me the busiest, is that I have taken on the role of 'classroom mom'.  Currently, we have a project that requires me to coordinate three other Kindergarten moms for the Harvest Festival.  This role is taking a bit more of my time than I expected, and so I will just have to work harder to delegate.

I have come back from a massage (thank-you again, Tod at Anahata).  Can you believe that my masseuse actually phoned me to tell me she was back from holiday and had not seen me?  I went out of guilt, and now as my body is relatively pain-free once again, I remember why I was hooked on these Thai treatments.  

Next month there is a free facial with the massage!!